JOEY ANDERSON was one of the three personal profiles featured in the last update, and he was pleasantly surprised when he saw he was included on the page. He reckons that r/c flying is an incurable disease and backs up his claim with this tongue-in-cheek story of

how I got started

I work with two friends who are avid r/c pilots. One day, one of them says, "Hey, let's get out of here. Let's go to the Model Shop".

WRONG, do not ever go with an r/c pilot to a Hobby Shop.

So we get there (I can jockey full scale egg beaters [translation required for at least one UK reader!]), and I am drooling over these two Helis. So I ask, what this big one costs. Oops, the answer is way out of my league. So what does the little one cost? Aargh, still out of my league, plus the Hobby Shop owner says that the little one is not what you want anyway. OK, I am cured (for now). Two days later, this same guy (he may not be sick with this incurable disease, but he is sure a carrier!) says, "Come with me to the field and watch what we do".

WRONG, WRONG, never go with an r/c pilot anywhere.

So we get there, and I have an enjoyable time just watching and talking. Then one guy says, "We can take you three mistakes high, and let you try".

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, never accept any offers from any of these guys, not even a ride home. I did anyway.

To make a long story short, I ended giving the Buddy box back to the instructor (he does it for FREE - he says, "How in the world can you charge for something that you love to do"), with my legs shaking and my heart pumping like mad. Two days later, I built my first ARF (could not wait so long).

That was June 1999, yes 1999. Today I have 7 flyable planes (3 ARFs, 4 kit builts), all crashed at least once, all fixed again by me (one is a gas-powered glider - you fly that thing for over half an hour on 4 ounces of fuel, laying on your back, easy on your neck), 3 radios, a whole bunch of scrap left-over balsa wood (donated by "those guys"), and more friends in the Flying Club I now belong to, than in Church.

I do not watch that much TV (good or bad?), I am involved in this with my two boys and three girls (why did I not do this earlier?), and most of all, my better half is 100 percent behind me in this. I guess it is that phrase you agree to when you get married. "Do you . . . in sickness and in health . . . "

I am often told that my new hobby costs a lot. I do not think so. I compared it with Photography and Skiing. Not different once you get all the goodies you need (not want!).

Just a piece of advice to anyone who is interested in r/c flying.

'Nuff said.

amerindo@worldnet.att.net

Great stuff, Joey. I was just wondering if you meant that third tip to be the other way round . . . ?

Any more offerings on the "how I got started" theme (with or without tongue in cheek!) will be most welcome - just e-mail them to me at ModelFlight using the post-box on any page and they will appear in the next update.

decals, cont'd

The decal making thing has been written up in Fine Scale Modeller and so far I have just done a few experiments and small scale decals. The Alps printer is no longer available in the UK - mine is a clone made by Citizen - but for a painted finish I don't think you can get better than these waterslide decals. I had previously just hand-painted the markings on or made waterslide decals on gummed labels by hand. The Alps will print readable lettering down to about 3 - 4 point and can print white and silver which other printers can't do.

BRICULL@aol.com

Enjoyed surfing your site, Reg - very informative and enjoyable.

On decals, I've been printing with color bubble jet printer on clear address labels, and they are great except not fuel proof to 15% fuel. Need to find just what kind of ink decal makers use.

Canon makes an ink cartridge for Photo printing only, and I'm betting that ink is the answer. If I get a cartridge and try it, I'll let you know.

dhagler@sirinet.net

It will be interesting to hear if you do track down a suitable ink, Don.  

I have made up decals by printing directly on to white tissue and then doping them in place. I have also seen it done under glass cloth providing you don't paint over the top.

phil@modeltechnics.com

a beginner's plea

PETER MUCKLE e-mailed to say:

I wondered about dedicating part of your site to beginners. You could do some reviews of radios and starter kits, etc., and take it from there. I think that simulators would be a good topic as well, as I have never seen a good group review of the main four or five sims.

I am a beginner myself. I do not have a lot to offer yet, but have been practicing on Truflight 3D, and notice small improvements all the time. I have a JR 3810 (which I exchanged for a JR 652) and do not think that the manual explains very clearly the function of each of the switches.

pete@mucklepartners.demon.co.uk

As I explained in a direct reply to Peter, I'm not personally in a position to review radios and starter kits, etc., as I would not have access to equipment other than my own and I, too, am still a beginner. It's only the magazines that get stuff to review, I guess (although I sometimes think it would be a good thing if they got a beginner to test out items meant for that part of the market - that would at least prove how good or bad the instructions are!). Generally speaking, this sort of thing is already well-covered by experts writing in the model magazines (some of which are mentioned on the links page), but if I come across anything that I think would be worth sharing in ModelFlight, I will certainly include it. Equally, ModelFlight is here to publish your comments, reviews, opinions and findings on any kit, item of equipment, flight sim or whatever, so have a go at sharing your knowledge and experience.