post-box

Here's Geoff Graham:

Hi Reg,

I would like through ModelFlight to congratulate Chris Hardie on successfully flying his nice model. For weeks now the suspense has been killing me while I waited for this report. I have really looked forward to it. It has been an interesting project to follow especially as it is a finished model of a size and complexity suitable for most "middle ground" modellers like myself.

Now then Chris, what next?

Geoff Graham.

Thanks, Geoff - most thoughtful of you to write.

Stuart Quinn-Harvie was pleased!

Hi Reg,

Thanks very much for the information, I really appreciate it. (Stuart was enquiring about plans for Chris Hardie's Blohm and Voss). Your site is marvellous, and I hope it goes from strength to strength.

I will check out other sources for plans, and, when I have a few minutes, I will send you some stuff for the site.

Thanks again,

Stuart Quinn-Harvie

Thanks for the compliment - always encouraging - and for the hope of things to come!

Denis offers to improve your memory!

Reg;

If you know of anyone requiring pre-built Memory Modules for the Futaba 8 radios, I have some for sale for $20.00 US. Tested, formatted and ready to accept 8 more model memories.

I work as a maintenance planner in the aviation industry. My background for this has been 15 years as an aircraft mechanic. My favorite was working on helicopters. I have a Raptor 30 at the moment that I am still wrestling to get to hover (finger wrestling only!). I'm painting it at the moment. I live in Montreal Canada with a fine family of 2 boys (16 & 13) and a great wife!

If people would like this memory module they can E-Mail me and I will contact them directly. Cost is $20.00 US & shipping. Shipping cost will have to be determined at time of request. Cash or money order is required or Paypal can also be used with my E-mail address.

Best regards, Denis

Glad to meet you, Denis - welcome to the ModelFlight pages! Send us a picture of your Raptor if you can, please!

If you are interested in Denis' offer, e-mail him at drm@myexcel.ca

Terry Pollock invites your comments on colour schemes.

Hi Reg

Thanks for another absorbing ModelFlight.

Sorry I have been a bit quiet of late. Work is intruding. I have also been working on a couple of new models - see below.

I have looked at the FastCharger before. Whilst the article suggests that it is "value for money" nowhere in the article does it mention the price. From my recollection it is about $A400. This would be about 25 pounds on current exchange rates. Sorry, just a bit of sarcasm about our $! Actually that would be about £200. Quite a bit of loot. I am using an Ace AccuCycle charger which cost about $A80. This does a fantastic job and was highly rated in a recent Model Airplane News review of chargers. It takes about 20 minutes to fully charge my transmitter and receiver.

Another interesting factor for me at the present time on models is colour schemes. I am currently building a Great Planes Ultra Sports 40. I had one a few years ago that went to that great aeromodellers' heaven, however I was able to salvage the wing which has been gathering dust. So when I purchased the new kit I decided to copy the fuselage to end up with two models. Sell one for the purchase price of the kit and I get a model for free.

I am using an Australian covering material on the models. This is an opaque heat shrink material especially developed for modelling. When you apply it and heat shrink it then it goes clear. You can then paint it any colour you like. Which raises the question. How do you decide on a colour scheme?

Being an aeorbatic sports model, visibility is important. I normally look at other models at my club when they are flying to see what colours and patterns are effective. I also scan through magazines to find schemes that I like. Obviously my base colours are white and yellow for visibility against the blue skies - remember we are talking down under where the sun shines. However I am often muddled about the contrasts and patterns that would be the most effective. Perhaps your readers - or do we refer to ourselves as members (of the virtual flying club)? - would like to put their ideas and comments forward on this.

Regards

Terry

PS: Have just reached agreement with the Treasurer to purchase a new computer radio for Christmas. Am considering either the new Hitec Eclipse or the JR XP652. Both sell for about $590 at the moment. As I have used Hitec Focus 6 radios since I started 10 years ago, I am favouring the Hitec. I can also use my existing receivers with it - although you can also use them with JR. Hitec parts (receivers and servos) are a bit cheaper than JR.

Clearly you have a treasure of a Treasurer there, Terry - make sure you keep her sweet!

I didn't quote prices on the Smart Fastcharger out of deference to the manufacturers' preference to quote in local currency for their customers. With the poor old Aussie dollar as it is right now, though, the Smartcharger still looks a 'value for money' deal for us poms and other foreigners and is likely to work out at around £150 in the UK, although admittedly it is on the high end of such equipment.

I was very interested in that covering material Terry refers to and asked him for more information - it's called OzCover and is featured on cats corner

Kind words from Bill Foster of Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada

That was a great article on the FastCharger . . .

You are to be commended for the job you are doing to bring forth info and articles for we modellers. I have an appreciation for the time that is involved in doing this, as I put out a monthly newsletter in typed form for 100 members of a club for five years . . .

So let me say "Thanks", . . . it is much appreciated!

Thanks very much, Bill - nice to have your encouragement and support.

The FastCharger has generated quite a bit of interest and I know of quite a few of you who have sent for a quote.

Tim Costello is searching

I have just found your site and am working my way through it.

In the meantime, can you tell me how to find Flighthook and their products, please?

They have Tadiran batteries and chargers, etc., that I need.

In return, I offer you an Electric flying site that will blow you away:

www.cleanswing.co.uk

Don't miss it and thanks again.

Welcome, Tim!

I was able to give Tim a few links to Tadiran battery suppliers but I could not find hind nor hair of Flighthook in my searching - anybody else able to help, I wonder?

The Cleanswing site is good - find out how to get really long flights with your electrics!

Aerobatics know-how

'Kesparky' wrote, " . . . am looking for any 'how to' sites for r/c aerobatics".

Not many out there that I could find, but here's a couple that might be of interest.

There's a small series of articles on the Columbia R/C Club site. Go to

http://members.primary.net/~tdenham/enterindex.htm then click on the link to Articles. In the drop down list of articles, there are a few under Flying and Aerobatics.

An even better site is

http://members.tripod.com/flyboy19/

Click on Aerobatics from the menu at the top of the site and it takes you to series of 12 articles written by Russell Knetzger of Milwaukee - it looks good!