Todd B Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello Folks, after finding my old stack of RCM&Es in the loft yesterday I thought I'd have a look to see if - almost thirty years since my last read - it was still around. I was pleased to see that it's still here and now has this forum too. For my birthday a few weeks back my wife bought me as a surprise an FMS Easy Trainer set and I was back in the air for the first time since the 80s. Things have certainly changed with the miniaturisation and efficiency of the electric systems. My heart remains with the traditional balsa construction however so I went up in the loft to find my old RCM&Es that I had a subscription to from 1979-1985 when I was a lad. I have a few of the free plans that were given away with the magazine and I am considering which one to build from the point of suitability for electric power. Reading those old back issues has been a real nostalgia trip taking me back to my first flights at Hanworth Air Park and Richmond Park in W.London and shopping trips with my father to Radio Control Supplies in Hounslow, Mick Charles in New Malden and - special occasions - Henry J. Nicholls in Holloway. There seems to be a load of info and enthusiasm here and I'm glad I've found my way back to the hobby after all the usual diversions. Cheers Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon barr Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello Todd, welcome back.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hi Todd, Welcome to the forum! You're in good company - many returnees here. I'm sure your mention of some of those names from the past will prompt a reminiscence or two..... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello Simon and Pete, thankyou for the welcome. When I was starting out - the first time - I was very covetous of all the scale models that would hang from the celings of those model emporia. I couldn't afford any of them of course - I would get a kit for one birthday, an engine for the next and so on. Now I've got a bit more spending power however I find myself drawn back to the simplicity and the meditation of sitting at a building board. My interest in model planes began from buying seemingly ancient post war model magazines from jumble sales in the late 70s - Ben Buckle style planes. Then I found Boddington's Radio Control Primer in the local library and I was hooked. That's the era I'm stuck in I suppose! With a Lipo pack replacing the clunk tank, though I've got a couple of old OS and Irvine engines laid down in the loft. Todd Edited By Todd B on 02/11/2014 14:22:47 Edited By Todd B on 02/11/2014 14:25:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Smitheman Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello Todd, You can still take a trip down to Mick Charles Models, Dave, his son, is there, I find him very helpful and knowledgeable. The place is full of old models, and of course new stuff. A veritable Aladdins cave. Mick Charles' 1970 world champs scale winning Jurca Sirocco is still hanging in the corner. Charles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted November 2, 2014 Author Share Posted November 2, 2014 Hello Charles, I clearly remember Mick Charles' wonderful models in his shop as well as a helpful and friendly crowd on Thursday evenings when he would stay open a bit later. I would very much like to head down there again but though I am a Londoner I now live in the south of Germany near the Swiss border , having married a German girl. It's got some great hills for slope soaring. There's a shop here, the main business of which is repairing computers but the boss' hobby is model planes. What is interesting about his model corner is that he aquired a load of stock from a model shop that closed down.There's a very comprehensive selection of balsa and loads of old fashioned accessories - Graupner and Robbe stuff. I appear to be the only customer for such items as they really only shift ready to fly stuff , quads and drones etc Todd Edited By Todd B on 02/11/2014 16:53:26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Welcome from me Todd.....Aeromodellings like malaria.....once the bug has bitten its always with you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hello Steve, Thankyou for the welcome. Malaria eh? Hopefully I'm be spared the fever, chills and other side effects! I have decided to build a 'compact 'sports aerobatic' model called 'Spirit' by Richard Spreadbury which was featured in RCM&E in June 1982. Is anyone familiar with this design or has indeed built one? I'm sure all the info is somewhere here on the forum, but how do I determine the size of electric motor I would be requiring for this model which originally had an HB25 IC? Cheers Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levanter Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hi Todd, welcome back. I too am a returnee. I think you will find that Mod Steve's analogy with malaria is remarkably accurate! Hopefully though, the delirium will be of the happy type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hi Todd Its all about the prop.... I have some 200 Watt motors for a electric multi - I want to use 7" props, but I can only get 140 watts out of them on a 7", to get the 200 I have to go to 9" props, so I need motors with a higher Kv (RPM per Volt) rating OR move from a 3 cell LiPo to a 4 Cell to increase the current, revs and wattage So whats the prop size that suits your model? Start from there and work backwards If you look on the 4Max site they have a list of models designs and suggested power trains there might be a comparable design to yours there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangster Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hi Todd. It's great when you read something on here that brings back memories. Yes the Spirit I built and flew one of those. very pretty model I recall in the mould of many sport models of the day. Trouble is it was over 30 years ago and the memory has faded a little I recall it was a simple enough model to build and flew well with no real vices at all. I believe I swapped it with another club member for something else. I used an old OS30 max a particularly un spectacular engine with no great amount of power but was adequate for the Spirit be interested how you get on with the electric conversion.might have to build another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 HelloTodd, welcome on board...you actually have never even gone out of modeling ,because it is not possible (see : Steve Hargreaves explanation )....so greetings from Adriatic Sea Cheers Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Todd...a yesteryear 25 will bung out about 300watts in electric terms but to confirm what the other guys have said the best way is to start from firsty principles & find out the AUW of the model....then I'd go for 150w per pound for an aerobatic model....after all you don't need to use it all, all the time but it is nice to have for the up lines.... Now heres the sneaky bit....given you are a returnee & will need to hone your skills a bit you could prop down initially to around 100w per pound & then when you gain confidence whack a bigger prop on & get full power.... Good eh.... Have a look around the site...in particular the electric section & have a read of a few of the articles therein to get familiar with the concepts & then ask lots of questions....I'm sure we can help out!! On the other hand of course you could always fit a modern 25 or a 32 even & have some IC fun..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Posted by Todd B on 02/11/2014 16:36:46: I clearly remember Mick Charles' wonderful models in his shop as well as a helpful and friendly crowd on Thursday evenings when he would stay open a bit later. I would very much like to head down there again... You mentioned New Malden, which is where Mick Charles' shop used to be. They're now in Ewell, near where the cinema used to be - if you know that part of the world. Mick passed away around ten years ago, as previously mentioned Dave runs the shop (or at least the aeromodelling side of it) now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaunie Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hi Todd, I too am also a returnee, on this forum it might be easier to ask who isn't! Some things have changed a lot but aerodynamics is still the same its just that we have expanded what is possible, 3D etc. Just enjoy. Shaunie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Finch Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 The memories. I lived in South Lane, New Malden and used to go as a young lad to a model shop at the top of Worcesteer Park high Street with my dad at the top of the hill. No idea what it was called. My dad bravely tried to get a two Chanel plane assembled and flying on Epsom Downs but it never made it into the air Happy days at Mick Charles at the top of New Malden High street just looking but never made it back into the air or in fact in the air at all. I moved to the South Coast at 21 and earlier this year passing a field in Lee on Solent saw a RC plane loop the loop over the trees. Pulling in I found a fantastic club that invited me in to try my hand. Well one flight was enough and I was hooked. As a trip down memory lane I went back to Mick Charles models in Ewell as my job occasionally takes me that way. Decided it would be nice to buy it from someone my dad purchased our failed attempt from all those years ago. A trainer the st discovery was purchased and six months later am solo and just flown my first IC plane at the weekend with great success. The smell and noise .... Well I could have been on Epsom Down with my dad. oh the memories and now I am totally hooked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 Thankyou for such a warm welcome all and all the great info. I am making my balsa list for the 'Spirit' - good to know that you've been there Gangster. I think it's a suitable choice. I'll ease myself back in - no mad stunts ! By the way I just read an article in another RCM&E from 1982 that discusses the whole 3D aerobatics idea - very early days. I haven't gone to buy balsa for a long time. I started out in the 70s buying 25p bundles from - for these days - the dubiously named local hardware store 'Gaydex'. With a disposible Stanley knife for 12p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Welcome Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Hello Cymaz and all, once again thanks for the warm welcome. I already feel at home. I went down to the computer repair/model shop and bought my wood supplies. The range wasn't quite as good as thought - a lot of balsa but mostly in the same sizes - so I'm deferring a millimetre here and there! A la Virgin Galactic. And got the greaseproof paper in. What I've realised that I don't really have all the time that I had when I was a teenager - (pre-driving, pre-pubs, pre-girls) and three small children now too. So it might take a little longer than hoped to get my 'Spirit' together. Once I've got something to show I'll post it up. If it isn't airworthy I'll just claim that it was always meant to be a 'static' model! Cheers Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Here's a pic of the Spirit on the cover of RCM&E from June 1982 if anyone's interested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Smith 14 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Hi Todd, I am doing exactly the same as you, building the Spirit from that plan in that edition of RCM&E. I just have to clear the bench of a Galaxy Magician that just needs final sanding/covering and it's on with the Spirit. I am going through a bit of a 'retro phase' at the moment hence the Magician. I have piles of RC mags from the early 70s through to the early 90s and I get a real kick out of finding not only a kit/plan from those years but 'period' items like the same engines as used at the time, glow panels etc. It all sounds nuts really but I think it may be a sort of backlash from my day job as a commercial photographer/designer where I have to keep up to date with all the latest digital gear, it's really refreshing to go in to my garage/workshop, sort of like stepping back in time to when things seemed simpler!! I am going to build the Sprit as close as I can to the model in that article. I have a brand new HB25 from that era and a canopy that matches the plan so those two items are sorted. When it comes to covering I will try to follow Richard Spreadbury's design as much as possible but that bit won't be totally accurate as I will have to do it by eye rather than by measurement. Also, there are no photos in the article showing the underside so I will have to guess that bit. I am fortunate in that I have a vinyl cutter to I can create the design elements in Adobe Illustrator then let the cutter cut the shapes out of Solartrim. Much better than relying on my shaky hands! I do have the same radio gear as used in the model in that article but as it's on 27MHz I think I will stick to modern 2.4GHz! I look forward to following your progress, especially as you are going electric. That is something I would like to try soon but have no experience of. Every success with your build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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