Concorde Speedbird Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 It isn't the cost of electric flight that puts me off, I agree it is cheaper. But for me it isn't, like Geoff said, I have been brought up in a world of glow fuel and four strokes, so for the resources we already have (fuel, loads of engine mounts, starter, glow plugs etc) it is cheaper for me, and I just like engines! Had I been raised in a world of batteries and electric motors etc, it would be completely different. I like electric flight- much of my learning was done on a Multiplex Minimag, an electric trainer. Our Foam-e Wot 4 is brilliant. I just prefer engines, because for me it is cheaper, and I just like them! Hence the reason a MDS 38 is on the front of my Funfly other than an electric motor. I also know virtually nothing about electric flight. For me, all the escs and motors are very confusing! One day I will try out an electric ducted fan model, ready for a project to build an RC Concorde when I am older CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Posted by Geoff Bradley on 06/07/2012 22:31:19: Mmmm - agree 100% about the silence but it makes flying more of a challenge - you can't hear engine loadings caused by the elements so your reactions are down to visual connection with the aircraft. Diversity is a challenge !!! EDF - mmmm why not Balsa ? It will be balsa, EDF will power it (Electric ducted fan, a fan driven by an electric motor) It is a long term project, I have made some plans for chuck gliders to start off. I like a challenge. I have flown our Foam e Wotty (completely silent, you can hear the prop wash and the swish from the air over the wings, quite nice actually!) and it is different to flying the IC planes. But for some reason, I feel more satisfied after flying an IC plane, no idea why, I just do. By the way, Saitos are great- our old 45 ran perfectly, then years of doing nothing later we ran it, still perfect. Eck- Not a hooligan! A 52 sounds pretty nice. Someone has put a 56 in a Funfly, bet that goes! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 Thanks Peter that helps me greatly - I must do more measurement practise Sorry Concord I read it as HDF - well it was late at night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I quite liked an electric powered glider and I even designed a few electric powered models in the nice simple, cheap days of speed 400s and 600s. and wet magnet 500s But they still didn't have the same feel as an engine powered one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Easy mistake to make. Hopefully the weather will hold off and I can give my Funfly a test with a different prop and more aileron movement- should make it a bit more lively! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 I agree Peter - I've not flown a great deal but must admit that I have found that an electric somehow feels very light and not completely in control. Concord - If you go out don't forget your wellies, waterproofs and for good measure take a canoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Here in the East somehow it is still dry! Sun's out as well! I fear the rain which is currently over Silverstone is coming our way. Please miss us rain! VULCAN UPDATE- doing display over Fairford CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Watching the F1 qualifying they look like they need boats rather than cars! I hope the rain holds off here, really want to fly my Funfly. VULCAN UPDATE- Landed safely. Looking at the conditions there, few! CS (sorry for interrupting the thread- I'll stop now) Edited By ConcordeSpeedbird on 07/07/2012 13:51:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 No problem - my wifes uncle was a vulcan pilot - top chap and modest too. Saw a pic of a vulcan in his living room and asked why he had the pic - 'Oh I used to fly them' was his modest reply !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon B Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Geoff, you want to see my 46 sized YT International Paragon. Not light and out of control at all. Smooth, precise and will fly in a 20 mph wind with authority. Some electric models will feel a bit too light (I dislike foam models for this reason - too floaty), but that needn't be the case with the big beast motors you can get now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 I've just seen it Simon - had a look at your pics. looks a nice plane. i've only flown small models as I'm a complete beginner - perhaps i'll get something with a big beast motor when I omprove my flying ability !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Moving on to the cowl... Clamped and glued .. ready for fitting and shaping.. I transfered the thrust line from F1 and projected it to the front face to ensure the motor could be lined up correctly before shaping. I then drew the outline of F1 onto the back face for shaping. I found a shortage of material in the two upper corners so I glued two 1/4 square pieces (not shown) which also gave it a bit of extra strength... The motor was then fitted plus the cowl fitting blocks... With one of my favourite tools( David Razor Plane) I roughed out the shape.. I find it very enjoyable removing lots of balsa as the material takes shape.... That's enough for now ...time for bed........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I join you as a razor plane fan! I just simply enjoy shaping balsa with a razor plane. Cowl looking good, a little different to how I would do it but probably due to me using IC. Goodnight! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Yes, I prefer the Zip razor plane, one of the very first, I first bought mine in the early 60s. Don't forget to have exit holes for the cooling air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Through curiosity I just did a search for the Zip razor plane and discovered they are still in the market place - £3.99 from The Balsa Cabin. The only problem I have with my plane is that blade adjustment is a bit hit and miss - from the pics it looks as if you can adjust the blade from the side on the Zip. Is it easy to do Peter? - if so I think I'll buy one !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Yes, very easy to do. The extra blades that you can buy at the same time are not bad but They work best with the BLue Gillette razor blades which can still be bought on Ebay. Damn, I shouldn't have said that. The prices will go up. Stainless steel blades edges bend. Blue Gillette doesn't. Buy two. after some time (Years depending on use) harder woods can distort the part of the plane that supports the blade and then you might be glad of a spare. Edited By Peter Miller on 10/07/2012 14:23:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Just an afterthought. Doesn't the fact that the Zip is still going over 50 years later say something about it? THe simplest, the cheapest and still the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Thanks for the advice - time to go shopping - It apears to be simple in design and It does the job so how can that be bettered - and how do they do it for the price ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I've got a Zip as well! Worked brilliantly on my Funfly and the Extra. It is oh so simple and the best, simple as that. CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Only three parts and one of those is a standard wingnut. You can't get much simpler than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 More work on the cowl.... Using my cheap little tool for keeping the side faces symetrical.... next shape the angles to suite the battery cover... Looks OK but a bit square... Front rounded and blended - I think it will be ok - I'll leave it for now and see how it looks when the wings are in position and the undercarriage and wheels in place... Ply inserts, for fitting screwson each side face, fitted and blended... I've not done the outlet holes yet - I'll leave them until I'm sure about the shape. I think it's time to start on the wings ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I would go for a bit more curvy on the corners all the way down the fuselage, just my preference. I did that to my Funfly and it looks pretty good. Nice job so far, looking forward to wing construction! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 I'm of the same opinion but it's easy to take off - not easy to put back on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Far neater than anything that I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Bradley Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 Wow - what a complinent. Perhaps my good lady is right - she calls me 'Mr Fussy' I've just grown 2 feet and I can't get my head through the door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.