Hello from a returning modeller

[Maninder]

I am sort of returning to the hobby and re-registering on this site after about 25 years by going through my two bedrooms full of "kits to be built when time permits", collection of unused aeroengines and part/fully built models.

 

My introduction to aeromodelling happened in the early 1970s when watching a TV programme called "The Lad and the Giant" where the nasty giant put the 2-3 humans in a model aeroplace and flew it around the sky. From memory it was an original Super 60 controlled by a self-oscillating single valve Tx/Rx combination. But we had no money to indulge in such things so it lead to nothing other than endless dreaming. But I did start buying the odd RC magazine.

 

I started learning to fly in 1995 when in employment with a J60 and then a HMM Moonraker. But work, which was a hobby in iteself, got in the way so I put the models away to be flown again when time permitted. I started again in about 2005 but once again the learning progress was overtaken by work. I did regularly pop into the olocal model shop, Galaxy Models of Ipswich, and buy kits as well as engines as a way of relieveing life's stresses (yes, it's not only women who go shopping to relieve stress!).

 

Here we are, now nearly of pension age, going through my kits and engines this weekend.

 

I did have some models built in the intervening years by a very experienced gentleman by the name of Norman who used to work at North-West model supplies in Wigan.

 

So, here is a list of my collection of kits:

 

Unstarted kits in boxes

 

Flair Models: Atilla (2 off), Magnatilla, Hannibal, Puppeteer

 

DB Sport & Scale: Major Mannock (one of the original kits I was fortunate to purchase from an elderly modeller many years ago) (cannot seem to find the Moth 40 and the Tigermoth 40 boxes but they'll be here somewhere)

 

Balsa USA: Fokker Eindecker 90, Taube 40, Fokker D7 1/4-scale, Sopwith Pup 1/4-scale

 

Bridi: Big Bee (96" w'span trainer/sport model from the US for Zenoah 38, 26, 45 etc. which is very similar to the LMA Greenly )

 

Ben Buckle: Radio Queen

 

Svensen: Vicompte 1915

 

Howard Metcalfe Models : Chandelle

 

Colibri 4ch (laser-cut cesena like trainer kit for 20-30 size 4-strokes)

 

Thunder Tigre Pegasus 40 (72" w'span ARTF trainer/intermediate for 40-46 2s and 52-60 4s engines)

 

VMAR Apache III 70" w'span ARTF trainer

 

Plus a few IKARUS, Multiplex etc. slow flyers

 

Part-built Kits

 

D&B Sport & Scale: Bistormer 72

 

Ben Buckle Super 60

 

Galaxy Models Gazelle 4-ch trainer

 

Flair Cub (4ch)

 

Fully Built Models

 

HMM Moonraker trainer with MDS40 and Super-quiet custom silencer (used in my learning to fly)

 

VMAR Discovery trainer with OS FP40 and OS quiet silencer (used in my learning to fly)

 

Radio Queen built with 4ch wing

 

Powerhouse 82" oldtimer

 

Flair Fokker DVII in full Lozenge pattern Oracover

 

Unused Engines

 

Zenoah: 20, 26, 38, 62 (all but the 38 converted to EI by Ralph Cunningham in the US) plus about four other 2-S petrol engines

 

4-stroke Pertrol Engines: Fuji 35cc for the Fokker DVII 1/4 scale, Honda 35cc for the 1/4 scale Pup and Honda 25cc conversion for the Hannibal

 

Laser: 70, 100

 

OS:  FS 26, 40*2,48*2, 61, 70, 80, 91

 

Saito: FS 45s*2, 72, 82

 

Thundertigre: FS-90

 

Enya: 43-4C, 60-4C

 

SC: FS-30, 61

 

Used engines: few 4-s glow including a Laser 150 and a few 2-s glow

 

Then there are the numerous DB Sport Scale Plan packs, plans etc. including plans purchased from the US

 

Whilst going though my gear over the weekend, I felt like one of those baddies in their cave full of gold and jewels that one sees in films. This lot will probably keep me going for the rest of my life!

 

Before anyone suspects, I am not a scammer and not trying to sell anything 🙂

 

Edited November 17 by Maninder
Addition

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Welcome back and to the forum Maninder, you've plenty to go at then, the Hondas 4  strokes off strimmers ?

[Maninder]

Thank you.

 

Yes - both the Honda engines are the ones sold on their strimmers/brushcutters. The Fuji and the Honda were very popular conversions in the US for Balsa USA's quarter scale kits. Their weight meant that none or little extra weight was need for balancing and they sounded just right in flight. All three were converted in the US and shipped here.

Edited November 17 by Maninder

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Picture of your Hondas would be nice ?

 

[Maninder]

Hi John,

 

Some photos as requested. As you can see the conversion involved removal of all the excess metal, machining and balancing the the flywheel and fitting of a CNC machined mount and prop hub.  From memory the Honda GX35/25 and the Fuji EH035 received larger carbs of the same type as the original as part of the conversion.

 

Honda GX35 (the intake filter cover will be removed and a trumpet installed when it goes into a model). The GX25 is physicall identical, just lower capacity and power.

 

 

 

Fuji EH035

 

 

 

The Fuji is better suited to the Fokker DVII with its narrower front fuselage whereas the Honda with its round oil atomiser chamber is better suited to round cowl models.

[David Davis 2]

Welcome back to the hobby from me too Maninder. We all buy more stuff than we've the time to build! I have a Honda engine in my strimmer and have often wondered why we never see one in a model. It would be ideal for a biplane with a rotary engine.

[Brian Cooper]

Welcome back to the great hobby/sport.

That is certainly an interesting collection of kits and engines. 

They should keep you going for a while... 

[Paul De Tourtoulon]

Welcome aboard, some collection you have there.

[colin wray 2]

Looks like you are catching Toto up

[Don Fry]

Welcome, I also plead guilty

[Maninder]

On 18/11/2024 at 04:52, David Davis 2 said:

Welcome back to the hobby from me too Maninder. We all buy more stuff than we've the time to build! I have a Honda engine in my strimmer and have often wondered why we never see one in a model. It would be ideal for a biplane with a rotary engine.

Thanks for the welcome David. Being a bit of a nut about engines of all sorts - RC models, motorbikes, cars, even garden machinery - I used to follow the engine conversion chaps in the US modelling scene quite closely. Over there they had quite a few small engineering shops with CNC machinery wand the owners willing to convert engines for not much money as a hobby. The strimmer, chainsaw types engines were really popular a they were of very high quality, lasting many years, and made good power. Which is all engines like the Zenoah 38, 45 and 62 ever were. The cheap chinese engines killed off the business side of conversions but some still do it has a bobby.

 

We didn't really have the equivalent workshops with CNC machines over here willing to do the work for little money.

 

The converted four stroke petrols were really popular with the WW1 biplane contingent. Some still do the conversions - Stihl 4-Mix engines are quite popular these days especially the 62cc engine from the BR600 backpack blower. It produced the same sort of thrust as a Zenoah 62 so is capable of flying 1/3 scale biplanes and sounds just right for those models.

[Maninder]

Thank you for the welcome messages gentlemen. 🙂