17mar27 PDF

FREE FLIGHT ● CONTROL LINE ● RADIO-ASSISTED FREE PLAN: PISCEOCOPTER TAIL WAGGER
www.aeromodeller.com
April 2017.
No. 959. £5.00
SOMETHING
FISHY?!
PISCEOCOPTER - NOVEL FF INDOOR FREE PLAN
MODEL DESIGN TWIN CYLINDER JUST DESERT!
HOW TO
04
9 770001 923004
REVIEW
STARTING CAD REDFIN TWINFIN SWR ARIZONA
● ERIC FEARNLEY ● PREPARE TO WIN ● FF SCALE…
AERO 041.indd 1 24/02/2017 12:26

BMFA AD.indd 1 27/02/2017 13:50
CONTENTS
AEROMODELLER 959 April 2017 – Next issue published on 20 April 2017
Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,

Bedfordshire LU6 1QX, England
Issue 959. April 2017

(Issue 041 since relaunch)
How to contact us:
Tel: 01525 222573
Fax: 01525 222574
Email: [email protected]
Editorial:
Editor: Andrew Boddington
Email: [email protected]
Publisher: Alan Harman
Administration Manager: Hannah McLaurie
Office Manager: Paula Gray
Advertisement Manager: Sean Leslie
Editorial Design: Peter Hutchinson
& Alex Hall
Advertisement and circulation:

Aeromodeller, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
Bedfordshire LU6 1QX, England
Tel: 01525 222573 Fax: 01525 222574

E-mail: [email protected]
Newstrade:
Select Publisher Services, 3 East Avenue,
Bournemouth, BH3 7BW
04 30
HEARD AT THE HANGAR FREE PLAN – PISCEOCOPTER Tel: 01202 586848 E-mail: [email protected]
DOORS NOVEL FF RUBBER POWERED Subscriptions:
EDITORIAL, NEWS AND VIEWS. TAIL-WAGGER FROM GARETH EVANS. Aeromodeller, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX.
Tel: 01525 222573 Fax: 01525 222574
07 UP AND COMING
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE
NEXT MONTHS.
39 AERO POST
READERS’ LETTERS BY POST
AND EMAIL.
Subscribe: 12 issues - UK £55, Europe £73,
Worldwide £82
Website: www.aeromodeller.com
08 OFF THE SHELF

A LOOK AT NEW AND INNOVATIVE
PRODUCTS.
40 ERIC FEARNLEY
BRIAN FEARNLEY LOOKS BACK AT
THE AEROMODELLING LIFE OF HIS FATHER.
10 POWER TRIP –
REDFIN TWIN FIN
THE IMPRESSIVE 1CC TWIN CYLINDER
44 ENGINES AND OIL
OZ ENGINE WIZARD BRIAN WINCH
ON THE ALLURE OF DIESELS.
AeroModeller is published monthly by Doolittle
DIESEL IS REVIEWED BY MARIS DISLERS.
Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
16 SWR ARIZONA
MIKE WOODHOUSE COMPETES AT
48 SCALE MATTERS
BILL DENNIS GETS READY FOR THE
FF SCALE SEASON.
Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Entire Contents © 2017
Doolittle Media Reproduction in part or whole of
any text, photograph or illustration without written
THE FF DURATION EVENT IN THE DESERT. permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
While due care is taken to ensure the content of
20 GIVE CAD A CHANCE

PART 1. BOB ‘SIDESHOW’ DAVIS
56 FROM THE ARMCHAIR
STUART ‘SUPERCOOL’ SHERLOCK ON
FURTHER SUPERCAP ADVENTURES.
AeroModeller is accurate, the publishers and printers
cannot accept liability for errors and omissions.
Advertisements are accepted for publication in
INTRODUCES THE BASICS OF AeroModeller only upon Doolittle Media’s standard
60
terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which
COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN. STARTING VINTAGE COMBAT
are available from the advertising sales department
PART 2 OF TIM HOBBINS’ ADVICE FOR of AeroModeller.
24 A WALK IN THE PARK

SMALL MODEL FLYING USA
COMBAT BEGINNERS.
BY PAT TRITLE.
66 TAIL END CHARLIE
THE THOUGHTS OF CHRIS OTTEWELL.
A shoal of flying fish!
The free plan by
Gareth Evans.
26 BETTER… HABITS – FIELD

PREPARATION
PREPARE TO WIN WITH DAVE HIPPERSON.
3
CONTENTS 041.indd 1 27/02/2017 09:37

Ron Moulton was, of course, a
previous editor of AeroModeller. Seen
News, Views and Editorial here with Sadler CL Trainer in a photo
from around 2005.
H
HEA
AN
R
G
D
A
A
R
T THE
D O O RS
I
Sartorial Splendour
n Dave Hipperson’s ‘Better… Habits’ article this month he a boxed spark ignition engine was found in the drum of his
sensibly covers choice of clothing when competition FF washing machine as he’d run out of places to put things…
flying in the UK (extremes of snow to sunstroke!) Sports Perhaps the average aeromodeller has his mind on loftier
and vintage model flyers are freer to express themselves things and saves his money to spend on his hobby? I recently
with their choice of clothing, although my observations heard the story of Ted Arnold a ‘mature’ modeller who was
suggest that there is not a lot of thought that goes in to the handed a photo of himself at a flying event taken over 50 years
average modeller’s wardrobe. The few exceptions I can think ago. Seeing the clothes he was wearing he said “That was a
of were Doug McHard who was always turned out very dapper, good jumper,” and undid his jacket to reveal the self-same item!
and Ron Moulton who had a great taste in loud aviation print
shirts. At the other extreme was Market Harborough model Regards, Andrew Boddington
shop owner and engine collector Vince Redfern; on his death [email protected]
DON HOWIE 80
We couldn’t let the milestone birthday
FREE FLIGHT & SPACE BRITISH of 80 years pass for our regular ‘Old
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Timer’ columnist without comment. Don,
Many Happy Returns! Don is seen in a
Once again, the Free Flight National photo from earlier this year holding his
Championships will take place at RAF Barkston Scientific kits “Miss America” Vintage
Heath over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend model.
May 27th to 29th, 2017. Events include BMFA FF
duration, space modelling, SAM 35 (FF, CL and
RC-assist), and FF Scale (range of classes from
flying only to ‘super’ scale).
The BMFA Free Flight National Championships
is the largest FF competition in Europe and surely
the most diverse in the world, and we’re proud to
say that AeroModeller will again be sponsoring
the event. Pre-entry is vital with a meeting of this
size so make sure yours is received before 8th
May on the form available to download on the
BMFA website (or call the BMFA office for a copy –
telephone: 0116-2440028). This year you can also
pre-entry the SAM 35 organised competition on
the same form. www.bmfa-nats.org
If you are looking for sage advice on how to
improve your basic FF competition skills before
the Nats, the Free Flight Technical Committee have
made two informative pamphlets on ‘Thermals’
and ‘Glider Towing’ available for free download.
www.freeflight.bmfa.org and look under ‘Tech
Information’.
4 AeroModeller - April 2017
HANGAR DOORS 041.indd 2 27/02/2017 09:38

STEVE WEBB
MODELS – 30
YEARS IN BUSI-
NESS
At a time when the number of real
model shops is declining, it is great
to celebrate the long-term success of
Steve Webb Models.
Opened in 1987, Steve Webb Models
is a traditional model shop, based in the
market town of Frodsham, Cheshire.
Affectionately known as “Webbies”,
Steve Webb Models celebrated its 30th
birthday on February 14th 2017, and is
still very much a family business, with
longstanding and helpful staff.
In the early 1990s, the distribution of
Enya Engines was brought on board,
through Enya UK Sales. The distribution
of the World Models range of kits and
accessories was added shortly after.
Both of these ranges are still available
from Steve Webb Models today.
Created in the early 2000s, www.
servoshop.co.uk introduced the supply
of servos and accessories online, but
has expanded hugely and now over
7500 Radio Control related products
are available online. The ServoShop
online store has now become the one-
stop-shop for modellers and hobbyists,
as well as industrial and scientific
businesses, Film and Theatre Prop
makers, and special effects and movie
animatronics makers.
Steve Webb and his sister Ann-Louise

celebrate 30 years of retailing to
aeromodellers.
BRUMFLY 2017 – BMFA, SCALE, SAM 35 AND SPORTS FF

This year’s Brumfly is on Saturday May 20th 09.00 on North Luffenham. The traditional July date is no longer feasible because the
grass on the field is now left uncut for haymaking.
Brumfly classes will be: E 36, Mini Vintage, F1H (A1), Combined HLG/Catapult, Combined F1J/BMFA 1/2A, and Combined
A2 (single contest for models conforming to F1A specification with three for overall winner, highest placing using non-bunting
model(s) and highest placing using design(s) published prior to January 1961.)
Once again Bill Dennis will be running scale classes, for details contact [email protected]
There will also be SAM 35 events run by John Ashmole including Rubber and Power Precision and Cloud Tramp duration,
contact [email protected]
Sport flyers (FF only) and those keen to get in some pre-Nats trimming are welcome (you must be a BMFA member), £5 airfield
fee. Contact Stuart Darmon [email protected] 01858882057 or Gavin Manion [email protected]

News, Views and Editorial
GRAN CANARIA 2016 EURO COMBAT

Thanks to Vernon Hunt for this report and match. Change of prop from practice? match saw me lose to Paco Mons, an
Pam Giovannelli for the photos. UK wins for Nick Stowe and Mick Lewis engine run would have been useful. (Our
The 2017 event was run a week later over Jose Lopez and Darryl Hinton, number one pitman, Simon Groom later
this year so a ‘special’ pass was required Simon Groom over the only female pilot discovered a loose back plate). Mick
from ‘her indoors’, flying airplanes the Beatriz Caceres, and Vernon over Raul also had his first loss to Mario Rioja, with
week prior to Christmas on 17/18th Hernandez a Spanish junior. Our only model destruction the order of the day!
of December. Luckily there are plenty loser was John Leggott to Paco Jimenez. Darryl losing out 2-1 to Paco Jimenez,
of five-day weekend breaks available A mixed bag in the second round, and Manuel Mateo beating fellow
from the major UK airports at the right Nick Stowe losing to one of the regular Spaniard Jose Lopez.
price; out on Thursday and back on the Spanish F2 D team members Paco In round six , there were 6 pilots
Monday. We all arrived around lunchtime, Mons, likewise Darryl Hinton losing to remaining - life can get complicated on
collected our minibus at the airport Manuel Mateo. Mick Lewis beat junior a two life system, trying to avoid flying
and off to the Parque Hotel, central Las Nicolas Antunez with a very warped a previous flown opponent. Best match
Palmas. model, seeing more of the outboard wing a win for Mick Lewis over Paco Mons
This year a social event was planned than he would have liked! Simon Groom by 3 cuts to one. Meanwhile Mario Rioja
every night by Alberto Parra and Nicolas lost to Paco Jimenez with a win for me eliminated Paco Jimenez, and I lost to
Antunez (you wondered why we keep over Nicolas Antunez Snr. A good bout Manuel Mateo 1-1 following a line break
going back!) We had arrived with typical between the Russian Alexei Nazarov and and ground time.
Canaries weather, a pleasant 25C and Alberto Parra, with the Russian winning Only four pilots remained, three
sun, but were told our contest weekend 2-1. John Leggot winning his match Spanish and Mr Lewis. Mick beating
was to be windy with some rain, and it over junior Marcos Pieper, and Eric Huss Mario Rioja and Paco Mons flying
was! over Raul Hernandez. Nino Usala from Manuel Mateo, with a win for Paco
On the Friday afternoon the old time Belgium was having a bad day as he lost Mons. The final was a strange one, they
stunt event was run; I was to share a to Jose Lopez, in the first round he had had flown each other in round six with a
model with Simon Groom (a lightly built lost to Alberto Parra. convincing win for Mick. This time Paco
Peacemaker) but I bottled flying as I did So into round three, 6 pilots had raced into a 2-0 lead, Mick fought back
not want to break it, it was so windy. been lost from the competition but the to 2-2, we expected a re-fly with both
There were a couple of occasions when Brits still had 6 pilots left. Losses for flying level. With a minute to go the circle
I was scurrying for a brush and pan as Nick Stowe against Paco Jimenez and marshal decided that Mons had the knot
I thought “this is it, wasn’t that a lovely Simon against Paco Mons, poor engine still remaining. Combat restarted with
model” however the art of running runs playing a role. The wind was still the destruction of Paco’s model. It would
proved useful at keeping the lines tight howling and it played its part, Darryl have been a re-fly without the mistake,
and our man came a creditable third. flew the Russian with total destruction but Paco decided he would not re-fly so
On the Saturday the wind still blew like of the Russian airplane within a minute, Mick was declared the winner.
Barkston Heath… and air time for Darryl won the match. One hour later and a bottle or two
So to the main event - 20 entries, 11 Mick Lewis had the same experience of red wine we were all friends again,
Spanish 1 Belgian, 1 Russian, 6 Brits with Manuel Mateo, a big mid-air and looking forward to 2017. As usual we
and 1 Swede, Eric Huss. The last time I only one model remaining flyable. John were well looked after by the Las Palmas
saw Eric was at the Derby International Leggot lost his second life to Mario club. It would be nice in December 2017
in 1976! We all had problems with engine Rioja. The last match in round three was to make it a proper ‘invasion’ with double
runs (diesel) which I suspect was the between Alberto and myself, a good figure number of British pilots. Let that
cold weather and low IPN. In practice bout which I won 1-0, with some good be a challenge to all of you out there!
our Russian pilot looked impressive but defensive flying. www.clubtamaran.com
lost his first-round match to Mario Rioja, On Sunday we started round four, with
seemingly losing a lot of airspeed in the little change in the weather. The first

Events
Please note that the events listed are compiled weeks in advance of publication,
UP & COMING
and you should check before travelling in case of change. For future inclusion of
your events, please send an email with date and details of the event in a format
similar to those shown below to [email protected]
MARCH 26 March 9 April MAY

‘March Wynde’ SAM35 Area Postal Flitehook Indoor FF Meeting, West
19 March for LW Rubber (Senator & ìAnything Totton Centre, Hazel Farm Rd, 13-14 May
Impington Indoor Meeting, butî). Pre-entry essential £3 (juniors Totton SO40 8WU. 10:00 to 16:00. MayFly at the Shuttleworth
Impington Village College, free). John Ashmole Flyers £6, Spectators £2. Collection, Old Warden SG18 9EP.
Cambridge CB24 9LX. 9.00 to [email protected] fl[email protected] Including Ron Moulton Memorial &
17.00. £6 Fly FF in main hall all www.sam35.org 02380 861541 Voetsak CL Racing on Sat. Vintage
day. RTP and small RC flying in Combat, SAM35 Frog Senior
separate hall. Competitions for APRIL 9 April Duration & Biplane Precision on
Peanuts and Bostonians. Seminar BMFA NW Area Indoor Fly-In, Sun. www.modelair.info
ìA conversation with Richard 1 April Springhill Centre, Turf Hill Road, www.sam35.org
Crossleyî. Also last ever rubber Indoor Fun-Fly, Furzefield Sports Rochdale OL16 4QX. Slots for fast/
powered car race (unless we get 4 Centre, Mutton Lane, Potters Bar slow RC & FF. 20 May
or more). Chris Strachan EN6 3BW. 17:00 to 21:00. Rubber, www.bmfa-nw.org BRUMFLY 2017, N Luffenham.
01223 860498 www.impmac.co.uk small electric <20” FF & RC. 09.00 start. Duration
Mike Quille 0208 5003549 9 April (Stuart Darmon
19 March [email protected] Frome MFC Easter Swapmeet, [email protected]
BMFA SW Area Indoor Flying, Conygre Hall, North Road, 01858882057),
Saints Centre, St Austell PL26 1-2 April Timsbury, Bath BA2 0JQ. 09:00 Scale (Bill Dennis
7AG. 12:00 to 16:00. FF & micro Hobby Corner ‘April Fool’ Fly-in, ñ 12:30. Tables free, pre-booking [email protected]),
RC. David Powis 01579 362951 Wrexham MAC, LL11 3BB. To give required. SAM35 (John Ashmole
[email protected], novice RC flyer the confidence to Rob Buckley 07791 278292 [email protected]) &
Roger Bellamy 01752 257826 go to other Fly-ins during the 2017. [email protected] Sports FF. Incl E36, Mini Vintage,
Instructors available, Pre-register to F1H(A1), Comb HLG/CLG, F1J/
19 March take A-cert. Well kept grass strips, 17 April BMFA 1/2A & Comb A2.
Beverley & District MAC Autumn hot food both days. Croydon Wakefield Day plus SAM
Swapmeet, Tickton Village Hall, [email protected] 1066, Area 8, Salisbury Plain. 20-21 May
near Beverley HU17 9RZ. 09.00 to or 01490 413276. 10:00 to 18:00. Vintage, Classic, & Barton Bash CL Extravaganza,
12:00. Tables £5.00 Brian Jenkins Modern Duration, and Sports FF Barton, Manchester. Malcolm
[email protected] 07970 959875 2 April Meeting. Use of DT recommended Ross 01925 766610
www.badmac.btck.co.uk Rat Racing Day, Barton, but not mandatory. www.controlline.org.uk
Manchester. Texas Quickie, Oliver, 02392 550809 www.sam1066.org
19 March A & 1/2A Rat CL. John Bradley 27-28 May
Goodyear Day, Barton, Manchester. 01829 270253 23 April Manchester Vintage Combat
British, Open & Mini Goodyear CL www.controlline.org.uk Vintage Combat, BMFA Centre, International, Darley Moor MFC,
TR. Ed Needham 01614 855193 Buckminster Lodge, Sewstern, hosted by Ashton-on-Mersey
www.controlline.org.uk 4 April Grantham, NG33 5RW. RUFC, Banky, Sale, M33 5SL.
Waltham Chase Indoor FF, Mick Lewis 01453 542367 Camping, club house, bar.
25 March Community Centre, Mill Lane, combatfl[email protected] Tony Cookson
Peterborough MFC Indoor, Wickham, PO17 5AL. 19:00 to [email protected]
Bushfield Leisure Centre, PE2 5RQ. 22:00. FF only of all sorts. 23 April 07801 947531
10:00 to 13:00. FF & micro RC (no www.wcaero.co.uk Alan Wallington Indoor FF Scale Nationals,
rotors/shockie). Informal contests 01489 895157 [email protected] University of Wolverhampton, 27-29 May
Gyminie/Hangar Rat/Bostonian. Walsall Sports Centre, Magdalene BMFA Free Flight Nationals,
www.peterboroughmfc.org 8 April Rd. WS1 3TA. 08:00 to 18:00 As Barkston Heath.
Indoor Fun Flying, High School, well as BMFA scale events includes www.bmfa.org
25 March Brumstead Rd, Stalham, Norfolk SAM35 kit scale, glider, Air Race.
Tonbridge Gassers & Rubber NR12 9DG. 19:00 to 22:00. Informal Pre-entry by 15th April. 28-29 May
Fanciers Indoor, Sports Centre, 601 FF only, beginners welcome. Flyers John Minchell SAM35 at FF Nationals. Wakefield
Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1 £5.00, Watchers £2.00, U16 £1.00. [email protected] 4/8oz on Sun. 36” HiStart Glider,
3QJ. 18:30 to 22:00. FF & LW RC. Richard Crossley on 01692 407936, 07989 744251 <25” Vintage Rubber, Biplane
Eric 01622 737814 [email protected] www.scalebmfa.co.uk precision on Mon.
[email protected] www.sam35.org
or Steve 0208 942 5000 8-9 April 23 April
Club Speed Weekend, Barton, CL Floatplanes at Leceister MAC.
26 March Manchester. All Open CL Speed Andy Green
Indoor RC Scale Nationals, RAF Classes, F2A, Have-A-Go. [email protected]
Shawbury. RC indoor scale. Dick Hart 01387 820335 www.leicestermodelaeroclub.org.uk
John Minchell www.controlline.org.uk
[email protected] 23 April
www.scalebmfa.co.uk 9 April Barton Racing Day, Barton,
Vintage Team Race, Barton, Manchester. Classic 15 & Barton
26 March Manchester. VTR A, VTR B, Barton B CL TR.
OFMAC Indoor Flying, Abbey B, Vintage 1/2 A. John Mealing John Broadhead 01524 251592
Centre, Furlong Green Berinsfield 0117 947 8758 www.controlline.org.uk
OX10 7NR. 08:30 to 16:00. FF, RC www.controlline.org.uk
Fixed Wing, Scale. Dave Dobson
01491 837789 [email protected]
Full details of BMFA events can be found at: www.bmfa.org

7
CALENDAR 041.indd 1 27/02/2017 09:41

Off The Shelf A round up of new and innovative products for the discerning ae
Belair Kits Thunderbird CL
The iconic Thunderbird is

available in two kit versions from
Belair. Model shown is Dick
Stepney’s, as flown at the 2016
CL Nationals.
Belair Kits are increasing their range of Vintage and Classic Control Line Stunt models and The kit (part number ot-tbird2) includes a full-size plan and
the latest is a laser cut parts set, plan and vac-formed canopy for the iconic Bob Palmer canopy 3D moulded from original plan profiles and outline.
designed Thunderbird II with differential flaps. The parts set will save you hours of cutting Alternatively available is the inline or radial cowl version of
and includes accurate parts for the fuselage sides with wing cut-out, wing ribs, formers, the Thunderbird (part number ot-tbird) originally kitted by
bulkheads, shaped and notched main spar, cowl parts, tip shapes, tail plan tip shapes, fin Veco. Either kit is £80.00 including VAT.
and rudder, flaps and many smaller items. See both at www.belairkits.com or call 01362 668658 for
your free Belair Vintage Catalog.
Forge Electronics E36 Competition Timer

The specification and functionality were guided As this is for competition use, the motor starts The timer retails at £22.50
by John Thompson the SAM1066 Chairman and upon pressing the button but the timing period including first class signed-for
experienced contest flier. In comparison with doesnʼt begin until the button is released. Should postage within the UK, exclusively
the EFF2 timer, the E36 has a smaller size and the button be released without launching the from Forge Electronics. More
weight and can be mounted within the fuselage model, pressing and holding the button again details and instructions are on the
Forge Electronics, designers of the popular with just the push button and LED showing will reset the timing period back to zero. The Forge Electronics website www.
E-Zee range of timers marketed by Dens Model through a ply mounting plate. The maximum E36 has the capability to interface with an RDT forge-electronics.co.uk search for
Supplies, have developed a specialist electric free motor run time is 20 seconds, and can be set to a system, and this will also allow a remote ʻkillʼ of ʻE36 timerʼ.
flight timer for E36 competition models. resolution of 0.1 seconds. the motor if a dangerous launch has occurred.
OFF THE SHELF 41.indd 8 27/02/2017 09:43

r the discerning aeromodeller. Send your product information along with high-resolution images to: [email protected]
Deluxe Materials Fix ʻnʼ Flex

New from Deluxe Materials is Fix ʻnʼ Flex, a clear, tough, resilient, ● Foam models - construction and repairs. A 40ml tube of Fix ʼnʼ Flex (part number AD
gap-filling adhesive producing flexible bonds with foam, plastic ● Bonding plastic servo trays & motor mounts into foam. 78) retails around £8.50. Deluxe Materials
and metal in ways that other glues cannot. It is a 1 part, air drying ● Bonding plastic or carbon fibre stiffeners into foam. products are distributed to all good hobby
and is safe to use, and has exceptional surface grip, curing at 1-2 ● Creating exhaust gaskets & sealing cable exits. shops through their international network of
mm /hour. Joints are both waterproof and heatproof. It should be distributors including RipMax in the UK.
applied with a spatula or wet finger and a smear of liquid soap will Fix ʻnʼ Flex is supplied with a small purpose made dispensing www.deluxematerials.co.uk Free phone: 0800
ease surface contouring and smoothing. nozzle and excess adhesive can be cleaned with white spirit. 298 5121
Its uses are many and include:
The revised Airsail kit of the

Pilatus PC-9 is now available
from Avetek.
Revised Airsail
kits from
Avetek
New Zealand manufacturer Avetek has risen to prominence in technology and give the range a revamp. In doing so Gwyn fuselage former, an increase in wing incidence, separate
recent times with its own rubber powered DH Tiger Moth and has engaged with a number of experienced free flight scale elevator and rudder, a practical redesigned nose section and the
Sopwith 1½ Strutter kits. It is currently revising and improving modellers to re-engineer the designs. The main focus has been removal of a 20-year-old error found in the original plan! The
the earlier range of Airsail rubber scale designs purchased by to reduce weight with thinner, lighter moulded plastic parts, and redevelopment of this kit has been fully documented in the Hip
Gwyn and Christina Avenell several years ago: these include better wood selection (made possible by the transition from die Pocket Aeronautics forum (www.hippocketaeronautics.com)
the Pilatus PC-9, Pilatus Turbo Porter, CT4 Airtrainer, Piper cutting to laser cutting) - these have complemented the design
Tomahawk, Fairchild PT19, and Auster AOP9. changes to arrive at significant improvements. The kits are now available directly from
Airsail kits were always accurate scale designs of interesting The most recent revision has been the Pilatus PC-9, a substantial Avetek. The next Airsail kit update is the
and in some cases seldom modelled aircraft, however after redesign includes thinning out formers and keels, realignment CT4 Airtrainer.
20 years Avetek felt that it was time to take advantage of new of stringer notches, scalloping of formers, an additional www.aveteknz.com
OFF THE SHELF 41.indd 9 27/02/2017 09:43

Power Trip
Boxer Clever! Redfin

T
Maris Dislers reviews the first and only 1cc opposed twin diesel offered for commercial sale.
win cylinder engines are shrink, and difficulty in achieving is a notable example that a capable and
common enough for large acceptable performance at reasonable practical performer is possible.
RC models. In the smaller cost. In our experience, the majority of Alex Phin’s intention of bringing a small
sizes they have always been those sold went to collectors and folk Redfin twin cylinder engine to market is
a rarity. Owing, of course, to who just like to bench run them. However no secret. He’s been working both on his
the growing manufacturing challenges the G-Mark .12 (2cc opposed cylinders, own and with Tom Crompton on various
as dimensions and allowable tolerances glowplug) engine from the early 1980’s configurations, design elements and
Occupying a unique spot in the marketplace, Redfin’s new Twin Fin 060 (1cc) diesel has performance to match its good looks. Included sturdy bench running
stand (reversed in this shot) can double as a display stand. Individual numbering and customer certification, good instructions and packaging complement
this quality product.
POWER TRIP 041.indd 10 27/02/2017 09:44

dfin Twin Fin 060
Removing the venturi and induction reed reveals two crankcase intake slots. Note the hefty steel “donut” linking the two main crankshaft components.
prototypes for years, but resisted rushing the owner is well versed in model diesel caps and retaining screws) onto a one-
into production until he could deliver a engine adjustments and procedures and piece crankshaft would be tricky. Instead,
really good product. The new Redfin Twin approaches the task methodically. the Twin Fin has a three-part crankshaft
Fin 060 (1cc) engine is a collaborative and regular one-piece conrods.
three way effort between Alex Phin and Construction Many in-line twins simplify this by
Tom Crompton in the UK mainly on the The Redfin Twin Fin 060 is an opposed employing a bearing between the
design side, and Alexander Matyusha twin cylinder two-stroke compression two cylinders, thereby allowing a
in Ukraine, who’s skill, workmanship ignition (diesel) engine of 1cc total slip fit between the two crankshaft
and innovation in bringing the design swept volume. Broadly speaking, it’s components. With no central bearing,
to practical fruition also deserves three a twin cylinder development of the the Twin Fin’s shaft has to be a solid unit.
hearty cheers. Millish 030 RV (Reed Valve) single, The case hardened steel forward shaft/
The instructions point out that this which was reviewed in #949 June 2016 web/crankpin component is mounted in
new engine is not for the newcomer, AeroModeller. a jig, along with the front conrod. Then
as it has two compression screws and Any twin is always interesting from a 4.5mm thick steel “donut” is pressed
one mixture needle to coordinate. And a an engineering perspective. Particularly onto the over-length pin. While others
bent conrod means an expensive repair the double throw crankshaft, for would simply rely on the press fit, this
job that can only be done at the factory. simultaneous firing of the cylinders. At joint is then permanently welded. Then
However, we do not rate it as particularly this small size, assembling conrods a shorter rear shaft/web/pin and conrod
difficult to start or operate, providing having split big end bearings (with end are pressed home into the receiving
11
POWER TRIP 041.indd 11 27/02/2017 09:44

Power Trip
regular Redfins, but have an additional

pair of transfer slots with a redesigned
piston having four baffle notches. This
porting arrangement has given a slight
performance boost in testing.
Mounting against the firewall is via
four screws of the popular M3 or 4-40
UNC sizes. Induction is controlled by
an essentially rectangular plastic reed
(clack) valve located below the venturi.
The Twin Fin has two induction slots in
the crankcase, which the reed overlaps
by around 50%, leaving the remainder
uncovered during the induction stroke.
Crankcase pressure (on the piston
downstroke) initially acts only on the
overlapping edges of the reed (around
17% of its area), to lift it against the
venturi base sealing ring. This results
in a less positive seal at hand cranking
speeds than the Cox arrangement, but
appears to be fine when running. It will,
of course, run in either direction and
our Twin Fin seemed quite comfortable
Diagram shows how the composite crankshaft Four deflector notches in piston crown align with
running in reverse without a cooling air
is assembled, before welding joints permanently. transfer flutes in cylinder wall. blast.
Opposed crankpins allow cylinders to fire
simultaneously.
On the Bench
In the main, the Twin Fin is quite easy
hole on the opposite side of the “donut” the big end. Good as the assembly jig is, to handle, providing a bit of preliminary
and welded through its countersunk front and rear journals are then ground care is taken. Our engine tolerated
hole. This traps the conrods in place between centres to final size for perfect only minimal fuel lift to the carburettor,
permanently, so to avoid any likelihood alignment when mounted in the single needing a shallow tank with feed at
of undue wear during a reasonable rear and two front ball races. almost the same level as the carburettor
lifetime, the crankpins are 4mm (.157 The crankcase splits vertically, allowing jet. That figures, as the chosen effective
in) diameter. That gives a generous the conrods a way into their respective choke area leans towards maximum
conrod bearing area, fed by three equally final positions during assembly. Pistons power potential, rather than ripping
spaced lubrication slots either side of and cylinders are essentially the same as suction.
Clear plastic reed seals against sealing ring on underside of

venturi during piston down-stroke.
POWER TRIP 041.indd 12 27/02/2017 09:44

Inside view of the split crankcase. Owners will probably never see this, as
disassembly to this level is definitely not recommended!
Diagram from instruction sheet shows principal dimensions. Length is 44.4mm to

prop driver face.
There were occasions (such as seal against the venturi

the first start “out of the box”) when sealing ring.
the engine would not even fire. We With compression set
diagnosed that the reed had been stuck at running position and
“open” by old oil residue left over from mixture needle somewhat
Alex’s preliminary check run. Common richened, our preferred
enough with any engine using this kind starting routine was four drops of fuel in over freely, but not firing. Then bring the
of system. No wonder that we could at the carburettor (no exhaust prime) and it rear (right hand) cylinder into play by
best get one pop from it in this state and would be running in a few flicks of the advancing its compression setting. You’ll
no amount of fiddling with compression propeller. When set for fast running with easily hear when it begins to kick in and
settings and priming will help. small propellers, it might inadvertently can then balance the two.
We cleaned the venturi sealing ring, start backwards or knock. Backing off Alternatively, reset both contra pistons
reed and crankcase face and carefully compression by a quarter turn on one to a known working position. That’s not
reassembled dry, with due care not cylinder overcomes that. The front – left so difficult if you unscrew the fins (they
to trap the reed between venturi and hand cylinder is easiest if you’re right only need to be finger tight) and with
crankcase, or strip the two retaining handed. Then bring it up to setting when vernier calliper confirm that the depth
screw mounting threads. Then followed running. measurement from top of cylinder to
the usual starting routine. The engine If you become “all at sea” with the contra piston’s central point (where
would almost always start as if nothing compression settings, perhaps when the compression screw makes contact)
had been wrong, or perhaps need a clearing a flooded crankcase, take is between 4.5mm and 4.9mm (.177
second prime. Ours is a very early the safe way out. The instructions in. - .193 in.). Adjust as necessary and it
production engine and Alex advises that recommend backing off both cylinders should give a decent burst with a four-
a modified seat for the reed on current and working up compression on the front drop venturi prime. Reconnect the fuel
production engines will minimize this (left hand) cylinder until it runs on that, line and away you go.
tendency and provide a more positive with the other “dead” cylinder turning After a little experience, it is not difficult
13
POWER TRIP 041.indd 13 27/02/2017 09:44

Power Trip
Technical data
Number of cylinders 2
Bore 7.52 mm
Stroke 11.20 mm
Swept volume .994 cc (.0606 cu in)
Weight 89.3g (3.15 oz)
Effective choke area 5.4 sq. mm
Exhaust duration 160 degrees
Transfer duration 120 degrees
Intake duration automatic
Close-up during crankshaft assembly. Welded joint will never let go.
Photo by Alexander Matyusha.
to optimise settings. Of course there are without RPM loss.

three adjustments instead of the usual I doubt that many owners will push Propeller RPM
two. Keep in mind that when running the Twin Fin to its limit, as the real payoff APC 8x6 7,400
anti-clockwise (viewed from the front), for the extra expense comes at more Graupner 8x5 7,700
the rear/right cylinder receives a little leisurely settings. It reminded me to APC 8x4 9,000
APC 7x5 10,300
less fuel than the other. This imbalance is seize the joy… the therapeutic benefits
APC 7x4 11,100
common with two-stroke twins and with of interacting directly with a machine, not APC 7x3 13,500
the Twin Fin is more pronounced at high in some abstract way via an electronic
RPM. Mixture adjustment then seems control device. Backing compression off
broader than usual, because as the a little gives a wonderfully rich cadence
lean cylinder begins to wane, the richer of different exhaust notes which you drop off quite rapidly, probably due to
one picks up, maintaining or perhaps can’t get from a single cylinder engine. the increasingly unbalanced fuel supply
boosting overall running speed. Optimum Slowest possible running is with only between the cylinders, imposing an
mixture setting therefore is when the the front/left cylinder firing, but if you’re inevitable compromise between settings
right/rear cylinder begins to mildly misfire after tick-over, buy the RC version. It’s that limits higher performance potential
lean and the other is not bogged down more satisfying to just bring in the other at greater speeds.
with excess fuel. cylinder for more balance, at 6,000 to Depending on the required power
Compression adjustment on the front/ 7,000 RPM, depending on the propeller output, a “light” 8x4 propeller will run at
left cylinder is not critical, as it load. the highest torque region and give more
will always run a bit rich. docile handling. A 7x4 would be our pick
However, take care Performance Appraisal for best overall performance, but the
with the rear/right Any regular diesel fuel Master Airscrew 8x3 could also be tried.
cylinder setting mix works with the A 7x3 or 6x4 size sounds racy on the
Twin Fin, such as our ground but would not do a better job in
New exhaust all round formula flight than the larger sizes.
manifold for of 25% castor The Twin Fin 060’s power output,
Redfin Twin Fin
060 and any 030 oil, 30% ether, preferred operating speed and weight
without piston 45% kerosene are equivalent to most 1950’s 1cc sport
controlled
induction. and 1.5% EHN engines (Frog, A-M, ME, DC etc.), so
ignition improver. it will fly a decent-sized model. For
Alex uses two scale models particularly, there are
if seeking percent improver, many tempting light aircraft from the
the absolute which might make it Golden Era powered by opposed twin
optimum RPM a little easier to discern cylinder engines that can now be more
for your propeller. optimum settings at high realistically modelled at a small-field size
You can minimise the RPM, but probably won’t with Twin Fin power.
lean misfire with very careful increase power output.
compression adjustment to bring more Our performance curves show a rather Accessories
heat to combustion, but just as easily flat torque curve, with maximum 8.7 This engine can be delivered with a
go a bit too far. After enough time for oz-in of occurring around 9,500 RPM. variable speed carburettor, the same as
warming up and optimizing the three This is largely maintained through to the Redfin 030’s but with an appropriate
settings, always check whether either the horsepower peak of .106 BHP at mounting plate. We did not have one to
compression screw can be backed off 13,000 RPM. Torque and power then try, but we tested the simple accessory
POWER TRIP 041.indd 14 27/02/2017 09:45

Developing the Redfin Twin
Andrew Boddington salutes the work of Alex Phin.
I first became aware of Alex Phin five years ago when he
acquired from me a couple of upper cylinders and pistons
that were meant for the CS Boddo Mk1 0.75 diesel.
exhaust manifold that clamps exhaust stubs, leaving only a With the help of Tom Crompton my late father David
onto the cylinders of the Twin tiny (unintended) outlet space Boddington had previously had a run of inline twins
Fin 060 or any Redfin 030 that between cylinder and manifold – produced by CS using these components, but he never
does not use piston-controlled mainly around the thread above attempted an opposed twin. It was heartening to receive
induction. There was negligible the exhaust ports. RPM dropped a photo from Alex a few months later to show his early
power loss when fitted to a by 9%, but sound intensity fell development of an opposed twin using these cylinders, at
this stage it was side port and had separate needle valve
Redfin Kompish FI, even with 18 to a very comfortable 70 dBA.
assemblies and tanks. This was before Alex had even started
centimetre long rubber tubing That’s half the original perceived Redfin engines, so the idea of the Twin Fin has been
extensions to redirect exhaust noise level. In that state, the gestating for a long time!
residue. Not surprisingly, noise engine ran just as happily as Fast forward through the next few years and Alex was now
level (80 dBA measured at 3 with open exhaust, but needed having his latest Redfin engine designs manufactured in
metres) was also unaffected a bit more cranking to start. the Ukraine to the highest of tolerances. He had sensibly
while running flat out with 7x3 Advancing compression by 1/8 designed his existing single cylinder engines to be modular
and allow easy changes to produce different induction
propeller. to ¼ turn for initial cold starts
variants, but I think he always knew he was working
Further experiments led helped. ● towards the ultimate goal of an opposed twin.
us to completely block the Again model engineer par-excellence Tom Crompton has
given his support in the development of the Twin Fin, but
ultimately it is Alex who we have to thank for driving the
project and producing this small miracle - at an amazingly
affordable price given the work that goes in to it.
Most production diesel twins such as the Taplin and the
CS Boddo have been inline rather than opposed cylinders.
P.A.W. have recently produced a limited run of 15 of their
38 Twin Diesel with opposed cylinders from their 0.19ci
engine (review in #946 March 2016 AeroModeller). Even
John S Oliver experimented with various twin cylinder
engines in both aligned and opposed configurations, but
none made it in to production - it took CS with their Tiger
copy to produce an inline diesel of 5cc in any numbers. All
of these engines are significantly larger (thus giving more
leeway for tolerances) than the 1cc total Redfin Twin Fin
060.
Alex Phin is to be applauded for his development of the
Twin Fin. One only wonders if there is another turn of the
wheel to come? Discussion at AeroModeller Towers has
been around whether the Twin Fin could be called a Boxer
configuration engine, as it is unclear whether there should
be at least two cylinders on each side to qualify as a Boxer.
Manifold test on Redfin Kompish FI 030. Negligible power loss, even with 18 cm Alex, if you produced a four-cylinder opposed diesel that
rubber hose extensions for redirecting exhaust residue. Blocking outlets entirely
halves perceived noise level for reasonable 9% RPM drop. Exhaust escapes slight
would clarify the matter!
gap between cylinder and manifold.
Availability
Considering its rarity, quality, inherent complexity and fine
performance, connoisseurs should find the £175 price (or £205 with
RC throttle) agreeable. Exhaust manifolds with clamping screw cost
£15 each and are available in red, green or black anodized finish. RC
throttles go for £30.
Alex was already experimenting Early prototypes of the Twin
The entire Redfin line is available from: 5 years ago with an opposed Fin at both 1cc and 1.6cc
twin cylinder diesel. This one total capacity.
www.redfinengines.com used two of CS Boddo 0.75 Mk1
upper cylinders.
Mr. Alex (Red) Phin
The Management Suite, Dinnington Business Centre, Outgang Lane,
Dinnington, South Yorkshire, S25 3QX
Tel: 07859 275942
Fax: 01909 518100
e-mail: [email protected]
Australian customers can contact

Ian Dixon
John S Oliver produced this The man himself – Alex can
Perth Art Glass, 311 Stock Road, O’Connor, West Australia 6163 one-off 5cc flat opposed twin be found at many ‘proper’
e-mail: [email protected] using reed valve and Mk IV model shows with his wide
cylinders – it recently sold at range of engines.
auction for £750. Photo taken
from the excellent ‘The Olivers
and a Tiger’ book by John
Goodall, available from www. 15
bamopro.co.uk
POWER TRIP 041.indd 15 27/02/2017 09:45

International FF Competition
SOUTH WEST REGIONALS ARIZONA

A
SNOW-BIRD MICHAEL WOODHOUSE ESCAPES JANUARY IN THE UK ANTICIPATING BETTER WEATHER IN THE USA.
fter having good at Casa Grande/Eloy, half way between Al should be proud of the excellent job
experiences last and earlier Phoenix and Tucson. The site is marginal Chris carried out, he moved seamlessly
years, a return to Arizona desert land that had been irrigated in into the job.
was in order. This year it previous times. There are a few scrubby The first morning dawned bright, calm
was number 67 in the South bushes, but by UK standards this is next and sunny, so after sorting the LiPo
West Regionals (SWR) series. However, best to paradise. There is evidence of cells for the timers and reinstalling them
the weather was not quite up to previous the previous use by the way of the ruined in the models, it was off to test fly and
standards, more details later, but over drainage channels, and these can be meet the regulars. Several were already
the years the ration of good to poor days hazardous for those locals retrieving by there and I soon found Bud Romak from
is well in our favour. motorcycle. Bud Romak was one who California (a fast and a prolific builder)
As with previous visits I added a came a cropper and needed a visited already ensconced on the site. After
few days to my trip to enjoy the whole to a local medic to patch up a cut and the usual handshaking session it was
experience as well as test and contest bruised arm. This year, when needed, I on to the flying, but not before I was
flying. In total a week-long trip to had the use of a mountain bike courtesy given the lowdown regarding some
Arizona, the Heathrow direct to Phoenix of one the organisers Tom Gaylor. In unsettled weather due for the contest
flight being a 10-hour 50-minute trip, previous years, I had used a motor cycle days. One quirk of this remote site is
together with a 7-hour time shift. borrowed from Al Lidberg. Al had been that the regulars set up their gear and
a prime mover of the SWR for many simply leave the kit out overnight - there
Biker Beware years, Al is now seriously ill and his role is no fear of it being stolen during their
The event is held in the Sonora desert has been taken over by his son Chris. absence.
Charlie Jones prepares to launch Jim Parker’s F1H

at the South West Regionals, Arizona.
SWR ARIZONA.indd 16 27/02/2017 09:46

Bud Romak with bandaged arm after altercation with drainage channel, Junior flyer Jace Pivonka finished 2nd in F1B.
holds his ‘Mulvihill’ model designed by Herb Kothe.
Walt Ghio flew this more traditionally constructed 6 panel model as well as a Pylon on Walt Ghio’s F1B carbon model shows Aberlenc GPS retrieval
full carbon model. transmitter.
For testing the weather was just as that I would christen them in the contest. first three rounds went well for most
good as in previous years. The day The climb of these models is good and I and only errors caused dropped flights.
started with the temperature around particularly like the way that models can Delayed prop starts in F1B seemed to
freezing, and as the sun rose so did wander, on the glide, looking for good cause a problem and several crashed
temperature, by mid-day to reach air… time will tell. Speaking later to Mark on launch, only to max on the second
around seventy degrees Fahrenheit. In Benns, he reckons that his 6 panel hand attempt. Tom Ioerger’s model had un-
the afternoon, the temperature dropped launch gliders have the same wandering programmed long-start prop timings on
back with sun. Despite the benign lift searching glide. I also had with me a both his attempts, which were diagnosed
conditions the recovery method is by refurbished model featuring a long drag as a clash of electronics between the
motorbike. After a while one gets used wing section. The least said about how timer and GPS electronics. Walt Ghio
to the constant thrum of engines. The this model went the better! had similar issues that brought the VIT in
vast majority of my retrieval was done early at 2 rather than 4 seconds, however
on foot; in that way, I could observe the Contest Days Walt got away with it. In the first round
flight pattern of my models more closely. The event is run over 3 days covering junior Jace Pivonka scrapped a max
By the time of the contest I was pretty the myriad of AMA classes plus a full when loose propeller blades extended
happy with the way things were going. schedule of FAI events. Looking around I the prop run to give a soggy climb.
I had brought with me two new models surmised that the entries were down a bit As predicted the breeze sprung up for
equipped with 6 panel wings and third on previous years. The first day started the 4th round, and this round was my
generation Andruikov variable pitch prop with steady conditions with a light drift undoing, nothing to do with the wind but
units. The new unit’s main change is from the South East, however rain was due to incompetence on my part. I broke
the incorporation of angle hinges that predicted for later. a motor whilst pushing for that little
facilitate a closer and neater prop fold. Most this report is centre around the extra. As I was winding the second motor
These models went well, so I decided FAI events in which I participated. The I could hear Charlie Jones and Blake
17
SWR ARIZONA.indd 17 27/02/2017 09:46

International FF Competition
Leepin’ Lizzard flown in E36. A trail bike for retrieval makes sense in the desert scrub.
Jensen discussing the air. A thermal was rather than being the more normal high used the radio DT facility too soon and
coming through and they were away in pitch at the start on high torque and was down too early to give the contest
the good air before I had completed my the pitch running down in line with the away, by a scant nine seconds. He is not
winding. I completed the exercise as fast motor power, the cam was modified the first to do this and he will not be the
as I could, I ran to the line and threw the for low pitch start rising for the cruise last!
model away in a banked low right launch then running down. A fast initial climb
and that was that. I should have paused out then a quick drop to cruise. Walt is Homely Weather
and composed myself but there you not convinced there is any gain. The full That night it rained quite hard. However,
go. Blake and Charlie both made easy carbon model has the latest wing section by the Sunday morning it had cleared
maxes. derived by Brian Eggleston and is leaving a cold drab dawn with a stiffening
The fly offs were organised by mutual unusual in the fact the first five percent or breeze. The way to the field was a bit
agreement of those taking part. However, so of the top of the wing has a flat entry wet and it was noticeable that drainage
the predicted rain now arrived, the dark in front of the tabulator. The turbulator of water is not a major consideration
clouds had been assembling during the is moulded to the height and width to on the highway and other areas. The
early afternoon and moved in against the suit the wing chord. Walt came in first, explanation is that not much rain is ever
breeze. The rain was light and made for but comparison with the other models expected, so the area just puts up with
a very sticky surface, however it soon is difficult as Walt’s model drifted in a the occasional downpour - a bit like the
cleared to give good conditions for the different direction. Junior Jace Pivonka UK and snow clearance provision!
rest of the day. The fly offs were delayed moved up one place from last year to So, what of the other classes? The
to allow for the rain to clear. finish second behind Walt. FAI mini events went ahead plus some
In F1B Walt Ghio had been flying his In F1A Renee Limberger threw the one-off classes. Most the AMA events
usual six panel wing models changed event away in the fly off. Renee flew an were then rescheduled for the Monday.
to a model with a full carbon and foam all black Carbon black beast. He was We were told that Monday would be a
wing. Walt’s six panel model featured launching the model to excellent altitude good day and so it was, the best weather
a modified VP (Variable Pitch) cam - and look all set to win the contest but during the week that I was there. A nice
Satellites in a variety of sizes were popular in power. Light relief with Golden Era air racing.
SWR ARIZONA.indd 18 27/02/2017 09:46

way to finish. the wind strength was such that the fly ‘Satellite’ DT on launch, he caught it as
I have been to this event a off could have been done on the day, it looped. Who was the most surprised,
considerable number of times and I can and if this had been in the UK it would Mike or the model?!
readily confirm that it was the worst have happened.
weather that I have experienced. A Elsewhere there were a myriad of Last Man Out
good stiff breeze under cloudy skies, familiar but different classes. The power On the last day, even though the weather
just like Barkston Heath! One thing classes are divided basically by engine was super, the event faded away, but not
that I witnessed was a lot of E36 flying. capacity. Some of these models are large before the winners were applauded and
There were many good E36 models and date back years with the ‘Satellite’ in handed their winnings in the shape of
demonstrating excellent climbs. Don umpteen sizes being a standard. Another very fine SWR 2017 Memorial tankards
de Loach was flying his ‘Super Pearl’ similar design is the ‘Texan’. Because of or plaques. The award system is neat in
which he has kitted, as were many of the weather, in most classes one simply that on placing one is given a plaque.
the rest. The design handled the breeze maxes until a flight is dropped, the size Each place wins a badge to attach, and
extremely well. The event went to a fly off of the drop deciding the placing. The when the plaque is full you can request
that was carried out on the next day. On rubber has classes with specific rules a new one. I was finally left on my own
the FAI front the F1H event also nearly and the ‘Gollywock’ rules the roost. I still flying and trimming as the darkness
required a fly off. However, Blake Jensen would be great to see a ‘Senator’ in fell. The conditions were simply too good
recorded a double zero in the last round. action out here – it would fit several to waste! Many set off promptly on the
Because of the weather the rounds events and take a lot of the local designs basis of a long drive home – in this ‘Big
had been reduced to four (required to the cleaners! In addition, there are Country’ Texas is a thousand miles to the
for the Americas Cup) rather than the mass launch events and even ‘A’ frame east. ●
programmed five. Personally speaking, pushers. Mike Pylenky had his mini
Not all was carbon, flaps and folders. Vintage A-frame pushers provided an alternative spectacle.
19
SWR ARIZONA.indd 19 27/02/2017 09:46

How To
Give CAD a Chance

PART 1: Bob ‘Sideshow’ Davis introduces the basics that modellers need when designing on a computer.
I
’ve seen articles in other journals that draftsman has got the will I would claim that and delicate models – because the laser can
were about CAD (Computer Aided one hour’s intensive coaching will get him cut with a fineness and accuracy that the
Design) but not one that got down to to the point where he can wobble off on his best craftsman would find impossible
the real nitty-gritty. This is my attempt. I own with his stabiliser wheels removed. But to match.
declare straight away that I am a design you have to be a competent draftsman, i.e.
professional and I use CAD every working understand the principles of plan, elevation What are the Benefits of CAD?
day, pretty well all day. There’s good and and projection. Absolute accuracy. Generating computer
bad to that. I know what it can and can’t do I declare too that I am a 4-channel RC man files the Laser Cutter needs – if you want
– which is good – but when you come home through and through, but I’m not promoting to go that way. CAD drawings are full size
in the evenings the ‘bus-man’s holiday’ effect 4-channel over much of what you see in (1:1) in the computer’s ‘head’ as you might
kicks in and it can be hard to get back to AeroModeller, it’s just what I do. CAD is say. That means, on your A4 or maybe A3
designing that model. However, I also know equally applicable to any model type. In printer, you can print your parts at 1:1 scale,
how easy it is to convert from the drawing fact, although I’ve clearly never tried it, I’m prick though the prints (actually I’ve found
board to the CAD screen – if you come at pretty sure that if it’s used as the means of that poking through with a very sharp, very
it from the right direction. I had to do it and producing computer files for a laser cutting pointed centre punch is best,) (Some laser
I’ve helped others to do it. If a competent machine to read, it’s more applicable to light prints will transfer using a flat-iron on to balsa
Bob’s A-Sport was designed using CAD and it was then a relatively simple
matter to evolve it with different wingspans to suit specific engines.
LEARNING CAD PART 1.indd 20 27/02/2017 09:47

This is the complete CAD drawing for Bob’s A-Sport 57 RC sports design with nests (sheet layout for laser cut parts) on right.
- Editor) and cut them out. As many prints board is a very antisocial thing in most like erasing or moving lines, changing bend
as you want at virtually nil cost and no worry homes – especially if you want to design in radii and copying features are a second’s
about ruining a plan. Or you can nest (layout) the warm. A computer screen much less so. work – literally – on CAD where they’re a real
your parts into balsa and ply sheet-sized Another area CAD has the edge is drawing pain on a paper drawing. (In defence of pen
groups and send them off to a Laser Cutter large radii. A typical medium sized sport and paper designers they’ve done pretty well
service. Providing they receive good clean model would have a side radius (fuselage for over 70 years, but new designers may
nests in a file format they can use you’ll be curve) behind the wing in the region of 2 find CAD easier, and it provides a simple
surprised how cheap it is – no more than a to 3 metres. A narrow competition rubber way to scale up and down to different model
model kit really. Now before anyone says powered job more like 10m probably. You spans. – Editor)
that using a Laser Cutter is something akin can draw a 3m radius on your drawing
to cheating just remember that if your CAD board? I don’t think so. Oh, you get a steel CAD Drawbacks
work produced the computer files it’s your rule, get the wife to hold it here and there CAD isn’t perfect. You can’t sketch in any
design. You’ve already scored 9 marks out while you bend it to there with one hand and meaningful way. Curves are pretty much
of 10 for an original design. And there’s still draw a curve with the other hand. Look a big limited to radii – although you can join
plenty of balsa-bashing skill in turning those smooth curve. There will be frames/formers different radii together to mimic what that
laser cut parts into a model. However, as in the fuselage. You can get accurate widths French curve would have drawn. Even after
will become clear, laser cut parts are not an for those frames off that cobbled together basic CAD skills are learnt it can be very
essential end-game for CAD design. curve can you? The computer will draw difficult to work up a non-scale design on
Another (big) advantage… As far as I can any radius you want and give you accurate that blank screen. That’s one of the hurdles I
see there are only two ways of designing a dimensions for any frame positions hope to help you overcome. It’s what I meant
model of any size: either a parallel motion A0 you chose. by getting down to the nitty-gritty.
drawing board or CAD. Now an A0 drawing Some of the most basic drawing functions,
21

The editor asked
Bob for a photo
of the uncovered
How To A-Sport. This is a
‘retrospective’ view
after hitting the
wing on a post and
removing the covering
for repair!
What CAD Doesn’t Do elevations (Trainer variant for Enya SS30,

CAD doesn’t stop you making mistakes. Hot Ship variant for Enya SS50 and 4-Stroke
They’re just far more accurate mistakes! For variant for Enya 46-4C). Because I eventually
example you tend to develop a lot of tongue got 3 model sets of parts cut by a Laser
and slot mating features in your CAD design Cutter my laser nests are shown on the right.
– especially if you get the parts laser cut. It’s However, prior to those laser cut parts sets, I
all too easy to end up with (non)mating slots built 4 models from this evolving CAD design
and no tongue. Model design and building is by printing (window plotting) on to A4 or A3
all about overcoming such problems. prints, pricking through the outline, and then
using scalpel and jigsaw. Laser cutting isn’t
The Schools Connection an essential end to CAD design. An underside view of the A-Sport 57.
Introducing young people to aeromodelling Note no traditional ‘plan’ drawing as such.
is something I feel passionately about. The Why would I want a drawing? I designed it to you in subsequent articles.
fact is that most year 11 Technology students so that the parts interlocked. They only go Saying I don’t need a plan is not quite true.
(what many of us knew as fifth formers), together one way and I don’t need a drawing Although the shear webs interlock and space
will have learnt to use 2D and 3D CAD. to remind me. out the wing ribs you really need a wing plan
Designing and building a model aeroplane If you look at the included CAD drawing to build over to keep ribs square to spars.
would be the ideal bridge between the learnt of the centre fuselage, this would be full size This is done by using the Copy command
but largely unused CAD at school and the if printed on A3 sized paper. It may look like within the CAD program to get the wing and
CAD design skills that will be central to the a complete jumble but I, being the designer, tail off the CAD model, they are then fitted
design job he or she aspires to in the world know which lines are which and can prick into an A0 workspace, and the file is then
of work. It either flies or it doesn’t – so there’s through that print to mark out the 3mm birch output (Write) as a pdf file using PDF Creator
your pass-mark right there. And it’s far more ply crutch plate that forms the core of the (free off the Internet). The wing and tail plan
involving and affordable than pretty well any model. Now, forgetting for the moment the pdf file can then be copied on to a memory
other CAD hobby project I can think off. three sets of parts I subsequently got laser stick and printed on an A0 printer - I have
Given the connection outlined above I see cut, how has CAD detracted from the craft a mate Kevin who has an A0 printer, or in
it as incumbent on us all to encourage CAD skills I needed to make those four evolution your case take the memory stick to the local
literate youngsters to use CAD to design models? It didn’t did it? print shop that has an A0 printer. About £6 I
model aeroplanes. OK, despite my best If you want to see clearly what the fuselage should think.
efforts CAD might not be for you, but to crutch plate looks like, see the image from
discourage a youngster who aspires to be a the Laser Nests cutting file. Note that to get 2D or 3D CAD?
designer – that’s wrong. maximum parts from minimum material I’ve Well unless you’re thinking of buying a
dragged small parts into bigger cut-outs. £10k vacuum moulding tool for a moulded
A Finished CAD Design Why not? Actually building up those laser foamy the answer is 2D. If you were making
The accompanying CAD drawings shows nests is quite time-consuming but immensely something with lots of machined (or 3D
the finished-as-needs-to-be design of my rewarding when you see the tightly packed printed) parts, a buggy perhaps, a 3D system
A-Sport 57. A fairly typical plan and elevation result. There are rules to building laser nests like SolidWorks would be ideal. However, the
with three alternative noses below the and a few tricks of the trade I hope to impart sort of models I and you make are cut out of

flat ply and balsa, and flat means 2D. or an LT manual, are superbly presented Resources
Also, be aware that, while the transition documents. No-one wants them, cheap as Autodesk producer of AutoCAD
from traditional pen-and-paper drawing chips, if you can find one it’s the best buy www.autodesk.co.uk
board to 2D CAD is pretty easy, the transition you’ll ever make. Dassault Systemes producer of
from drawing board to 3D CAD is extremely A cost-effective but similar alternative DraftSight www.3ds.com
difficult. The more experienced you are to AutoCAD is DraftSight, which is free off Avanquest producer of TurboCAD
on the drawing board, the harder is the the internet. AutoCAD professionals regard www.turbocad.co.uk
transition. So when your computer literate, DraftSight as a bit ‘clunky’. But since a
well-meaning grandson or grand-daughter beginner is going to be slow anyway this operating systems and you need to be
tells you 3D CAD is ‘better’ – it isn’t. Not for won’t be noticed. Quite possibly if you quite a computer buff to get old software
the models in this magazine. learn on DraftSight it isn’t clunky at all. to run on it. My CAD machine is a 10-year
You do see some 3D skeletal models DraftSight is produced by Dassault Systemes old Dell with a 2.66 GHz processor, with
of ‘our’ models on some websites. which is a spin off from the French aircraft 256 MB of RAM running on Windows XP.
They’re usually rotating images. That’s for manufacturer. Completely adequate. Runs AutoCAD at
promotional purposes. It’s quite difficult to There are other CAD systems: TurboCAD warp speed. My screen is an even older 15”
get the 3D models to give you the 2D shapes springs to mind – I know DB Sport & Scale Philips TFT flat screen my son threw out.
you need to cut. use TurboCAD and it doesn’t seem to have Again completely adequate, although I would
held them back. Also, you can probably recommend a TFT screen that runs 1280 x
Which 2D CAD System? buy something functional from PC World. 1024 native resolution. You must however
Well AutoCAD is the industry standard, However, my enthusiasm to convert get a mouse with a central scroll button: you
there’s no doubt about that. It actually comes modellers to CAD has limits: I’m not doing scroll to zoom in and out and press the scroll
in two versions: the full Release (date related a CAD systems survey. Basic CAD involves button down to pan around the design. Very
number) and AutoCAD LT. LT means ‘Light’ so few commands that all systems will have important that middle-mouse wheel/button.
– a stripped-down version but completely them. If you want to move on to getting If you haven’t got a printer get an A3.
adequate for the aeromodeller. For software parts laser cut your system needs to be able My Brother A3 cost £99 (thank you wife).
that loads up on an old computer in seconds to produce .dwg files, which is the native A3 printers will of course print A4 too, and
(about 2 seconds) both are ridiculously AutoCAD (and DraftSight) file type, or .dxf most of the time you would make do with A4
expensive. Autodesk, the purveyors of files, which is an international drawing file prints, but some parts are just too big for A4.
AutoCAD, worked hard for their market exchange format.
dominance and they’re going to extract The Nitty-Gritty
everything they can out of it. Hardware Well, that’s the pitch. Next month we’ll learn
Old versions of AutoCAD – certainly back You don’t need much of a computer for to design with CAD. I reckon that you only
to early 90’s – are fine. And, although the CAD. In fact the absolute worst thing you need master 10 commands (out of hundreds)
help files in AutoCAD are pretty good, the old could do is go out and buy a latest Windows to get going. How hard can that be? ●
AutoCAD Release 10, 11, 12 or 14 manuals, 10 machine. Windows 8 and 10 are 64-bit
The drawing A clearer view of the

of the fuselage fuselage crutch plate
centre may look as nested for the laser
complex but cutter or for simpler
it was enough pattern copying by
for Bob to work prick through.
to and remind
him where
everything
fitted.
When printed on an
A0 sheet the wing
and tailplane of the
A-Sport are full-size
to build over.
23

Park Flyer USA
A WALK IN THE PARK PAT TRITLE ON MULTI-ENGINED SMALL

MODEL ACTIVITY IN THE STATES.
W
hen we speak of “small themselves well to many of the smaller dedicated R/C design, but their 30”
field” RC models it can flying venues. free flight line includes a broad range of
encompass a wide However, the type of electric powered subject matter from the Dornier DO-335,
variety of things, but multi-engine model that is well suited for B-25, Martin B-26, and USCG J4F-1
generally we refer to the smaller fields isn’t built like the earlier (Grumman Widgeon). I converted the
simpler designs, most often equipped wet fueled types from year’s past, and Dumas B-25 to 3 channel RC with a pair
with only 3 channel RC, or by converting probably wouldn’t do well at a hard-core of 3.5 gr. servos and 180 Outrunners,
existing 3 channel designs to 4 channel scale contest. But for us non-contest and the DO-335 with a pair of GWS IPS
control. However, another aspect of types, or where field conditions demand drives and was well pleased with just
“park flying” that is really gaining traction smaller, lighter and slower models, the how well the models flew. And in the
is in the multi-engine realm. With the old-school stick and tissue style of world of multis, we certainly can’t look
availability of small efficient electric construction does the job very nicely, past Brodak Manufacturing. Dare/Brodak
motors and batteries the possibilities and in the air the models look just fine. offers a number of RC designs that
are endless. And just because it’s a And, they tend to be a lot more forgiving include the B-17, C-119, A-10, C-130,
multi-engine model, it doesn’t have to then their heavier and more often then Douglas DC-6, Lockheed Constellation,
be huge, or outrageously heavy, so the not, much larger counterparts. As an Cessna Bobcat (Sky King Songbird) and
modern multi engine kits actually do lend added bonus, being smaller they tend to the 1903 and 1909 Wright Flyers. And in
be much easier to transport and set up the convertible free flight arena there’s
at the field. the DeHavilland Mosquito, A-20 Havoc,
Now for the good news; you don’t PBY and B-25. I’ve also converted the
have to be a master scratch builder to Dare PBY using the old IPS drives and 4
step into the realm of small field capable channel R/C with excellent results.
multi-engine electrics. Guillow’s has a Manzano Laser Works also offers
number of offerings. Among them are fifteen twin and multi engine short
kits for the B-17, B-24, PBY Catalina kits that include the Cessna 310, Ford
and a P-38 Lightning, all of which are Trimotor, Beech Baron, DeHavilland
for some unusual but well suited for RC conversion. Dumas Hornet, and Junkers JU-52 and JU-88,
The kitchen is a terrific source
per seals keep servo
useful modeling bits. Bread wrap Products also offers a number of suitable just to name a few. Just between those 3
ge juice carton seals
wires where they belong, and oran models.
make good hubcaps for smaller twins, the Dragon Rapide is their only suppliers we have over 30 kits to choose
The classic DC-3 is a good choice for small fields due to its light weight and functional
flaps to keep take-off’s short and landing speeds well under control.
WALK IN THE PARK.indd 24 27/02/2017 09:48

The Dragon Rapide kits are available from The venerable old Ford Trimotor also makes for a The Lockheed Constellation is without a doubt
Dumas Products, and with it’s compact size and terrific multi-engine small field flyer, but because the classiest airliner ever built, and is a gentle
excellent flying qualities makes a perfect twin for of the complexity it is for the experienced builder. and graceful flyer as well when built light.
those small fields.
from, and that doesn’t include EZ Built here’s a tip that might make life at the might come in handy should the wings
Models and other free flight offerings work bench a bit easier; Over the years need to come off at the field.
from some of the more obscure free flight I’ve found that the tips clog easily with And last but not least, for those of us
kit manufacturers, or the older out of a good bit of build-up on the outside of who like to add just a bit of simple detail
production kits from Comet and others. the tip that can be a real challenge to to our civilian “two seater’s”, hub caps
As you can see, there’s no shortage of remove without breaking the plastic tip – can add a touch of class to models that
subject matter to cover just about every especially when accelerator is used. To don’t have wheel pants/spats. Again,
skill level from a first-time multi-engine alleviate the problem, wipe a liberal coat we go to the kitchen for a terrific source
flyer to the more experienced builder of automotive paste wax onto the new for parts that would normally go in the
looking for a new challenge. tip when it’s installed. Then as the build same bin as the bread bag keepers. I
After having had the opportunity to progresses and the glue begins to build use the round plastic seals from paper
fly well over a dozen 2, 3, or 4 engine up on the tip it can be easily cleaned off orange juice cartons. After the seal cap
electric powered models, the one thing and a new coat of wax applied. A large is removed from the carton the pull-ring
I discovered quickly is that multi-engine T-pin can also be used to clear those is cut from the back of the disc and the
models fly a bit different then single pesky clogs and you’re off and running disk glued in place on the wheel with
engine types, especially in ground again. Then to remove those stubborn white glue such as Canopy Glue or
handling. With tail draggers like the gobs of glue that build up inside the silicone caulk. Using either of those, the
DeHavilland Rapide, DC-3, Ford Trimotor, tip, remove the tip from the bottle and cap can be easily removed should the
Cessna Bobcat or the B-17 where the push a piece of .047” steel wire through need arise. The seals come in a couple
single vertical tail is outside the prop arcs the tip from the inside to catch the clog of different sizes as well, so will cover
the rudder tends to be fairly ineffective and push it through. Then once the glue any number of applications.
on the initial roll-out, so until the speed goober is out of the tip it can be wiped Well, it appears that the hour glass
comes up and the tail lifts into the air off with a towel and the wire withdrawn. has about run out of sand. Till next time
stream, some judicious rudder handling Another problem that I run into though, take a look at maybe expanding
will be in order. However, with reverse frequently working on cabin type light your building and flying skills in the
pitch props becoming more available planes with plug-in wings is that when direction of a multi engine model. With
in a wider variety of sizes, setting up a the wings are removed from a model and all of the good stuff available these days
counter rotating system is easier than the flap and aileron leads disconnected, getting started is easier then ever, and
ever and will eliminate all of the torque all too often the leads will fall back into the rewards will greatly outweigh the
issues in ground handling and the need the fuselage or wing. On some models efforts. Also keep an eye on those little
for rudder trim in the air, making the those leads can be quite a challenge bits often found in the kitchen. You’d be
models easier to deal with than even a to fish back out. So now what I do is to surprised at what might come in handy
single engine tail-dragger. take the little plastic bread bag seals and in the shop. And while you’re at it, drop
So, if you’ve ever thought that slip them over the leads before they’re a line with some of the oddball tips and
expanding your horizons into the multi disconnected, preventing them from tricks you’ve discovered over the years.
engine realm, there’s no time like the falling back through the opening. Keep a I always enjoy seeing what’s going
present. With a large number of kits few of those little guys in your field box together in the shop as well as new and
available, and a nearly infinite choice of too since you never know when they better ways of getting the job done. ●
power and guidance systems, getting
started is easy. And once you’ve flown
a couple multi’s you’ll find that they’re Contacts:
Pat Tritle: [email protected]
really no more difficult to handle than the DumasProducts: www.dumasproducts.com
single engine models most of us fly. Dare/Brodak: www.brodak.com
Manzano Laser Works: www.manzanolaser.com
Heading Back to the Shop Guillow’s: www.guillow.com
For those of us who use cyano glue,
25
WALK IN THE PARK.indd 25 27/02/2017 09:48

Model Science
Part 31
BETTER… HABITS –
FIELD PREPARATION
Dave Hipperson looks at the personal actions that lead to success on the flying field.
T
he importance of the correct off, but even in the UK you need to have boot fan in the winter and practically
clothing can’t be stressed sun protection.) If you get cold you don’t any time there was water on the ground;
too highly. You don’t have think well, can become impatient and not to everyone’s taste. My only over
to spend a lot of money, in might rush - you definitely won’t do as riding piece of advice would be, except
fact best you don’t as you well. in extreme conditions (flat calm and
are going to get them, shall we say, If you are flying glider you obviously blistering heat – so you will probably be
‘marked’. It is essential that you are need to be able to move quickly on your abroad), never wear shorts. Legs should
warm enough in winter and keep dry feet, so footwear may differ between always be protected as even on the most
(especially feet) as well as being cool flying and retrieving. You will also want pleasant days it may be necessary to
in Summer. (This latter is never such a to keep clothes relatively smooth so as wade through gorse, brambles, stinging
problem as you can always leave stuff not to snag towlines. I was a Wellington nettles etc. Further more there are
A well-used but proven Senator awaits in the boot of a car.

Note support gear - DT fuse, binoculars, bands, glasses and
the ever useful clean (muddy!) towel.
BETTER PART 31.indd 26 27/02/2017 09:49

When it comes to knowing what to wear and what to eat look no further than Someone has got the right idea. Of course he (Mike Quinn) looks relaxed
John Carter, here in an uncharacteristically relaxed moment. Since concentrating with his vintage power model – he’s got a bike with disc brakes and front
on his preparation and diet John has got hundreds of percent more successful fork suspension! Yours doesn’t have to be as elaborate as this but it will save
and 20 years younger. you loads of time and energy.
Pete Brown surrounded by equipment as he prepares his Coupe d’Hiver. Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone like Pete Watson helping and
Useful windbreaking properties of a motor home seen here. One can only timing for him in a Nats flyoff. Here Stuart Darmon’s Meanderer has been
wonder at what the thick flex coming out of the door powers. left in his charge - note Pete’s binoculars are already attached to a steadying
mono-pod. Note also Pete’s confident smile!
things which can make you ill, even if transmitter for RCDT, binoculars if you accident downwind - it’s only sensible.
not immediately, which are picked up off think you need them but big ones will Such forethought saved a guy’s life a few
ferns and bracken (e.g. Lyme disease slow you down. I also used to carry years ago, who would have certainly bled
from ticks) so you are not safe there a small pouch on my belt with spare to death before he could have got back
either. To my mind, never shorts. batteries for the tracker radio, a tiny torch upwind.
Take some sustenance with you. I am for reading the radio screen in the dark, I am constantly amazed at how
not going to be so presumptuous as to a small head torch for moving around few people have bikes. Even cycling
suggest what that should be. Whatever in the dark, a small knife and a plastic around the peri-track of an aerodrome
combination of food and drink works encapsulated list of everyone else’s is faster than walking directly across it,
for you. Alcohol is a tricky area – it tracker frequencies so I could call back and of course in the event of a flyaway
makes you braver; that may help – it if I found someone else model which I then once you are off the field you can
is more likely not to. Be sure you drink knew was lost. I will deal with retrieval travel and come back quickly too. Try
enough fluids, especially on a hot day. in a later issue. There’s a whole load not to waste time otherwise you will
Dehydration affects the mind even before more gear if you want to be completely undoubtedly run out of it at the end of
you start feeling really thirsty. Try not to equipped, believe me! Your mobile the day.
be silly though and run around constantly phone has now of course superseded
with a bottle of water in your hand – you the walkie-talkie for communications. The Contest
just look a prat and it won’t help. Have your helper, partner, timekeeper So it’s the night before the contest – you
Check you have all the ancillaries you and the contest CD (Contest Director) may have travelled already if it’s a distant
need on you. Stop watch, radio (tracker), on ‘speed dial’ in case you have an one. If not be ready for an early start in
27
BETTER PART 31.indd 27 27/02/2017 09:50

Model Science
The control desk isn’t always as smart or as easy to find as when Birmingham run their contest, but Always check the finish times and the max for
usually all the info you need is there written on something. Don’t forget to enter! your class. It’s usually written down at control.
(Photo by Sue Hipperson) Look before asking the obvious.
(Photo by Sue Hipperson)
the morning so that you can fly on the the winter. We are always on the move! focused on what you are there to do.
hooter that should signal the start. Listen ‘Every time you don’t fly makes it more Concentrate on starting the comp flights
to the weather forecast and now take likely that you won’t fly the next time,’ A in one class as soon as possible. There
absolutely no notice of it! Just because great winner said that – actually it was will be plenty of time to chat later when
you can get it on your computer with the same bloke that forgot his tail-planes! you have maxed out. Be careful with
pretty graphics it doesn’t make it any Plan what you are going to fly and your equipment, particularly the models
more likely to be accurate than it ever in what order. You will undoubtedly themselves and the increasing valuable
has been. They do very well and they are have a favourite class but it might not electronic support gear. After all your
getting better but it’s still an imprecise necessarily be the wisest thing to fly it preparation it would be a pity if a model
science for a specific location. Timing first. Particularly if the forecast, and your was damaged accidentally. I believe
can go wrong and that means that the hunch which is probably just as accurate, there are really only two places for a free
hurricane forecast can actually turn out is for the conditions to improve. flight contest model. Either in the box
to be exactly the opposite on the day. Whatever you do get on with something or in a thermal. Don’t leave them lying
Don’t what ever you do be put off. There – don’t hang about chatting and getting around on the ground as they are so
have been dozens of occasions when cold. If visibility is a bit marginal then it easily trodden on or warped in the sun
I attended contests that were severely would be better to start with the shorter (on the rare occasions when it’s strong
depleted for entries because of the max, lower climbing disciplines. Try enough.) Furthermore, and particularly at
gale forecast, yet the eye of the storm whenever possible not to mix classes. events where members of the public are
came through and we had a sensational When competitions are in rounds that numerous, don’t leave radios, binoculars,
flat calm day. You can’t win unless you might not be possible but otherwise try cameras and lap tops around or in sight.
attend and fly. Be there and ready at the to always finish one class before starting I don’t think any free flighters would ever
start. another. Indeed if you are lucky enough ‘nick’ them but others might especially
Now for what looks tough but is actual to have two or three classes in which where there is general public access.
the way to make it easy. NEVER fail to fly you can fly, then this way pretty much Look at which way the wind is blowing.
however dire the conditions. If you make guarantees that one of them will coincide Don’t slavishly follow the place where
this a rule then its one less decision with the best weather of the day. everyone else is parking or flying
you have to make on the day. It makes from unless there are launch position
it easier not more difficult and just as On the Field limitations, and even then it’s usually a
quickly you start to realise why some All your time should be taken up with line which can be extrapolated either
of us have rough weather models and making the best possible use of the way. Look upwind for ridges, buildings
are not afraid to use them… and also day for contest flights. ‘You snooze and other obstructions that might cause
why we seem never to feel the cold in – you lose.’ So when you arrive keep turbulence and try to avoid flying directly
28 AeroModeller - December 2016
BETTER PART 31.indd 28 27/02/2017 09:50

downwind of them. Also look downwind legal; it is best they are BMFA members model so I could use it IF a short weather
and possibly arrange to fly down a line as otherwise it is necessary for you to window came through. Get everything
that misses the hangars or the trees or get clearance to use them from the CD ready for when it changes.
other hazards. Try to estimate how long a before you start and they may – as one I am now going to consider the first
model will take to reach them and adjust did to me – say no, after I had flown! Be flight because it’s the trickiest of the
DT accordingly to drop short or more sure that they are briefed on the rules day and can be demoralising. You stick
likely over fly. If you have RCDT that and procedure particularly about how it in the ground (or almost as bad up a
can simplify this decision but remember far they are away from you when you tree) or lose it in a massive thermal. In
you may have to be near the model to launch and how much they move about that last case don’t then waste all day
get this moment perfect so there should after they have started timing your flight. trying to recover it. You have reserves
be no hanging around upwind after you This is the most common area of rule for a reason. Put the problem behind
have launched. Which is another thing. infringement I used to see. Although you and reach for the second model,
If possible trust your timekeeper and I was always envied for bringing with remembering that if it’s a class that
get after the model as soon as you have me a woman with truly astonishing usually requires a fly-off, it might be
launched it. The closer you are to it the concentration abilities and eyesight necessary to use a better one than you
more chance you will have of seeing it only just short of that of an eagle, it was would normally as you will doubtless be
down and the more time you will save. always a concern that any failure on my limited to two models. (In five and seven
Furthermore you shouldn’t be breathing part meant I had wasted two peoples flight events it’s not such a dilemma
down the neck of your timekeeper as it time, not just mine – so doubly painful. as then you have three choices.) When
can be seen as pressure. something like that happened to me I
Remember to enter. No, not so silly. Plan B used to console myself by saying that
Nearly all of us have done this and the I mentioned this in the last issue. There it was now less likely to happen again. I
flight you make in this un-entered state has to be some flexibility and willingness mean you can even go as far as actually
will invariably be a max. Furthermore to alter your plans in the event of trying to stick the second model up the
when entering check the rules for your trouble. This is most likely to be extreme same tree as that’s bound to fail… Don’t
class - assume nothing. Also help the weather. Poor visibility is one scenario give up otherwise the first model was
CD by looking for notices they may have but there is also torrential rain and lost, wrecked or damaged in vain.
put up. Your questions will probably be howling gales. Rain never stays torrential Try to get into the mind set of positively
answered there, and it avoids taking up all day - definitely wait. Howling gales enjoying the preparation process. Leave
the CD’s time at this busiest part of their have a habit of sticking around. A lovely enough time for it and revel in the details.
day. early flight by you will demoralise the Remember the reason you built it was to
Now to a difficult area. Choosing a opposition but it might not be so good fly it in a contest. As the great man said
timekeeper. Hopefully you will have a if you want plenty of entries and hence back in March 1959… “If all this sounds
reciprocal arrangement with a club-mate more championship points when you like hard work then remember some of
or even someone that travels with you win. Thus, if you must delay, then spend us like it that way.” ●
especially to help. Family members can that time getting absolutely ready. I have
be very useful in this regard and are quite even gone to the point of winding a
The ubiquitous power flyer’s tool box This one even has a What more could one possibly require? The back of Andrew Moorehouse’s hatch back with
thermal detector pole clipped to it – very useful for when winding stooge integral to car! All protected from the elements and Andrew has his reserve
flying from hard standing. (Photo by Sue Hipperson) model already assembled. Some valuable knick-knacks lying around but only an antiques dealer
would be interested in the Leytool winder!
29
BETTER PART 31.indd 29 27/02/2017 09:50

Free Plan
PISCEOCOPTER –
SHAKE THAT TAIL
ASSEMBLY!
Is Gareth Evans fooling with us for April’s Free Plan? A novel rubber powered indoor
free flight model from the master of the unorthodox.
PISCEOCOPTER FREE PLAN.indd 30 27/02/2017 09:51

O
n a recent visit to their the boundaries of stick and tissue McCutcheons’ Charybdis, a variety or
vast Doolittle Mill facility, I technology, and educate you through flying saucers, Colin Reads' Windbag,
discovered AeroModeller their excellent monthly organ. a flying carpet, a control line Santa,
executives putting the Towards the end of the tour, the editor and an awful lot of things designed by
finishing touches to a took me to the special AeroModeller Ray Malmström. Then a contraption I
takeover bid for NASA. Your editor Secure Unit. This is where all those had never seen before flitted past the
however still found time out from his designs which pose a threat to the laws window. At first I thought it was a rubber
busy day to take me on a tour of the of aerodynamics are kept, safely isolated powered ornithopter, but watching
many wind tunnels, workshops and from the real world. Peering through a closely, I realised it was the triangular tail
laboratories where countless scientists two-inch-thick toughened glass window, that was flapping; not the wings.
and technicians labour to push back I recognised a flying washboard, Charles “It's a Pisceocopter”, said the editor.
31

Free Plan
Round the leading-edge of hard balsa 3mm square strip before building the wing. Pin either side of the strip not through when constructing the wing.
The tailplane has no keel, and only one gusset. The simplest wing and tail structure you will ever build?
“We keep a breeding pair in captivity, just hand. Slightly more common wire gauges with a sanding block before joining over
in case ornithopters ever stop working.” and imperial tube diameters, within a the plan and gluing the joint. Since the
Well I never, a flying machine that propels gauge number of those quoted could be trailing edge is a luffing piece of tissue
itself like a fish! After some pleading with substituted. paper, it is only necessary to pin the
the editor and filling in a lot of forms To get you in the mood for this peculiar wood to the plan around the nose area.
(which had to be signed in triplicate) build, watch some online videos of While this is drying, cut and fit the port
I borrowed a specimen from which to dolphins and fish, human free divers, and starboard nose gussets from 3mm
prepare this article. or even people doing butterfly stroke, sheet with the grain running span-
all of whom (in common with the wise. An adjustable metal protractor
Construction – Wing & Tailplane Pisceocopter) propagate a sine wave for compliments your hobby knife when
This is not really a beginners’ model. propulsion. cutting this and other gussets on the
It's not that complicated either, but it Beginning with the delta wing, pick Pisceocopter. Repeat the whole exercise
does involve making a reciprocating very hard 3mm square balsa for the just described to make the flapping tail.
mechanism out of brass tubes and bent leading edges. It's advisable to make This has leading edges, no keel and a
piano wire. If you have already made a sure both left and right sides come from single gusset in the nose. A couple of
rubber powered ornithopter, like the well- the same strip. Cut these to length, and strokes of the sanding block will remove
known Free Bird design, you should find also cut the keel piece from the same the sharp point at the front of the tail.
a Pisceocopter straight forward. Some size material. Mitre the ends to form
of the tube and wire sizes shown on the the nose joint. It is easier to round the Tail Drive Arm
plan just happened to be what I had to front profile of each leading-edge strip The drive arm is made from 3 x 6mm

Use a sharpened piece of tubing to make a hole in the 3 x 6 mm drive arm. At the far end of the drive arm is the smaller diameter tube hinge bearing, and
closer is the little-end drive bearing tube which sits proud either side of the arm.
The completed drive arm. Start bending the 1mm piano wire crank with the L-shaped bend.
medium balsa. I chose to locate the while pressing vertically down until you proud on each side of the wood. Now fix
tail slot, the hole for the little end of the are all the way through. Check the cutter it in place by running a very small drop
connecting rod, and the hinge bearing by is perpendicular to the wood with the of runny cyano around the edges of the
cutting a paper template from my plan ‘mark one eye ball’. hole. File or sand back the very ends of
and attaching it with temporary spray Next we must cut off a bit of this the brass tube until they sit flush with the
adhesive, but you could also do it by brass tube, just a tiny bit longer than balsa. Repeat the whole exercise using
scaling from the plan using a ruler and the hole you have just made. Since you a piece of 3mm (1/8 inch) aluminium or
pencil. My hinge bearing is made from have already ruined the point of a good brass tube to make the little-end bearing
2mm metric brass tube, often found in scalpel blade making the hole cutter, you on the arm. The little-end bearing tube is
branches of Antics in many big towns can blunt the rest of it rolling a groove in twice the width of the drive arm at 6mm
under the brand name Albion Metals. The the tube, back and forward on the bench. this time, and should be positioned with
nearest equivalent from the K&S metal Just before the knife breaks through (the equal amounts sticking out each side
stand should also work. Using the tip of bit of tube you want to save is apt to fly before fixing with cyano. Finally, cut a
a fresh scalpel blade, bevel the inside of off onto the carpet and be lost forever simple slot at the opposite end of the
your piece of tube until you have a sharp to your vacuum cleaner), I always stick arm and glue the tail in.
edge. You have now made a hole cutter. a bit of scrap wire inside to prevent this
Put the balsa component flat on the happening. Motor Stick
bench, place your cutter over the mark Push your bit of tube into the hole in With your 2mm brass tube (or equivalent)
on the template and twiddle the cutter the drive arm. It should be a tight fit. still to hand, cut the crank bearing
round and round between your fingers Use your fingers to check that it just sits to length with the aforementioned
33

FREE PLAN – PISCEOCOPTER FF TAIL FLAPPER
PLAN 630 IN AEROMODELLER 959 APRIL 2017

Free Plan
Complete the crank with the thrust bearing and support tube before The completed motor stick with both crank and motor peg bound in place.
complete the bends. Make sure the motor peg wire does not stick proud and is blunted.
Use a bit of scrap wire to make sure the hinge holes in the ply are aligned The wing support pylon has a strengthening gusset where it attaches to the
correctly when gluing to the pylon. motor stick.
A dry type glue stick was used to attach the tissue to the wing. If using Mylar covering is attached with photo mount. This works well but after lots
mylar then photo mount spray is the adhesive of choice. of use, the surface to surface bond at the very back of the keel starts to
peel a bit. The leading edges have the covering wrapped... very strong.

technique (or a proper tube cutter if you groove and over-bind with thread and Cement the wing to the top of the
are fed up changing knife blades). My more cement to push the wire into the pylon and add any missing gussets.
crank was made from 19 SWG piano balsa. Make a short pin, bent from 19 SWG, or
wire (approx 1mm diameter). Start by The wing support pylon is from similar equivalent wire and hinge the drive arm
bending the L-shaped big-end. If like but lighter strip wood. To keep the to the frame. You can stop the pin falling
me you are going to use a Teflon thrust connecting rod in a more or less vertical out with scrap plastic tube, electrical
washer, to stop it creeping round the plane, it is quite acceptable to move the insulation or a turn of thread secured
corner of the crank, strip a bit of flex and pylon a few millimetres fore or aft relative with cyano. The connecting rod is made
solder a strand or two of copper wire to the crank. The two crank arm support by first straightening a paper clip. Use
round that first corner. A small electrical flanges are cut out of 0.4mm plywood. pliers to pinch the radii flat. Now, with
soldering iron and cored solder will Align the holes using a bit of scrap one quick movement, using your thumb
handle this, and it helps if you add a dab wire, perpendicular to the pylon when and fingers, wind three turns of paper
of plumber’s flux first. Use a less flexible cementing them either side. The top of clip round the same piano wire used for
bearing such as a glass bead and this the pylon must be cut to the 15 degree your crank bearing. You might waste a
step might be avoided. Draw the crank angle of attack shown. couple of paper clips getting in practice,
through the bearing tube and carefully You can cover the wing and tail with but a neat 'pig tail' is possible. Trim off
bend the hook for the rubber motor. With either Jap tissue or mylar. For the latter, excess material and file off any edges
pliers still in hand, bend the motor peg I found photo mount spray glue works that will catch on the crank. Bend the
from the same piano wire. Don't forget for attachment. Give the parts a light other end into an L as shown on the plan,
to bend and trim back the ‘claw’ which dusting. For tissue, a dry type glue stick pop it through the little end bearing, and
holds the peg into the wood. is best since we will not be doping the wriggle the pig tail onto the crank. Lastly,
‘Full beans’ on a four strand motor are paper or water shrinking. No billow is bend the top of the connecting rod down
required for a good flight performance, designed into the covering, so lay out the to stop it wandering out of the drive arm
so pick some suitably stiff 6mm x 3mm tissue or mylar flat on the bench, pulling and trim the end. This mechanism should
wood for the motor stick. Cut and out any wrinkles with scraps of masking all be quite sloppy with lots of play,
cement the balsa stand off to the same tape at the corners. Lay the wing and allowing the connecting rod to rotate in
length as your crank bearing. Tack the tail down on the covering and trim off both span-wise and longitudinal planes.
bearing to the wood with a drop of the excess with a ruler and scalpel Make up two loops of 3mm sport rubber,
cyano, and then bind round with strong leaving a couple of millimetres excess just a fraction longer than the motor
thread soaked in balsa cement. At the to wrap round the leading edges. The stick, and lubricate.
other end of the stick, carve the groove Pisceocopter is an energetic contraption,
which embeds the motor peg with a so it is important to get everything well Trimming and Flying
needle file. Spring the peg into this stuck down. The best place to start is in the living
37

Free Plan
The drive connecting rod is made from a straightened paper clip. The con rod in place on the Pisceocopter.
room. Wind on a handful of turns and won't climb, once again, fit a fractionally
check that the Pisceocopter mechanism longer con-rod. Insufficient counter bank
snaps up and down freely in your hand. on launch will result in your Pisceocopter
With the tail stationary at its lowest attacking you as the natural turn takes
point, try a test glide. It should be fast over.
and flat. If it looks a bit stally, try kinking As well as the 15” span Pisceocopter
the connecting rod to shorten it very shown here I’ve tried several at 12”
slightly. If there is a very obvious dive, fit span with slightly smaller wood but the
a slightly longer connecting rod. If you 15” span flies better. I’ve also tried one
live in a big house or it's ever so calm slightly larger at 16” span which flies
in your garden, wind on twenty to forty very well, but needs the rubber wound
turns. Grip the crank and bearing with until the atomic nuclei are touching
thumb and forefinger to stop it turning for a decent climb. So the 15” span
and launch as if testing a paper dart. The Pisceocopter shown on the plan seems
mechanism will start on release. If you to be the best compromise between ‘full
wound the Pisceocopter clockwise, it will beans’ on 4 strands of 3mm rubber and
go sharp left in a descending turn. It will mass damping/stability.
do the opposite - for sure - when wound The eagle eyed will note a slight wing
the other way. skew steamed into the pylon in an
Your machine will perform best in attempt to make the left turn a bit more
a sports hall, or outside on a still day. predictable. An average modeller with a
The turning tendency is hard to trim good analytical approach to adjustment
against, but we found that with clockwise will always get this Pisceocopter to
winding, a right hand banked launch work, although it is not quite as straight
resulted in a figure 8 shaped flight, forward as a Free Bird ornithopter (they
beginning with a right hand climb circuit, always seem to fly even when badly
and a gentle left hand descent. Gradually trimmed).
increasing turns up to the max (100+) The odd 'bum launch' at indoor
with a banked launch in opposition to meetings has resulted in comic thrashing
the crafts natural turn, should result in scenes from both craft and operator, but
flights over thirty seconds. With a motor the only argument so far has been over
wound up until it's almost smoking, the terminology: Scale maestro Peter Smart
Pisceocopter fore and aft trim may need insists that the orientation of the tail is
further adjustment. If the climb looks more dolphin than fish which therefore
stally, kink the con-rod a bit more. If it makes it a Cetacopter! ●

Readers Letters
AeroPost
Do let us know your thoughts on AeroModeller and
aeromodelling in general. We’re happy to receive post
to the Doolittle Media office address, or emails to editor@
aeromodeller.com – all are read although you may not
get a reply. Featured letters may be edited.
Regards, Andrew Boddington
FRANK DOWLING EXPAT PLATT NEWS

REMEMBERED Hello Andrew,
This Slicker Mite, powered by a PAL Model Products “Pesky .44” was built
Hi Andrew, by my good friend Dave Platt. It was test flown today, February 2nd 2017.
I was saddened to read of the death of Frank Dowling. Here are Dave’s comments:
I smiled when I read Jim Woodside’s comment about Frank’s speed of “Went out to fly the smaller Slicker this morning. Engine started readily
thought as it reminded me of an episode at the 1969 Criterium in Genk,
Belgium. The British combat team that year consisted of John Dixon,
and ran nicely. Power pattern
Vernon Hunt and I believe Steve Jones? All members of the Ace Club. wide right; a couple of stalls when
The British were vastly superior at combat back then. At the British practice the engine ran out, then a nice left
session everyone had a go with the entrants’ models, whether they were circling glide. Very satisfying, and
in the team or not. Even Steve Blake the team manager had a wave of for me heavily nostalgic - as a kid of
John Dixon’s handle on the way to the managers’ meeting. Eventually twelve I watched well-to-do adults
Frank limped out with his walking stick and took over from John. He then flying these things at Fairlop (RAF
proceeded to put the handle in his mouth and performed loops and eights, fighter base abandoned at war’s end.)
much to John’s annoyance - he thought Frank might sneeze or something
and the model fly off. Frank passed the handle back and limped out
For the record this is not a Slicker
the circle. The foreign fliers all crowded round Frank and said “that was Mite (which is 32”) but a 90% Slicker,
amazing, when was he flying in the comp?”. Quick as a flash Frank replied making it 38” span. The original
“I’m not, I wasn’t good enough to get in the team.” Slicker is 42” and from the way my
Regards, Martin Radcliffe model flies I could definitely have
gone to that size.”
I have also included photos of my 6
SUPERCAP CHARGING year old 10 oz. Bugaboo RC-assist FF, acting as a test bed for the PAL
Pesky. This is probably my all time favorite aeroplane and it is currently
guided by a Bonner SN escapement using a homemade 2.4 GHz
Andrew – this email is sparked off by the article ‘From The Armchair’ in transmitter, made to look like a 1956 Citizenship hand held transmitter.
the March AeroModeller. Regards, Dave Acton
Stuart ‘Supercool’ Sherlock does start by saying that he doesn’t know what
he is doing and is just blundering around in the dark – this is clearly all very
White Plains, NY U.S.A.
true I’m afraid – but maybe nothing wrong in that sometimes.
He does make comments about it not being possible to charge supercaps Hi Dave,
in series. This isn’t true if you do it properly which is a project that I’m The PAL Pesky certainly puts out plenty of usable power for a small
working on. This is a bit of a long-term effort but will hopefully produce engine. Good to hear that Dave Platt is still flying FF. Perhaps we can twist
some material for AeroModeller and maybe some supercap chargers. his arm to write something for AeroModeller?
Without being too techy, all the supercap charging I have seen done is Regards, Andrew
simply using a battery as a ‘constant voltage source’. Great, it’s simple and
cheap but probably not a good idea to charge two series supercap, one
could well ‘hog most of the volts’ and end up being damaged. The charger
that I’m developing will use a ‘constant current source’.
Dave Platt’s reduced FF Slicker and the RC-assist
Bob Lee
Bugaboo are both powered by the PAL Pesky
diesel. www.palmodelproducts.com
Hi Bob,
Good to hear from you. The articles by Gareth Evans, Duncan Pepper and
‘Supercool’ have certainly stirred up interest, so I and the readers will look
forward to seeing your development work.
Regards, Andrew
TRANSPORT TO CONTESTS
Hi Andrew,
First of all, congratulations on AeroModeller - a good mix to suit all
interests. I particularly like the O’Donnell/Hipperson ‘Better…’ articles, as a
(very) old balsa and tissue man myself.
Dave’s reference in the March AeroModeller to modes of transport to
contests made me think back to the Cardiff club in the late forties and early
fifties. One of our members, Les Webber, was partner in a large architectural
practice. He would roll up to the flying field in an SS Jaguar (this was before
Jaguar dropped the ‘Swallow Sidecar’ bit from their name.) Another visitor
to our field was Squadron Leader Bill Verney, who was stationed at RAF
St. Athan. He arrived in a Bentley of early twenties vintage complete with
running boards, outside handbrake and of course in British Racing Green!
To cap the lot, we were at an Area Centralised event on Fairwood
Aerodrome Swansea in the early fifties when Dick Twomey arrived in (I think)
a Piper Cub which he had flown from Cardiff, bringing another cub member,
Jonny Woodhouse as passenger. However, neither brought a model so
perhaps it would not count as transport to a contest?
Best wishes, John Phillips
LETTERS 041 6 27/02/2017 09:53

C
AeroModeller History
oincidence plays a big part in life!
A Minor
Although born in Cleethorpes my
father moved to Newcastle at a young
age, when my Grandfather accepted
a job at the Newcastle Chronicle as
sub-editor (he had been demobbed from WW1
Success
after receiving mustard gas poisoning at Ypres),
and now restarted his career as a journalist.
Newcastle had the first model shop in the world
(The Model Shop), run by Charles Lutman who
was the first person to import balsa from Ecuador.
My father had rheumatic fever at the age of 4 and
wasn’t expected to survive, but being an awkward
- Eric Fearnley so and so, he made sure he did! This meant that
normal sporting hobbies were out of the question,
so modelling was the perfect answer, spending
hours chucking rubber models around on the local
Brian Fearnley looks back at the life of his late father Eric, common. He attended technical school where he
designer of scale models including the APS Luton Minor, learnt woodworking, metalworking and technical
responsible for introducing many to the joys of FF scale. drawing and when leaving school worked as a
trainee draftsman at Swan Hunters Ship Builders,
which put him in great stead when he started
designing his own models.
Brian Fearnley
has recently
rejoined the fold
and is flying RC
again.
Probably not Eric’s finest design but

it got Brian started.
Eric’s first published plan was the Heston Phoenix in June

40 AeroModeller - April 2017 1938 AeroModeller. With Eric’s blessing Don Knight revised
the plan for May 1983 AeroModeller.
ERIC FEARNLEY.indd 40 27/02/2017 09:54

The original Free Flight Luton Minor.
Eric Fearnley’s Luton Minor was originally in

May 1953 AeroModeller and was re-released
in February 2000 AM. The plan (FSP534) is still
available from www.trapletshop.com
Mr Lutman stimulated his interest in Products in Leicester, when he was

building models, Dad later admitted he recommended to them by DA Russell
was always in awe of the standard of the then editor of AeroModeller. He later
Lutman’s building, and always thought joined Aero Kits Sheffield, and many of
he could never achieve the same the kits where exported to the USA, a
high standard. By 1938 aged 16 Dad taster of what was to come in the future
was starting to have his own designs as all his later designs were published
published in Aeromodeller, the first was in America. Sadly Aero Kits folded
the rubber powered Heston Phoenix - as when the owner was killed at Singapore
a full size it was a highly advanced light during WW2. Looking for a new
aircraft with a retracting undercarriage profession he conned his way into being
and a monocoque fuselage. His model a photographer’s darkroom assistant
design is still available from TrapletShop when he moved to Grimsby and married
as plan FSR1458, and recently I had a my Mother - he knew nothing about
an
YouTube video sent to me of an electric photography but luckily his boss was in from AM shows
Minor drawing
The scale Luton ol Ch erub?) fitted.
RC version flying fitted with working the magic circle so his modelling skills opposed cylinde
r engin e (Br ist al
would be an ide
Twin Fin diesel
retracts from a guy in New York! How he pulled him through making boxes for The new Redfin al pla n.
origin
partner for Eric’s
found me I’ve no idea, the name must rabbits to pop out of! Because of his
live on! childhood illness he was deemed unfit
for active service during WW2, which he must have had been thought of as
AeroModeller Debut now thinking about must have been a conscience objector. Now trained as
His Heston Phoenix design was very hard. To the general public he a photographer, he was tasked to visit
instrumental in him becoming a looked like any normal fit young man, the local POW camps to take identity
professional model designer at Burgess it is something he never mentioned but photographs of the POWs. Most of the
Ron Moulton’s photo from 1969 of Brian and Eric at Old Warden with the RC The Colonial Skimmer with Mills 75 finished second at the 1956 Nationals.
Luton Minor.
41

AeroModeller History
Eric’s first purpose designed RC model, the Beep Jeep. The Fleet Finch FF design was later doubled in size years to produce this
RC model.
local camps inmates were Italian who housing, but from the graffiti on the hut was approached to see if he would be
had no interest in escaping or going walls it had obviously held hard-line Nazi interested in building and flying models
back home - he did tell me the prisoners prisoners. for a forthcoming film, The Battle of
used to go out ‘down Cleethorpes’ and Britain, suggesting he would build them,
then return to the camp later! I recently Photography Business and me fly them. He was always the
worked as a professional photographer After the war he set up his own better builder and I was the better pilot,
myself and was asked to take shots of photography business which I also joined but after much discussion we decided
a camp before it was demolished for after leaving school. Around that time he we could not both leave the business for
Brian and his father’s

rather large FF
Gloster Gladiator. We
don’t see so many FF
scale models of this
size today.

the time needed to do the filming. extra weight an updated one would really sat in my pram, and we went through the
In his later years he had what he would fly well. normal Ajax, Senators, KK Fokker D8s
called his ‘Churchill’ moment when quite In the 50s and 60s Eric was prolific in like all Dads built for their sons then, and
late in life he became a freelance news designing mostly FF scale models, many my first IC model the Vic Smeed Ballerina
cameraman for television, a job he felt he of which I still see being built and flown. - with a Mills .75 and covered in doped
had been preparing for all his life. Luckily He never had a great interest in entering nylon it was indestructible! A lasting
it also meant that aircraft featured in this competitions but he did test fly his free memory was being taken to the Sherburn
role as well. Anglia TV sent a Cessna 172 flight scale Colonial Skimmer seaplane in Elmet model meet, and until her death
to pick up the film, which off course he at the 1956 Nat’s and managed to come my Mother used to say “Remember
had to make a model of and the plan was 2nd. He always said that when building when we used to go to Sherburn?” - by
published in RCM&E as a 40 powered and designing models there was no point coincidence my Daughter now lives
RC scale design. in using 2 pieces of wood if one would there. When a little older I flew control
The job also gave him the chance to do, his designs therefore were simple line, even in the school playground as we
fly, doing many aerial shots from planes to build. We bought kits to build and it were give permission (not much chance
and helicopters, and also doing air-to- was always ‘why the heck do they use of that happening now?!) Later I started
air filming with some of the RAF display so many parts for something so simple.’ flying single channel which I did not have
teams of the time such as The Red He was also proved correct as we know much success with, but when reeds
Pelicans. On ‘no news days’ the last now to keep the weight down as much came out it got a lot easier! Now it is all
flight of the Meteor also seemed a good as possible, as ‘you can scale the model too easy with modern radio. I have had
option, I cannot remember how many down but not the air it flies in.’ Maybe he a 25 year break from modelling, because
times he covered that! would have been impressed with modern of work, kids, beer the usual things when
foamee scale models which fly so well you are younger, but I am now back,
A Classic is Born because of their light weight? albeit mainly flying electric ARTFs and
When I arrived on the scene he designed helicopters. When I retire I must get back
the model he is most remembered for. Foray in to RC to the building board!
Mum was in the maternity home having In 1957 he had moved into adding
me in April 1953, bored he set about radio control to his models, and his first Later Life
designing and building the Luton Minor published RC design the Beep Jeep. An Eric carried on designing all his life, even
as a 42” span free flight model powered Elfin or ED Racer diesel vibrating away once for AeroModeller a control line
by a DC Dart. When I was 16 it was with valve receivers was not a great Hurricane, his only venture into going
updated and featured in December combination, so some of the old diesels round in circles! Many of his later designs
1969 AeroModeller as an RC model he converted to glows. I remember were of American WW2 fighters, which
plan, losing the dihedral and being finding an AM25 and an AM35 glow were published as plans in the American
strengthened and fitted with an OS 15. conversations in the drawer in the shed Magazines, but his flying days finished
Ron Moulton took a picture of us in front which I fitted my Peacemaker control when he went out early to test fly his
of the full size one at Old Warden which line models that we built by the dozen as new AT 6 Texan while no one was about,
featured on the cover. My intention is on teenagers! and had a stroke on the field. After his
its 65th anniversary (2018), to do a Mk3 Some of his early designs he later stroke he was totally incapacitated, but
design for modern radio and electric revisited in the late 70s/early 80s such as one day we pushed him up the hill in
power - it would make a super model to his 1954 Fleet Finch and 1955 Grumman his wheelchair chucked a slope soarer
chuck in the car for those quick flying Wildcat which he doubled in size from off and gave him the transmitter, he
sessions. The original RC one had Kraft their original FF design to a 60 powered flew perfectly, he could not talk, or feed
radio in, each servo weighed as much RC model. himself but he could fly, that is a true
as 3cell lipo battery - without all that I of course had a model in my hand modeller! ●
A non-scale model on which Brian learnt to Max Holste Broussard FF scale model was Not all Eric’s FF designs were scale. A stylish
fly RC. published by Model Aircraft magazine. sports FF model, the Quicksilver, was also
published in MA.
43

Engines and Oils Brian Winch in his workshop fitting the
“gentleman’s” choice of a Mills 1.3.
“The time has come,”

the Wizard said,
“To talk of many things:
Of engines, ether and gas-seals,
Of diesels and Dykes rings…
(apologies to Lewis Carroll)
PART 1. No More Glow - A Diesel’s the Go

A new series in which Brian Winch gives an
account of his love of diesels and how to convert
I
various glow engines to compression ignition.
am firmly of the opinion that the blame for all the model diesel
engine business lays squarely on poor old Rudolph Diesel. After
all - he was the inventor and developer of this compression
ignition factor. Though he has gone - disappeared off a boat
during a night channel crossing (a fair bit of suspicion around
Frog 100 - this is the beast that

started it all many years ago. It
still runs well but is only used
occasionally on the bench for
nostalgia purposes.
DIESEL ENGINES 041.indd 44 27/02/2017 09:55

The Davies-Charlton
350 Manxman
was another early
favourite.
A long time ago in

a far-away world -
ready made fuel came
in bottles like this. In
those great days this
The stuff that dreams are made of! You
bottle would last for a
can find today’s Hobbyco catalogue on
few weeks.
line at www.hobbyco.com.au
that) - his invention and his spirit lives on; the aero-engine and that was the ‘be all to end purchased item or change, the sound of the
diesel engine has made its mark in so many all’. In my area, NSW Australia, the epitome swish reminded you of the ending ‘whack’ as
areas of power supply. Maybe fanciful on my of model shops was Hobbyco in the city it landedvon your hand, even though you were
part but I like to think that Rudolph played a (Sydney) a train journey in excess of one hour not the subject at the time – it was enough to
very large part in the development of power from where I lived with my parents. Hobbyco make you cringe!
modelling and the first taste of this (through was located at 561 George Street, Sydney, an Considering all the above, the difficulties
the first engine obtained), ingrained the love address permanently etched on the brain of in accumulating enough money, and the
of diesel engines to a multitude of modellers. many young hobbyists. The business began desperate need to have a model engine,
What’s more the model diesel engine is still in the early 30’s and is still going strong, the most popular engine in the Hobbyco
with us in many forms to this day. There though at a different and more upmarket catalogue list was the one that cost the
are modellers who have no use whatsoever address. By sending a self-addressed, least - that was a Frog 100 at three pounds,
for methanol and petrol engine - the mere stamped envelope the shop would send fifteen and sixpence. Not that there were
mention of electric power can cause them you their catalogue that listed all manner of many other engines, but the low cost of the
to experience a rapid change of their normal hobby items, but the pages close to the end Frog convinced one’s own thinking that this
character, palpitations and rapid breathing was the bible to aeromodellers - it listed kits, was the epitome of model engines - the one
(with a few epithets thrown in). As far as they modelling supplies and model engines. You you (and everybody else) yearned to own... a
are concerned the diesel engine is the only have to consider that we (in Australia) were full 1cc diesel that was a progression of the
suitable power for model aircraft and one well isolated in many ways from the rest of the Frog 175 petrol engine for which you had to
that is used by ‘gentlemen modellers’. They world. No television, rarely model magazines purchase batteries as well as fuel. No, not for
proudly wear the badge of ‘The Oily Hand or any information about model aircraft other me an old-fashioned spark ignition… a diesel
Society’ and are ever ready to instruct on the than advertisements in catalogues and your was the way to go - fuel only, a couple of
correct method of ‘diesel flicking’. own visions. flicks and it was running. (PHOTO 20)
There was a shop in Parramatta - a As it was not of great consequence (you
It All Began… suburban city within a long walking distance could do anything you put your mind to as
…with a Frog 100 diesel and here, I am from where I lived (as walking was the a young fellow), it does not remain in my
sure, I speak for many grey (or less) haired common method of getting to where you memory how I learned to adjust the diesel’s
modellers. In the late 40’s, as we were getting wanted, a long walk was not a considered two controls - fuel and compression - but I
back to normality after the catastrophic problem.) This particular shop sold, in the did and the engine sang many fine songs for
times of dreadful conflict, many necessities main, cane baby prams along with a few small me in various models. What a great life. Again
for life were still in short supply; to a young hobby items including solid model aircraft with the mowing and other money making
modeller, the shortest supply was pocket kits and a chuck glider kit (Zephyr) of which ventures I was able to conjure up enough cash
money. Maybe a few pence each week if I built several. The problem with this shop for a Mills .75 at seven pounds, five shillings -
you were lucky but, to an enterprising young was that they also sold lengths of cane in and what a joy that was. I soon advanced to a
sproggo, there was money to be made selling various diameters for cane weaving and the ‘large’ engine with the purchase of a beautiful
newspapers, bottles, rags, and bones (yes likes, but the horror of it was that the teachers DC 350 and some very close to scale free
- bones to the rag and bone merchant), and from the boys’ school I attended were regular flight model kits. Mills, 1.3, 2.4, ED 246 and
your services to mow lawns, run errands, customers buying… canes! Canes to whack many others followed. Even though I had a
polish boots and deliver groceries (if you had and wallop students which was done with couple (from swaps) the glow plug engine did
a good billy cart). Mind you, the payment was monotonous regularity in those ‘good old not hold a great interest for me, but (oddly) I
not of a gold standard, but it was cash that days’. It took the edge off the joy of buying had developed a particular interest in petrol
built up if you were totally dedicated in your a glider kit or some balsa supplies to see engines, but that is another story.
savings and did not waste a penny on luxuries your school math’s master trying out a few
such as sweets, soft drinks and picture canes by swishing them through the air. As Lathes - A Great New Toy
theatres. The object was to purchase a model you stood there holding out your hand for the Moving on a few years I was into my
45

Engines and Oils
These are from 10cc engines and I machined a small combustion shape in A Davis head (O ring seal) for a 10cc engine and another one of mine I
the one on the right for interest. Both work very well. made for an Irvine 10cc glow.
apprenticeship of fitting and machining, and continent and some of it is extremely vast and tuning would be a problem and vapour locks
loving every minute of it. Here I was with virtually barren. The Eyre Highway that runs might occur. A vapour lock occurs when heat
so many machines around me and model from Ceduna to Perth in Western Australia is reaches the carburettor and the petrol fuel
engines are made on machines so..? 2,000 kilometres long and it goes through a is vaporised before it is fed into the engine.
In the early years my knowledge was still lot of arid country named The Nullarbor Plains Designed petrol engines have an isolating
lacking in many aspects, but that did not stop (Nullarbor means ‘no trees’) - nary a living soul block or very thick gasket fitted to prevent this
me from designing and machining several for many kilometres (save camels, kangaroos, problem. While I was talking to the modeller
model engines with limited success. Always wombats and lizards). A perfect place for (phone conversation) I just dropped what
diesels but the fit of the contra piston using some long distance flying and permission you might term a ‘throw-away line’ that the
cast iron was a problem, as it was difficult was given for the attempt on the record to answer could be a diesel engine - super low
to obtain the tight fit required. Although be flown on this stretch of ‘no man’s land’. consumption, variable timing, ultra-reliable
the engine might run, it released almost as The aircraft had been designed with a long and an engine that would just drone on as
much fuel out the top of the cylinder as was wingspan, lightly loaded construction and very long as the fuel was provided. The modeller
taken in the venturi. On one occasion I tried stable flight. The intended engine size was a jumped on this and asked if it was possible
a brass contra piston and that was a much 6.5cc (0.40 cu in) and the engine selected was and said he had good machining capabilities
greater success. So much easier to machine one from a very reliable range with proven and the experience for fine tolerance work.
to a tight tolerance but, more importantly, it reliability. An old memory started rattling around in my
expanded better than the cast iron so the One little problem - it was a glow ignition brain from many days past - a brass contra
top fit remained much better. I put that bit engine running on methanol - the worst piston... why not?
of information in my memory bank for later consumption figures for all our model engines. I sent the modeller a ‘mud map’ drawing
reference and then went on to learn about One of the team members suggested petrol of a new head complete with a brass contra
treatment of metal (hardening, case hardening and spark ignition might be the way to go, piston, tolerances required, a Tommy bar
and the like) and casting various metals, all of but fuel consumption was still an unknown (compression vernier for purists) and my
which would become very useful for model factor and the big consideration was how suggested sleeve down dimension for the
engine work. much fuel the model would have to carry for carburettor. The modification was gratefully
In time, I eventually set up my own the intended distance and time (all calculated received and the work was put into process. I
workshop with a lathe, milling machine, by considering the speed of the model, certainly hoped I had given useful information
pedestal drills and other small machine head winds and all the fun stuff). Another and to check I did the job myself on a new
shop items that allowed me to carry out benefit of using spark and petrol was that Magnum 6.5cc I had in my engine cupboard.
quite extensive machining and, best of all, a larger diameter propeller could be used Just as I had instructed the record chaser, I
experimenting. As I carry out engine repairs at lower RPM, which was highly desirable machined up a new head and made the brass
for modellers, the machines come into their as the aircraft was really a powered glider, contra piston and I followed the very careful
own on many occasions when a part has even though it was a cabin type high wing procedure of highly polishing the contra piston
to be manufactured, modified or repaired monoplane. I was contacted and asked diameter and the recess where it fitted - well
and this is how I came to carry out many about the feasibility and possible success of oiled - in the head (a very important point
experiments converting glow engines to diesel converting the engine to spark ignition. My which I will go into further on in this series
operation. answer included the general reliability of a of articles). Well, the long and short of it was
good spark ignition unit and spark plug, plus that my conversion worked perfectly - a very
Record Attempt the control over the engine timing for tuning well behaved diesel with ‘buckets of power’
I suppose the spark that started the blaze with a larger propeller but… many wires and and, as I had told the modeller, it would run
was a request from a modeller who, with connections, a battery that would need to last steadily as long as there was fuel in the tank.
a couple of friends, decided to challenge the time and the added weight of the ignition Fortunately the western team (they were a
the long-distance flying record in Australia. equipment. I was also a little concerned about couple of thousand miles west of where I live)
Now, we have a lot of area here on our island the methanol carburettor as to whether the had much the same results, they carried out

several test runs and flights then… away went One reader was an engineer in the UK Navy had dieselised a Super Tigre 3000 - a 30cc
the bunny, so to speak, across the Nullarbor and he was part of a naval flotilla standing glow engine. The carburettor was sleeved
followed by several cars with ‘plane spotters’ off the coast of a foreign area that had slightly but that was all as ST engines have
and an open top vehicle carrying a relief of the potential to be the target of an enemy. a very acute needle which is ideal for fine
fliers (imagine the ‘crick’ in your neck looking Anyway, the Navy was there for a long time adjustment - small amounts of fuel fed into
up to follow a high altitude model for even one and most of the personnel spent a lot of time the venturi to make up the fuel gas mixture.
hour?). Well, the engine never missed a beat, onshore. This particular chap was a keen Another factor that was certainly of great
the model flew spot on and… they rightfully modeller and we had been corresponding benefit was the belt and braces construction
claimed a new record. When the model was back and forth about quiet mufflers which of the ST engine - they were known as a
landed there was still some fuel in the tank. was very important to him as the sound of a heavy engine, but that weight came from extra
One thing for sure, the Oily Hand Society model flying was not at all welcome when the sturdy construction that could take incredible
certainly gained several new devotees on that local people were holding religious meetings. punishment. However, the integrity of his
occasion. My muffler designs centred around a second engine was never really put to the test as,
firewall in the model spaced back from the according to him, the great amount of power
How Far Can You Go? main firewall. The formed cavity was sealed available would not be needed for his models
I wrote several articles about conversions with coating resin and various methods were so a very large propeller was fitted - mid to
in another magazine in which I am a regular used to absorb the exhaust sound with the high end 20” diameter - and the engine run
contributor, and they opened up a ‘Pandora’s final outlet under the model. This design was with the compression wound off considerably
Box’ for me. I am sure most readers will know very effective and you could quieten an engine whereby it ran with that good old ‘brurp -
that when opened, Pandora’s Box let loose exhaust down an incredible amount with no gurgle - brurp’ sound and even that was
many evils on the world. Zeus had given loss of power. Well, that solved one of his hardly noticeable.
Pandora the box with instructions to never problems and the next was fuel. Advancing with my built in muffler idea
open it but… curiosity got the better of her Methanol, being an alcohol (methyl and his own input, he constructed a plywood
and she did breach the lock or seal and out alcohol) was extremely closely monitored rectangular box under the model wherein he
poured all the evils. However, the last item (by law officers) as to its availability in this fitted the ST muffler and made up a manifold
to come from the box was Hope which Zeus country, to the point where it was next to connection to the engine exhaust manifold.
had sent to keep people a little bit happier impossible to obtain for model engine fuel He said that, with a little wind blowing, the
when the evils were manifested on them. Well, use. Being an engineer and having a vast sound of the engine running in the air was
my Pandora’s Box was the number of letters workshop at his disposal on the ships, he then almost indiscernible. A win-win situation with
I received - long hand and typewritten letters became interested in my diesel conversion readily available fuel, running quietly enough
that all required an answer and I had to write articles and requested a few more snippets so as to not disturb the residents and large
the answers and post the letters. Hope was of information. He successfully converted buckets of power plus, as he told me, the
there but I didn’t know of her until many years several engines and used these with various engine was so easy to start.
later when she appeared as ‘email’ - instant methods of muffling a diesel engine. One I have not gone so large with a conversion
letter - instant response (thank you Zeus). factor added considerable enjoyment to as my limit has been a .91 (15cc) four stroke,
Requests came for information as to these modifications - there was absolutely no but I certainly have gone to the lower limits
whether so-and-so engine was suitable and, restriction regarding the purchase of ether. of capacity. So in the next article we can
of interest here, the engine capacities that In his words, you could virtually buy it from a consider methods of resurrecting those little
were suitable. At that time the largest engine grocery shop and it was extremely low in price finger biting glow engines for the purpose of
I had converted was 10cc and it was quite (what great days they were.) I must admit conversion to diesel (and even more vicious
successful, plus the power was incredible. I was a bit floored by his next missive - he finger biting!) ●
Not much simpler

than this - a
threaded brass
hexagonal rod in a
Saito 91 four stroke
engine. Very docile,
runs well and good
exhaust sound.
More in a future
article.
47

Free Flight Scale
Scale Matters
Bill Dennis on his and others new model preparations.
Avetek Strutter the wing area is sufficient to carry it. On achieve on my own design builds. I just
Having begun with the fuselage and tail the positive side, the resulting structure set everything up over the plan and then
last time, attention now moved to the is extremely strong – much stronger spotted thin cyano onto all the joints.
wings. The most unusual feature here than strictly necessary – and also very It is vital to make sure everything is flat
is the carbon tube spars; the kind of rigid. When the apocalypse comes, because you certainly will not be able
material you find in your model shop. these wings will survive along with the to remove warps later. I timed how long
Initially I was surprised at this approach cockroaches. Another benefit is that it took to put an aileron together – three
as each spar weighs 2 grams, giving the hollow tubes provide a ready-made minutes. Eventually I did not even bother
a total of about 17g in total. This is a location for the wing dowels. with pins; I just slotted it all together, held
lot more than balsa spars would be of Once again, construction is very it in place and zapped it.
course, or even spruce, but in this case quick and accurate; far more so than I As with the fuselage, the wings
Another Sopwith; Mike Smith´s Snipe just gets better, and is now ready for flight tests.
SCALE MATTERS 041.indd 48 27/02/2017 09:56

are very accurate, with a thin, scale
wing section. The wingtips have the
characteristic arched tip camber, and
the airbrakes at the lower wing roots are
faithfully reproduced. As for the dozens
of riblets, thank goodness for laser-
cutting.
The 1/8” sq leading edges are over-
sized for the job, and 3/32” sq would
suffice. Indeed most of it needs to be
sanded away but I assume this was done
so that the bottom edge can rest directly
on the plan. The only modification to the
wings that I suggest is to add extra wood
to the inside of ribs in danger of being
pulled in by the covering. These areas
would be the ribs for the lower stub wing
and air brake, and the ribs at the inner Two views of the Avetek Sopwith Strutter showing the fixed part of the nose, the separate block and
ends of the ailerons. A fine carbon rod cowl, and one wing.
could be cyano’d to the trailing edge to
good effect, but I did not do this.
I then turned to the nose. The heart
of the arrangement is a small plywood
box which, like everything else, locks
together ready to be cyanoed. Opposite
ends have holes for two plastic bearings;
one is offset for side and downthrust.
The box fits into a close-fitting hole in
the front former and carries a 3D-printed
dummy rotary crankcase, which needs
some finishing, such is the nature of
this technique. The shaft needs to be
substantial because that box is not going
to pop out on landing.
I put the undercarriage together just
for the photo, and it is my favourite
part. With little effort you end up with an
accurate structure that looks just right.
The vacform wheels are also just-so.
I now have a very few bits left on the
lasercut sheets, so I must be nearly
there. The simple structure of the Luton Minor makes it an ideal first Peanut.
Luton Minor
With an eye on the International Indoor
Fly-In at Nijmegen in November, I needed
a new Peanut model; I don’t like using
the same model repeatedly if I can help
it and, in any case, the Halberstadt
was now a pile of struts and broken
bits. I don’t know why but I fancied the
Luton Minor from the excellent Andrew
Moorhouse design of many years ago. I
did one back in the 70s and remember
flying it somewhere like Crawley. It is a
very simple design and will lose static
marks right left and centre. However, as
a first such model, it cannot be beaten.
I am certainly not going to give advice
on building a winning Peanut model This is the Luton Minor fuselage mask cut from a piece of 18mm Tamiya tape. Not as tricky as it might look.
49

Free Flight Scale
The less-than-
successful
rubber Puss
Moth is being
revived with a
SAMS electric
power unit
squeezed in to
the nose.
because I haven’t a clue. It would be be, halve it. Cut it out, and then throw it letters cut from decal sheet, as available
nice if someone skilled could give us away before cutting another piece out of from Hannants. It usually works well, as
an article or two. But I will give one tip. wood of half the weight. long as you apply it to a gloss surface,
Imagine you need a piece of wood to Everything went swimmingly up to the but the sheet must not be too old, as
stick in somewhere important. When point where I applied the markings. For it deteriorates. Sure enough, having
you have decided on the size it needs to models of this size I have always used carefully cut out the large wing letters
and soaked them, they promptly fell
apart, sending me into a rage. The best
way round this is to use clear film, which
will have a higher turnover rate from
suppliers, and spray it the colour
you want.
Rage number two occurred when the
little silver fuselage letters failed to stick
and dried all wrinkled. I spent the usual
couple of days staring at them trying
to persuade myself that they could be
tolerated, but they could not. Expert
opinion is that they are best cut from
painted tissue and stuck on, either with
Display Mount or thinned canopy glue.
In this case I wanted something
quicker. I stuck a piece of 18mm Tamiya
tape onto some thin acetate to act as a
cutting surface, taped it down over the
A KK Fokker D8 and a Moorehouse Luton Minor ready for trimming.

Ivan Taylor´s magnificent new Hornet awaits covering and the filler A Hornet nacelle plastered with filler.
treatment.
The Hornet fuselage after the filler has been rounded off, made easier by the Ivan’s last Hornet was already an impressive model.
black tissue finish.
plan and just carefully cut out the letters and that green printed circuit board that out somewhere like Old Warden.
with a new pointed blade. The tape is people adjust to make it work. Thus I Fokker D8
sufficiently translucent to follow the don’t have to understand anything and I have been diligently going through
lettering below. I was able carefully to can just fit it – like a diesel in fact. my pile of unfinished projects, and near
peel it off and apply it straight and level Minor surgery was involved. Off came the bottom was this KK Fokker D8
on the fuselage. Some thin dope applied all the cowlings and the front former which had been languishing, for want of
sparingly sealed the edges, and spraying was hacked away until the motor fitted making a cowling, for about ten years.
went well. through. The gears mean that it goes in The D8 was the first model of any kind
much further forward than a diesel, and which I managed to get to maintain
Converted Puss Moth so a hollow front cowl needed making. height, in contrast to my previous
This is the Puss Moth that I took to As a quick fix I just plunge moulded Camels, SE5a and Nieuports. I’m not
Nijmegen in 2015 and failed with one with the old noseblock. The motor sure how I achieved this (it may have
because I stuck in the wrong nose is meant to be glued onto bearers or a been through the expedient of leaving off
ballast. (Let’s draw a veil.) It was plate, using the prongs moulded into the the undercarriage), but I can see it now,
somewhat the worse for wear by the plastic casing; all very straightforward. floating across the garden to land in the
time I got back and was consigned to I found it easiest to do this out of the dahlias, which were very fashionable
a cupboard. I have built many Puss model and then trim away the edges in 1959.
Moths: diesel, CO2 and rubber but never until it all went in between the fuselage I built this one as per, apart from
electric. In fact I have built very few sides, incorporating a little down and the separate cowl to make life easier,
electric models at all, but the appearance sidethrust. albeit with better wood. I also included
of the SAMS (www.samsmodels.com) I did not want the battery just floating a dollop of downthrust. I opted for the
miniature electric system last year led me about so I glued some sheet across the ever-popular scheme you see in the
to re-open the cupboard door. nose with a suitable slot. It took me just photo, which demands lozenges. I
The system comes completely a couple of minutes to get familiar with was going to paint them but decided
assembled, with geared motor, battery the controls and I look forward to trying it to have a go at printing them instead.
51

Free Flight Scale
This shows the method of constructing the Dinah fuselage, based on a Feast your eyes on the bare bones of the Dinah. Note the important
stiff and straight piece of aluminium angle. No keels involved (photo Doug diagonal wing bracing. One-piece model is a brave approach but yields a
Beardsworth) lighter model, less likely to crash heavily!
A crucial part of the Dinah´s structure is the way the wing passes through Another twin on the way. Derek Knight´s latest - a 32” Canberra to be
the nacelle. powered by two of Derek´s 25mm fans.
I downloaded them off Mike Stuart’s there will be another fascinating article big advantage to have a UC in place for
website (www.ffscale.co.uk) and followed on this one later in the year. However, static judging.
the instructions but the third time it all I thought you would be interested in
got screwed up in the printer, I flew into the novel technique he is trying out. As Photos
yet another rage. Luckily I was rescued you can see, the structure is traditional If you are sitting around, lacking
by someone who knows what they are former and stringers, but the formers inspiration, here are some things to look
doing and they generously printed me are not scalloped or sanded away; it is at to get you going. Begin with a search
a sheet. The ink is not waterproof but important that they are accurate. The on YouTube for "Tom Hallman Hodek".
the tissue goes on easily with dope, and fuselage and nacelles are tissue-covered Hodek is a full-size aircraft (no, me
steam shrinking works well. Getting the and doped, then lightweight filler applied neither) and Tom has put together a step-
tissue on neatly with minimal overlaps all over. Once dry, careful sanding by-step video diary of the construction of
is a tricky job but overall I was pleased yields a very good representation an exceptional model. But there are lots
with the results. No doubt it will get of a monocoque, as seen in the of those – wait until you see it flying at
hammered in Indoor Kit Scale, if I decide accompanying photo. Ivan reports little the end.
to campaign it, but luckily I don’t mind. weight penalty and is very pleased with Then go to the Flickr site www.flickr.
the results. com/photos and search for People >
DH Hornet The other feature is an undercarriage Clive Gamble and find his album of the
Ivan Taylor has been working hard on his that will come down at the point the 2016 FAC Nats. Here you will find dozens
new model – another DH Hornet – and model starts to descend. There is no of photos by Clive of the meeting at
has sent me a few photos. I will not go need for it to retract because our contest Geneseo, including many twins. One
into too much detail because I am sure rules specify handlaunch. It will be a model really took my eye and this is a Ki-

46 Dinah by Doug Beardsworth. As you of which 167g is airframe. This is a both spars. This method of construction
will be aware, duration is a big part of remarkable achievement, helping the eliminates the need to draft individual
the US scale scene and this model did a model to win the event at the 2016 FAC ribs and is a quick way of producing a
remarkable 95 seconds to win the Giant Nats, beating the similarly dramatic light, strong tapered wing.
Scale event. I contacted Doug and he Vickers Nene of Vance Gilbert. The fuselage is keel-less and built
was kind enough to send some photos The wing structure follows that used using a sturdy length of aluminium angle
and details of the construction. by the late Dave Rees, namely two to keep it all straight. But perhaps the
vertical and tapered sheet spars laid over trickiest part is the nacelles, which are
Ki-46 Dinah 1/16" sq strip to form the bottom of the centrally-disposed around the wing. The
The model is 44" span and thus qualifies ribs. This is followed by some diagonal formers here are wound for strength
for the FAC Giant Scale category for bracing between the spars. The top of because they have to transmit the loads
monoplanes. The 10" props are turned each rib is stripped from 1/16 sheet from the wing spars while also having
by 36" long motors squeezed into 9 which has been plenty of clearance for the motors.
1/2" nacelles and taking 1600 turns! As gently pre-shaped wet over a form As I said, it is a remarkable piece of
you can imagine, this results in some to create a rough top camber shape. work. ●
big knots which need plenty of internal Each top rib is then placed over the flat
clearance. Flying weight is about 227g, rib bottom and glued to the LE, TE and
A superb shot of Doug Beardsworth´s Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah banking

towards the camera with the engines perfectly synchronised.
25

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Aerodynamics, Books & More!
From the Armchair…

PART 19: Stuart ‘Supercool’ Sherlock pushes Supercaps to the limit.
O
f the aviation magazines that Bar) wartime diary ‘Malta Spitfire’. ISBN-13:
have given me pleasure over 9781906502980.
the last 60 years, the stand-outs First published in 1943, during the war,
are ‘AeroModeller’ (of course), ‘Malta Spitfire’ is as much a biography as
‘RAF Flying Review’ (from a combat documentary. Being written at a
the 50's), and C.G.Grey's ‘The Aeroplane’. time when the war was in progress, there are
Published first in 1911 until 1968, then style elements which can be associated with
relaunched in 1973 - I like to regard that latter propaganda hype. Possibly they are co-author
magazine and ‘AeroModeller’ as brothers- Leslie Roberts contribution, but they are easily
in-aviation. Recently, ‘Aeroplane’ has been read past or dismissed, which still leaves an
promoting its subscriptions with a give-away extraordinary account of a Canadian warrior-
of George Beurling's (DSO, DFC, DFM and pilot born for air combat.
‘The diary of a fighter pilot Malta

Spitfire’. Beurling turns his hand
to artwork.
The enlarged 50% enlarged

Goblin used ‘bird-cage’ wing
construction, which goes
together quite rapidly. Rear
ribs are triangles, front ribs
are botched up from one
template.
Original advert for the FROG

Goblin.
ARMCHAIR PART 20.indd 56 27/02/2017 09:58

There is plenty of detail of Beurling's
early life and his efforts to gain a place
in air combat. His exploits over Malta
are graphically described, with sufficient
detail to explain his victories. To quote
co-author Roberts: “His marksman-ship
was nothing short of miraculous. Every
one of his bag (30, 18 over Malta) had
been shot down by a single burst from
his Spitfire's guns, often by a staccato
one-second squirt. Virtually every enemy
aircraft had been the victim of pure
deflection shooting”
Back to Beurling: “I did another quick,
tight whip-over behind them (109's) and
got in a hurry-up deflection shot on the
fellow on the port side. He was set up
perfectly for just such a shot, almost
exactly 300 yards away in the sights.
That meant he'd take the whole load of Power pod in situ. Poor-performing 6” drone props in place. Motor and Supercap switch selectors
cannon and machine guns, if I was on visible. 2 Amp switch rating was not enough. Also visible are the charging pins, centre positive, outers
negative.
the bead. Luckily I was. The whole burst
must have gone squarely into his tank
and engine. He blew just as if there'd
been a charge of dynamite in the cockpit.
Pieces were flying all around the sky. The
fuselage burst into a sheet of flame. No
question what happened to him!”
Thirty seconds later he repeated the
feat: scratch two Me 109s. “A one-
second burst into the engine settled him.
The hood flew off the cockpit, apparently
jettisoned by the pilot. The engine began
to spew smoke. He rolled onto his back
and baled”
I always look for tactics as the most
interesting part of this type of book. They
are not lacking here, but there was one Power pod showing the relative size of the 100 Farad Supercaps, not light at 21 grams each. Motors are
so small as to be negligible. Plastic gears took a pounding, no sign of failure.
account of fighting over Malta that was
absent from the book. rotating propellers are my holy grail. One series, to give 2.4 volts, nicely below the
The initiative for air warfare lies with the approach is to dismantle one of those Supercap damage rating of 2.7V. With
attacker. The attacker chooses the battle annoying, amazingly stable twin rotor toy Supercaps set to 4.6 volts in series, the
field. In the case of Malta, the defenders helicopters, then modify the parts to suit motors in series gave 2200 RPM with
were always forced to scramble, then a real model aeroplane. Removing the current draw of 0.26 amps. Switching
meet the massed enemy on the climb. rotor heads, replacing the blades with the motors to parallel, RPM was 4300 at
This is a bad place to be: he who has the drone blades, then powering up with 1.3 Amps. The thrust at 4300 RPM was
height, has the advantage. However, the Supercaps instead of LiPo's became the starting to feel useful!
defenders realised a better tactic was to challenge.
climb away from the enemy, then return Further testing was done on the drone Test Vehicle
to the fight with the height advantage. rotor system described in the previous This was as far as testing could go on
Possibly this tactic was adopted after issue of AeroModeller, this time using the workbench. Model flight-testing
Beurling's period of service over Malta, the robot 4.2 volt LiPo battery. With the was now required to see if the Supercap
but if not it would have been an ornament motors in series the RPM was 1900 at power source could be used out-doors.
to the book. 0.26 Amps, and in parallel 4200 at 1.08 I am fond of the Frog Goblin rubber
Highly recommended. Amps. model, but with the weight of the two
Testing was continued by charging the 100 Farad Supercaps at 42 grams, the
Supercaps Saga Supercaps in parallel with two 3000 mA/ wingspan of 24 inches did not give
As a propeller guy, co-axial contra- hour ‘D’ size NiMH batteries placed in enough wing area for the load. I guessed
57

Aerodynamics, Books & More!
Nose section is built finding the bird-cage to be quite sturdy in

over the top of the
power pod. Not very practice, my objections were groundless.
accessible, kept the The tailplane I made flat-plate, as, with
chainsaw handy.
the CG on the spar, the tailplane would
not be lifting (either up or down!) The
all-up weight of the model, ready to fly,
came in at 192 grams.
Test Flying
The photos tell the story, so now it
was off to the Yokine flying field. This
is a large field pretty close to Perth city
centre, where flying is allowed for quiet
electric powered models and gliders.
The field seems to have its own micro-
climate. With the surrounding trees quite
unruffled by wind, there still seems to be
an increase to 36” span would be about the wing structure to birdcage, with a a wind across the field open-space itself:
right, so had the plan blown up to 50% full depth spar and ribs butt-glued to weird, but that's FF for you.
bigger. that spar. I do not like butt joins in this First flights with the 6” drone props
The original structure at 24” span fashion: however, having built two of were hopeless. The model pretty much
now looked a bit sparse, so I changed Dave Rounsaville's Excelsior F1c's and just sank to the ground: not good. So in
Finished model: some called

it pretty, I call it beautiful.
Flying weight of 192 grams
quite acceptable. Glossy
finish is a light spray of clear
automotive acrylic.

Close up of the poor-performing props, soon to lose their blades. Close up of the better drone blades, good for 30 seconds flight. The fellow in red is trying
to find his rotor back-pack
a pique of spite I cut the blades off with to bend or snap in the rough handling the fairness…
a pair of side-cutters. These I replaced shaft received. Where to from here? I clearly have
with a different set of 6” drone blades, Likewise the bearing housing took a no idea of the power versus RPM
these showing an increase in pitch. The terrible beating, to the point where the characteristics of electric motors. I am
model now sustained the launch height, vibration from the wobbly props required not even sure they have one. Decent
in making three circles for a flight time if me to epoxy the housing in place on bearings for supporting the shafts will
29 seconds. Not startling, but a definite its mount. The tubular shaft for the be the main improvement. There is no
measure of success. rear props withstood the hammering it reason why the front ball-race could not
Encouraged, it was back to the Hobby received with no problem at all. But be mounted in the rear-prop
shop for a yet bigger set of props. The most amazing were the tiny retaining nut!
wonderful thing these days is the range motors. In the future, I can
of pusher and tractor props available Driving all this were see a Martin-
off the shelf. I found a pair of 8.25” X Baker MB5 of
5.5” props marked ‘Mosquito’. These 8.25” props which 40” span,
looked too massive, but I put them gave excellent with three
performance.
on anyway. Revelation. The model Rather bulky 100 Farad
now climbed strongly up to about 40', looking, but Supercaps,
this model was
performing 2 large circles, missing two not built to two of
light stanchions, being tossed around glide. Fifty one these
seconds flight
by turbulence, then landing 51 seconds time in a small jelly-bean
from launch. This flight used up the field is plenty. motors ,
Strangely, the
whole space available for flying, so that RPM dropped only driving a
is total success! 10% with the larger housing with
blades, current draw
approaching 4 Amps. ball-bearing
Reprise mounted
Things didn't really go as smoothly as coaxial-contra
the above might indicate. Full credit two tiny motors, the size rotating shafts,
has to go to the people who designed of jelly-beans. Their wire leads and having a duration
this propulsion system. The forward looked about as thick as a human hair. of 90 seconds outdoors. Three
prop is mounted on a 1mm diameter I ran them at double the voltage of the Supercaps are desirable to raise the
shaft, reduced to 60 mm length to suit normal LiPo, for a good hour. Toward the motor voltage for more power. Easy.
my model. That is the toughest, stiffest, end, the motors started having trouble Recall that the trick for extra power is
most robust piece of metal I have yet starting, but it was the on-off switch to discharge the Supercaps as fast as
found. The props were a tight push fit that had failed! You'd think a 2 Amp possible. ●
onto this shaft; many times I expected it rated switch would handle 4 Amps, in all
59

Competitive Control Line
STARTING VINTAGE
COMBAT – PART 2
I
TIM HOBBINS SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE TO ENCOURAGE NEW ENTRANTS TO CL COMBAT FLYING. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS BY MICK LEWIS.
n this, the second part of make some really pretty ones in is inconsistent, this is where by mail order. It’s a heat shrink
my introduction to Vintage anodised aluminium and good the Facebook page and Barton fabric material which goes on
Combat, we’ll look in bellcranks are available from Forum come in handy as links very easily with Fast Tack fabric
detail at how to source the Club Tamaran, all addresses in to current suppliers are often glue, attach it to the frame dry
necessary hardware and index. posted there. One very good and then shrink it with a heat
other supplies that you will covering material is Koverall gun, brush 3 or 4 coats of dope
need to assemble and maintain COVERING MATERIALS. The available in the main from on, let dry and fuel proof with
a small fleet of competitive most popular material used is Pegasus Models in Norwich Ronseal Hardglaze or Yacht
models. lightweight untreated ripstop Varnish. Koverall is very strong
nylon, stuck on the frame with and doesn’t sag. Diatex 1000
BELLCRANKS. Make your own either dope or suitable glue, and is also gaining popularity and
from glass fibre board or buy then doped and fuel proofed. I is similar to Koverall to use,
the large Micro Mold bellcrank can’t give a reliable source for its available from Skycraft in
or similar from SLEC or Belair ripstop because most of the Spalding.
Models. Alternatively Aerohobby flyers get it off eBay but supply If you do not wish to use
John Leggott sorting out the streamer on a downed

model during a bout.
START VINTAGE COMBAT PART 2.indd 60 27/02/2017 10:01

Nick Stowe explained how to make GRP moulded combat tanks in 937 June Liquidators XL covered in iron-on Solartex from Solarfilm. A competitive
2015 AeroModeller. design.
The Ironmonger 69 (seen here built by Mick Lewis) was a free Plan in 940 September 2015 AeroModeller.
dope, you can use Solartex from Oracover, Profilm or Hobbyking and are the correct capacity. flyers buy these from Mick
Solarfilm, available from most film can be used in a variety of Alternatively Nick Stowe makes Lewis. Email him and he will
model shops, a fabric based colours. purpose built combat tanks to post them to you. Be aware that
heat-sensitive adhesive shrink order. They are also available some of the commercial ones
material, quite strong but not as DOPE. Ask your model shop from Club Tamaran. If you available from balsa suppliers
strong as nylon. Or, alternatively to get it in stock for you, be want to make your own from do not have an ideal profile and
another Solarfilm product, prepared for a raised eyebrow tinplate or brass shim, then will need to be re-shaped.
Fibafilm has recently been or 2, or buy direct from Skycraft they need to be 75cc capacity
approved for use. It’s another in Spalding, excellent quality and a simple Uniflo wedge tank CONTROL HORNS. These can
heat shrink material, quite light glider dope. The company will arrangement with feed pipe be made from aluminium angle
but not as strong. Alternatively ship direct to you. to the rear outside corner and or bought commercially, see
clear film (mylar) covering is single vent to the front outside Club Tamaran or TechnoHobby
allowed in Vintage as long as TANKS. The modern equivalent corner work as well as anything. West, there are other suppliers.
you cover again with Litespan, of the Mustard tin is the Snuff Several flyers use glass fibre Don’t be tempted to use flimsy
Icarex or Ventex. Litespan is tin, large size - you can make or tinplate front feed tanks and control horns, they often get
a Solarfilm product, Ventex is good tanks from these items, occasionally offer them for sale damaged and if they get broken
available from various suppliers Stuart Vickers pioneered using but again Barton Forum or the in a bout it’s all over.
on eBay, this method is an these tins to make tanks and Facebook Combat group are
alternative to doping fabric but still uses them as do many the best place to look. All the BALSA, SPRUCE AND PLY.
you do have to cover the model others including myself. If .19 size motors will use 70-75cc If you order from the more
twice. you meet up with Stuart at a for a 4 minute bout with max specialised mail order firms like
For the Oliver combat class competition he’ll usually have warmup, Oliver 2.5’s use less, SLEC and Balsa Cabin you can
only, you can cover your models some completed tanks for sale so tanks for Oliver models can specify the grade of wood you
in film - Mylar, available from or alternatively I can supply 2 be smaller. need.
TechnoHobby West in the UK sizes of snuff tins so you can
is great but only comes as a make your own tanks. These PRE-FORMED LEADING LINES. There are a number
clear film, and also Solarfilm, are the easiest tanks to build EDGES. Most of the current of suppliers of suitable lines,
61

Competitive Control Line
A Shogun covered in Ripstop then finished with ‘Moggs’ Morris (designer of the Turncoat many Richard Herbert and Bob Payne pitting a Yeti for
dope. years ago) flying against John Allcock. Moggs.
make sure you check in the of this is that it de-sensitises isn’t likely to fly out of the box FINGER STALL. A flooded
rules that you are buying the the model; If you have a large when you run/jog/walk/wheeze .19 diesel can be a nasty
correct diameter. PAW sell handle and you only need to towards your team mates tempered little perisher. I use
a similar product to the old feed in small movements to grounded model. bike handlebar grips with the
Laystrate called Staystrate, achieve full elevator then you ends cut off but you can still buy
alternatively stainless steel lines may find your model busy doing LINE CLIPS. Use good quality proper ones.
are available from a number something in a different part of fishing snap links and shroud
of suppliers including Belair the circle to where you intended. them with silicon tube. An Building
and TechnoHobby West. The Read the rules about shrouding alternative to this is to have I won’t talk too much about
cheapest way to do it is to buy the lines with tubing so they piano wire hooks soldered on building models, there are some
a 500 foot reel and make your don’t catch on your opponent’s the end of your leadouts with excellent “How To’s” on the
own or you can buy readymade lines and also attach a wrist silicon tube as a keeper. CFA website but I will underline
combat lines from Technohobby strap which is essential. Handles some general guidelines. Firstly,
and Club Tamaran. Please can be bought from Belair, LEADOUTS. Either the heavy don’t get too obsessed with
be aware though with these TechnoHobby, Club Tamaran Staystrate from PAW, galvanised weight, modern engines have
readymade lines they are made and again Stuart Vickers sells steel cable from Cornwall Model loads of torque and pull a 16
for F2d Combat, which uses them at competitions. I made Boats (0.6mm dia) or 80lb or even 17 oz. model through
models of a greater span so mine from a bit of skirting board Coated conger trace from any manoeuvres easily. It’s very true
you need to make your leadouts and a bike spoke and I won’t angling shop. The first two are that a light model will fly better
longer to compensate. You’ll use anything else. solderable, the last one isn’t and but, it will almost certainly be
need a few sets because they requires crimps. weaker, on the other hand, no
do have a hard life. Don’t go into LINE REELS. Mike Waller model made from balsa will
a bout with badly curled lines, supplies these and also PUSHRODS. Bike spokes are survive a serious midair so it’s
they will develop kinks and TechnoHobby West and Belair. It fine and easier to use than pointless trying to eliminate the
break. I normally make them pays to compare prices. piano wire because they have a risk by building it super strong.
up 6 at a time. For a bout you handy stop on one end but you The model does need to survive
will need one set of lines on the PIT BOX. Either make a small can also use 3mm aluminium a hard ground hit though. The
model and one set on a reel in box with a handle or buy knitting needles which are a little centre rib needs to be rigid, I
your pit box in case you get a something suitable. It doesn’t more rigid. use medium ½ balsa and cap
break. Which brings me on to need to be huge because there it top and bottom with 1/16”
Handles. is a limit to what you need to FUEL TUBING. PAW sell two ply tapered toward the back.
carry: 2 or 3 spare props, a sizes, the smaller one is ideal for The centre rib is where all the
HANDLES. Loads of choice spare set of lines and handle, smaller diameter NVA like the stress and vibration occur so
here and I would try a few to see basic tools including prop JO.19. Mick Lewis sells Tygon. don’t skimp on it. Importantly
what suits you best. Most flyers spanner. knife, screwdriver, hex Make sure it’s a tight fit on both engine bearers always need to
tend to use a close coupled wrench, nut spinner, scissors, ends and use an inline filter. be anchored with a dowel and
handle, this means that as long sellotape or Ripstop tape (eBay) one of the dowels should pass
as you have set the elevator for repairs and your (full) fuel CRASH HAT. Anything with a through the bellcrank mount.
gearing on your model to match, bottle, some spare bits of fuel chin strap. Try it on and have a They should be epoxied on and
you will need to make quite tube, a sharp knife a cuddly toy look in a mirror before you turn cheap epoxy is usually a false
exaggerated hand movements and a fondue set. Make sure up in it, trust me on this. economy. Also, keep the weight
to move the elevator. The idea everything can be seen and off the back of the model and

Tony Cookson and Roger Fisher fight it out. At Action! Pirana XL versus Supermonger. These basic practice models are light so that they
first you will want to practice with your handles still perform with a silenced 2.5cc glow.
closer together to ensure alignment for cuts.
make sure the CG (Centre of or as little time finishing and people drill 2 sets of engine previous trimming advice and
Gravity) is where it should be. If decorating the model as you like mounting holes in the pod about I’ve managed to make it sound
the plan has no reference to CG but it will need the model name 5mm apart so they can do this considerably more complicated
(most don’t) start at 37mm from and year printed somewhere easily) or add weight to the front than it really is. Most of the time
the front of the leading edge and on its upper surface and your of the model, 2p pieces drilled the model will fly ‘off the board’
fly it, most models will be ok at BMFA number. There are some and screwed securely to the and will just need small obvious
this setting and you can trim out there that just write it on bearers work. tweaks to get it where you
them from there. with a felt tip pen. Just lazy Are the inside and outside want it.
Covering with nylon can and really… manoeuvres the same size? If
will induce twists into most they’re not and you can’t fix it Practice
airframes. You need to eliminate Flying & Trimming by altering the pushrod, check Before attending your first
these before you attempt to fly Test fly and trim all your models the engine is dead straight, if competition I would strongly
the model. Check for twists by before turning up. Different it’s pointing slightly up or down advise getting some combat
holding the model at eye level people trim their models in this will be the cause. Is the practice. Sure you need to
looking at the back and note different ways so there is no line tension OK? Tipweight can test and trim your newly built/
where the twists are. Use a right or wrong way to do it. help but is the model is flying bought models, get the engines
heat gun and twist the airframe For instance, I have flown a with one wing up or down set as closely as you can and
against the warp. They will few of the top flyers models then it has a warp and it needs generally get used to how they
come straight. If the covering and they’re usually completely removing. Are the manoeuvres fly, this can be done solo, but
is ripstop they may creep in different. I vividly remember as tight as the model is capable I’m talking about two in a circle
again over time but Koverall flying one of Mick Tiernans of? Normally the best way to proper combat practice. This
and Diatex normally stay put. Yeti’s. I couldn’t control it, the determine this, once the stability is one of the main reasons to
Fuel proofing is worth talking CG was way too far back for is set to suit you, is to increase find flyers within a reasonable
about. If you cover in Solartex/ me, I couldn’t even fly it straight the elevator movement until the travelling distance so you can
Fibafilm or Mylar/Litespan you and level. But Mick could and model begins to stall (shudder) join them on their practice
don’t need to apply fuel proofing that’s what matters. Mick Lewis through consecutive tight turns, days. Most flyers use 2nd string
because it already is. However, on the other hand has stable then reduce the movement gear for practice, repaired
if you are covering in Ripstop/ models but the control gearing slightly. This can be done by models from previous seasons,
Koverall or Diatex, then you is very high, a tiny movement on moving the pushrod up a hole older motors that they have
probably will. I say probably, the handle meant big elevator or putting a thin plywood shim accumulated over the years or
because if you use Nitrate movement - again, I couldn’t underneath the control horn. are no longer competitive. If
dope from Skycraft, then this fly his model comfortably. Ideally the model will fly equal you followed my advice in the
product is fuel proof - IF you What you are looking for is an size manoeuvres on full up earlier part and sought out an
thin it with the proper thinners acceptable level of stability and or down elevator. When test ex-competition PAW .19 from
from Skycraft, then it is still fuel manoeuvrability for yourself, i.e. flying imagine chasing another one of your fellow competitors,
proof but, if you thin it with any how easy the model is to fly in a model, try steering large and you now have a great practice
other thinners, the chances are straight line and how well does small manoeuvres, high and motor.
it won’t be fuel proof and will it recover from a manoeuvre? low, downwind and upwind; In our case in the Lincolnshire
need fuel proofing with Ronseal If the model is unstable then how does it feel? Are you area, one of the sites we have
Hardglaze or Yacht varnish. probably the CG is too far back, comfortable with it? Great, that’s is noise sensitive, so we have
Go easy because varnish is move forward by either moving exactly what you want. decided to limit our practice
heavy. You can spend as much the engine forward (some I’ve just read through all that sessions on this location to
63

Resource sites
Competitive Control Line Combat Flyers Association

www.combatflyers.co.uk
Barton Forum
silenced 2.5cc motors because this usually results sizes. This manoeuvre will www.controlline.org.uk
which are considerably less in unnecessary midairs and serve you well and you will
Facebook, search for
noisy that the two .19’s at carnage. see it flown in most bouts. ‘UK Control Line Combat’
full tilt. Because the 2.5’s So, my suggestion is to Practicing combat is easily
are down on power from the enter the circle with your as much fun as flying in a SUPPLIERS
.19 I built some cheap film colleague at the practice competition, do it as often
session and start by both as you get the chance and LINES & REELS
covered models to use so
that everyone had similar flyers flying straight and your supply of expendable PAW
performance. To add some level, and trying to close models lasts. www.eifflaender.com 01625 423891
interest we’ve devised a the gap by doing the odd
winter league among us with shallow wingover and Get Involved TechnoHobby West
coming up under your [email protected]
a trophy for the winner. Not So, there is some food
much of a trophy admittedly opponent’s streamer and for thought. As I said at Mick Lewis
but a trophy nonetheless. taking a cut whilst climbing. the beginning, Vintage mick@combatflyers.co.uk
Practice sessions are Talk to your opponent all Combat is thriving at
normally discussed on the the time so you can both the moment - the main Belair Models
avoid sudden manoeuvres. www.belairkits.com
Facebook page up and reasons it is thriving are
down the country and new This will also illustrate the because it is well run, the Mike Waller
flyers are always welcomed. importance of holding your equipment is relatively [email protected]
As I am writing the Mike handle close to his, because easy to get hold of, and
Waller and Mark Legg are your prop is only 8 inches it doesn’t require huge HANDLES
organising a get together diameter, remember. Spend technical knowledge.
Belair Models
at Scratchwood just north some time with this, try to Last but not least it’s www.belairkits.com
of London, again, all are learn where you have to simply great fun. If you’re
welcome. be in the circle to make interested there really is Club Tamaran
Flying combat is basically a cut. When you become no time like the present, [email protected]
following your opponent’s confident the next step is we have a great season of
Technohobby West
streamer doggedly, closing to learn to fly consecutive competitions scheduled [email protected]
the gap little by little, cutting figure eights whilst following for 2017 with some
a corner here and there and or being followed. Do not exciting new venues. I Aerohobby
taking as many small cuts fly ‘lazy’ eights because this hope you come and join www.aerohobby.ca
as you can without allowing will result in line tangles, us. And remember the
TANKS
your opponent to cut your perform the manoeuvre by golden rule, if you’re
own streamer, and avoiding climbing then doing the first involved in a midair, it is Club Tamaran Parra T4
hitting the ground. Dead half of a bunt, climb and always your opponents [email protected]
easy, right? It is NOT flying then perform the second fault. See you in the circle.
half of a loop and repeat. Nick Stowe
random manoeuvres in ●
[email protected]
the hope that one of them Practice this manoeuvre,
will result in a lucky cut learn to do them in all Tim Hobbins (Snuff Tins)
tim.hobbins@btinternet
Recent practice day on Lincoln Common. We used silenced AP.15 COVERING & DOPE
glows to keep the noise levels right down.
Solarfilm
www.solarfilm.co.uk
Pegasus Models Norwich

www.pegasusmodels.co.uk
Skycraft
www.sky-craft.co.uk

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AM041 p65 BUYERS GUIDE.indd 1 27/02/2017 10:23

Tail End Charlie
New Light through Old Airframes Derek Foxwell’s LiPo totes – finished.
Another Simple Idea … immediately realise they were for a similar

Is the ‘battery caddy’ designed by Derek size but actually quite different Flea! Whilst I
Foxwell of ‘Old School Model Aeroplane’ don’t really need the instructions for this one, if
(0208 647 1033) fame. He makes a simple anyone finds them on line somewhere please
precut ply kit which removes the temptation to let me know!
simply “stuff LiPos in your pocket” when off for
some gentle flying. You can also carry those Facebook
essential spare props, wing bands and the For those of you on Facebook, Barry Lewis
like (even ‘balsa cement’ if you have any!) and recently started a small group called ‘Vintage Derek Foxwell with his Chatterbox.
almost get back to the old days of going to the Model Planes’.
field with just a “Mills powered Tomboy some It already has contributors from across the
rubber bands and a can of diesel fuel”. Derek globe. I was particularly impressed by the
said: work of ‘Rodrigo Londrina’ from Brazil. Take
“I originally made the box just for my own use a look at this for an airframe! I think it is a KZ
with 5 batteries and a couple of spare props. Sokol. Wish I could build like that.
It gives you a good day out flying especially if
you have to walk a long way from the car park Build a model, make a
to the flying site. The first prototype I used Lite friend for life!
ply, this was a disaster. Cutting Lite ply on the Once again the ‘Horfield Boys’ group of
laser just ends up like kindling for the bar-be- aeromodellers had their annual reunion lunch
cue black as your grannies hat. So I have used in January and a great time was had by all. A
The Banggood Flea Kit - If only I had the
resin ply, although there is some scorching, few days later what should I find on Facebook instructions!
this easily rubs off. Anyhow to cut a long story but the oldest picture I have ever seen of three
short, James Parry was out with me flying and of us together. Someone I haven’t seen in over
loved the box and subsequently I have supplied 50 years posted it together with the names
over a dozen to the club.” of most of the pupils. Miss Harpers class at
I got one of each size and as you would Upper Horfield School in Bristol. I am sitting
expect the parts slide perfectly together. I was on the ground second from the left in the front
very tempted to leave out one of the dividers row whilst Ken Sheppard and Steve Harvey are
from the larger one to accommodate a can standing in the back row with Steve second
of diesel fuel, but not having a can handy I from left and Ken third. Amazing to think
wasn’t sure it would be quite large enough so that simply because we build and fly model Rodrigo Londrina’s beautiful Sokol airframe
built them both ‘to plan’! An hour’s work in the aeroplanes, we have all kept in touch for over
kitchen with some fine sandpaper and aliphatic 60 years despite each of us moving around
resin had them assembled. After a couple of Europe to different jobs during that time.
coats of ‘spare’ varnish to waterproof them
they were finished. Bunnings
Under a tenner each plus P&P is a small Bunnings is a big Australian company (an
price to pay to avoid the consequences of a up market B&Q) who have recently taken
LiPo exploding in your pocket! Even better, over Homebase in the UK. With the ongoing
order it along with one of his lovely model kits demise of the local model shop, this might
to minimise total P&P! be good news for aeromodellers as Bunnings
Australian stores carry a good stock of good
Yet More Projects quality balsa wood. Perhaps we should all be The Horfield Boys 2016 Reunion.
Despite making a New Year’s resolution not to subtly lobbying Homebase by visiting our local
start anymore projects till a few stalled ones are store each week and asking “Which aisle is the
finished, I promptly ordered two small kits in balsa in please?” It could just work!
early January; well it is too cold to build outside In the meantime, please keep on sending
and I wanted something I could easily work me your comments complaints, pictures and
on in the kitchen. One is a lovely little Flying anecdotes; either via the editorial offices or
Flea kit from Banggood in China. - see www. direct to me at [email protected] ●
banggood.com search for Flea Balsawood.
It’s a very nicely produced precision kit but
like many current kits, there are no instructions
supplied. So naturally I downloaded them By Chris Ottewell
from the Banggood web-site. Sadly, I did not Ken Sheppard, Steve Harvey, Chris Ottewell
and friends in about 1953!
p66 TEC 041.indd 1 27/02/2017 10:10

www.bamopro.co.uk
We trade in all types of model engines ancient to modern!
IN STOCK NOW!
0.25cc TBR TINY TIGER
COMING SOON!
0.35cc TBR MINI ETA 15
Our book the “Olivers and a Tiger” soft back still available at
£25 plus £5 p&p (UK only).
Always wanting model cars, engines and collections.
Please call and ask for Paul:

01283 713715 or email [email protected]
AM041 IBC.indd 1 27/02/2017 10:32

Choose a Belair Vintage
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P.S. Genuine Veron plans are still available from Colin Smith - son of the renowned Veron designer Phil Smith ([email protected])
veronbelairadvert.indd 1 23/02/2017 19:11

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FREE FLIGHT ● CONTROL LINE ● RADIO-ASSISTED FREE PLAN: PISCEOCOPTER TAIL WAGGER

● ERIC FEARNLEY ● PREPARE TO WIN ● FF SCALE…

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08 OFF THE SHELF

20 GIVE CAD A CHANCE

24 A WALK IN THE PARK

26 BETTER… HABITS – FIELD

CONTENTS 041.indd 1 27/02/2017 09:37

4 AeroModeller - April 2017

HANGAR DOORS 041.indd 2 27/02/2017 09:38

Steve Webb and his sister Ann-Louise

BRUMFLY 2017 – BMFA, SCALE, SAM 35 AND SPORTS FF

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MARCH 26 March 9 April MAY

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Belair Kits Thunderbird CL

The iconic Thunderbird is

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12 AeroModeller - April 2017

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14 AeroModeller - April 2017

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16 AeroModeller - April 2017

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18 AeroModeller - April 2017

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Give CAD a Chance

20 AeroModeller - April 2017

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