alan

I just bought some used masterspin99 ESCs on eBay - sorry, I couldn't help it - one has melted input cap leads, the other looked ok. After fitting connectors to the ok one to test, it would only run for a fraction of a second, then stop. I had to unplug the battery and replug to get the same result again, otherwise nothing at all. The ESC beeps initially but does not beep the cell count. I get the feeling that those pesky caps are the problem, can anyone shed some light? My test setup worked perfectly with a different Jeti opto ESC.

I've used silver steel (a hardenable steel used to make cutting tools) to replace damaged shafts, cheaper than buying a proper shaft and accurate in diameter. Easiest place to look is ebay - unless your shaft has a groove for a circlip, in which case stick to the real thing.

... and this is the flying video. The folding at the end is more amazing than the flying!

From information gleaned from the latest BMFA news, here is another aeromodeller who just happened to have a top aeronautical career, including developing a reusable space shuttle many years before the Americans: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituar ... mith.html#

It's looking good Arun. I've made quite a few pushrods with wire superglued inside carbon tube. I would recommend binding the ends of the carbon with cotton and superglue as unidirectional carbon doesn't have much resistance to splitting; ok to leave the binding off for smaller models though.

The above programme was excellent and for those who missed it, it will be repeated on sunday 30th 7:00 bbc2. It's about attempting to fly a (almost) free flight glider model across the channel.

They add some drag but not as much as you might expect because they are fitted with folding propellers. I have one of the wing mounts in front of me right now, it is a balsa stick with a couple of pegs which locate into holes under the wing. An aluminium bracket at the back transfers thrust to the trailing edge and elastic bands loop over the wing to dowels front and back.

Bravedan on this forum goes slope soaring and probably knows of slopes in your area. I've done several glider-to-electric conversions, the best was the simprop se200, pictures in buy and sell on this forum. Also did an older wood fuselage model which crashed due to interference (my fault). Another one was an MFA sierra modified to twin motors fitted to the wings on removable mounts so it could still be flown as a glider. As Trevor says, finding space in the fuselage and getting the c.g. correct are the biggest problems; the twin motor setup solves the space problem and minimises the c.g. prob

Jim, if you're not sure about wether the fan is vibrating or not, don't worry about it. All, the Kv of an electric motor is theoretical and only applies with no load, so with a prop or fan attached it will always go slower, how much slower depends on how much load.

Richard, if it sucks don't do it. If you don't want it to suck, buy a nice tx as a buddy box; I presume that you are are already spending lots on this project. Also, are you suggesting that you have a system that will actually fly your plane autonomously back to the patch if you lose control? On a different note, I interpret article 166 (1) ANO as saying it is ok to drop an animal without a parachute from a small unmanned plane providing you don't drop it on people or buildings! Alan ps, I posted a link on our noticeboard to a Draganflyer video some time ago. Mistake - it wasn't a draganf

In that case I'm glad you didn't answer! Alan

WRONG NUMBER The number for Chris Sumner is 07931 286 849. But he's not in at the moment! I'll PM you Chris.

I'll be available for sat or sun, on the bring and buy if that's ok. I.T.GUY --I have a two man tent you can have for keeps if you want it, and another two man tent which could be borrowed, p.m. me if you are interested, Alan

Steve, great thread, great little adventure, sorry I didn't get to see it. I'm going to do a vulcan one day with motor at front and folding prop. How about trying a smaller sheet foam version to "learn" the trimming, ie. c.g. and reflex? Can't see the video on my Linux netbook, will find another computer later to watch the video.

Jim, DO NOT USE PTFE. It will crush under the clamping pressure then your prop will come loose, Alan

Jim, I got a lathe and a piece of ali at work. Pete has already offered but if he doesn't have the material pm or email me and I'll have it ready to hand over at the show, Alan

These pictures were taken at the scale competition 2005, perhaps someone familiar with the models could add a few comments - the builders maybe? Alan.

pictures from the 2005 Airshow. This one is the half scale Pitts doing an inverted flat spin from maybe 1000ft (the original photo shows a longer smoke trail).