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October 02
At the Field
A remarkable model by any standard has been gracing the skies over Fennis recently. It's the tri-motored Precedent T240 camera ship of Wayne Giles. It's powered by a pair of wing mounted O.S. 32's and a nose mounted Speed 700 electric motor.
The idea is to take off and get into position using the O.S. 32's and then stop these and use the electric motor to power the model through its photographic sortie, thus avoiding camera shake due to the vibration from the glow motors.
Unfortunately power and duration of the Speed 700 is so poor that a short descending flight is all that's possible. However, it sounds so absolutely terrific in flight on the 32's that Wayne is now going to fit a O.S. 46 in the nose. I can't wait to hear that in flight!
Also planned is the fitting of a S.L.R. camera whose faster shutter speed should eliminate camera shake due to vibration.
There's another story involving Wayne, a piezo gyro and an Extra 300, but we won't go into that here!
Q
Bob Clarke is progressing well on his Carl Goldberg Bucker Jungman. Power is to be a A.S.P. 1.20 four stroke, which Bob says handles beautifully.
The large elevators are to be operated by a standard sized Hitec 625 metal geared servo which can generate 6.25 Kg of torque at 6 volts. A wise choice considering the engine being used.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this good looking model in flight. Soon please Bob!
Q
Also to be powered by a 1.20 four stroke, but this time a S.C., is the ¼ scale Little Toot biplane being built by Mike Pearson from the Dennis Tapsfield plan, circa 1975.
If it ends up lighter than my 13 pound monster it should fly well!
When I was modifying mine I couldn't find any of the 4” wheels that the plan calls for anywhere, except for those very expensive Du-Bro inflatable types. Finally in exasperation I bought them, only to find that once they were inflated they wouldn't fit inside the spats!
Also I now find that every time I want to go out flying with it that I have a flat on one side! Good buy, eh?
Q
A wingless direct control single rotor autogyro has recently been seen at the field and has impressed all those who have seen it with its remarkable flying qualities. Several people have expressed a desire to build their own version after seeing it fly.
It's from a Jim Baxter plan and has a rotor diameter of 32 inches, weighs 22 ounces and is powered by a S.C. 12 and uses micro radio gear.
It can hover on the gentlest breeze and make vertical descents into “on the spot” landings and can easily be flown within the boundary of the strip. It is extremely manoeuvrable and I think even a 3D heli' would have a job to stay with it in a dog fight.
True single rotor autogyro's without stability aids have only become possible since the mid' to late 90's and are attracting a lot of modellers who have perhaps become jaded with the usual fixed wing types.
 It's very interesting to fly and totally absorbing. It's a little harder to pilot than a fixed wing model but soon becomes second nature, although even then is still challenging and rewarding.
There are plenty of plans available and even kits, quite a few of which are scale types, although some of you will be disappointed to learn that there are no ARTF's for sale! Not yet anyway….
As it has generated so much interest with so many probing questions at the field, I thought a brief overview of the model autogyro would be in order in a future newsletter. During the winter perhaps…
Q
FMS
I'm indebted to Paul Booker for sending me this link to FMS, which stands for Flying Model Simulator.
 This is a free model flight sim' and is really pretty good. The download is a 6 meg' .exe. It runs fine on my P2 333mhz with a 12 meg Voodoo 2 graphics card. Very smooth.
The website has an online forum where you can seek advice. There's an online manual, details of an interface so you can use your transmitter with it, and there are links to many other sites where you can download other exciting aircraft and landscapes.
 Models included with the initial download are: Airbus?!, Bf109, Curtis R3C floatplane racer, Horten wing, ME163, ME263, Pitts, Quickie tandem wing, Silkywind electric, Cessna Skylane, Slowfly, SU26, Super Cub and Transall.
Gliders include: DG1000, Daimant and SB13 Flying wing.
Heli's are: Cobra, Hughes 500 and a 3D type.
Just about everything is configurable. You can set the amount and frequency of thermals, for instance. You can hand launch or tow launch the gliders. There's even a chase view of your aircraft if you want it.
I haven't had a chance to investigate it further, but if you try it and discover anything useful, let me know and I'll print it here for everyone else.
Could be just the job for the winter months, eh?
Thanks!
Our thanks go to Barry Clay who has made a splendid job of the gate sign for us. No more illegible bits of soggy paper or bits of fuel bottle with nothing on them except smudges of ink!
Thanks Barry.
Our thanks also to the fence crew who work tirelessly in the background for us all. Thanks lads.
Also due our thanks is Wayne Giles for his talk and advice on the care and maintenance of NiCad batteries at the last club meeting. Many thanks Wayne.
Wanted
Tony Pickering would like a Precedent Fun Fly 25 Kit or complete model. Anything considered. Contact Tony on:
Contact page.
Safety Message
The job of the Safety Officer for the club is to be unused! If I am called upon it is because something has gone wrong. You all are charged with the
Health and Safety of each other. This means don't turn a blind eye, a near miss could mean your untimely death next time. I plan to place at the field a waterproof box into which any near miss occurrences can be posted so I can see if there is a pattern in their type, and if so do something about them.
Next ---- Frequencies.
I know it does not happen often but if two of you find yourselves on the same
frequency then I suggest this fail-safe solution.
Whoever wishes to fly takes charge of the other transmitter and puts it in his flight box. When safely back on the ground then return it. This policy if followed will eliminate the inadvertent testing of servos, etc. resulting in a shoot down.
All comments on this will be welcomed and if there are minority of dissenters to this seemingly fail-safe idea then I will have it added to the club rules.
For now, Think Safety, Fly Safe. Stuart.
October Meeting
The October 1st club meeting will take place at the St. Andrews Rugby Club, Ash Lawn Road, Rugby, as usual.
Our speaker is Bill Harding, long time modeller once associated with DB Kits, who has an outstanding collection of amusing aviation anecdotes and video clips.
Please attend if at all possible. Thanks.
Quote:
I've got the greatest job in the world. Northwest sends me to New York ten times a month to have dinner. I've just got to take 187 people with me whenever I go.
Colin Soucy, Northwest Airlines pilot. G :-)
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