Trevor

Richard, Out of interest, what is the spec of the PC you built (i.e. graphics card, cpu, case, power supply, mobo etc.)?

Now you really have an excuse not to come to the field and fly, you have something even better in your living room!

Surprised its completely dead, maybe one of the wires is broken or disconnected? Still I would chuck it anyway Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk 2

I dont know anyone who has built this particular one but T.N. planes usually fly well and I have seen his 60" version fly. As usual, keep it as light as possible using the lightest balsa you can get and especially keep the tail light to avoid having to add weight up front to balance.

Careful, it will become autonomous and won't need you to fly it anymore Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk 2

Now Lucky is armed. Well at least in the weaponry sense if not in the appendage sense

Rod and I did a joint maiden of our Magnatillas. They fly really well, nice and gentle. My third flight was interesting when the throttle linkage came adrift and I had to complete the flight on full throttle until the fuel ran out and I could land deadstick. No damage though. The home made wheels stood up to the landings okay and looked quite effective, but landings are very gentle and easy so no problems really. All in all a very nice plane and I will be flying it a lot more. Rod has some pictures he will post when he gets a chance.

All finished ready for first flight. One worrying thing, the undercarriage has no spring in it at all, so I expect it will get pulled out sometime in a hard landing. Otherwise, looking forward to flying it tomorrow. Surprisingly, I had to add 5g tail weight to balance it, a first for me with a kit built plane! I usually have to add several ounces to the front. If it flies okay I might add a gun later. The pilots name is "Lucky". He survived the crash of my 90 size Ultimate a few years ago, then the demise of my Hype 3D a few months ago. Now he is riding to his fate in the Magnatilla.

Looks interesting. I cant see any mention of receivers, are they OS too? I will be looking at the reliability and safety aspect

Nearly finished, will be ready for the maiden on Sunday weather permitting. Pictures to follow. Rod, are you going to bring your Magnatilla on Sunday for a joint maiden flight?

Here is how the tyre was fitted. The ends were cyanoed together and the tube cyanoed to the rim.

Had a go at making wheels as Peter suggested. Here is the result, not too bad and not too difficult. Wooden rims and old car petrol pipe for the tyres which I already had from doing up an old car I owned many years ago (I rarely throw things away). I tried to keep the weight down by making them hollow, a sandwich of two 1/6th ply discs, using a hardwood hub, hardwood "spokes" inside and balsa for the rim. Fake spokes were added outside and covered in solartex to make them look authentic.

Peter, I flew the P47 today for the first time. It flew really well. The patch was a bit too bumpy for a good landing and it nosed over, no damage though.

Thanks for the warning Dave

Very nice Steve Sent using TapaTalk

Well that's all he crosses painted, now to continue the installation. Next wing servos, hinge the tail, closed loop on the rudder and pushrod on the elevator. Then undercarriage, , engine, cowl, pilot and machine gun.

Much better result with the masking film. Hardly any sign of paint creep and a nice sharp edge. I'll be using this from now on, at least until something better comes along. Thanks for the tip! I'm not confident enough to cut it in situ over solartex, one slip and it could ruin the covering. Maybe on the next model after I have had some practise.

I wasnt really concerned about the paint creep but I am keen to try new techniques so I would like to try the mask film to see how much better it is than masking tape. It is comparatively cheap, a roll of 50mm low tack masking tape is about £4-5 and a roll of the masking film 300mm x 5m is about £8. No-one spotted the deliberate mistake. Part of the cross is painted over the servo bays which I havent cut out yet, so I will have to repaint part of the cross on the servo bay covers later. I could have painted them 1/2 inch further over. Doh!

Peter, thanks, I remember either you or chris mentioning it at paintbrush night. I have just ordered some to give it a try. It is difficult to stop paint creep on solartex so I will see if it does better than masking tape Sent using TapaTalk

Thanks Arun.

My first try painting a cross, underneath wing where it wont show up if it goes wrong. Mask made from masking tape, hand painted with Humbrol matt black enamel. Turned out a bit bobbly round the edges but not too bad. Will try to ensure the mask is pressed down better next time. Did you spot the deliberate mistake?

Thanks for the info, after experimenting I used Uhu Por which seems to work a treat. I made card templates for each piece and cut the litho with scissors. Not too difficult. Next job decorating.

Thanks Peter, it should be okay up to 13" prop. Now nearly covered. Antique with dark green fin and tail feathers. Ailerons hinged with the covering. Question, does anyone have any handy tips for fixing litho plate over balsa? Would contact adhesive be strong enough and fuel proof?

The Thunderbolt hasn't flown for me yet. I too am waiting for suitable conditions.

Peter, It looks like you have made an excellent job of it as usual, looking forward to hearing the report of the maiden flight.