Dan B Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi All, I'm a newbie to RC flying myself, but I'm kind of in a fortunate situation to get started. First let me introduce myself, I'm Dan from Guildford, and in my 30's. I've always been interested in aircraft and flying since I was a kid, which meant when I discovered there was a flying club nearby (Croydon Airport) I made my Dad take me down there as often as I could. This led to him getting a plane, and doing a bit of flying himself, with me being fascinated just watching. As I became a teenager, I wanted to fly myself, I even bought a Flair Puppeteer to build, but never got round to it for various reasons. So fast forward to now, and finally I am thinking I will fly myself. I have the super 60 that my dad flew, so step 1 will be to get that in flying condition. The airframe itself is in good condition, but the engine is seized and the radio gear is late 80's early 90's vintage. So my plan is to get a new engine and radio gear for this plane and learn on it. Not sure about what is good in either department, so this will probably be my first question! I'm thinkink an OS .40-0.50 FS for the engine and for radio I want 6 channel so I have room to upgrade, and I know these days it's 2.4GHz, but the rest I have no clue. Any tips or advice appreciated. Parallel with step 1, I plan to start building that flair puppeteer I got as I kid! I have everything I need for it, in terms of accessories like wheels, pilot, prop etc.. and also I have engine and radio gear. Now as I mentioned before, I know I need to get a modern 2.4GHz transmitter and receiver, but will my old (only late 90's early 2000's vintage) servos be fine with new equipment? Step 3 I would like to get into something more scale, ultimately I would love to build a hurricane or something like that, but I would probably get something like a Tiger Moth to start with as it will be closer to the Puppeteer in flying performance, but will allow me to work on more scale details. I feel like I've written my life story there, but I hope it gives everyone an idea as to what direction I am going in, and helps to get answers to my questions. I look forward to meeting everyone and posting in the other forum sections as I get more involved in the hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Helling Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi Dan I can't answer any of your questions as I'm new to the hobby myself ( 1 flight under instruction), But welcome to the forum where you will get plenty of help from other members. Regards John H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 The Tx and Rx will not be very useful but the servos should be OK but test them fully before flying. The nicad will be useless if its deteriorated at all - replace unless you are going to go electric. The engine will probably be just gummed up with castor residue. Ask a question about freeing old engines on the engine sections. Join your local club and see what radio the instructors prefer - might be Spektrum in which case the DX6 new type will be fine and has wireless buddy system. Don't buy secondhand radio gear! Need to be insured before flying - BMFA membership will provide this . Your club will arrange BMFA membership too. BMFA website shows list of local clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi Dan, you will be inundated with good advice shortly, but just to move you on, give that motor a good soak in WD 40 or petrol, just in case it is OK. Turn it over gently by hand in a day or two, after squirting clean oil into any openings. Also, your servos should be fine as connectors are just the same, but they are relatively inexpensive to replace. You will find 2.4 gig easier to install, due to small size, but observe the instructions for aerial installation, and vibration insulation. Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I would suggest you go for a 9 channel rather than 6 - the cost differential is not large Makes to consider Taranis Spectrum Taranis Futaba Taranis There are others of course, BUT before you invest in anything, if you are planning to join a club (and it really is the best way) then find out what TX is in use there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi Dan, There's probably not much wrong with your radio equipment if its on 35MHz, provided none of the electrical connections have gone green, New batteries are a must though as if these die in the air, that's very likely the end of your model. Having said that, if you want to go to 2.4GHz the equipment is so cheap in comparison to the old days, that you could get some. The first step is to decide where you want to fly, and if you want to fly engine powered models this really means joining a club. Near Guildford you have the following clubs: Chobham Common Model Flying Association, Godalming and District, Elmbridge, and Cranleigh. Going it alone, particularly with engine powered models is almost guaranteed to end in tears, so its worth visiting the clubs, talking to the instructors and getting their advice on which radio, model and engine to use. **LINK** Here's a map which you can use to find clubs near you. **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan B Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 Thanks for the responses, will need to look at 9 channel, was hoping to keep Tx/Rx budget under or not much over £200 if possible, as with an engine(if can't free up old one) and a few other bits and bobs, I will be pushing £500 already, and just had a baby girl, which seems like it is an even more expensive hobby than flying! Wasn't planning on keeping batteries, as new battery tech is much better. I asked about servos as have some brand new unused Futaba servos that I bought for pup. They are still boxed, so seems a shame if I can't use them, providing they still work. As for club, looking around local area, would be nice if someone from around can recommend, thinking Godalming & DIstrict or Borders as they are closest to my current location (Guildford). Open to other suggestions. Definitely planning on BMFA membership, was a member before and worth it for the insurance alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Hi have a look on the BMFA sites club finder . There should be contact details for your nearest clubs if Godalming and district are fulor disconnected ;that means the plane as well . As already said engine may be fine and just need freeing off. Your 35 meg radio will/ should be fine providing its been stored with the batteries removed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Which radio do you have Dan ? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 The Border Club was my first club, but I only flew gliders at Hankley Common at the time and never used their power site (we are talking 40 years ago ). Their new power site is a bit of a trek from Guildford, but if you don't mind that, go for it. One of the current committee members was on the committee when I joined (nice chap and a good pilot too)! I don't know anything about the Godalming club, except that its been going a long time. If your servos have been stored in boxes in the dry then they should be fine. If they've lived in a damp garage then replace them. My personal recommendation for unseizing an engine would be a few drops of automatic transmission fluid in the carb, and plug hole or exhaust port, and gentle heat from a hair drier. If you put a propeller on it and gently apply pressure rotating the prop backwards and forwards it should free up. This assumes it is clean. If there is dirt or grit on it that must be cleaned off first or it will get in and wreck the engine straight away. If you are on a budget, I would finish off the Super 60 and use that with your 35mhz gear and new batteries. Once you have a few flights under your belt then think about spending more on something more advanced. There are a lot of people who buy complicated kit and spend time messing about with it rather than just getting on and learning to fly. Edited By Robin Colbourne on 11/02/2016 18:00:21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan B Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 Current radios are both Futaba skysports I think, but different versions of it. I know I bought a skysport 6 for the puppeteer, and I don't know what version came with the super 60, but it's older. For the engine, is it worth trying some after run oil from a nitro rc car in it? In terms of budget, I'm not super tight, just trying to stick under £500 in the immediate term. GIven that the super 60 is built, and realistically onIy needs a radio update and engine at most, and the puppeteer kit already has all the accessories including engine bought, and will take me a while to build, so I would be ready to spend again by that point, although not sure what I would need. I think this is very doable. I definitely would like to get a 2.4GHz radio, because of the better reliability and functionality over the older 35MHz options. The plan is definitely to get the super 60 going and learn on this, with the puppeteer being a minimum of 6 months but realistically a year away. Godalming is definitely the closest club, hopefully they are happy to accept new members, if not will have to come up with a plan B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Yes Skysport was/is a good reliable set, but a bit basic by todays standards, can't fault your thinking...question is which one to buy John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan B Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 The question of what to buy is a good one. Initial thoughts are Spektrum or Futaba, although some bad reviews of Spektrum reliability have left me a little concerned in that area. However first step is to find a club that will accept me and see what is predominant there, as the ability to get "technical support" and use buddy box etc.. will be an important factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Do not overlook Dan, the fact that Spectrum has 1000s of followers, it could have been Futaba or Hi Tec, but Spectrum hit the market heavily. Add to that, incorrectly bound receivers, and screened aerial signal loss of 2.4 gig, all user installation faults. You then get 100 complaints and bad press. Their (Spekrums) success in numbers has led them to this position. ALL 2.4 gig, fully charged, correctly installed, is virtually bullet proof, control wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Quite what happened to my last post is a mystery ?a lot disappeared and It got all jumbled up for some reason ! I'll re post so it will hopefully make sense. Your 35meg radio should be fine provided its been stored dry and with the batteries removed, that goes for the onboard radio as well. It's not unknown for black wire corrosion that starts at the battery to travel through the power leads and switch etc and damage the rx and eventually the servos ! Re your engine , its more than likely to be just gummed up with old castor oil and should be easily sorted get some fuel in it through the carb and the exhaust also remove glow plug and pour some fuel into the cylinder and let it soak. dont force it . If it frees up and you can get it to turn then add some more fuel and then turn it over gently until it is free an bouncy (prop bounces back and forth on compression).if it wont turn then it may be advisable to remove it from the plane and heat it up with a hot air gun . this will soften the old oil and allow you to get the fresh fuel around the internals and loosen it up .You don't say what engine it is. If its a plain bearing engine then just freeing it up as described should get it going OK . If its a ball raced engine then it will need stripping and the bearings checked for corrosion. Re finding a club BMFA clubfinder should help finding contact details of local clubs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabbage Man Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Dan, Join a club. Going it alone is not a good plan, been there done that etc . I used to fly at Chobham Common and that's a great place to start. As for tx choice, try and buy what others in the club buy . That way you have someone to help you set up a model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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