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Everything posted by Piers Bowlan
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I live in the Dorset so I can’t help you unfortunately. What I would say is so much of public open spaces have bye-laws affecting them these days. Also National Trust, Forrestry Commission land and many national parks are not model aircraft friendly sadly. Your best bet is to politely ask a local farmer for permission…but good luck with that! Not all clubs are the same so I suggest you visit two or three. Most are kindred spirits so generally want to make you feel welcome. It is human nature to be wary of newcomers to some degree however. Flying sites are hard to come by and easily lost if people get on the wrong side of the landowner. The club I recently joined is very friendly and any rules are just common sense. Good luck in your quest to find somewhere to fly and welcome to the forum by the way.
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Very sad news indeed. Good luck for the future Jon and thank you for all the sage advice you have imparted to the forum over the years.
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I don’t have any 800mAh LiPos but plenty of 1350mAh batteries. I am concerned about the wing loading with the larger heavier battery (130g) as it might spoil the low speed handling. Perhaps a 10% or 15% plan enlargement might be the answer?
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Warbirds Replicas Hawker Tempest V -Mass Build 2024(part two) .
Piers Bowlan replied to RICHARD WILLS's topic in Warbird kits
The way to build a Fury is to persuade Richard to make it his next kit, after the Tempests are all sold and the (balsa) dust has settled. Put me down for one by the way (preferably bigger😊) -
Thanks for the explanation Shawn, makes a bit more sense (I think? 🤔)
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I’ve had a stroke at age44 last week!
Piers Bowlan replied to MattyB's topic in Why Not Say Hello....
So sorry to hear this Matty. Get well soon. -
Beginner kit recommendations
Piers Bowlan replied to Hoochykins's topic in Scale and Semi-Scale kits
From my previous post….For ‘Challenger’ read Caprice! Ops! -
Beginner kit recommendations
Piers Bowlan replied to Hoochykins's topic in Scale and Semi-Scale kits
Rich beat me to it! The Sonata is a classic glider kit now with laser cut parts and originally powered with a speed 400 brushed motor. Now much better performance with a brushless motor and LiPo. It is for three Chanel’s; Rudder Elevator and throttle which keeps the wing build simple. Another classic also available from The Balsa Cabin is the Keilcraft Challenger a 51 in span free flight glider although most people fit lightweight radio control. Quite simple to fit a small motor upfront too. -
I bought a 2.3m FMS Fox e-glider recently after I wrote off my original version from Hobby King some years ago. The V1 needed quite a bit of fettling to get it right but my new V2 arrives sorted and is a brilliant flier. The wing platform on the Minimoa Frank is similar to the Bird of Time. But I have gone off topic and the mods will be after me!
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Beginner kit recommendations
Piers Bowlan replied to Hoochykins's topic in Scale and Semi-Scale kits
Thanks, you’re right, it is a Hawker Tempest. In fairness it was rather early in the morning for me, even if I have my name down for one! The answer to your question Grumpy is at the end of Houch’s last post. -
Beginner kit recommendations
Piers Bowlan replied to Hoochykins's topic in Scale and Semi-Scale kits
Hi Hooch. Have you looked at Ron Gray's VLOG on the Warbird Replica FW190? If not you may find it useful. I think the model is probably sold out as they are produced in batches but you never know. Richard is soon to bring out a Hawker Typhoon and the construction and building techniques are pretty much the same. You could put your name down for one of the kits for when they become available but watch Ron’s Videos in the meantime. -
The HK vampire slopes really well too. Stuart did a HK video flying some of their ‘scale’ models from The Dragons Back in Hong Kong, including their Vampire. I have flown from this great site too but with my folding ‘suitcaseable’ Zagi. Avoid landing out though -snakes! I have sloped my Vampire in the UK, using the EDF occasionally for some spirited ‘strafing runs’ along the South Downs. Fun!
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PM sent 👍👍
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I don’t have a 3D printer, perhaps I should, but I thought the original foam cheater inlet didn’t look very efficient. I might try a louvred inlet made of light ply as an alternative since you have found your printed one to yeald good results.
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Wight Crusader v Maricardo v Aerobat
Piers Bowlan replied to kc's topic in Building from Traditional Kits and Plans
I retired six years ago and what with two house moves and grandchildren, I still don’t have enough time! Good luck with your RM Aerobat V2 build, will it be a lecky conversion this time? -
Wight Crusader v Maricardo v Aerobat
Piers Bowlan replied to kc's topic in Building from Traditional Kits and Plans
OK, so which one are you planning to build Nigel? -
Beginner kit recommendations
Piers Bowlan replied to Hoochykins's topic in Scale and Semi-Scale kits
I actually thought of getting this model for my grandson when he is a little older as he is only five at the moment, although he seems to have great concentration when it comes to building anything - at the moment Lego! It is to be a joint Grandad/Grandson project! The VMC Me109 follows the same methodology as the Cub so I don’t think it will be much more difficult to put together. How much more difficult to fly depends on natural ability (spatial skills) and reactions, which in turn can be down to age, to some degree. If a model has a low wing loading, is properly balanced, trimmed and devoid of warps or other naughties, an aileron model can be as easy to fly as a RET one- sometimes easier. Just get someone experienced to test fly it once you have finished the build! -
Beginner kit recommendations
Piers Bowlan replied to Hoochykins's topic in Scale and Semi-Scale kits
Hi Hooch, whilst the Super 60 is an excellent model and a classic, take a look at The Vintage Model Company’s ‘Balsa Basics Cub.’ The 42in span model is CNC and the parts slot easily together before glueing. There is a full build video on YouTube which you might find helpful and avoid beginners mistakes. VMC can also supply a full electronics setup for this model which will save any guesswork. This includes the motor, electronic speed controller (ESC) propeller and servos. You will also need a radio control system (transmitter and receiver) which will need careful consideration, so I suggest you get plenty of advice before splurging the cash! Just build the model first. This is a three channel model (rudder, elevator and throttle), The VMC also do an ‘aileron wing’ as an alternative which has less dihedral and as the name suggests, ailerons! I suggest stick with the three channel version to start with as it will have more stability and hopefully easier to fly. There is a first flight video here too. Lastly join a club to help you on your model flying journey. Good luck. -
Good answer Graham. I agree it is frustrating Kevin but like Graham said if someone had wanted to start building the Foka 4 last month they would have had only half a wing and half a fuselage which would have have been equally frustrating 😭. It is a big, complicated model so perhaps buying another plan or getting it copied is not too onerous a task in the circumstances.
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Dave Goodenough, new to the forum.
Piers Bowlan replied to Dave Goodenough's topic in Why Not Say Hello....
I like your column Dave, keep up the good work. Neat looking flying wing with square section carbon spars and no D-box LE, your own creation presumably? Perhaps a future plan in the mag, hopefully? 😃 Likewise, I thought your little depron Debrayer Pelican in the March issue very cute. Would be nice to see a few depron designs appearing in the mag, especially a larger version of the Pelican you mentioned. Quick and cheap to build, would encourage others to have a go. I have built several flying wings including a couple of O.Ds. You can never have too many! -
My JR9303 manual states the output is 750mW. The European (UK) max is 100mW. I believe this equates to a 2 to 3db difference in the power at the aerial as it is not a linear relationship but correct me if I am wrong. My JR 9303 transmitter was made in Japan although bought in the US. Strangely it has a CE mark on the back along with FCC for the US. I don’t know what the Tx power output limit is in Japan. I have used it for slope soaring in the US, UK, Japan and South Africa. Nowadays I tend to just use my XG11 in the UK. Both Txs have always worked perfectly and Ouse quality, shame they are not made any more.
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Hi Mark, I can’t identify the model but I am sure someone will be along soon who can. Your glider conversion looks possible. As an alternative you could leave the servos where they are and cut a hole in the fuselage beneath the wing for the receiver, provided the control pushrods don’t get in the way. You could try Robotbirds for a suitable motor/ESC. Send some photos and a few details including weight and span. This motor as a suggestion? 4Max can probably suggest a suitable powertrain too. Good luck with your project. ps, does it really have a solid wing when the fuselage is so light?