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Can anybody please help new ModelFlighter Simon Eagles, who writes:

Reg,

Could you possibly put a message out on your site asking for help with a new challenge I have set myself? I am going to embark upon my first EDF project which I have selected as an A-10.

The challenge is to have around a 50-inch wing span, working flaps and retract undercarriage in addition to the normal control surfaces. I am going to use blue foam in the majority of the build to keep weight to the minimum. Is there anyone out there who could best advise me on a good EDF motor combination as this is causing me sleepless nights at present and I am still only in the project planning stage!!!

Many thanks and kind regards.

If you can offer Simon any help on this, please e-mail him at simon.eagles@torch.co.uk

From the UK comes Roger Manley, OBE, making contact for the first time

Thanks for an excellent mag. and the ads. service. It is all in an accessible style (this from an "older/newcomer" who finds much of the jargon incapable of penetration...yet!).

Great to find a site that enthuses with a capital E; delivers what it promises and is quick to load.

I am returning to flying after 35 years absence (had to go to work) so I am amazed at how things have progressed; how much more reliable gear is; how many new materials there are and - in particular - how electric's have come of age.

Maybe as I progress I will join in with some thoughts/pics/projects. I have in mind converting a few I/c designs to electric.

My wife and I spend much time in France, since we retired. I love most things French (especially what comes out of bottles!) and have a medium term project to convert the "Flair" Legionnaire to electric. To my astonishment I saw a pic. in a commercial mag., this month, of a Frenchman who had done just that. So, my project is not unique.

Roger.

Delighted to welcome you to ModelFlight, Roger, and thanks for the kind comments; any contributions you might care to make will be most welcome - the Legionnaire conversion would be interesting to follow on 'work in progress' . . .

Here's Johny Hollingsworth, UK:

Looking forward to the report on the maiden flight of your Citabria and the engine. The pictures should make you feel proud as it looks good and the pilot gives it that final touch.

Now that I've mastered the scanner I've a few photos of the Corsair ready for release to the public.

Incidentally I've resurrected an old Laser 75 engine which was solid with castor and currently stripped down into component parts and being cleaned slowly. The only problem could re-assembly and getting the settings correct. I fear a phone call to Neil Tidley may be necessary. Anyway enjoyed the latest edition.

Always nice to hear from you, Johny! Hope we'll see your pictures of the Corsair soon - it's a lovely looking plane. Hope you succeed with the Laser - keep us posted.

See work in progress for the Citabria report.

Nice to meet Derek Morgan

Hi...

Stumbled over your site.

I have been flying a Tiger Trainer and an Alpha 180.

I've just finished completing a Multiplex Twinstar.

If anyone has any advice about the Twinstar before I lob it, I would be most grateful to hear from you.

All the best

Derek Morgan

Derek tells me that both he and his wife fly model aircraft when they get the chance so perhaps, at last, we will see a lady flyer in action! Derek and Elaine are professional musicians - take a look at their website if that interests you and order Elaine's new CD! Find them at

www.morganmusic.fsbusiness.co.uk

Derick Veliz flies a Twinstar which he uses for aerial photography (see air space on ModelFlight #23); Derick recommends the following link for a good article on the Twinstar, including tips on setting up and flying: http://www.ezonemag.com/articles/1998/dec/twinstar/twinstar.htm

There's an album of latest pictures from Derick on photo gallery too, by the way.

Catching up with Australian Terry Pollock, including news of another 'w.i.p.' project

I haven't been very communicative recently due to work commitments. I spent 6 weeks working in Canberra and am now in Fiji - first of four weeks.

I am going home for the weekend next weekend and will try to get time to scan photos of my De Havilland Hornet Moth (DH87B). It is in reasonably early days based on my building speed but there are good shots of the fuselage. I have built basic upper wing assemblies but don't have any photos of these yet.

I have just taken on the role of registrar of the Lilydale Club that I belong to. We have about 165 members. My departure to Fiji was rather inopportune as it is registration renewal time. I did a fair bit before I came over here and will get some more done next weekend when I get home.

As well as being the Registrar for the club, I am also working on the development of a web site. Over the past couple of months I have been teaching myself HTML. I thought that it would be better to understand the basics before starting with one of the packages. I have access to Dreamweaver. It has been an interesting exercise to see how it all works. It is interesting to note that amount of graphics that are involved. I will probably need to explore this area next. I was supposed to present my draft to the club at the August meeting (first Wednesday of month) however bit hard from here in Suva

I have developed two web models - one with frames and one with tables. I will present them and see which they favour. I must admit that I had a look at the base code for ModelFlight to see if I can get some ideas.

My work in Fiji is very interesting. I am doing an implementation planning study for the Fiji Government for a new computer system for the whole of Government. The product they will be implementing is called SAP. It is a German system. Fiji Government still use cash accounting and we are trying to move them to standard accrual accounting, however I think it will be a slow process. I am here until 17th August. We need to get out of the country before the general elections at the end of the month - just to be on the safe side. The actual implementation isi expected to start in about October and take up to a year.

Will write again soon.

Very pleased to hear from you again, Terry, and looking forward to your Moth progress. Let us know when your website is up and we can pay you a visit!

G'day says Tom Watson, Australia, with a promise of something for our 'work in progress' page:

I am soon to receive a SR Batteries "Cutie" kit from the US. It is a really well made electric model for a geared Speed 400. If you like I will document the building and send it to you. I intend to cover it in silk and dope

I think my kit will be here next week. I may take a few weeks to finish it, but I will do my best and send plenty of stuff.

Things are great here. The weather has been beautiful for winter. Nice sunny days and little wind. I feel sorry for all of you in the northern hemisphere with your severe winters.

You are doing a great job, Keep up the good work.

Nice one, Tom! We're enjoying a bit of a heat-wave here in the UK right now and our thoughts are far from winter!

Your new plane certainly lives up to its name, and it will be great to follow your project. It will be interesting to hear about the silk and dope routine, too.

There must be lots you can write to ModelFlight about, so click on the post-box at the top of the page and get in touch!

I assume that you are happy for me to publish any of your correspondence to me, unless you specifically request otherwise!

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