Old John B

Thanks Digger , it seemed an awful lot of weight for one so small. I shall amuse myself for some little time now, chopping some lead to put in those little pockets. Years ago used to use lead shot, that made things easy but ran out of that some time ago. Old John B

Still haven't completed the hurricane. Sorting out the C of G and it seems to need 6oz. of lead. Anyone else had to put this amount in ? Cant see anyway to make it less. What do you chaps think? Old John B

Hi all, I'm still waiting to finish mine, as I said before I am supposed to be a modeler so I decided to fix the faults myself but the one thing I wasn't going to fix was the tail unit. (Too small if you remember). Well a fortnight ago I contacted the model shop and returned the unit for a replacement. Posted it on the Monday first class, rang on the Thursday and it seems that they really didn't know it was there , found it whilst I was on the phone. I'm still awaiting the replacement . The story is, its the corona virus. The distributor is down from 15 to 2 people dealing with orders., so things are a bit slow!!!!! I am old enough to remember the second world war when if someone made a hash of things the phrase was "It's the war you know!" I bought the thing from a what appeared to be a large model shop on the net. I am hoping that I live long enough to get it finished and fly it but one thing is certain, this model shop and Dynam, never again!!!!!!! Old John B

I am afraid that Simon is so right. I have contacted the model shop and am awaiting a reply. Further to the wings and the glue, we now have the following. . The tail unit is supposed to be completely assembled but when I went to take it out of its package I could see that the rudder had parted company with the fin. Not a major disaster ,but,,,,,,,,,we are talking a new model here. The tail unit itself was several mm's too small for the fuselage. A good dollop of fillers either side would cure this, but then you have to paint it.(If it were a full size plane there would be room for a couple of seagulls nests either side.) The lights are already fitted but I thought that before I went any further I'd check them. Oh dear. The port lights are green and the stbd lights are red as are the landing lights. One could cut your way in and unsolder everything but somehow I don't think so! Bingo, the servos and the landing gear work. Added to this there are dents in the tailplane. Perhaps I have been unfortunate in the kit that I got , there are those who will say "You are supposed to be a modeller, so fix it.", but I wasn't intentionally buying that sort of kit.. I cant send it back as the tailplane is stuck on and the wings are joined. It will be interesting to see what the model shop says, in the meantime if you are thinking of buying one ,BEWARE. Old John B

Thanks for the reply Simon, it is nice to know that I am not the only one who has had problems. Whilst I feel like complaining I know that I can fix it and also I live in Cornwall, which is a long way from anywhere if you want to start sending things back. It is nice to know that the end product will fly well. Once again thanks for the reply. Old John B

Just bought the above and it doesn't come up to expectations.. Noticed that the flap on one side seemed to be split , then noticed the covering was raised as if there was a wire underneath the other one. Then I twigged, they were hinged using the covering and the first one had at some had pressure on it and it had parted company with the wing. Joining the wings is going to be interesting. Marrying the two sides together properly will require a certain amount of sanding, cos as it is one can get a large gap either at the front or the back , depending which end you hold together. Now the most important bit so far, the glue supplied, I have tried it on two spare bits of foam and it still hasn't set after fifteen minutes. I have been building models for seventy years, so I got this as it seemed the thing for clumsy fingers ! Anybody out there got one and if so what glue did you use Old John B

Thank you chaps, you have told me what I wanted to know. How I didn't find it myself I don't know, perhaps my son is right "At 88, you are getting past it Dad!", I trust that he is joking.

Was going to send a photo for the pilots pictorial, when my ancient printer finally gave up. Bought an HP 5230. How I regret it. No written instructions or diagrams. Anyone got one, if you have what is the paper tray on the top for. It isn't mentioned anywhere or named? I know I am getting old and a bit daft but senility seems to have suddenly come upon me!!! Old John B

Well chaps , I found your replies very interesting and I will answer you all in the order the mails came. Tom, all the controls were going the right way we checked before the first flight. I was using 4 cells ,put the C of G in the place stated on the "plan". Where did you see the review I must admit I didn't look for one! Tim I agree with your President, it is without doubt the worst plane I've flown in the 45 years I've been flying.I put it down to the fact that I'm 87 now and thought perhaps that the old reflexes were getting a bit rusty. My fellow club members never mention the fact that I might be getting a bit slow!!!! They are a grand lot. Piers, No wasn't using aileron differential. To be honest didn't think of it at the time. You could be on to something here. Anyway ,if I decide to fix it I will certainly put this in. Old John B

Been flying radio models since 1974 and consider myself an average flyer. Always wanted an Albatross and bingo, I saw Dynam had one. Went together like a dream and looked the part when it was finished. We have some very good flyers in the club and as I am getting on a bit , I thought I'd get one of them to do the first flight. He found that the rudder was needed to help it turn and it had a tendency to drop its nose.Anyway it came down safely. My go now. Well it was interesting!!! Using rudder and aileron as one is supposed to it was reluctant to turn right or left and the straight and level flight was anything but. We had a conference checked the C of G, throws etc and off we went again. It flew me for several minutes, eventually decided that it had had enough and came down, ending up in bits. Now I can buy spare parts and put it together again but is it worth it? Is there anyone out there who has one of these, if there is can you give me a few tips. I am sure it is me or the way I built it, after all several hundred must have been sold and successfully flown. What does anyone think that I have done wrong? Old John B

Hi All, I'll run through the questions you have asked ,so here goes. 1) It is a Dynam Albatross, excellent kit nothing to complain about there. 2) Batteries are almost new and are balanced charged every time I go flying. 3) Turnigy 3.3 30 - 40 discharge 3300 mAh 4 cell battery used. (Battery reccomended 14.8V 2200mAh Li po 25C) 4) Motor size, BM3720A-KV600 Brushless Outrunner 5) Speed controller, 40A Brushless 6) Prop. 13 X6 Dynam (two supplied.) I shall press on as there must be hundreds of these flying successfully. Don't forget , it might be the old stick on the end of the stick causing the problem ? I can hear someone saying, "More than likely." Old J ohn B

Further to my queery I had on lipos for the Albatross, Frank wondered how it went. Well the weather has been lovely and we have had lovely modeling winds (8-10mph) and sad to report I seem to have had the odd ball. One of the club' s top flyers tested it and even though we had to change the receiver, it was no great shakes. I have had a couple of flights with it and to me it does not have the get up and go that it should, in fact after three circuits on full power it seems to slow up a bit . I know that one would not expect it to dash about like a pylon racer but it did seem not to have anything in reserve for emergencies if you know what I mean, perhaps I am odd but I don't like flying planes about on full throttle all the time!! Anyway I shall persevere, certainly looks the part. Perhaps it was because I didn't put the pilot in it, if the one supplied and the plane were real he'd have a hard job as his feet would not touch the pedals !!?? Old John B

Once again I must thank you all for the time and effort you must have put in to find all this. It just shows what a great bunch of people modelers are. Old John B

Thanks for the picture, seems I was wrong .Mansells still exist. I will give them a ring over the weekend to see if they are the same people. Old John B

Thanks Doug, I remember Mansells models, I think they were in Paignton Devon , it was a big shop then but alas long gone Old John B

Sorry forgot to say whatit was. It was a pattern ship called the Khame Sutra Old John B

About 38 years ago a friend gave me the bits to make this plane. We moved shortly after and the fuselage was put in the back of my then new shed. Years have passed and the other day I saw the fuselage and the wings hiding under all sorts of rubbish, mentioned it to a friend who said he would like to make it. The snag is I am struggling to find the rest of it. Has anyone a picture of it, or indeed a plan? It would be nice to see what my friend is trying to bring back to life. Old John B

RE the queery I had on lipos. To those who replied and gave me the answer thank you. I said I would report on its flying, (The Albatross.) .Went nicely but the weather has been so iffy I haven't flown it since. Looking forward to better days to come. Old John B

Thank you very much, you have set my mind at rest now. Will probably bore you next week with a report on its flying. Once again thank you Old JB

All my modelling life I have been an IC man, but after many years have gone electric.but I am old and am baffled by science The chaps in the club are most helpful I have an albatross and the battery for it according to the instructions is 14.8 volt 2200mAh LiPo 25C I have 14.8 volt 3300 mAh 3.3. In simple terms, YES or NO, will it blow the thing up My expert wont be there next week and I want to fly it if possible Old JB

I started in 1941 with a rubber powered model covered as I remember in some kind of orange film. We used to fly it from a hill in the park. Father made a Daily Express glider, can't remember when that joined the family, and I remember that was covered in brown paper.Several "Frog" models followed and the "Frog" fighter that I still have, though the oil bottles and the gadget for putting in the rubber motor have long been lost My son who is now 59 played with it and it is still intact in its box. We used to buy solid model kits for about one shilling and flying model kits for a few pence more. I left school and went to sea in 1948 and model flying took a break for about ten years but the bug was still there and very soon model flying (Gliders, control line etc etc) became part of my life again.My son got the bug too but went on to fly full size machines for a living At 87 I am still at it, the chaps at the club are all very good and keep an eye on me just in case !!!!! I intend living until I am 120 so I hope that they can keep up with me ??? Old John B

Thanks chaps, you have reassured me and I shall now be happy to use them. Old John B

Have a Spectrum DX6 Tranny and decided to try the "Orange"R615 receiver. Two in fact. Went flying and the boys tell me that these are park flyer receivers.They range check OK at 30 metres,but what is the range of park flyer receivers, the advert on Hobby King doesn't say park flyer at all Help . .

Gentlemen, I am going to let well alone. The machine is flying beautifully, I didn't really take in the bit about the six channels at the time, no idea why, we will put it down to old age.Once again thank you all for your interest. Old John B

This is most odd, the screed one before this has just turned up.Wasn't there just now.Perhaps it's worked by Sektrum!!!!!!!!????????? Old John B