Building Techniques

David Watson converts a pusher prop powered jet style model into EDF by employing 3D printed components. During the 2020 lockdown I converted an established model design, Pushy Cat, from pusher-prop to EDF using own designed and printed 3D components. As an introduction to 3D printing, it was an excellent project. It even resulted in…

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My splicing gear. Alex Whittaker looks at some simple sheet balsa wood working techniques. Perversely, although the flying field is open, the wind is light and the sun is shining, I have been back at my bench. As usual, instead of finishing the almost completed model in hand, I suffered a rush of blood to…

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Danny Fenton concludes his build of a DB Sport & Scale semi scale kit. I used a hinging technique that I first saw Brian Taylor use. I am sure it has been around since before that, but it produces a beautifully accurate, precise and free moving hinge, with the bonus that the piano wire hinge…

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DB Sport & Scale Auster, purchased from a fellow modeller from an advert in RCM&E. Danny Fenton describes his build of a DB Sport & Scale semi scale kit Regular ‘Make It Scale’ readers may recall that I had purchased a DB Sport & Scale Auster Autocrat from an advert in RCM&E. The remit was…

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Each time you assemble your favourite ARTF it’s a good idea to check for wear and tear on the servo leads, especially where the wires crimp into the plug. If the wires are starting to break, then it’s time to replace the whole plug. You could make new crimps but it’s easier to solder on…

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Cull some fibres from an illuminated toy and glue both ends into some cut off tubing to make your Optic Fibre Rx Light. Paul Cox reveals a simple way to bring your receiver status light to the fore Knowing that your transmitter is solidly bound with your model’s receiver can be a concern if the…

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Joe’s first attempt at building a traditional scale model using Depron was this Chipunk based on the Dennis Bryant plan. Joe Collicutt describes his finely tuned method of building from plans using Depron rather than balsa. Lots of people have become used to using Depron sheet as a building material in the past decade or…

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Back in the old days, many plans had a materials list included on the drawing – and it’s been suggested that it would be good to reintroduce the idea. However, even if future plans do incorporate such a list there are thousands of old ones that don’t, leaving the builder to work out what materials…

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My beloved, ageing 72” span Harvard, built more than fifteen years ago from a Flair kit, hit the ground like a dropped jigsaw. We’d been through a great deal together over the years…balmy summer evenings, winter snow… just watching her parting the early morning mists of autumn as she left the runway was pure aeromodelling…

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Anyone researching electric flight for the first time can’t help but notice the advice to buy a wattmeter which appears in so many magazine articles and forum posts aimed at beginners. Let’s look at what they do.    Quite simply a wattmeter is an electrical measuring instrument that is connected within a DC electrical circuit…

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