Don Coe

Vicky tells me that Chris. has released their new 1/4 scale DH82A kit. Spanning 88" and weighing 15lbs. I'm sure that it will build into the ultimate true scale model. Chris. has years of experience of the type having flown and worked on the full size aircraft. If his tiny indoor version is anything to go by this one will be an absolute wow to build. Go to http://www.falconmodels.uk.com for more info.

Here's something for the winter evenings - a video of the Bleriot flying it's way to Best Scale Award. It was windy - very!

Thanks for the words of condolence, Chaps! The good news is that the model is repaired and ready to go fly. I've fitted an SM22 Powersave unit from SM Services. The battery set up is now 2 x 6volt eneloop 2000mA batteries via the SM22 to the five servos. The receiver takes it's power from the unit via a built-in Backer. BTW. Hastings modeller Malcolm Bull who flew at the Hop Farm, has asked me to thank the Club for it's "efficient organisation and friendly atmosphere" throughout the entire weekend. He said that he was "amazed and heartened by the slick programmimg" and sends particular

For God's sake hurry up with this pilot's briefing, Dad, so's I can get something to eat [attachment=0]breakfast time.jpg[/attachment]

Following my downwind landing in the oak tree (see attached pic) I was emotionally overcome by the help and support from fellow club members who leaped into action to arrange for tree-climbers, cherry-pickers, and kind offers of help to carry the bits back to the pit area. Thanks Brian and numerous staff from the Hop Farm.

Have just remembered that someone videoed the maiden flight of the DH82A You can see it at...

JeeeeeeeeeZ - found out at last!

It did fly at the North Berks meeting and earned me first place in the Scratch Built catagory. I cannot for the life of me see how a kit built model can be termed "scratch built" but I suppose that's an age thing! On to last evening's static scale event at Kenley, may I thank those who voted for the Tiger Moth. Here's one or two pix of the model for those who couldn't get there.

Thought that you might like to see some pics of the DH82A I've built for RCModel World. More later or on demand.

Sorry 'bout that! It did land - yes, it did - really See you at the party, chaps.

You've seen the pictures - now see the movie! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFZrUvgdwBA

Here's some pics of my latest model, the RF4 Fournier from a Mick Reeves kit. At 1/4 scale it's a big model - 9 ft span. Powered by a thirty year old OS FS 60 she just stepped into the air on the maiden flight and needed no adjustments to the surfaces to give me a relaxed ten minutes. For subsequent flights I've moved the CG rearwards to enhance the rolling axis. I also fitted a commercially made retract from Unitract 'cos my home-made affair was crap. It eventually collapsed causing the ABS cowling to split. I have some video of the maiden flight and I'll post it when it's bee

A big Thank You to those who gave a helping hand at the two recent meetings at Old Warden and at Bickley. (You know who you are!) The Bleriot was successful at both events and here is a pic of the Bickley meeting. I forgot my camera for O.W.

Jim, Old Fruit. I'm using InZpan instruments for the Traplet DH82 build. They're very good. So is their scale harness kits. Here's some pics of the packets. Packet Pics, in fact

A belated update on the build. The cowling needed the catches to be made and fixed. Here are a few pics of the parts and finished item. God knows in which order they will appear. .... (I've also done the tailskid)... and the oil tank drain plug... and rudder bar protecting bit.

I promised to post a link to the YouTube video of the Bleriot's maiden flight. So here it is.

Well - It's happened! The Bleriot has been chucked into the air and survived. Here's some pictures. But not necessarily in the right order A video of the event is in preparation and a link will be posted here when uploaded onto YouTube. Stats. 1.3 scale - Laser 360V - SPEKTRUM DX7 radio - CG is 3" behind the recommended position but better with 32ozs. of fuel up front. Place: Hastings strip. Wind 8mph straight down 21. Photos by Brian Bristow. Solo slot by kind permission of the Committee. Valuable support from Tony Nijhuis, senior Inspector and Examiner LMA.

I must apologise to those I promised to advise the maiden flight but it was all a spur-of-the-moment enterprise. A phone call from Hastings reported the conditions ideal so I just had to do it! The guy holding the video camera screwed up somewhat (!) but one of the members wives had her camera with her and shot some great stills. Anyway, all went well in the end and I've uploaded the video onto You-Tube for laughs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSBR3eGAAtA Here's a few of Heather's stills (in reverse order, as usual!!!!!)

(You must be sitting by your PC, Pete). I aim to maiden the beast on a Sunday morning ASAP. Could be next week - I'll let you know

For all you lucky chaps who didn't attend the Club Night last Thursday, here's what you missed...

Thanks for the pic of the ex-T Moth, Wingco! See you next Thursday!

S**T ........ I see that all of the snaps have been put up in reverse order. You'll have to make sense of it for yourself

Here's the latest project now that the AVRO is completed and ready for test flights. It's a 1/4 scale DH82a from Traplet and well on it's way. Here's a few tasters. I'm starting with a feature which isn't mentioned in the partial kit. (It's partial 'cos there's no wood or hardware supplied just a few GF mouldings and the ribs cut out). The back bone of the Tiger Moth is the control box and I've built it with reference to lots of photographs I have of the rebuild of the full size A/C by Delta Aviation at Sywell.

Thanks Peter! Especially for the Good Wishes for 2009. Let's hope all goes well for all of us! Here's a couple more of the AVRO - taken some weeks ago. Will you be able to get to the Indoor Scale meeting at Crawley on 1st Feb?

Plenty done over the "holiday" to reach the final stage of the build. That is radio link up to the on-board glow system. The rigging is complete except for a couple of braces back to the fuselage from midpoint on the wings trailing edges.