Graham Davies 3

Just to whet your collective appetite; this is my WR Tempest. It was my first warbird, and Richard talked me through the process. It flies great and has notched up well over 100 flights. Initially it flew on fixed undercarriage; later retrofitted with mechanical retracts. Powered by a 560kv 4250 motor on 4S 3700 packs; I get scale like performance and 7+ minute flights...

Hi Outrunner, I have a load of R88 receivers and I don't think I've had any SERIOUS issues, I do get lots of RSSI warnings. Mike at HobbyRC recommended against these, which is a shame as they represent great value. Not so great if you lose a model though! I do worry bout range with them, and given recent issues, am not keen to use them. However, I do also accept that if I get a positive result on the R88s, I know that any low output issues were as a result of the firmware, so I may give one a go and see how they compare. Edgeflyer, there's nothing worse than losing faith in your gear, is there? What module did you go for, and what receivers do you use? I am interested to try this as it means I retain all the good stuff from the TX16. Graham

Quick update: Managed to get a couple of flights in today before my thumbs froze. Since last time: Brand new FrSky X8R receiver Updated EdgeTX software Updated RF Module firmware RSSi indictor added to my front page. reads around 85dB when I'm ready to take off... Range checking today got a comfortable 45 paces at better than 35dB. Enough to be confident to commit aviation. Two flights before I froze with no problems, or low RF reports. There's a slow rebuilding of confidence, but today went a long way. I will try the Radiomaster receivers at some point because I still can't believe they have no use at all. Graham

Everything is possible. I have some 25mm sheets that protected my fridge when it was delivered. I laminated a few thicknesses and made cowls for several models from it!

Arthur, all the info you need is in this thread. It's a long read, but worthwhile...

If you're thinking of doing one of those, I strongly suggest you join this particular party. I've experience of both, and can say with total confidence that these kits from Richard will do all the Cambrian ones can, but are easier to build and fly better...

Upgrade my 'I think' to an 'it is'...

Very light Bas. 24g I think. Seems to be working well. I'll let you know how it finishes.

Some way into my latest foam build; 74" (1/6 scale) spitfire Mk1. Some balsa in this build, mostly for hinge points. The wings have 6mm square pine spars from B&Q. Some ply where I need strength, and fresh air where I don't! Glass clothed, applied with B&Q water based varnish. Works a treat, is light, dead easy to do and provides a tough finish to the foam. Graham

If you can find it, it's not up to much.... "I didn't see you in Camo training today, Bates" "Why thank you sir"...

I'm easy Richard. Or so my wife tells me...

Thanks Peter, Yes, I understand both the complexity in accurately diagnosing a fault, and also in repairing it. Also, the last thing I want to do is to put doubt in the minds of current TX16 users as I am aware that many, many things could be contributing to the issues I see, including the user! One problem I have is that we build up our confidence in our gear from a number of good experiences. It is only when something goes wrong that we can then start to analyse the clues we have. In some cases, things we see only seem a problem after the event (such as a range check that gets to 25 paces; this all seems very unscientific to me!). I'm now in the opposite position where I need some evidence to restore my confidence. A service from a skilled and qualified engineer would go a long way towards that, Graham

Just updated: EdgeTX: V2.9.2 Module: V1.3.3.33 AETR Graham

Found a way! With the Radiomaster R88 receiver fine tuned on D8, I get 74 to 81 dB at 5ft; both receiver antennae parallel to the TX antenna. Same test with a brand new FrSky X8R gets 76 to 84dB. That's a fair chunk less... Graham

Mike, this is great; actual numbers! Unfortunately, I don't know how to view RSSI values at full power. I see them in range check mode, but extensive fiddling hasn't revealed how to access them otherwise Graham

I thought about that Frank. It's a way to utilise an alternative RF path. Do you know what modules/ receiver combos they use? Graham

Hi Frank, Possibly, and I had thought of that as it is one of the few ways to do a direct A/B comparison. Arranging it may present challenges though! Latest update though is that Mike at HobbyRC has offered to send a replacement RF board and Antenna. This is a kind gesture, and I suspect this section of the circuitry. I will report back... Graham

Good idea Matty. I have set up the logs; I'll do a load of range checks and send off the logs.

Thanks Andy, I will check

Afternoon all, as of this afternoon, the TX16S will not see further use unless I can be convinced that it is functioning to spec. The problem reported back in June last year has never been fully resolved, and the last 2 sessions have seen serious range issues" Back in October my beloved Tempest went in hard on the corner of our strip after going into failsafe at low altitude. Amazingly despite the impact, it will be repairable, but it will not look as good as it has for the last 3 years and 200 flights. This was using a Jumper receiver (with PCB antennae). As it went in on the strip, it was no more than 100m from me. The same day and after the crash, I range tested the other model I had with me that I had flown once that day already, that was fitted with a Radiomaster R88, and could not get more than 15 paces of range. Both receivers were fine tuned. I decided to call it a day and went home to mourn the Tempest.. Today was the first chance to get out since, and I took the model that had the range issues. Again, in range check mode only 15 or so paces. Reset the antennae so they were outside the fuse, at 90 degrees to each other. No change. I happened to have a DSMX clone, so fitted that and checked range. Seemed OK at over 30 paces. In the air after a minute or so I repeatedly lost control with the model going into failsafe for a second or so. It did this maybe 3 or 4 times. I managed to level the wings and cut the throttle to let it glide in off the strip with the resulting damage to the undercarriage. Again, this happened at less than 100ft altitude, and within the strip, so no great range. Those are the symptoms. What's the cause? I can't accept that 4 different brands of receiver all exhibit limited range, clone or otherwise. I can't accept it is related to power delivery, as this problem has been present on every model I've used the TX16 with. To me, it seems that the output is weak. I have asked HobbyRC to take action, but is there anything I can do to check the RF output? As it stands, I have no confidence in the gear, and am at a loss as to what to do for the best. Graham

OK Richard, to show solidarity and to spread the word, put me down for an FW190. I've already got a Tempest... Graham

Is it OK to admit to fancying Lamb Chop? No? Thought not. As you were....

+1 for the excellence. I had several of these powered by anything from an Irvine 20 to an Enya 40. They fly really well. Also +1 for the Ohmen. Didier's flying is fabulous, and really shows what this model can do. You might also want to look at Peter Miller's Ballerina. It's the size you are looking for, but you'll need to build it very light for it to sparkle with the 30FS Peggy Sue is also a good choice. I have Peter's model and it's a great airplane. I think Peggy Sue 2 is the smaller one and would probably suit the 30FS better. Graham

Lots and lots of stuff on here from various members who are really pushing the boundaries with what is possible using various foam products. I'm currently building a 1/6 scale Mk1 spitfire with flaps and retracts using the black laminate flooring underlay from B&Q. £28 for a massive pack. I have used the white Diall stuff too in both 3mm and 6mm. I don't use much foamboard now as it is heavier and the paper doesn't add a lot if you think carefully about the structure. For glue, UHU Por is good, used thinly and as a contact adhesive. I also use aliphatic resin, but it takes a lot longer to go off compared to using it on wood. Hot melt glue is also hand in certain situations, but is heavy. The Flitetest website is a good place to start as it gives you lots of techniques and ideas. However, I never liked the 'lobster tail' appearance of the models so use different techniques that for me give better results. The materials are soft, so be careful handling them, and think about covering. I have used laminating film (not easy to apply to foam as you can't use too much heat, and need light pressure), brown paper and PVA which woks well, particularly when using a coat or two of water based varnish to give it a tougher 'shell', and the spitfire will be glass clothed using water based EZ coat. Models are generally lighter, but you need to think carefully about the structure or they either end up weak in key areas (undercarriage!) or heavy. Eric, Martin Collins1 and others (including myself) I am sure would happily share the ideas they have used. Here's a few of my foam squadron as an appetiser... Graham

Could use the perforations for rivet lines....