[Electric Sea Fury]

Not sure if he'll thank me for this or not, but theres a video of todays flight at http://www.greenacresmac.com/Videos/Hurricane%202nd%20Flight.wmv 

Sorry I didnt properly capture the huge grin afterwards Danny.

[Electric Sea Fury]

I guess proof will be in the pudding as they say. Thats why this is such an interesting experiment.
At least with keeping the cost down, they are not expensive mistakes if an upgrade is necessary.

[Electric Sea Fury]

I recon Danny will prop for 50A but only use it very breifly.

We've been doing a lot of eagle tree testing lately and its amazing how little power you use at straight and level cruise.
So maybe 1200W just in case and probably less than half to cruise.

100W/lb was an old rule of thumb, generally applied to smaller models using inefficient brushed motors. With a bigger model and efficient brushless motors this can be relaxed substantially.

With A123's we can prop for large currents, they will take it. Then maybe use this for takeoff only or the odd impressive vertical, and fly around scale fashion on much less power.

Danny you'll be fine, especially on our nice new manicured lawn.

You'll find out if the spec of that ESC is correct!

[The May Grand Prize Draw]

Pick entry 304 please!

[From the archives......]

Would have been mid 70s that I started. Keil Kraft free flight.
A Jetex Javelin I remember for some reason, probably because I ignited the tissue and dope when I lit the motor, Still launched it and it went Ok for a while lol.
Then onto profile C/L with diesel engines (oh the smell!)
First radio was a McGregor single channel. It had crystals so was "advanced". Press once for left and twice for right if I remember correctly. In a Mercury Matador that you can still buy today.
First Propo was Wiltron 4-5. It's still in the loft and the DEACs are OK.

Things have come a long way since then, not so sure about my flying skills keeping up though.

[er.. Hi]

[er.. Hi]

Well I am sorry!    But after constanly using these for 2 years, I really didnt think they would surprise me again!
Theres nothing like a bit of banter to get me going, you've asked for it now!

Great news (or is it rumour) is that hot on the heels of the 1000mAh A123's, there are very soon to be flat, rectacular ones in other useful sizes like 3300.

By the way, A123 are also producing replacement batteries for the Toyota Prius which boost performance so much that Toyota are concerned about their motors!. This converts the car to a "plug in" that can charge at home and run on batteries. (its on bloomberg)

They are power of choice now in many Robotwars robots and the power the record breaking killacycle (its on youtube)

Argghh no.. I cant stop..

Oh yes - ""Repent - The end of the world is nigh...  "
Oh and I must ring my broker...

[er.. Hi]

Apologies before I start, I just have to make another comment about A123's.

Tonight I got round to a job I've been thinking about for a while. Amongst other tweaks, I swapped out a battery in my MK Alliance pattern ship. Took out a 2 year old very abused battery and put in a brand new one. Then i did some power tests. I'd changed the prop too to give me a bit more speed. So comparisons aren't quite direct.

The old battery has flown hundreds of flights, been crashed, and bent. Its been tested to 120A and flattened to 0V by leaving a test load on too long 3 times! It's still been flying the plane fine.

The old battery tested as follows, with a 800KV motor, 12x6 Prop and 7S:-
 Volts down to 19.7V while 43A was being drawn. This giving 840W.

With the new battery in, I have fitted a 12x8 prop and as expected the current draw was increased:-
Volts now down to 19.2V while 49A was being drawn. This giving over 950W.

I'm putting the increase down to the change of prop.

What I'm amazed about is how the old battery is standing up after all I've done to it!

[Greenacres MAC 20th Year funflys]

Well if Dannys ordered it, then we are in for a heatwave..
Better book your camping pitch now

[Greenacres MAC 20th Year funflys]

Sounds like a good plan to me.
And maybe we'll get some decent weather this year??

[er.. Hi]

Fantastic. Look forward to seeing you. Hope you can make it.

Don't worry we won't be "preaching". I'm more than happy with anything that works these days.
And I've just ordered some Lipo's for the summer too.

Wednesbury is close, are you anywhere near these days? 

Yes, its a shame Mark left for the hills, he's flown jets at our funflys a few times.

[er.. Hi]

Thanks Timbo

I know Danny well, we fly together lol.

I'm desparately trying not to start my own crusade, honest. (Thank goodness for the delete key, I wrote loads just then).

Why not come to a funfly and see for yourself.
Many people have witnessed the 10 min charge, in the plane, and then a full 2200mAh at full power and have gone away very thoughtful.

[Greenacres MAC 20th Year funflys]

This is an OPEN INVITE to anyone who would like to fly or spectate at any of our 3 funflys this year.

We have:
21/22 June "Power" Funfly
26/27 July "YT International" Funfly
16/17 August "Electric only" Funfly

Entrance is free. Tx registration is £3. Plenty of camping is available, we are asking for a small donation this year. Theres Toilets, Refreshments (Burgar Bar), We have a Barbeque on Friday and Saturday evenings. Its an all round freindly, fun, fly in. Everyone welcome. We are also having more family attractions this year (yet to be finalised). Trade space is free, traders generally donate to our raffle.

This year I'm trying out a live webcam of the event. So you should be able to see what's going on live. (Don't shoot me if it doesnt work!) There are already some webcam tests on our website.

For any more info see Greenacres website , leave a question here or send me a mail.
If you come, seek me out and make yourself known. We do our very best at "Warm Welcome"

[er.. Hi]

Thanks Eric.

Good, bring it on. Its horses for courses in my opinion. A123s aren't a magic bullet for everything.
But get me going and I seem to get into soapbox mode about all their advantages.

I'm always up for an intelligent discussion. (Can't be doing with slanging matches mind you)
Hope the spell checker is good though, my spelling leaves a lot to be desired

It remains to be seen how often I can get on here, we'll see.

[er.. Hi]

Hi then

First post here (clearly!)
I'm a BMFA A cert pilot practicing for my B test. I fly almost exclusively electiric models now, mostly "40" size and above. Mostly using A123 cells, Of which I have over 2 years experience of their remarkable advantages over LiPos. (And the odd disadvantage). Biggest model is a Ripmax 88" DH88 on, you guessed it, brushless and A123's. It is way over powered, but I learned a while ago to use that throttle stick thingy.

For my sins, I've been roped into being Social Secretary at Greenacres Model Aero Club in Walsall West Midlands. I also write their website Greenacres website .

I'm currently busy drumming up support for our 3 20th aniversary funflys this year. Anyone and everyone is invited and they promise to be great events, weather permitting. Plenty of details and photos of previous events are on the website. If anyone does come, seek me out and make yourself known.  Shameless plug over, sorry

[The April Grand Prize Draw]

Very nice, would fly nice slow long flights setup as electric..