ChrisH

Thanks to all esp. Martin - that link to "internet way back machine" was very interesting. Anyway, have found, somehow, don't quite know how, the link I was looking for, its to the "rc-airplane-world.com" site where the book I was looking for is to be found " The Beginner's Guide to Flying RC Airplanes". So happy now!! Chris

I am too old a dog to learn new tricks but still have an enquiring mind! On the old website, on the 'home' page I suppose it was, there was a link, or a link to a link, where someone was selling an ebook, for £9.99 I believe, I know you paid and then got the OK to download, to a guy selling a book of basically teach yourself flying. I used to see it each time on the old site but never took the step to buying. Now on the new website I can't find it to save my life. Anyone remember what I am talking about and thus able to point me in the right direction? As I said, I am not going to actually fly a model plane, but it would be nice to learn about it! Thanks, Chris

Thanks Guys, problem solved - perfect. A 1/4 scale B52, now that would be some model ! Chris

I can find any number of threads on here regarding materials to be used as building boards, and am indeed using a plywood base with a plasterboard topping as recommended by numerous postees, but no-one seems to list what they use as a non-stick transparent cover for the board. I have seen suggested somewhere kitchen greaseproof paper, but is that wide enough and clear enough I wonder (we currently don't have any to check!). But it seems like some sort of plastic sheeting would do, but what to buy, in a roll wide enough, and at a cheap enough price (as it's presumably a disposable item? ( I presume the sheet needs to be wide enough to cover in one as a joint down the middle would not be good, I wouldn't have thought). What do folks use? Chris

Thanks for the replies Guys. At present I don't use anything as I haven't got a running engine! However, the query arose in my mind of the use of an oil to 'wet' a dry engine before running, and perhaps after when laying up an engine for a period, and as a lot of glow fuels seem to have some % of castor oil it seems a pretty safe oil to squirt around, going back a long way. Then it seemed that it wasn't as available in chemists as it used to be, or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong place. It wasn't a 'should I use castor oil instead of synthetic' question, more a 'could I use....' type question, pure curiosity! But thanks for the replies, very interesting. Chris

They say no question is a stupid question if you don't know the answer, so here's another question! Is there any difference, or what is the difference, between Castor Oil that is used as an engine lub and castor oil that is used for cosmetic use as sold by health shops and chemists etc.? Another way of putting the question is if I buy castor oil from the chemist/health shop is it OK to use as engine lub?! Chris

Thanks for those two excellent suggestions. Plasterboard I had masses of off-cuts of, thought "won't need these anymore" and sent them to the tip! Typical! But that is one very good idea. The Sundeala board is also available from some model shops, also maybe even office suppliers, so will look out for that too.   Having said that, plaster board is cheap as chips and easily available and with the edges sealed with tape................ sorted! Thanks again, Chris   Edited By ChrisH on 14/01/2017 16:36:51

I have a wooden build board on which to build model aircraft which I would like to cover with an inexpensive more "pin friendly" material - the board is so hard that pins often bend rather than stick in, and sticking them in is very difficult. I wondered what other folk use? I had thought of cork sheet, but that is expensive, or hardboard, but that might be too hard still. My latest thought was perhaps 1/4 inch thick balsa sheet - would the 'hard' grade be hard enough? Or what other materials have people used to good effect that are not too costly? Chris

onetenor - yes the piston runs inside the sleeve. The engine is a 4 stroke, so the sleeve moves at half engine (piston) speed. I can see I am going to have to post some more info about the engine on here later. I will try and photograph the GA drawing and post it later, but it is not very clear drawing I'm afraid so if I cannot get a clear pic I won't post it. Just watching the news following the Ref having been up a couple of hours so it will be later as I am now a bit tired!!

Ernie - we have a place in Central Brittany quite close to Callac. We are just under an hour from the ferry port of Roscoff, when I can persuade my wife to take that crossing, and generally an hour from the North coast and under two hours from the South coast. Chris

Thanks to all for the very friendly welcome and good advice. For those interested in the sleeve valve glow engine it's still early days with just a few bits made but I will respond in more detail with pictures when I am further down the line. The cylinder barrel is aluminium, in which there is a CI liner, and inside the liner a steel sleeve moves up and down driven by a couple of gears. The plans date from 1988 I think and there was a casting available then for the crankcase. However, I have a cube of aluminium in which hopefully there is a crankcase just waiting to be revealed to the world. I actually did make one already, but then tried to be a clever dick and tart it up to make it look pretty and promptly loused it up, so another cube has been bought! I will put the sleeve valve engine on a new thread when I do go public, but don't hold your breath for the moment! Chris

kc - thanks for that info. I know the plans for the Peyret do state what grade balsa to use and where, which was news to me at the time as I in my ignorance had assumed balsa is balsa, end of. Lesson, never assume anything! I note with the Chapter One plane a wood pack or packs can be purchased along with the plans and an accessory pack which would seem to make sense first time around certainly. Chris

Geoff - actually we are more to the North of Brittany, the Loire Valley is quite a way from us. Nice area though - got a lot of very good red, white and rosè from a place down there!

KC - looks like I have another plane and engine to build on the list!

Hi - To explain further, I am a relative newbie to model engineering in that it is only in the last few years since I retired that I have been able to kit out a workshop with a lathe and mill/drill etc. But I have been in engineering all my life so the machining part was really refreshing and updating/upgrading old skills. With respect to model flying and model planes I am a complete newbie. I am having to read all I can (is there a good book that explains everything out there?) to try and understand the hobby. RC and what is required and what does what there is just a big black hole at the moment, there is an awful lot to learn it seems. I intended to try and build the Peyret not as a plane to learn to fly on,or even to definitely fly later, but more a project to while the hours away whilst we are in our place in France - we spend 4/5 months of the year over there. Don't get excited, it's not some South of France exotic hideaway in the sun, just a modest place in Brittany so the weather is much like here in the SouthWest. But its peaceful, and quiet, and uncrowded, one can totally relax. If I do decide to learn to fly, and why not, then I intend to first join a club, get advice there on a trainer to buy and learn on and then learn with a 'tutor' to help. I hope. That's the plan! Then I will try and build a model that my engine can power, or maybe just buy an engine that will do the job. All very much to be decided come the day. Assuming I am still around to do it!! My engines being built are a single cylinder sleeve valve engine being built because of my interest in sleeve valve engines, this is being built using just stock, no castings, from original plans, and completing a part built 3 cylinder radial engine whose original builder unfortunately died, and for which I am having to draw up plans and design half of the workings as the engine came 'sans' plans! If both engines just run I'lll be more than happy, if they eventually fly that would be a real bonus. I am very appreciative of all the advice given here to push me in the right direction, I do take careful note, many thanks. And from just studying the plans I have seen the Peyret is not a straightforward build! Chris