Solly

Please keep going. It's refreshing to see some real skills, albeit on a learning curve.

Don’t forget Weston UK are still advertising the Magnum 120 and 180 four strokes, although I don’t know what their supply situation is.

Extra Slim, well said.

Yes, that site is also playing up.I tried four times today before I finally got the correct page.

Yes, Slec have always given me good service and importantly are always courteous and helpful.

Yes, it happened yesterday and also this morning.

Prosynth for me every time. I too have used nothing else for many years without problems. In fact Weston have now doubled their guarantee on their range of racing engines provided only Prosynth is used. I would ignore anyone calling the fuel inferior, the overwhelming evidence proves them wrong.

Sorry to point out the obvious, but because of bad virus activity the Laser site has now been down for over three weeks. Three weeks?

Quaker Flash?

Weston uk sell diesel fuel by the litre.

Weston UK do a range of 4 stroke plugs, I’ve used them for years.

Beware of the Tufcote. My experience over the years tells me that this too will eventually lift the finish, especially with hot exhaust deposits. Clear KlassKote is the only product I’ve found to completely work.

One of the negative aspects of the now predominant ARTF movement is the gradual decline of the performance of the UK team in international scale competitions. I can remember when we consistently were placed in the top positions on the European and World model stage, with superb models which were designed and built by the competitors themselves. The modelling magazines have a lot to answer for here, for years now any newcomer to the hobby has been steered towards an ARTF model using electric power, the reasoning being that it’s better to have them flying than not. The result is that there are very few, if any, young scale modellers available for international flying. Look at the results in the last few world comps. Also look at the dismal magazine coverage compared with the in-depth analysis we used to see years ago.

I have an 81 alpha, it was unused for the winter and when started up ran very erratically in the air. The carb was dismantled and looked OK. On the advice of the late Brian Winch I fitted a breather nipple to the backplate and it runs perfectly. His explanation was that any oil present in the internal vent passage, which is very small, can dry and form an occlusion.

Why use metal? Last time I had to do this I used a cut-down hub from a damaged beech prop. Paxolin is also OK as long as you roughen both sides to provide some grip.

Weston uk are well established manufacturers of West contest winning high quality engines. It’s significant that they have recently extended their 12 month warranty to 24 months provided only Prosynth fuel is used.

I’m sure the Saito 125 will be just fine, and give you an extra reserve of power. Sig Coverall is fine, I’ve used it many times. I covered mine with lightweight fibreglass applied and sealed with water based Poly C resin.

Paul, nothing wrong with a nice flying sport scale model, the main purpose of my reply was to mention that it flew nicely with a Laser100, most of the time on about 60%to 70% throttle, it didn’t really need flaps for landing but they were nice to experiment with.

I too scaled up this plan some years ago to 90 inch span. It flew fine with a Laser 100 for power. I sold the model but now wish I'd kept as it flew nicely. If you do the strip stiffeners on the ailerons and flaps note that they are just on the lower surfaces on these bits!

Weston UK have a good range of plugs, 2 stroke and 4 stroke. I’ve used them for years and find them excellent.

Hmmm. If the repaired prop decided to throw a blade and there was damage to property or injuries to a person, I suspect your insurance might be affected. Personally I wouldn’t chance it.

Me neither. I always achieve straight and level flight by using rudder and elevator trim, if necessary mixed to the throttle control. I suspect engine thrust offsets hark back to free flight days.

Martin, I completely agree with your sentiments. And I can assure you that I'm aware that the forum is available to everyone. My problem is that people of a sensitive nature, as you diplomatically put it, can make comments promoting their own point of view, but as soon as anyone has the temerity to disagree, the rather unpleasant replies start. A previous correspondent asked me to remember the 1930's! For heaven's sake. Another stated that I was commenting from the safety of my keyboard! And all this vitreol stems from the light hearted comment (not even made by me!) that a drone flyer better not interfere with a sporting event. The mind boggles.

Martin, I totally respect your opinion. But you're asking me and many older people like me to drastically change our banter and completely harmless sense of humour to obey the alien rules of a modern society which is apparently determined to change the behaviour of this country to fit in with their own vision. Sorry, but no way.

Band? Do you mean like the Beatles?