Table of contents for August 2023 in RCM&E

As the custodian of a small collection of diesel engines, I’ve often wished that more of them could be brought back into active service i.e., doing what they should be doing - powering model aeroplanes around the skies - as opposed to sitting on a shelf. So, why aren’t they back in active service? Well, unlike my hardier free flight brethren, I’m an R/C man and having access to an inflight throttle control is, for me, a necessity. Unfortunately, most of my little collection of vintage diesels pre-date R/C throttles and have a fixed-size induction venturi which precludes any form of speed control in the air. Aeromodellers of a certain, senior, age will know all this already so forgive the preamble, okay? However, if you’re of fresher (electric) blood then…

SCALE GLIDING When it comes to the PM’s honours list, I can think of no better candidate for selection than the White Sheet club’s Scale Sec., Jim Emptage, for straining the bounds of optimism above and beyond the call of duty. By calling the White Sheet Scale Fly-In, scheduled for Sunday 23rd April, as early as the Thursday in the face of a barrage of depressing weather forecasts he endured the criticism of the naysayers and doomsters (that would be me) with steadfast courage, emerging triumphant on the day, when we enjoyed one of the finest bouts of flying weather seen in many a year. First to swim into my camera’s viewfinder was a new creation from Himself, the Scale Sec., in the form of a quarter scale K8, this…

As the readers of this column will be aware, I’m a big fan of home designed and produced F3A aircraft and have previously featured several UK designers, most recently Thomas David and Mike Delacole. Adrian Mansell is another prolific UK designer, and he is also a very competent F3A pilot who has released several unique designs based on model symmetry to promote the purest response possible. Adrian is particularly innovative, having previously pioneered the use of canalyser mounted airbrakes to reduce model speed in downlines and this was subsequently taken up by several top pilots throughout the world of F3A. The following text was assembled from several correspondences with Adrian regarding his new design for 2023, the Neutron. LEPTON Experimentation with my own designs started around 2013 with my Boson…

F9F COUGAR This is the third model in the latest Mini Jet series from Tony Nijhuis. The Cougar was an updated version of Grumman’s Panther, which was the subject of Tony’s last Pro-Plan in the July issue. But instead of the Panther’s straight wing the Cougar had a swept wing and it was fitted with a more powerful engine. Tony’s model of the Cougar was tested on a 3S FMS fan unit, which gives a very scale performance. But if the builder wishes to install a 4S version there really isn’t a downside except the 3S 2200mah LiPo will have to be substituted for a 4S 1600mah battery; the key is to avoid adding too much weight when moving up to 4S. September 2023 Issue on sale 18th August MULTI…

Get in touch... kcrozier@mortons.co.uk BMFA PAYLOAD CHALLENGE 2023 This year’s BMFA School and University Payload Challenge was held at the BMFA National Centre on the 14th and 15th of June. It was attended by thirteen universities and one high school from across the world. The competitive spirit and the buzz was palpable throughout the site and it was good to see so many young people collaborating and working together on their models and designs. The standard of competition was high and with a high rate of success. Most of the models were constructed to a very good standard and had been extensively tested before the competition. There were three categories in this event: Distance - with two teams from I School Chenmai (China) and AGH University Krakow (Poland). Although there…

In the March issue we looked at some of the laser cut accessories on offer from Flightplan Models, concentrating on their Sailplane Dollies. This time I will be trying out their Centre of Gravity Balance. Like a lot of aeromodellers I have often resorted to teetering a new model on the tips of my index fingers in order to gauge whether it is nose heavy or tail heavy compared to the CG position recommended in the instructions. It’s all a bit hit and miss but it does work surprisingly well for a lot of sport models, at least well enough to get the model safely into the air so that fine tuning of the balance position can begin to suit my own personal preference. However, on those occasions that I…

Get in touch... kcrozier@mortons.co.uk TWIN SAFETY Some years ago RCM&E published a plan for the ‘Aerovan’, a high wing twin engined aircraft. Originally designed for brushed motors, my own model has been upgraded with twin brushless motors and duplicate ESCs. As the Aerovan’s 1.5 metre wingspan is too large for easy transportation the wing has to be removed after flying. On its last outing the servo leads from the throttle and the aileron channels (to the receiver) were incorrectly connected (reversed), as shown. When the battery was connected the motors started running and there was no easy way to stop them as the throttle cut only works if the throttle channel is connected correctly. In my case both ESCs were receiving the half stick aileron signal. I just caught the…

If you are planning an aeromodelling event over the next few months, then please send details - up to 100 words maximum - to David Ashby at: justforfunrcme@gmail.com If you intend to visit any events listed, then please check with the organisers before travelling in case of any last-minute changes. JULY July 15 - 16 PANDAS 11th Pontefract Single Channel & Retro Fly-in at Pontefract Racecourse, WF8 4QD. Flying starts at 10:00am but gates are open from 8:30am. The club website address is pandas. bmfa.org for the event location details. R/C models over 7.5 kg will require the pilot to have either a BMFA B or an LMA Full Proficiency. All pilots need the relevant CAA accreditations, insurance and, due to site restrictions, no free flight models can be flown.…

I started flying model aeroplanes sometime in the late 1970s, aged 12 or so. I have memories of flying free flight and control line with DC Merlin engines and later Round The Pole electric. The RTP connection led me to Chesterfield and District Soarers who ran indoor RTP sessions during the winter months. I joined CADS and started to fly thermal and slope soarers. In 1982 I joined the Sheffield Society of Aeromodellers and started to fly Open Class and 100” competition thermal soarers regularly competing in Northern League thermal soaring events throughout the 1980s, joined by my two brothers, Alastair and Craig. We had a lot of fun and occasionally did quite well. Along came my university years, marriage and kids and my model flying almost stopped. I tried…

FOR SALE JETEX: 50, 100 & 200 Jetmaster and pellets etc. Engines: ETA 29S and others. Kits: KK Chief, Mamselle, Skyrod, Mini-Super and others. Call John on 07498 984154 (N.Staffs). ANTANOV AN-2, Russian biplane, 80” span with navigation lights. All servos and motor plus ESC. Flown once, just requires your Rx and 6S LiPo. Offers? 01522 533147 (Lincs). PRECEDENT T180, 72” span with Irvine 53 engine, all servos and 35MHz Rx - £130. Ben Buckle Fokker DVIII kit - £95. VMAR USky 40 ARTF kit - £70. MDS 40 two-stroke engine, new but no box - £20. SC.40 engine, boxed - £40. Buyer to collect. 01793 694675 (Wilts). NORSEMAN, 83” span and weights 12lbs. US invasion markings. The same scheme that Glen Miller was flying when he was lost. Needs…