2017 Mass Build Chat Thread

[Geoff S]

Posted by IanN on 07/11/2016 14:42:06:

Last year the decision was to just stick to the winner. But that doesn't mean that's the way it has to be this year. If there are a very clear two (or maybe three?) "winners" then why not go for those. Plenty of precedent for that in past MBs

Just a thought, let's see how the voting ends up

Or even Precedent if the Fun Fly wins

Actually that would be a very easy build for a first timer. I built one of the earlier foam wing ones in a week to replace one I crashed (I was retired so it was full time in the workshop). The new one with a built up wing would take longer but probably be even better than the original. Plus there's already an electric/glow option.

I passed my 'A' with mine as a second model so it's fairly docile. I found mine overpowered with an Irvine Q40 and it flew for most of its life with a Super Tigre 34 which was plenty. I voted for the Skywriter but the Fun Fly was my second choice whether I'll actually participate is moot right now.

Geoff

[IanN]

Isn't the trouble with the SLEC Fun Fly that it's a kit only - currently £95 (plus no doubt p&p) for the i.c. version - no plan version available?

That won't tempt many who want to use their existing stashes of balsa and "bits & pieces", or who already has a backlog of unstarted boxes accumulated over the years

However, who knows, if it gets enough votes then good luck to it

[Steve McIntosh]

As a very new newbie builder what appeals to me about the mass build is that I can tackle something a bit more complex and where I have issues there are numerous others on here building at the same time to whom I can address issues. I voted for the Skywriter as I saw it as a free plan in the mag and fancied it then.

[kc]

Actually the SLEC Funfly Electric version is 75 pounds, which could be compared to the Skywriter 'complete set' at 124 pouinds, the Basic 3D at 120 pounds and the Maricardo at 106 pounds. The Super Slinky 'complete set' is only 68 pounds though. So I feel the SLEC Funfly is reasonably priced considering how complete the kit is.

For anyone like me who usually builds from scratch the balsa alone for most 50 inch span designs costs about 35 pounds from the cheapest sources like SLEC or Balsa Cabin. When you add in the cost of a plan, the piano wire and clevises etc the kit looks reasonable considering the laser cut parts are done for you.

[IanN]

I'm absolutely not saying those aren't reasonable value, and nor that a plan build is necessarily much if any cheaper once you tot it all up. I'm sure it isn't

It's just that a lot of plan builders will already have ample stocks of wood etc.

Yes, I know that was paid for at some past point - it wasn't free (sadly!) - but there IS a £ difference between using stuff you've already accumuulated, rather than shelling out over and above that on a new kit

In that respect, plan builds from scratch will tick the box for many

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Ticks my box I've a model in my scrap box n odds n ends just waiting to come to life, free plans work for me as well..what's not to like they're free.

Basic 3D is my preferred build, cheap n cheerful, lends itself to I.C or lecky, good winter hack, skis on it, lights on it, easy to build/fly, no cowl/canopy to make/buy only down side to it is you're not voting for it

John

[McG 6969]

It’s really ABFAB that it ticks your ‘box’, John…

You have “a model” in your “scrap box n odds n ends just waiting to come to life, free plans work for you as well… what's not to like they're free”... great for you, but do the ‘new builders’ really have all that “scrap” in their box? …

Baron 1914 is my “preferred build, cheap ‘n cheerful, lends itself to I.C or lecky, good winter hack, skis on it, lights on it, easy to build/fly, included cowl, no canopy to make/buy”… and a free machine gun...

… only downside to it, is you guys are not voting for the Baron…

Le Baron for President…

Hakuna matata

Chris

BRU - BE / CTR President Control

[Piers Bowlan]

John, it looks like just the two of us will be building Basic 3Ds in that case. Like you, I have the plan, a stash of Balsa and I think I could put one together in short order. What I don't have is plenty of time. Like you say, it looks like a good winter hack, what is your preference, IC or Leccy John? I have a suitable 4s leccy power-train but I am tempted to fit the OS 52 that is sulking in my cupboard!

As far as the Skywriter is concerned, if it gets the most votes I wonder how many will get started, let alone finished. Not many compared to the Ballerina I would guess. If people want to build one then go for it but it is not really a 'Mass Build' type of design in my view.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Basic 3D was my 1st choice, but i'll build whatever we end up with, the build and a bit of banter's what i join for, models i've voted for never win but the winners have all been good uns.

John

[McG 6969]

Posted by john stones 1 on 07/11/2016 20:42:14:

Basic 3D was my 1st choice, but i'll build whatever we end up with, the build and a bit of banter's what i join for, models i've voted for never win but the winners have all been good uns.

John

That's a really fair view, John.

... and the Baron / Vicomte / Mousquetaire would really get you another 'good un'.

So gents, Le Baron for President...

Cheers

Chris

[Hamish]

Not a very level playing field when some plans are free to download and others £12.50 plus??

[Piers Bowlan]

I agree John, it is about the chat, banter as you put it, and the 'team spirit'. The model choice is not the be all but for me it has to be something that one is likely to finish. I built the A4 Skyhawk as the PSS Mass build this Spring/Summer but my Ballerina is still a 'work in progress', I just didn't have the time for both. In fairness I did build a 13m balcony along the back of my house as well as a new bathroom so I haven't been idle exactly! I think the beauty of simple models in previous mass builds like, Shark Face or Pushy Cat, is that they can be 'thrown together' quickly if you wish or alternatively that they can be built in parallel with a more demanding scale model that you have on the go. More fun for less time and expense.

I would like to complete my Ballerina build but a Basic 3D will probably be my Winter project this year in any event. It might be fun to put some skis on it if it turns any colder!

[kc]

Well Hamish I don't think many people will defend the 12.50 cost of a plan! However the trick is to ask amongst your club members to see if anyone has the 'free plan' lying around. Most people save the free plan even if they throw out the magazine. One of the advantages of being a club member there is usually someone who can help.

Downloading a plan can incur cost of 4 or 5 pounds in printing at a copy shop, however it is possible to print a plan on an A4 printer by tiling - a function available on the latest Adobe Acrobat ( free) reader. .

[Bob Cotsford]

or if a club member can't help just buy the back-issue of the relevant magazine for it's cover price?

Edited By Bob Cotsford on 08/11/2016 12:24:15

[IanN]

Posted by Bob Cotsford on 08/11/2016 12:23:38:

or if a club member can't help just buy the back-issue of the relevant magazine for it's cover price?

Edited By Bob Cotsford on 08/11/2016 12:24:15

Fleabay and specialists like The Magazine exchange are also great sources for back issues, and often still have the free plan with them

[Hamish]

I have a plan for the model I intend to build irrespective of the outcome. The point I was making is it is not a level playing field and however insignificant you consider the additional cost of the plan others may think differently. £12.50 buys a lot of balsa!

[McG 6969]

Posted by Hamish on 08/11/2016 15:04:42:

I have a plan for the model I intend to build irrespective of the outcome. The point I was making is it is not a level playing field and however insignificant you consider the additional cost of the plan others may think differently. £12.50 buys a lot of balsa!

Hi Hamish,

Are you still planning to build the Baron/ Vicomte 1915?

Cheers

Chris

[Hamish]

Hello Chris, yes and I have a set of "kit" plans which unfortunately do not show the section of rib W7 but will compromise or hopefully somebody can assist. I have very recently built the Barronet by Svenson and it was a straightforward build and flies a treat. The Vicomte appears to have the same omission with the rudder as no provision was made for the elevator movement, but easily overcome. I may also make the winner as the next model on.

Hamish

 

Edited By Hamish on 09/11/2016 07:23:01

[McG 6969]

Hello Hamish,

I suppose that you downloaded the Outerzone Svenson ‘Vicomte’.

If so, you’re right, it doesn’t show the profile of W7. The last perpendicular rib is W6 with the ‘standard’ Clark-Y profile and the plan shows the profile of the wing tip (W16) carved from a piece of soft balsa block. The ‘top’ curve of the ribs is the same for all three of them. The bottom side of W7 is a straight line joining the undersides of W6 to W16. I guess the easiest is to make a cardboard template when you get to it.

Here above, the 2x W7 bits are shown at the top of the picture.

Regarding the 6mm HW elevator joining dowel (S24), that should be OK. The plan shows a ‘roundish’ cut–out in R8, the rudder LE. Hope this helps a little.

Hakuna matata

Chris

BRU - BE / CTR Vicomte Control

[Glyn44]

Just to save me doing it myself, has anyone worked out what model,is in the lead at the moment?

[IanN]

Think it was Skywriter, followed by the Kwik Fli options?

[David Davis]

John, I have been looking at the sixteen models listed and I feel that seven of them are too complex for a first build and seven of the others are simple enough for a beginner to be able to build fairly well especially with the help of build blogs on this site. The seven models which I feel would attract those with some building experience are: Super Slinky, Skywriter, Astro Hog, Robot, Striker, Fan Trainer and Super Kaos Junior. The simpler models are: Basic 3D, Kwik Fli, Evans Volksplane, Maricardo, Smog Hog, SLEC Fun Fly and Baron. I'm not sure which category to put the Grumpy Tiger Cub and Aztec Two Step into! They look simple enough build but being twin enginned, may be difficult to fly especially if flown with i/c engines.

What I would like to suggest is that at the end of November you offer the leading two or three models from each category for a final vote. This need only take a week. At the end of that week we would have two models for the mass build. One a relatively simple model which might attract first time builders and another model which would give more experienced modellers something to get their teeth into.

I realise that my categories are somewhat arbitrary. If you decide to accept my proposal, please feel free to move a model from the one list to the other as you see fit.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Skywriter's increased its lead now on 74

Flis at 47 and Slec Fun Fly closer on 38 ...not done a check but think numbers are correct.

[Martyn K]

Need to be careful that we don't water it down too much David. Participation has been on the decline since the first one although I think the %age of people who have committed to build has risen.

I think this would only really work providing we got at least (say) 10 committed to doing a build (and ideally blog) of the chosen model. Having 2 chosen models means we need at least 20..

[Martyn K]

Posted by john stones 1 on 09/11/2016 12:22:31:

Skywriter's increased its lead now on 74

Flis at 47 and Slec Fun Fly closer on 38 ...not done a check but think numbers are correct.

That is worrying, IMHO, the Skywriter is not a beginners model. We will have to do a lot of hand holding

Martyn