Table of contents for September 2024 in RCM&E

Welcome to the September 2024 issue of RCM&E. A recent trend in my local clubs is the 3D printing of bird style models and with careful paintwork of their plumage the results can be quite spectacular. Of course, R/C models of birds have been lying for decades, especially as slope soarers, but 3D printers do seem to be the most popular way these days to emulate one of our feathered friends, o ten powered by an electric set-up to hoist them alo t. And let’s not forget the ARTF birds that have been widely available for several years. We featured one of those on our Parting Shot page last month, being followed by an inquisitive Red Kite. Flying straight and level, with its propeller closed and the bird following behind,…

It’s me, back again. Here’s hoping you’re well and still at it. As in the past Just For Fun will feature the eclectic mix of projects, people and bits you may remember. To kick off I thought I’d tell you about the local glider comp’s I’ve been attending since I saw you last. A few years ago, when I worked full time on the editorial team at RCM&E, our contributor, Loris Goring would often phone for a chat. A lovely gentleman, Loris had a thing for thermal soarers, I don’t think he flew anything else. His passion for the type extended to recommending them for beginners and just about anyone else in fact. If we featured something that was two-channel, all-balsa and thermally then Loris would always call to offer…

The Hawk T1 is an aircraft that needs little or no introduction. At the very least we’re all more than familiar with it as used by the RAF Red Arrows display team. Being a trainer, it lends itself as an ideal subject for building and flying as a PSS (Power Scale Soarer) model. I first started building in Correx in late 2018 and have since built countless models, five of which have been Hawks, my most recent being the Union Jack covered 2010 version you see here. There is a plethora of powered models out there which could readily be stripped out and converted to PSS, as well as balsa kits, but for anyone looking to get into PSS on a budget then building an aircraft in Correx may well…

GLORIOUS CANBERRA I decided to build this Canberra a ter reading an article in a back issue and ordered the Chris Golds plan. The maiden was one year later this March. I deviated somewhat to make the model into the USAF version (I was in the USAF, a ter all). Power is from Jet Fan 90s running on 8S each, with Castle 120 HV Lite ESCs, a Spektrum 12 channel receiver and mostly Hitec digital servos running on 6V NiMH batteries. The Robart electric landing gear required a bit more modification of the plan. The plane is covered with Chrome Oracover, dulled down to give a somewhat aluminium finish. It weighs 22.5 lbs and lies very nicely with no bad habits. Five minutes from brake release and there’s about 45%…

I mentioned a while back that as an elder miscreant in this flying game I needed something to lighten the load, so to speak. I’d previously seen several chaps approaching Methuselah’s age group using folding garden trucks to trundle their wares down to the Old Warden ‘Chuck-n-Duck’ flying area from the car parking area. That stirring of ‘the little grey cells’ saw me purchase one and it’s been invaluable. The catcalls of “Where’s the kitchen sink?” at my last slope visit were ignored. I was smug in the knowledge that I wasn’t the one tripping, slipping and struggling to carry everything in my arms over rough and clarty ground. So, there you are, a very handy device, but why not go a little further… AIRCRAFT CARRIERS? No, not the recently…

BRIAN’S SONG Danny fenton pays tribute to the best Scale World Champion we never had. It is with a sad heart that I heard of Brian Taylor’s passing. Sadly, I didn’t really know Brian and had only met him the once on a cold and blustery RAF Barkston Heath during the Scale Nationals in 2009. On that day in August 2009, I approached Brian and shook his hand, thanking him for all his wonderful designs. He must have thought me a fool, I really didn’t know what to say. In my defence, what do you say to the scale modeller that inspired you to build scale models? I had admired his work and looked forward to reading about his models in the modelling mags of the 70s and 80s while…

Spurred on by my reignited love of all things wind powered (see ‘SAS Fleet’ later) I decided to get my finger out and finally finish my quarter scale SG 38 glider for the Ivinghoe Retro Glider Event this year (in September, I believe). This model has been a bit of a millstone around my neck for more years (decades) than I care to remember and I’ve nearly sold the unfinished project on more than one occasion. Originally released in 1984 by Krick, this definitely isn’t a build for beginners or people with little patience; it has hundreds of parts with many metal items having to be fashioned from brass strip. Anyway, I thought you may be interested in the history of this strange, rudimentary glider and some build guidance from…

About three years ago my attention was drawn to an on-line video showing a stylish three engine flying boat doing a very spectacular ‘water loop’ at speed whilst performing a touch and go on a lake. This sparked an interest, resulting in the inevitable question, ‘Could this aircra t be modelled?’ The flying boat in question turned out to be a Dornier Do-24ATT, an internet search revealing an intriguing history. The Do -24 was designed as a seaplane in the 1930s, originally to replace Dornier Wal flying boats, then operating in the Dutch East Indies. A total of 279 were built. The Do-24ATT variant was built in 1944 as a Do-24T-3 by Aviolanda (Netherlands) and is today the only flying example of its type. Until 1971 it was used as…

Retro jet kit It’s funny how things pop up in our hobby, often out of the blue, my Jet Hangar Hobbies F-86 Sabre being one of those! One day in late 2022, Scott Edwards, secretary of the Buzzard Flying Club, contacted me to say he had an F-86 kit looking for a home. He was selling it on behalf of someone not ‘au fait’ with selling things online. Scott knows I am into EDF jets so I was his first call. Popping over to his house, a large and substantial box awaited my attention. A quick look at the plan indicated it was a 1988 design, but with an updated plan sheet marked as being from 2000. So that put my kit at a minimum of 22 years old! Following…

HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX When long-time clubmates at Northampton MAC, John Rogers and Bill Pilsbury, set out to build a big four-engine WW2 bomber they decided that the Lancaster was a little over-modelled and the Halifax fitted the bill perfectly. The example modelled hails from 466 Squadron RAAF, based at RAF Dri field in Yorkshire. The squadron was manned by airmen from the British Commonwealth and it is likely that HD-Q Queenie had a Canadian crew. Join Je f Barringer as he describes the 22 months’ worth of research, design and building by John and Bill which yielded this eye-catching 104-inch scale model. BOULTON PAUL P-75 OVERSTRAND Having a preference for ugly planes, Jon Harper considered several rarely modelled types. Then he came across the Boulton Paul P-75 Overstrand and decided…

We Brits are usually seasoned wet weather fliers, especially those of us who try to continue flying over the winter and into spring. With our weather, we have to be, but things this past winter, and especially going into spring, did cause me new levels of frustration as even when the sun was shining the ground conditions at many local club flying fields proved to be far too wet underfoot to fly from. And when it wasn’t wet, it was very windy! By wet weather I don’t mean that I enjoy going flying when it’s actually raining. Personally, I can’t see the enjoyment in doing that, especially with the very real risk of water damaging transmitter touchscreens and getting inside via sticks and switches. Rather, I mean those rare times…

For most club flyers there is great satisfaction in smooth circuits, the odd loop and roll, and that inevitable grin and cheery disposition that comes from a ‘greaser’ of a landing. To take the model home in the same condition as it arrived means we have had a good day at the office. For some, however, me included, pushing the boundaries a touch adds a little more flavour to the mix and there can be great satisfaction in flying a model towards the limits of its capabilities. Let me clarify that we are not talking about provoking crashes and tip stalls here. Rather exploring and developing our skill set so that it allows us to determine safe working limits and fly a model to the maximum within those limits. It…

If you enjoy building and flying micro size R/C models you will know the MinimumRC range of micro scale models. These micro models are equally at home outdoors in calm weather. MinimumRC models are not to be confused with the earlier groundbreaking Kyosho Minium models. Their Minium models were RTF micro size models and came with their own transmitter. They were the forerunners of the micro scale R/C models from E-flite, Ares and several other firms. The Minium models used a 70 mAh 1S LiPo and their excellent performance and adaptability influenced our indoor flying activities. Many of our fliers removed the R/C gear from their Minium models and incorporated it in their own designs. We were really spoilt when the R/C receiver units became available as a ‘spare part’.…

HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX These photos were taken by Bill Pilsbury of a joint venture between him and John Rogers of the NMAC. Built to 1:12 scale the aircraft is of a 106 Squadron Halifax, designed by Bill and scratch-built by him and John Rogers. Research and design took about three months, but it had to be redesigned when several parts were found to be unavailable. The fuselage is sheeted, built around a full-length box with formers top and bottom. The tailplane has been increased slightly in area and the rudders are hinged as the full size. The wing has two full length, full depth spars and is joined to the fuselage with carbon tubes which reach out through the inner nacelle. Not including the sheet and strip wood, there were…