Bin there done that

Well, my stash of part-built models has been reduced.  Did I work hard, and get some done?  No, not quite.  Rather, I chucked 2 models into the bin (the DFS and the Phantom), and gave 2 away (the completed Fi-103 and the near completed Natter).  The 2 that were given away to my Godson, who finished the Natter off.  Nice to know it’s gone to a good home!

As for working on models, well, masked part of the canopy of the BF-109.  I dislike masking, as it’s so fiddly, and easy to get wrong.  Still, I did a reasonable job, so far.  The method I use is to make up squares or rectangles, then apply them to the model, overlapping where needed.  Other methods involve putting down too much masking tape down, then running a fresh blade around the edge to get the right size.  This might be neater, but I’ve never quite mastered it, so, I stick to the small squares method.  When it comes to masking tape, I only use Tamiya tape these days.  Other tapes simply don’t cut the mustard.  Saving on tape, when it’s not expensive anyway, is a false economy.

A little bit of fixing in the interior of the Lancaster, as some bits came loose.  I’ve also use the Skyservant window in the front of the Lanc, and, whilst not perfect, it’s not too bad, quite acceptable.  Next step will be to close up the fuselage, and to attach the wings.  At this stage, it will, at least, look like an aircraft!

So, a little glacial moves in the plastic modelling arena.  TTFN!

A new cut

It’s been a long time since I attempted a ‘stick and tissue’ model, in fact, I believe I’ve only ever completed one (if memory serves, I did years before start another one, but didn’t get beyond sanding the nose).  Even that one was many years back, maybe 10 years ago?  Anyway, at that time I bought a whole raft of kits, namely a West Wings Olympian, a West Wings Topaz, a West Wings Swallow, a West Wings Dornier 335, an Aerographics Eastbourne Monoplane, a Guillows ‘Junior Build’ (or something like that) Cessna, a Guillows FW-190, and a Guillows Hurricane.  I also bought a Dumas kit  for a friend, which I remember was around 20 Pounds, from 308 Hobbies, if memory serves.  I had also, years before that, bought a Keil Kraft Competitor for a friend, along with a modelling iron to heat film, which I know because he gave it back to me a few years back, as he had never built it, and needed the space (thanks Swabs)!

So, I remembered how I enjoyed that first kit, even if I never finished it.   It was probably a classic English kit, from the likes of Keil Kraft (from what I understand, the memories are often better than the realities), and probably from Blunt’s model shop in Mill Hill Circus, NW7, London.  Ah, the late, lamented, Blunt’s, small, but with a lot of stuff in it (railways, aircraft, plastic, r/c, everything, but, railways aside, never quite enough selection), and interestingly, a good fantasy RPG section.

The Guillow’s kit I built was a Junior ‘build by numbers’ model.  I remember covering it in tissue, misting water, and then doping it.  In fact, I still have the dope and balsa cement.  Never quite got around to chucking them out, or, at least, not recently anyway.  However, I made the classic error, and over tightened the tissue, leading to wing warping.  I’ll just have to try and be careful not to do it again!

Speaking of models, I did buy a new West Wings model, a Beguine, a new model from them (from Hobcbystores, St.Albans), designed for an electric ’400′ motor and radio control.  The plan is to build up the other West Wings/Guillow’s kits, and then move onto the Beguine.

The Gullow’s FW-190 is not complete sadly, missing plastic and rubber bits, so, I might experiment with it.

Anyway, I have started the Olympian, and a build up diary will be started tomorrow (because it’s getting late now).  Also today I played  around some Silverlit Twins that I have, with my Godson and his father.  Actually, they were better than I realised, when there is no wind.  Where I live is a fairly sheltered garden, so it was great fun to play there.  OK they’re simple things, but fun!  I plan to remove the r/c gear and motors from one of them, and transfer them to a foam glider I have (1.99 Pounds!), and see what that’s like!

On another note, I’ve been using the excellent FMS free flight simulator, with the USB controller supplied with the Electrafun XP2.  I must admit, I was a numpty,  I saw a battery case in the USB controller, and whilst was surprised a USB controller needs battery, still bought all 8.  I should have looked more carefully.  They used the same casing, but there are no battery connections on the inside!  Still, I need them for the main transformer!

One things about FMS, it needs a DLL file, which is not in Vista.  However, it’s easy to find it via Google, download it, move it to Windows/System32, and then run a line to install it.  Easy!  Be even easier if that information was around.  Still, also tracked down an Electrafun .par file for FMS, which is closer to what I will fly.

As for flying on FMS…let’s say I recommend everyone uses it.  I crashed so often, until I learnt how to be gentle with the controls.  A classic beginners error is to move the controls too much.  Also, I had to trim the model on FMS.  Not hard, just means calibrating, which is from the drop down menu.

Let’s hope I can finally fly next week!  TTFN

First steps in flight

Although I’m having to be very cautious with my money, I did, a week back, get some ‘toy’ radio controlled stuff.  Basically, 2 little flyers, a tiny helicopter, and a boat that was half price.  Well, there I was, in the Lake District, with a friend’s son, and the boat, which worked for a few seconds, if that, then stopped, and just made some awful noises.  One of the aircraft flew, but, being made of foam, the wind was more of an impact than the props.  The other aircraft just did nothing at all.  In short, a failure.

So, today, Wednesday (actually, yesterday, as past midnight), I decided for a final test, before taking them back to the store.  The boat?  It had issues, but was now running OK.  The second aircraft?  Turns out I was a numpty, and had the controller set to the wrong band!  The helicopter was fun, but, didn’t do much.

Anyway, went to the shop, but sans items, and they told me what I need to do to get it all running smoothly.  Not so bad as I thought!  However, whilst these toys are fun, they are just that, toys.  So, if I really want to fly something, I need a proper aircraft, and so, dear reader, my quest began!

I hope this wee tale is of interest to others in the same boat. First I went to HobbyStores (a chain) who, as before (when I was there last week), recommended the HobbyZone SuperCub (HZ SC). It seems they are not planning to stock the HobbyZone Mini SuperCub.  The Mini SuperCub, soI’ve read, is the same as the full size, one, just smaller, and has just been announced.  Now, the HZ SC has had wonderful reviews, has excellent spares backup, etc.  It’s also 130 Pounds, whilst it’s smaller brother, if it was stock at HobbyStores would be around 85 Pounds

I also looked at the Amerang (a UK distributor) who sell the ‘Mini Euro Trainer’, which is 65 Pounds, half exactly the HZ SC. However, parts are, apparently more difficult to get, it’s much smaller, so harder to fly, but, for me, the clincher that killed it off was that the transmitter is the same one used for my Compass boat, but with one of the blanked off dials on the top being made into a throttle control (with left stick for rudder, and right stick for elevators). Learning on that would have meant using a weird transmitter layout, not good for the future. However, 130 Pounds is a lot, so, after a getting a few supplies (it seems my boat failed because I needed to tighten some screws, so, bought some screwdrivers, and some lubricant).

Next to Moor Models in Watford (15 minutes away). Again, great staff, and they showed me the Top-Gun Park-Flite Super Cub. I liked it, but, wasn’t too sure (it was though cheaper at 100 Pounds). They also showed me another all-in-one set for 108 Pounds, with a huge 57″ wingspan, but… a terrible controller, this time, with a slider for the throttle, on the top. Pity, if it had had a normal controller, I would have gone for it, even if a fraction more. It looked great otherwise (why do some manufacturers shoot themselves in the foot?). Can’t remember what it was called.

However, the lads in the shop, including a salesman for a distributor, all agreed I should get a pusher type as a first proper r/c kit (replacing Silverlit foamie toys). The arguments were that pushers are easier to fly, less likely to break props, and less likely to injure someone with a propellor. The shop keeper showed me a kit he had previously recommended, the J.Perkins Electrofun XP2. This has a 41″ wingspan, comes with spares for most bits (even wings), even with 2 controllers, one a normal one, the other, a USB one, for learning how to fly. Also, 2 chargers, one mains, one car battery. The transmitter felt really nice, with a nice action to it, and it’s ‘standard’. It’s also 4 channel, even though just 3 are used. I can even get crystals for it, so, I can use it for my West Wings Swallow (if I ever build it). Just to make things sweeter, I was even given a small discount! Sold for 75 Pounds, bargain!

Anyway, went to my Godson’s place, and assembled it.  Some bits weren’t so easy (putting the propeller on was a hassle), and the rear boom is slightly out of true, leading to the tailplanes and fin being out, but, still, should be OK.  I’ve left the aircraft there (they have a garage), but taken the instructions and flight-sim home so I can get some practise in before our maiden flight, Saturday!