GravelRash Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Craig here. 62 semi retired. I live in Stockport area South Manchester. Completely bored with mundane TV programs I decided I wanted to do something more with my "down time" So I purchased a 1/35 scale plastic model WW2 vehicle kit and began my journey of building painting and generally being creative. After completing my first attempt and even doing a diaorama I was quite pleased with the result. What to do next I thought and as I have always had an interest in Aviation in particular WW1 and WW2 aircraft I thought I would build one of these next. However on my perusing of the WWW and various on line retailers web sites my fancy started to become tickled by the thought of actually flying something I built myself. So in my usual compulsive way I bought a kit thinking I'd learn to fly it afterwards. Yes Yes I know I already know now that I have gone about this in completely the wrong way but the deed is done and so contrary to all advice I will proceed with my build and then maybe buy a little RTF trainer aircraft of some sort and join a local (ish) club to continue my journey. According to google I think that Sale Model Flying Club might be the nearest to me. I opted for the Belair Kits Nieuport 11 24" wingspan model as I think Bi-Planes are a thing of beauty and I have been busy buying tools adhesives and stuff. All very exciting. I'm not much of a blogger or vlogger but I might post some photos of the various stages of the build etc. I am thouroughly enjoying reading the various posts in the forum and I am grateful for the resources and the time people take to offer advice and tips. thanks for listening. Craig (my forum name is due to my love of riding motorcycles by the way) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I’d already guessed that last point Craig. The joys of picking gravel out of knees… Welcome to the forum - hopefully someone local to you will give you some advice about suitable clubs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 hour ago, GravelRash said: Craig here. 62 semi retired. I live in Stockport area South Manchester. Completely bored with mundane TV programs I decided I wanted to do something more with my "down time" So I purchased a 1/35 scale plastic model WW2 vehicle kit and began my journey of building painting and generally being creative. After completing my first attempt and even doing a diaorama I was quite pleased with the result. What to do next I thought and as I have always had an interest in Aviation in particular WW1 and WW2 aircraft I thought I would build one of these next. However on my perusing of the WWW and various on line retailers web sites my fancy started to become tickled by the thought of actually flying something I built myself. So in my usual compulsive way I bought a kit thinking I'd learn to fly it afterwards. Yes Yes I know I already know now that I have gone about this in completely the wrong way but the deed is done and so contrary to all advice I will proceed with my build and then maybe buy a little RTF trainer aircraft of some sort and join a local (ish) club to continue my journey. According to google I think that Sale Model Flying Club might be the nearest to me. I opted for the Belair Kits Nieuport 11 24" wingspan model as I think Bi-Planes are a thing of beauty and I have been busy buying tools adhesives and stuff. All very exciting. I'm not much of a blogger or vlogger but I might post some photos of the various stages of the build etc. I am thouroughly enjoying reading the various posts in the forum and I am grateful for the resources and the time people take to offer advice and tips. thanks for listening. Craig (my forum name is due to my love of riding motorcycles by the way) Sent you a PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Welcome to the forum Craig, is your surname really 'Here' ?. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 9 minutes ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Welcome to the forum Craig, is your surname really 'Here' ?. I think he's probably "neither here nor there". 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Hi Craig and welcome from the other side of the hill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Welcome to the forum Craig. I'm glad you're going to join a club because you'll probably meet many like minded souls who'll help you in your aeromodelling career. I'm pleased that you've chosen to build a model stick by stick because that's what I enjoy doing. However, if you'll take a bit of unsolicitated advice from me, please learn to fly before you try to fly the Nieuport. Flying an r/c model is not as easy as it looks and I'd hate you to crash the model after you will have put so much time and effort into the build. Even the real Nieuport pilots didn't learn to fly on Nieuports did they? Leave it till your third or fourth model. The Sale club may well have a trainer which you can learn on while your transmitter is connected to an instructor's transmitter. It saves a lot of heart ache! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 PS. I sold my last bike last year. At seventy-six my knees are no longer up to managing a big bike especially with luggage and a pillion on the back. Mind you, one of those little SV 650s look interesting.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Welcome from me Craig... Ken Anderson....ne.....1....welcome Dept 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GravelRash Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 1 hour ago, David Davis said: PS. I sold my last bike last year. At seventy-six my knees are no longer up to managing a big bike especially with luggage and a pillion on the back. Mind you, one of those little SV 650s look interesting.. I feel your pain David. I have scaled down considerably now to one of those little Royal enfield Classic 350's and I only go out on lovely sunny days! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Those were the days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GravelRash Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 4 hours ago, David Davis said: Those were the days. Gorgeous looking bike David. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Still riding mine at 72,,, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 1 hour ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Still riding mine at 72,,, 72? is that age or speed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 11 minutes ago, Shaun Walsh said: 72? is that age or speed Riding a sports bike at 72 kph Paul! No wonder you're too tired to drive to La Coupe Des Barons! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 I had a motorbike for three weeks. Seemingly it was invisible to other road users.... I was sort of relieved when it got stolen! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 (edited) Motorcycling and Aeromodelling share quite a lot in common IMHO and experience. Been into both continuously since my mid teens ( started with Yamaha 'Fizzy' and Graupner glider back in '73). Entrenched views about makes and 'how to do it' - those that ride or fly in the very worst weather and like to wear their discomfort as some odd badge of honour. Synthetic or Castor based fuels in our model engines and the opinions surrounding E10 and E5 petrols for our bikes etc etc I think you get my drift. HOWEVER.........both activities have some of the nicest people you'll find anywhere (always the odd misery here and there), eager to help a fellow flyer or rider in bother and eager to chew the fat. Welcome to the hobby Gravel, I think you'll enjoy it. Edited March 21 by Cuban8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Craig Glad you are considering a more normal route to learn to fly RC. There is of course nothing stopping you building your Nieuport 11. Biplanes can be fun to build and look wonderful when finished but they are pretty delicate structures. It may seem odd but for flying "small" is more difficult than "large" and 24" (its actually 25") span is by no means big. The reason is simply that small planes react faster to everything and the one thing any human learning to fly needs is time to convert what they see a plane doing in the air into the correct and timely reactions on the controls. The slower things happen the easier it is to learn the eye/hand coordination. When you join a club you may be surprised at how big and heavy the club trainer plane is. It will likely have buddy controls as well meaning the instructor will have a set of 'master' controls both to be able to demonstrate what is required and to prevent you damaging the plane or anything else. After all two seat dual control is the only way you learn to fly a full size plane. Do post some pictures on this site as you build. Don't worry about any lack of skill or understanding. We have all been there. Pictures greatly help others to give useful advice and even if you don't actually need help the pictures of what you achieve can give encouragement to others thinking of starting out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 44 minutes ago, Simon Chaddock said: Craig Glad you are considering a more normal route to learn to fly RC. There is of course nothing stopping you building your Nieuport 11. Biplanes can be fun to build and look wonderful when finished but they are pretty delicate structures. It may seem odd but for flying "small" is more difficult than "large" and 24" (its actually 25") span is by no means big. The reason is simply that small planes react faster to everything and the one thing any human learning to fly needs is time to convert what they see a plane doing in the air into the correct and timely reactions on the controls. The slower things happen the easier it is to learn the eye/hand coordination. When you join a club you may be surprised at how big and heavy the club trainer plane is. It will likely have buddy controls as well meaning the instructor will have a set of 'master' controls both to be able to demonstrate what is required and to prevent you damaging the plane or anything else. After all two seat dual control is the only way you learn to fly a full size plane. Do post some pictures on this site as you build. Don't worry about any lack of skill or understanding. We have all been there. Pictures greatly help others to give useful advice and even if you don't actually need help the pictures of what you achieve can give encouragement to others thinking of starting out. Bigger definitely better, easier to see and doesn't get blown around as much. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GravelRash Posted March 22 Author Share Posted March 22 Glad I joined the forum. Solid advice based on experience and totally free. thank You Gentlemen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Great stuff Craig, There is an enormous amount of building experience here. Advice will be willingly given, but be careful, its very addictive. Have you got the tools that you need? ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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