Richard Haynes 1

Thought 1... the plan and parts available from Sarik seem to have abandoned Whittaker's original semi-semi-symetrical wing form; ergo the build instructions for the wing in the magazine needs approaching with caution because the wing does NOT have any flat bottomed section and if you try it the lower ribs will settle proud of the wing ribs... I fell into this trap: loads of work to fix with a Dremel router and NOT for the fainthearted. Packing up the lower wing ribs may be the best solution. Thought 2... the sharp angles of the fuselage sides, even with a Slec fuselage jig, may be problematic. If you try to bend them you will run into trouble if the sides are of different stiffnesses, as mine were, tending to distort the fuselage even if forced into line by the jig. I had to saw the sides off my fuselage and start again. A better solution is to the cut through the fuselage at the bend lines to ease the bend AND possibly to use water to loosen the wood. The kerf line, and my preference is for interior ones are then flooded with thin CA. Ideally you want the fuselage to sit at the fuselage-side-angles dry and with no force or guidance. I'll be trying for that on my next fuselage which I'll start when the wood comes from Sarik.

Petrol... I' did look into this BUT the OS GT15 is the largest engine that would really fit. An OS GT22 is 2-300g heavier than the Saito/Yamada solution as well as being too wide and too long without completely re-designing the engine bay and possibly having to beef up the UC. My research suggested that the OS GT15 might not have the power for the vertical up-lines.

I realise that this has been discussed before, but often rather far back in time. So... these days how would you good guys rate, for example, a Yamada FZ115s against a Saito FA125a. In the UK the Yamada is £395 and the Saito lowest price £270-£300. My application issues are, as usual, size, weight, vibration, power output, and reliability. I don't mind the extra cost if it's worth it. The intention is to use it for a classic F3A aerobat weighing around 7lbs from the late 90s and the aircraft will need unlimited vertical and some degree of air braking on the way down, which is why I'm thinking weight might be an issue. Also, I do love the sound of a nice engine.

I think this is an excellent idea. I will definitely be joining in.

I've just got one of these and am still building it. Currently oscillating between a Turnigy Aerodrive SK3 3536-840 and a Turnigy G32 600kv motor with a Turnigy 60amp Plush, and prop s11.5x6 for the one, and 14x7(15x8) for the other, wanting to use 4s 4000mah lipos. Tail weight NOT being an issue with this model, I put Hitec HS82-MGs on the tail, shaving away the extra c.2mm depth that I needed with a Dremel router, and HS65-MGs in the wings. The carbon pushrods seem a bit dodgy. I am NOT building it as a primary trainer. The steerable nose-wheel servo position is... well, stupid I would have to say. I put mine very happily under the battery tray where it is easy to get to. Beginners to this kind of kit, like I was, must beware of too completely trusting the apparent excellence of a kit like this. So,... I had some alignment issues... I'm going to leave them be. Everything fits so perfectly that one assumes it must all be correct, but on my example, it wasn't, not quite. Wingtips to horizontal stabilisers not quite equal, I'm hoping that no one will notice.