2017 Mass Build Chat Thread

[Piers Bowlan]

Yes, Derek produced some very nice small models Peter. Why don't you start a build blog for your Holi, it might inspire others to build one? Some of the photos on the Traplet site of these older designs are often quite poor, a few pictures from yourself would be helpful to prospective builders.

I plan to build a 'cartoon scale' 90% Skywriter with sheet wings for the MB and see how that works out. The Kwik Fly 40 is more to my liking however, so I will have to do both!

 

 

Edited By Piers Bowlan on 24/11/2016 08:51:20

[Low pass Pete]

hi Piers just in process of doing just that. Photos hopefully of build so far.

Peter

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Yes i've had a good look at the plan as well, apart from some of the wing sheeting i have most of the wood and all the bits and bobs plus the covering in stock.

Will make it to suit i.c or electric with a top hatch and a f/glass cowl, mines destined to be donated to our raffle at our open days so best make a decent job of it.

I like way the fuzz has been done with the external stringers, looking forward to that bit, wings ? i love making em

John

[Low pass Pete]

Ref my earlier post on the Holi model. There is a build blog underway. Just key Holi and all categories to find the blog.

Cheers

Peter

[Rosco]

Well....It looks like the Skywriter will be the winner.

I must admit that it was not my preference for a build however, the people have spoken and it looks as though it's a winner by a mile.

I had no real intent to build it because of one thing or another but I just watched a FliteTest vid of their Se5a and it inspires me to have a go at the Skywriter anyway. I still don't know if I'll definitely be joining the MB but never say never!

As per my norm, I would do a foamboard version.

Rosco

[Lucas Hofman]

Out today to get the Skywriter drawing scanned! At work I have access to a big A0 plotter so with a PDF I can print out both an extra copy to build on and a mirrorred copy to build the left wing panels at the same time. And a copy to cut into pieces to stick on wood to facilitate cutting out formers etc.

Lucas

[Glyn44]

When will the truth be officially announced?

[Lucas Hofman]

It has, on the voting thread!

[IanN]

The vote has been announced as

Final count

Skywriter 87 pts.

Flea Fli 47 pts.

Slec Fun Fly 38 pts

just for complete clarity - as I don't remember ever seeing a conclusion anywhere to the "single subject or more" question that was posed - does the fact that three subjects are mentioned mean that the MB is now "officially" for those three models. (Or is it Skywriter only, as the winner?)

I'm completely happy either way - just want to be sure what I'm signing up for before I go to the Sign Up thread

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Skywriter 87 pts

FleaFli 47 pts

Slec Fun Fly 38 pts

The rest a long way behind.

Skywriter it is then sign up thread here

Some have expressed a desire for a second model in but i've not included one as there's no significant number committed to it. Flea Fli has a thread already and there's the UKCAA topic section also, the rest people are split on them.

John

 

p.s cheers Ian, no i included the numbers of 2nd and 3rd for an idea of how vote went.

Edited By john stones 1 on 28/11/2016 10:55:51

[IanN]

Thanks for clarification - totally fair, clear, and understood. All good

[Glyn44]

Just looked at my hobby store price for the full house:

Here are the items in your shopping Basket:

Product Qty Item Price Sub Total
SETRC2124 Skywriter Complete Set (SAVE £6.52) 1 Remove Add £123.97 £123.97

Products Sub Total £123.97
Delivery to: £14.99
Grand Total £138.96

OUCH!!!

[Glyn44]

Just looked at my hobby store price for the full house:

Here are the items in your shopping Basket:

Product Qty Item Price Sub Total
SETRC2124 Skywriter Complete Set (SAVE £6.52) 1 Remove Add £123.97 £123.97

Products Sub Total £123.97
Delivery to: £14.99
Grand Total £138.96

OUCH!!!

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

I would be patient on the purchase there may be some news on that front.

John

[Hamish]

That is a lot of money for a kit of parts. It would be interesting to no how many actually scratch build from plans as against those that assembly from a kit.

The build thread's should be interesting to follow.

[Lucas Hofman]

I will cut the parts myself. Hope to be done with the material list this weekend. Will post what the price of the materials will be.

To start with the drawing GBP 12.50 is not that bad: I paid GBP 15 for scanning the drawing yesterday. However, that give me the possibility to print out all parts, which makes for easier cutting, and to print a mirror image to build the left wing halves on.

Lucas

[Rosco]

I know mine is not going to be an orthodox build but for me, probably two pieces of foamboard, comes in at $30AU or there abouts!

Recycled electrics of course.

Rosco

[Lucas Hofman]

The nose of the Skywriter is very short, and Lindsay writes in his article he needed lead in the nose. I will try to lighten the tail and will not use Solartex. HK film is very good and cheap (USD 9 for 5m), so I will live with a more glossy appearance.

It might be possible to mount the battery vertically close to the firewall, that would help with the CG. Probably best to leave the battery plate out until the model is covered and we can see what is needed.

[Simon Feather]

... or, you can do as I plan to do, and stick a four-stroke up front

(second that to HK film, btw - even with the recent price hikes it's very good value. I've just ordered 2 more rolls, current damage is approx £8.30 for 5m at HK's estimated rates, so call it about £9 once it's gone through at the Paypal rates)

[IanN]

Posted by Lucas Hofman on 29/11/2016 11:14:24:

It might be possible to mount the battery vertically close to the firewall, that would help with the CG. Probably best to leave the battery plate out until the model is covered and we can see what is needed.

Or maybe reconsider the battery choice and configuration? I have a funfighter sized FW190 that could not be balanced without added weight when using 2200 packs. the battery simply couldn't be got far enough forwards

Instead, I swapped to a pair of Lipos that were short enough to be installed vertically immediately behind the firewall - a pair of 1500s I think - and problem solved. Perfect balance, and it's all "working" weight

[Lucas Hofman]

Simon, there are not many modell airfields anymore left that accept flying with I.C. engines, and none close by. But yes, it is the obvious solution.

Ian, that would be perfect. But then, yet another size of Lipo's is both a significant cost (if you want enough for 5 flights on a session) and even more to store. I will try to make do with what I have. But I may be able to fit 2 times 4S2200mAh in vertically. That would probably give 20+ minute flightduration!

I will see how it balances.

[kc]

If balance is a problem and space for the lipo is also difficult then the answer may be to extend the nose a little. As the fuselage has parallel sides it would be easy to add 1/2 inch ( about 12 mm ) to the fuselage sides in front of F3. Anything up to 1 inch ( 25mm ) would have little effect on the looks but a lot on the balance problem. The fuselage sides will still fit onto a 36 inch sheet.

[Craig Thomas]

Guys. I've just started reading this thread. So if my questions havealready been answered I apologise. But is this model suitable for a nitro engine?and will the plans be in an addition of rcme?

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Yep it's suitable for nitro and plan and article was in October 2013 RCME, also a plan and woodpacks here Craig

John

[Chris Walby]

Question for John Stones 1

Any idea when we might know about a reduced complete cost (newbie so I'll go the easy route!) and would it be much or just few per cent? The point to me is its a group build where I can learn some new skills.

Cheers