50th Anniversary Issue

[Lee Smalley]

re the galaxy magician it was nice to read galaxys comments but i really dont agree that a picture on the box and updated instructions will make a significant impact on the price of the kit GRP cowl yes but a pound or two on the price i feel would be the maximum it would increase, a small price to pay for a quality instruction manual, such a shame as well because they are great designs!!!

 

anyway great issue loved looking at all the old stuff ...oooo how things have changed 

[Bob Cotsford]

have you seen how much CarbonCopies and the like charge for glass cowls?  If the manufacture of these items has to be farmed out, it would be more than a quid or two on the price!  Alternately Galaxy would have to set up for glass mouldings, not a cheap option either.

It does sound from your review that one or two extra hints would improve the instructions though, eg explaining how to align the tip incidence when joining the panels.  As for a picture on the box, would it really add value to the package?  I don't think so

 

As for the Al's collection of kits, I'm still drooling!

 

 

[Ian Laing]

Thanks for a great nostalgic trip. I had forgotten how old the Graupner "Cirrus" and C.G. Jr. Falcon were - I'm still flying my original Cirrus and have just rebuilt the Jr. Falcon and Jr. Skylark!

 

The Jr. Falcon I first powered as original and flew it with an OLD O.S. Pixie single channel radio, it now powered by an outrunner and flown multi-channel with a Spectrum radio - fun, but not as exciting as single channel.

 

I'n now pondering a multi-channel, electric "Push Moth"

 

Thanks again!

[Lee Smalley]

thats exactly what i just said  BOB, A GRP cowls yes would cost lots more but quality instructions would not, no a picture on the box would not add value to the package but then why does every manufacturer do it.... because it sells and if you read the review i stated that it does help when your in a build to have something to look at and aspire to when you sort of loose interest, and i dont know about you but i join foam wing panels at the root ensuring accuracy here and assuming (rightly in the magicians case) that the panels have been well cut, instructions should not be about extra hints and tips, they should enable the builder to complete the model and still have hair left on the top of his head!! it should be a pleasure to build not a chore and Galaxy really frustrate me here because i would like everyone to build one, they are brilliant aircraft after all, but could i really reccommend one to a ARTF er with no building experience?

 

on another point is it just me that finds ALs collection a waste, they should be built and flown not stored like some form of trophy, there are some fabulous aircraft there and we should see them in the air, not ona dusty shelf! just my opinion !!! 

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

Got my copy today and its a great read. I'd forgotten all about an Algebra III glider I built from the plan. A very unusual shape. A friend of mine borrowed it and subsequently shut a wing in his car boot. I think it was months before he had the courage to tell me and after that I'm not sure I ever saw it again.

 

As for the kit collection. Wouldn't it be great if some of them could be used to generate new repro. kits, so that once again they could be available to buy. There must be one or two classics that would be commercially worthwhile? 

[flytilbroke]

Can't be found in the Fort William WHSmith shop.

[IanN]

A very good read.

 

Feedback on a minor point. I wasn't too keen on the free plan being secured to the centre of P51 with two dollops of quite tough glue. I managed to seperate the plan from the mag without any major damage, but it was touch and go - and getting the residual stuff off the plan and the page wasn't great.

 

The worry would be when I put these away, that I might find them stuck again when I return to revisit them in weeks/months

[Pete B]

Got my copy today - that's my bedtime reading sorted out! Just glancing through I've seen a few memory-jerkers from the late 70's. Drooling over the pic of Ali M's Veron Avro 504N - the kit I always wanted to build and never got around to

 

Wonder if he's got any for sale from his stock?...............

I agree with IanN, I didn't much like the attachment method for the plan. Mine had a crease folded into it and if the plan had been on the usual semi-matte paper rather than glossy I'm not sure it would have come unstuck. If this was a trial run for future issues then stapling is better by far.

Now, back to the mag.................

Pete

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Bob - on sale 30/7 in Smiths 

 

[Lee Smalley]

yeah i ripped my pages

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

 

Well I preferred the plans stuck in this way. Now there's no staple rips in them having pulled them out gently. 

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Sorry Lee had to remove that one - bad boy  

I wasn't quite sure why Galaxy needed to comment either. The kit is what it is - a traditional box of pre-cut balsa and ply that's not for balsa bashing beginners.  

 

It's not so easy so insert a plan cost effectively when the magazine is perfect bound like this but I found the plan could be removed with care. 

 

 

[Bob Cotsford]

I now have a sellotape-secured patch in the building instructions where one glue-spot didn't want to let go.

Mention was made of the old Hints and Tips pages from long ago, I bet there's a fair few that would bear reprinting and still be relevant today. 

 

As for the (Sterling?) P6E Hawk and Tomtit kits sitting unbuilt in Al's collection - enough to turn a man to crime!

[Lee Smalley]

sorry david i knew it was a bit risky when i posted it!!  i welcomed Galaxys comments it was nice to know they read it !! as i said I am a massive fan of there stuff the Gazelle is a massively underrated trainer/aerobatic trainer, i just wish they would put a tad more effort in and more people could enjoy what superb aircraft they are,

 

and your right the plan could be removed with care, but this is me were talking about !!

 

[David perry 1]

Ruined, the whole magazine is ruined!

 

Mannering???  Who the hell is Mannering? 

 

Our beloved guardian-of-the-sanity is MAINWARING!!!!!!  He'll be rolling in his English grave!!

 

Just tongue in cheek of course, fabulous magazine!

 

 

I loved the "where are they now" bit.

 

 

D 

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Posted by Lee Smalley on 16/07/2010 10:50:29:

sorry david i knew it was a bit risky when i posted it!!  i welcomed Galaxys comments it was nice to know they read it !! as i said I am a massive fan of there stuff the Gazelle is a massively underrated trainer/aerobatic trainer, i just wish they would put a tad more effort in and more people could enjoy what superb aircraft they are,

 

and your right the plan could be removed with care, but this is me were talking about !!

 

I built a Gazelle, flew really well until I had my first lesson in Rx batt failure. As you say, very underated Lee. 

My first power model was galaxy Mini Escort trainer back in 1981 but not sure they do that one now.   

Edited By David Ashby - RCME Administrator on 16/07/2010 11:08:31

[GONZO]

Escort designs were the subject of a copyright action, 'Bowmans' v 'Galaxy', some time back. Just a little snipet of info, best not to go into to much detail.

[Lee Smalley]

David you are correct his name is Mainwaring but did not Pike always call him Mannering ??   sad not to see in the section all about old transmitters a WALTRON set! i used to work with Ron Donahue  and Walter  and he used to rattle on about his early escapades it woulld have been nice to se one of his sets, i believe they were well respected in their time

Edited By Lee Smalley on 16/07/2010 13:59:57

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

Er.. Mainwaring is pronounced Mannering lol!

 

For Waltron equipment see the tatty treasures thread here.

I recon I can see a few in Ali's collection too 

[GONZO]

Contrary to what it says at the top of this thread - checked in 'Smiffs' LLandudno on the 15th, quote ''Not in till 22nd, 14 on order and no reservations''. Checked in 'Smiffs' Colwyn Bay on the 16th, quote ''Not in till the 30th, 6 on order and no reservations''. I'd send off for it but I think nearly 40% of the cover price for postage is excessive! I've been taking RCM&E since it came out in the 60's and still have all the issues, free plans and specials so I suppose I will make it my objective to get one eventually, but not with that postage.

[Tim Mackey]

Hi Allan.... I think it may only actually arrive in the shops around the 30th July - those lucky peeps who already have a copy have ordered direct I guess?

[David Ashby - Moderator]

The date at the top of the thread is the article date, not the on-sale date. It's a bit mis-leading though so I'll change it.

[John Jasper]

Just finishing reading my copy which i ordered whilst we were on holiday ,excellent read .

P:s thanks for the sticker david

[Eric Strefford]

I will have to get a copy. The Ohm8 was my first radio model 2 channel rudder and elevator, no throttle on a 2.5cc enya.

Might still have original plan and mag somewhere but easer to buy this.

 Will build a new model electric powered and might fit ailerons as original used to occassionally spiral dive into ground, on a couple of occassions buried up to the wing leading edge, just used to clean out carb etc and fly 5 minutes later, tough little model.

Taught myself to fly on it in those days no buddy boxes etc.

 

[Sparks]

Spotted a lone copy of the Anniversary edition (which I bought)  whilst walking through 'Smiffs' in Shrewsbury today. The rest must be 'under the counter'.