Alan Dorrell

Very soon now , Chris, problem sorted. It turned out to be a glitch in the Tx, on the throttle control. Un fortunately, I did something last Sunday and hurt my knees. Two traipses to the hospital on Monday and Wednesday (nothing to do with the knees) and I am having a very bad leg week. I keep saying it, we'll get there.. Alan.

The printing is on the outside, so as MM is glow, I fuel proofed the decals with Clearcote, no smudging or running. When I went to Smiths this time my branch hadn't any so I went to their website. This time, again under 'crafts' it is called ' Window film' and on offer half price. £3-99 a pack of six sheets I bought four packs and did not have pay p&p. With Windy being leccy, no need for fuel proofing. Makes life easier, but I have not succeeded in bonding my ESC to the motor successfully. Colin is coming in a day or two to hopefully sort me out. Statistics: Windy is 60" span with wing area approximately 500 sq. ins. Without lipo she weighs 54 oz, which I think is almost exactly one and a half kgs. My hope is that I can fly her as a radio assist model to be enjoyed on a nice calm day. Soon, I hope. Alan.

I know, I keep saying she wont bear too close inspection. I have used standard Solarfilm and Solartrim. It is fairly good around the plain bits, but rubbish around that curved forward decking. Now for the lettering. I got this clear sticky back film from W.H.Smiths. About four years ago I knew what I wanted and tried the internet but it seemed that what was available was in large quantities and sizes and a tad expensive. Then, I was browsing in my local Smiths and found this stuff in the crafts section rather than PC printer papers. It was called Decadry in A4 size and it worked. I used it for my Merrimog .

Well, they have come in reverse order, but it is not important any way. I'll await comments before anything else. Alan.

I am having a slight problem getting these in order.

Oops!! Second photo. And now, Wait for the drum roll.

Well Guys, here we are again, eventually. The covering with Solarfilm was something I was certain you would not have wanted a blow by blow description of. You will see from the next photos that like an ARTF I covered the fuselage and tail units first before attaching them permanently, unlike the original. So the piccies show stab and fin in situ awaiting the triangular fillets. With the dowels, it should be nice and strong. As said before, I am not bothered about adding weight as the nose will be, relatively, heavy. Alan.

Thanks Guys. Alan.

The following has everything and nothing to do with the Vintage build. My Windy is almost done and looking fairly good. I was hoping to 'unveil' her on the1st. March after exactly four months build. Aaaah, the best laid plans.....! The Old Dear, Her Indoors, the Gaffer, has been, unusually, rather poorly. She is never ill, but this time it was to hospital for tests but she was straight back home with a carrier bag full of medication to rival mine. She should soon be her old self. However, my real problem is this, and if anyone can advise I would be grateful. To complete Windy, I planned to make some transfers or decals with my computer. Unfortunately my old (very) printer seems to have retired itself, so, when I was down at Tescos last Thursday I bought a new one, a wireless one to go with my now newish laptop. It is an Epson Stylus SX435W. I like Epsons, this is my third or fourth. But I cannot seem to get it to link with the laptop. I have carefully followed all directions given on the installation disc,but all I finish up with is "printer not found" on the laptop, and "computor unavailable" on the printer. The printer did not come with a USB connector, although it has that facility. If I buy a connector, should that work ? Or will it be the same ? The printer model seems so new it is not listed on the menus. Or should I repackage the printer and return it. It does work beautifully as a copier. Im not showing off Windy until she is in all her glory and ready to maiden. Alan.

Pete, Of course, you are right. I am doing it myself. Covering with film is not exactly special in the interim stages. Well, it wont be long now. Alan.

Haven't seen much on the Vintage Build threads recently. Is everybody building like mad ? I am, but then I am rather slow. However, I will say that shortly I will be setting up my electric power train on the Windy. When I have finished the last bits of trim I will post more photos on that site. Nevertheless, I am surprised we haven't seen build blogs on some of the other proposed. Come on you Astrohog and other builders. Alan.

Hi Chris,   I think the colour scheme is coming on a treat, but will not bear too close scrutiny due to the dithery digits. However, there is a lot be said for being able to work in the house when it comes to cold weather like this. I've done something every day for the past week, but will have to go to appointments this coming week. A bit of an MOT for me on Tuesday and the real MOT on the car on Wednesday. If it is not too traumatic I may go to the LMS on Friday and spend a few pennies.   Jim, The Toot is very much on my mind again. I picked up a wire u/c at the swapmeet that is going to save me some effort and I have virtually everything to hand to finish her off. However, as soon as Windy is done, I must finish my Webbit 52. That is really only a matter of covering. Solarfilm again and it is a simple shape so should not take too long.   Then, with at least one model complete for the Vintage Build, I want to start the S 60 but do it alongside finishing the Toot. I intend to briefly blog the Webbit but not the S 60 as BB has done such a superb job.   Cheers. Alan. @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

No more photos yet. That is quite deliberate. In fact, I am only posting to indicate that I am still around. In fact during the last few days I have been ironing on Solarfilm. I have told you that I am a slow worker. I am managing to create the scheme I have 'designed' ?, but a few wrinkles are appearing. However, nobody will see them when it is airborne. I will post again in a few days.   Alan. @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

@import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); Hi Guys,   Back again after, what is for me, an intense session of building, ha! ha! Next picture:       Trust me to get things out of order. Anyway, starting the cowl, we have the nose former of 1/4" ply to which is glued a semi circle of 1/8" balsa. Two sides of 3/32" balsa with triangular longerons and, and the rearmost former which is of two cross grained pieces of 1/8" balsa laminated for toughness. The nose former is very similar to, but slightly larger than that of the original. This is because I could not obtain the specified 2 1/8" diameter spinner, also to allow room for the outrunner which needs more room than the original inverted diesel.   This is what I should have shown first. You will see I have reinforced my laminated underfin with a piano wire skid. This is instead of the fixed tail wheel of the original.   I have screwed the cowl sides to the fuselage, epoxied the nose former, glued the rear former and started planking with 1/8" strips approx 1/4"wide and chamfered.   Another view.   Underneath of cowl built up from 1/2" soft balsa. Retains fairly closely the original's silhouette.   Plenty of cooling air can go into that scoop. I wonder what Ron Aaron's inspiration was ? Nearly there.   Cowl finished. It is lovely and light. The remaining item is the access hatch. Held by a tongue for'ard and mini magnets at the rear. The oval hole serves two purposes. First to provide an exit for the flow of cooling air and, second, you can insert your fingers to remove the hatch to change the lipo. The hatch carries no load and the integrity of the fuselage is maintained by the 1/32" ply doublers.   And that is all the framework complete. Now to iron on the Solarfilm.   Cheers. Alan.