Never mind the weather - who has been flying, then?

[Futura57]

I'm anticipating a great flying day at Epsom Down racecourse today. Close to a dozen members have their names down on our billy-no-mates Web page. I'm dusting off my 14 year old Horizon Hobby Twin Otter electric which has not flown for nearly a year. 80 something inches span. Gotta go, the last Lipo is charged. Happy landings.

[Cuban8]

Lovely afternoon here in Eastern England - 23 degrees, sunny with broken cloud, light and variable wind kicking up some impressive dust devils!

Top photo is of a Grasshopper taken at the Americans airshow at Duxford on Friday - other pic taken this morning of my thirty years old Goldberg Anniversary Cub masquerading as an L4 Grasshopper. ASP 52FS.

 

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

A few thoughts for our members, not really good flying weather 'again'.🤢,

still there is the Pool and the forum😃

[Chris Walby]

Model Air Sunday general view

 

Nice flights with the DR 1 as just before take off with the trusty Dual Ace one of the exhausts fell off so retired from that slot!

 

Well happy as the landings with the DR! as they were very wobbly but no nose overs! Some very pleasant circuits with another DR1 and Tiger Moths etc 

PS I recon it was more busy on Saturday, odd considering there was next to no wind. 

[Nick Cripps]

Another glorious day at Old Warden today. I had a flight each this morning with the RV-4 and Little Toni before making my way across to the free-flight area to fly my Smoke Trail and to maiden the Tomboy I completed earlier this year.

 

It was great to have a more extensive area than the club field to fly from and I made full use of this with the Smoke Trail as I finally got the opportunity to lean the Boddo Mills 0.5 out a bit and let it have its head. Some great flights and, with just a bit of wind drift, I didn't have far to walk to retrieve it.

 

Then it was the Tomboy's turn. I'd carried out a few test glides on Friday evening and decided it need the tailplane TE packing up by 1/16' for best glide, along with a smidge of left rudder to give it a gentle turn. The Boddo Mills 0.75 was new so I gave it a couple of short runs to check it out before launching the model very undercompressed and rich, with very little fuel in the tank, just to see how it behaved under power. Everything checked out so I refilled the tank, started it up, tweeked the comp screw and needle a bit and let it go.

 

After about a minute's engine run, two things dawned on me: (i) a passing thermal had shifted the wind round such that the general direction was taking the Tomboy towards the boundary hedge and road beyond and, (ii) I'd put rather too much fuel in this time and the engine was still running strongly! After what felt like ages the engine spluttered and finally died, at which point the Tomboy transitioned into a perfect glide. I was pleased I'd got the trim spot-on but concerned that every turn was taking it closer to the boundary hedge. I was hopeful it would stay on the airfield but one final turn took it over the hedge and I heard it land in what sounded like the farm field over the road.

 

I had to walk about 200 yards along the hedge to the airfield entrance before turning back on myself to walk down the road to where the model was last seen. Amazingly, after about 30 yards, a couple came walking round a bend in the road towards me carrying the Tomboy and another lost model. They told me that they were out for a walk when my model came down near them, and only a few yards from the other model. I had no idea who had lost this one but I left it at the control tower with one of the officials. Hopefully the owner got it back.

 

I was pleased with how well the Tomboy flew and more than a little relieved that I had got it back quickly and in one piece. I decided that I'd had more than my fair share of luck so headed back to the RC line to enjoy the rest of the day.

 

Overall it has been a fantastic weekend at Old Warden, helped in no small way by the glorious weather. My thanks to the organisers, ModelAir, for putting on an excellent event.

[David Davis]

I flew both the Calmato and the club's Boomerang trainer yesterday. It was quite windy but both models coped with the wind well. I had installed two different engines into each model: an Enya 50 in the trainer and an OS 46 AX in the Calmato. It occurred to me that this was the first time that I had taken two ARTFs to the flying field though I recovered the fuselage and tail plane of the Boomerang last year because the original covering was so very scruffy and worn. Both models have tricycle undercarriages and both are powered by two stroke engines. It's been some time since I've used a two stroke engine. They chucked out a huge amount of oil all over the fuselages which made picking them up after flight while holding the transmitter quite difficult! I'd forgotten about how oily two stroke glows are. At least they're not diesels!

 

My dog enjoyed the day out but found the temperature a bit much so after playing with her friend Nasher she joined the human company in the shade.

[Cuban8]

Maybe a length of suitable silicon tube from the exhaust outlet to direct the gunk away to the underside and rear of the model? Upright two stroke engines are perfectly placed to coat everything in oil once the propwash gets to work.

[John T]

10 hours ago, Nick Cripps said:

Another glorious day at Old Warden today

I only went on the Sunday, and as Nick said, the weather was glorious, ideal for the lightweight stuff in the free flight and radio assist area.

Although I did take a few different models with me, I was having so much fun flying my rudder only rubber powered models that I never actually made it to the R/C flight line!

[Merry Mark]

Probably the best flying day of the year in beautiful North Yorkshire yesterday.  
 

Sun through the curtains at 5:00am prompted an early start to complete the receiver install on a Junior 60. This started, as such projects inevitably do, as a ‘go on then’ purchase from a fellow club member’s ‘friend of a friend’ estate sale.  I should learn that they always end up in the attic for some months awaiting a refit to a minimum (and then beyond) for my standards!

 

Having flown and been modelling since I was 8 years old in the early 80’s, I have some fond memories in the mid-90’s of many a happy summer evening with my father and our old Jumior 60, fitted with a RC PAW 29.  It would fly for hours! Low passes, touch and goes on the run etc …
 

We know nostalgic feelings and this hobby equal expense!

 

Anyway, one full refit later, here we have a serviceable Junior 60 who shall have the moniker and nose art ‘Daisy’ once flown. I would suspect she is about 30 years old from clues based on the original state and I probably suspect the Flair kit?  She has been well constructed and I have cleaned up some areas and refitted some basic but good Futaba gear and lovely new Saito 40. I know a 30 4S (not LiPo 🤣) would be more than adequate, but I liked the idea of floating around for an hour at 2/5ths throttle!

This is my first vintage model since returning to the hobby with my boys about 3 years ago. I have found this return very satisfying, the changes after a 15 year layoff (work, family, full-size flying, the usual I was told about) have been huge but I now find myself enjoying it more than ever with some great people, clubs and new friends across more disciplines than ever.  I have taken pride in rekindling my passion for instructing/coaching and getting a new member to solo and A standard this year. I also still find that even at 50, I am a ‘young un’ 🤣

Time to start the Saito. She did, first turn, wonderful!  I am stickler for a well run-in and tuned engine and this one proved a joy. A few smokey tanks later and with the tacho out, she was holding a beautiful idle and running smoothly. Hat’s off to Mr Saito in 2024 still!

 

I have have prattled on enough so will leave the remainder to the pictures. Great day. 😎

 

 

[Futura57]

22 hours ago, Futura57 said:

I'm anticipating a great flying day at Epsom Down racecourse today. Close to a dozen members have their names down on our billy-no-mates Web page. I'm dusting off my 14 year old Horizon Hobby Twin Otter electric which has not flown for nearly a year. 80 something inches span. Gotta go, the last Lipo is charged. Happy landings.

 

It was indeed a good flying day yesterday, with a good turnout of around a dozen members and 20 models. As usual, I forgot to take some photographs until later in the afternoon when some of the lightweights 🤣 had scuttled off home. Passing thermals played havoc with the wind direction but cross wind take-offs were not a problem since the winds were mostly light, although you wouldn't think so from the windsock in this picture..

 

 

 

I flew my Horizon Twin Otter for the first time in nearly a year. Still with a JR 35Mhz receiver on board. I had planned to swap in a fancy Spektrum receiver with altimeter telemetry over the winter, but other tasks seemed more important. I forgot how well this model flies and how much power she has for vertical climbs if necessary. A bit over 80 inches span with some presence in the air,  but a plain jane model though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also flew my Ultimate 3D foamie. Still flying well following some minor repairs after an inverted arrival a couple of weeks back. I was too tired at the time and never should have flown. Lesson learned.

 

 

 

I put a shout out for others to bring their twins. This pair of helis wasn't what I had in mind.🤣

 

 

 

And here is a selection of other attendees. No flying pictures I'm afraid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

A bit of sympathy for some of us who can't fly in the afternoons, only early in the morning to around 9.30am.🤢Although I put the air con on and a cool song,,,

 

Over 9 minutes to upload the pictures, can't you chaps whittle the number of pixels down please ?, we don't all have a fast internet connection.

 

 9 minutes and I gave up, but back again, 21h25 and only 29°.

 

[Ron Gray]

We gave up at 14:00 as the temperature was up to 32°. Good news was that the chin air scoop/duct I fitted to the Mustang’s cowl worked well at keeping the rear pot’s temperature down.

 

 

Edited July 30 by Ron Gray

[Zflyer]

So got to the field earliy to put some fencing up,we have a biobarrier requirement. Took my Bloody Barron, absolute hoot. Seagull Roulette and Asvk21. Roulette (Tucano) had aileron trouble, so no fly, Ask 21 forgit canopy so no fly. This evening after a good look found aileron plugged onto gear chanel. F in heck@!. Anyeay all sorted for tomorrow.

[martin collins 1]

Few of us over the strip this evening, we had a couple who were refusals at the first when they saw the wind had picked up from earlier in the day but two of us flew our models. Mine were my much loved and ever trusty electric Priory Silhouette and a maiden flight on my Piper Pacer, SC 120 4 stroke powered. Weather looks pretty good on Thursday with low winds forecast so we will be in the air again then......

Edited July 30 by martin collins 1

[GrumpyGnome]

Had several nice days recently.... calm first thing, then windier from around lunchtime, then calm in the evenings. I know the field is getting some use, but generally I only see 1 or 2 other people. And I still find it weird flying from the 'wrong side' of the field in the evenings.

 

Anyway, the usual phrase of "it's windier than expected", has been replaced with "I hate flippin' engines"....

The new Wotty (replacing the run-over one) flies like Wotties do, and the fluorescent orange elevators really help with visibility.  But, the twist and lock plug cap no longer seems to lock so I've had a couple of deadsticks.... anyone know a fix ?

 

I have no idea what's happened to the usually ultra-reliable old SC90FS in my Valiant. Nothing about the installation has changed but when I turned it over, great geysers of fuel shot out of the carb, and the firewalk got ripped off (I suspect a hydraulic lock an unseen  damaged firewall). The engine turns over by hand so I think it's undamaged. 

 

And..... I started my beautiful Saito, let it warm up a bit, blipped the throttle and... bang..... the nylon spinner shattered, and the prop came off.... the prop nut and washer were still in the remains of the spinner.  Haven't checked out the engine yet.....

 

Finally, actually had a desdstick on an OS. Found and fixed a fuel tank leak which, hopefully, was the cause.

 

In amongst this, Ben continues his rapid journey to Solo flight. Kevs P51 undercarriage woes are behind him and my farmers tan is coming on a treat!

 

Looks like flying again today.

[leccyflyer]

41 minutes ago, GrumpyGnome said:

Had several nice days recently.... calm first thing, then windier from around lunchtime, then calm in the evenings. I know the field is getting some use, but generally I only see 1 or 2 other people. And I still find it weird flying from the 'wrong side' of the field in the evenings.

 

Anyway, the usual phrase of "it's windier than expected", has been replaced with "I hate flippin' engines"....

The new Wotty (replacing the run-over one) flies like Wotties do, and the fluorescent orange elevators really help with visibility.  But, the twist and lock plug cap no longer seems to lock so I've had a couple of deadsticks.... anyone know a fix ?

 

I have no idea what's happened to the usually ultra-reliable old SC90FS in my Valiant. Nothing about the installation has changed but when I turned it over, great geysers of fuel shot out of the carb, and the firewalk got ripped off (I suspect a hydraulic lock an unseen  damaged firewall). The engine turns over by hand so I think it's undamaged. 

 

And..... I started my beautiful Saito, let it warm up a bit, blipped the throttle and... bang..... the nylon spinner shattered, and the prop came off.... the prop nut and washer were still in the remains of the spinner.  Haven't checked out the engine yet.....

 

Finally, actually had a desdstick on an OS. Found and fixed a fuel tank leak which, hopefully, was the cause.

 

In amongst this, Ben continues his rapid journey to Solo flight. Kevs P51 undercarriage woes are behind him and my farmers tan is coming on a treat!

 

Looks like flying again today.

AXI 4120/18, 5s1p 4000mah lipo, 13x8" prop, just shy of a Wot 950?

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

4 hours ago, GrumpyGnome said:

And..... I started my beautiful Saito, let it warm up a bit, blipped the throttle and... bang..... the nylon spinner shattered, and the prop came off.... the prop nut and washer were still in the remains of the spinner.  Haven't checked out the engine yet...

I bought a couple of the Saito 100's, as they did the same throw props on the ground and in the air, I made up a cylinder gasket from printer's litho plate for both of them and since then they run fine.

[extra slim]

I have sometimes glued two sheets of sandpaper together and then cut out a "washer" to clamp up to between the hub and prop.. mostly on my YS engines. Has worked fine. 4 strokes can bang and throw a prop.. Just whip the rocker cover off and make sure the rockers havent jumped off the rods before trying again.

[Jake Bullit]

Nice and fresh on the beach yesterday. 

 

 

[GrumpyGnome]

Had half a dozen flights on the Double Trouble this morning. Fixing the tank leak has worked wonders...... using my 4S powered starter resulted in a few instances of the spinner and prop nut coming loose though.  Hand started ok, and didn't have the spinner issue when the engine was hot..... I guess it needs more running in.

 

And back to our usual mantra of "windier than expected"!

Edited July 31 by GrumpyGnome

[Eric Robson]

3 good days flying Warbirds 190 and Tempest previous 2days, today my foamboard and depron 109f, Catalina and Acrowot. 

[Simon Chaddock]

No spectacular flight pictures just my sub 250g Depron 40" Super Cub.

Its ready to go weight is on the wing!

Hot and pretty calm today so I wanted to see just how long it could fly at a minimum cruise throttle. This however did include a full throttle full up elevator ROG due to the rough long grass. The flight lasted for 31 minutes. This was done using just a well used 1000mAh 2s. The LVC did not cut in. The cells showed 3.63V when at rest.

Not bad for what is a far from clean airframe particularly with its over size "Alaska" type wheels. 

[Richard Acland]

Had a nice evening with my Armar Gorrion. This is a 1/4 scale model of an Argentinian homebuild design. The original plan was done by Dennis Tapsfield and published in the1980's. I first built it when stationed in Germany and flew with the RAF Gutersloh club. It was powered with a Merco 60. After flying it for many years it became pretty tatty. I found the plan again and decided to build another, enlarging the cowl a bit so as to fit a 70 four stroke.

You know when you are getting older when you need to take a table to the flying field to save bending too much.

[leccyflyer]

Good day at the field in warm summer sunshine and mostly light winds though not the best wind direction. with several changes of runway in use as it veered and changed. I really don't like maiden flights taking off towards the gate, but did manage to avoid that. Slightly smaller turnout than expected, given the conditions, but enough there to contribute a nice session of sitting in folding chairs and enjoying the summer.

 

I'd gone with the intention of a couple of Kyosho maiden flights with my ancient Spitfire 40 repaired after Sunday and my as yet unflown P-51 Betty Lee. In contrast with Sunday's mishap the Spitfire just flew beautifully off the deck, left to her own devices and not prematurely dragged into the air. Looks gorgeous in the air and flew really nicely with no shortage of power, nice big sweeping manoeuvres and just felt right, really pleased. Then came the landing, I'd predicted beforehand that, based on what I'd seen of flying pals' Kyosho Spitfires that those retract mounts stood a good chance of making a run for it. When the model came out, within a few months Ripmax had issued replacement wings as every one I'd ever seen had the retracts whipped out on contact with the ground. I'd reinforced the mounts with that in mind, but to no avail. MY landing was a bit quick, but not bad by any means, but the retracts collapsed the instant that they touch. Easily repairable, but they won't be used again. Spittie will be dolly launch, belly land in future.

 

The Mustang was another story - now that one I did make the fatal error of dragging here off the ground too soon, dropped a wing, dug in, trashed the wing tip and took the nose off. Again, repairable, though patching the wing tip will be the biggest challenge and entirely my own fault - exactly the same mistake as I made with the Spitfire on Sunday. 😞

 

The rest of the day all went very smoothly, flew my rarely flown Durafly Komet, the fantastic WR FW190, my wee Go-Jet , fatty Me109 and Volantex Me109 for her 200+ flight, snapped a few pictures and watched the others put their models through their paces. I really like the way Derek's reschemed P-39 in Russian winter camouflage looks against the sky and by 'eck it's rapid. Murat had a fleet on the go, including a nice glider with a retractable EDF unit on top. Jim J  had everything from biplanes to small fast jets on the go. Summer really is here.

 

[GrumpyGnome]

Nice phots, nice models...