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RADIO CONTROL MODELS AND ELECTRONICS

HANDSOME HALIFAX HANDLEY PAGE TEAM BUILD

FLAIR FLY-IN

CIRCUITS & BUMPS AT BANBURY

STEALTH!

XFLY’S LOW PROFILE F-22

WWI WHEELS DIY DOUGHNUTS CORREX CONTINUES PLASTIC SHEET HAWK

Okay, let’s take a quick look at what we have in store for you this month.

Steve Hannon gets things underway as he assembles an F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, one of a new line of small-scale twin EDF jets from XFly Models. Chris Williams opens RCM M&E 4 | RC

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RADIO CONTROL MODELS AND ELECTRONICS

HANDSOME HALIFAX HANDLEY PAGE TEAM BUILD

FLAIR FLY-IN

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STEALTH!

October 2024

XFLY’S LOW PROFILE F-22

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VOL.67 NO.8 AUGUST 2024

RADIO CONTROL MODELS AND ELECTRONICS

RADIO CONTROL MODELS AND ELECTRONICS

KENT SOARING

CORREX CONSTRUCTION MODEL BUILDING WITH TWIN WALL PLASTIC SHEET

STRUTS & FLAPS

BICKLEY GLIDER DAY

TWINLINER

INDOOR SCALE NATS

ARTF AIRLINER REVIEWED

UNBOXING SEAGULL’S SHOCK CUB

MODELLING THE Do 24 ATT

SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED

August 2024

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JUST FOR FUN SPORT COLUMN RETURNS HOLLY BUDDY MAKING A MODEL ENGINE

LARGE MODEL TESTING DEPERDUSSIN TRIES AGAIN DERBY DELIGHTS ASHBOURNE SCALE MEET

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FLAIR ON FINALS

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A2 GLIDER R/C CONVERSION

INDOOR R/C NATS

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THE FLAIR PRODUCTS STORY CONCLUDES

WALSALL SCALE BONANZA

June 2024

the accounts of our regular columnists with his latest Scale Gliding feature, followed

by Phil Stone with part two of his ‘Building with Correx’ article in which he completes a Hawk T1 PSS slope soarer built from plastic sheet. Next, Je�f Barringer details all the hard work that John Rogers and Bill Pilsbury put into making a large scale, electric powered HP Halifax bomber. Our recent Flair articles were very popular, so we were full of hope as we dispatched Mike Freeman to the Flair Fly-In; sadly, the weather had other ideas but even so a grand day out was enjoyed by all in attendance. Our pull-out Pro-Plan this month, designed by Jon Harper, is for the lesser known Boulton Paul Overstrand biplane bomber, which in turn is followed by part two of Martin Hardy’s article on building a tri-motored Dornier �lying boat. Our final editorial slot is filled by Dave Goodenough, who covers another wide range of model topics in his One Man & His Shed column, including how to make simple WWI e�fect wheels.

I hope you enjoy reading it all.

Happy Flying!

WWI WHEELS DIY DOUGHNUTS CORREX CONTINUES PLASTIC SHEET HAWK

£6.35

elcome to the October 2024 issue of RCM&E. We’ve been enjoying some fine �lying weather this summer here in the UK (that’s probably torn it!) but is it just me or are the seasonal winds picking up? Stronger summer breezes do seem to be becoming the norm and they also seem to have a more westerly component rather than the south westerlies that we have traditionally fine if all my �lying enjoyed. Which would be fine sites lined up vaguely in that direction, but of course few of them do. In fact, only one, the farthest away, has that distinction, whilst another (almost as far) can be used when �lying from its short runway. Frustratingly, my nearest strip lines up NNW and SSE so is rarely ‘down the strip’ at any point in the summer. Which got me thinking…

The obvious answer to this dilemma is to have two strips, but that’s a lot of work for those stalwart club members who undertake this task and in my experience such ‘B’ strips tend to be a little short and narrow so are of limited use. I have heard of clubs with circular patches so that their members can take o�f in any direction, as well those with large, square areas that serve the same purpose. But those sites are the exception rather than the rule.

I then had what can only be described as an ‘Eureka!’ moment. What about a small extension to the side of an existing ‘o�f wind’ grass strip, but wedge shaped so that it only added to the width at one end. Over time the whole patch could be tidied up to take up a ‘piece of pie’ shape, leaving a strip in its usual place but with an extra bit of width at one end to more easily cope with crosswind takeo�fs and landings.

So, what do you think, and does your club employ an unusually shaped �lying strip to allow �lying over a greater range of wind directions.

September 2024

W

Welcome

PLUS II LONGHAM LAKES - WATERPLANES OVER DORSET II JP MB-339 - ONE-PIECE MINI JET REVIEWED

Get your digital edition for just £3.99 per issue www.classicmagazines.co.uk/subscription/RCM Editor: Kevin Crozier

Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR kcrozier@mortons.co.uk

PRINT AND DIGITAL The whole package – just £5.50 per issue for a printed and digital version www.classicmagazines.co.uk/subscription/RCM www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

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48

10

On the cover Photo: Bill Pilsbury

“I’ve always fancied a big four-engined WW2 bomber.”

That fateful comment from John Rogers to Bill Pilsbury of the Northampton Model ircra t Club (NMAC) was to lead to 22 months worth of research, design and building to yield a 104-inch scale model of a Handley Page Halifax bomber. The pair decided that the Lancaster was a little over modelled and the Halifax fitted the bill perfectly. The example modelled hails from 466 Squadron RAAF, based at RAF Dri�field in orkshire.

RCM M&E 6 | RC

22

62

Contents

Regulars 8 38

58

SWITCH ON

FLAIR FLY-IN

Send us a picture of a new or favourite model and it could appear in our regular readers’ models gallery

62

DORNIER Do-24ATT

Have your say in RCM&E’s monthly chat room

74

JP FLY-IN

PILOTS’ PICTORIAL

ALL WRITE

COUNTERPOINT

92

GOING PLACES

94

MARKETPLACE

95

NEXT ISSUE

selection of new gadgets, kits and bits for you to buy

Our updated list of model shows, events and competitions for you to visit over the next few months

Sell o�f your unwanted airframes and engines or maybe buy a few new ones

Take a look at what’s coming in the November ‘24 issue of RCM&E PARTING SHOT

F-22 RAPTOR

Steve Hannon scrambles XFly-Model’s twin 40 mm EDF stealth jet

BUILDING WITH CORREX

30

HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX

SUBSCRIBE…

… and receive D-Day RAF & D-Day Overlord FREE! See page 82 for details

Martin Hardy continues the story behind the build of his lightweight triengine scale amphibian

Graham shby travels to Buckminster to help J. Perkins Distribution promote their wares across the various modelling hobbies

16

SCALE GLIDING

68

THE INSIDER

74

Chris Williams crosses his fingers as a gargantuan Nimbus scale soarer makes its maiden �light Join John Stennard for another batch of indoor model �lying topics

ONE MAN & HIS SHED

Topics covered by Dave Goodenough this month include a blighted secondhand bargain, finding fonts for model stickers and making simple WWI style wheels

Free Pro-Plan

48

Features 22

Mike Freeman joins other hardy souls at the celebration of all things Flair hosted by Banbury MFC

Columns

Mike Freeman captures a Cougar jet with a sticky undercarriage as it survives a tricky landing

Reviews 10

undertaken by John Rogers and Bill Pilsbury

40

Our latest round up of model �lying news.

61

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Volume 67 | Issue 10

BOULTON PAUL P-75 OVERSTRAND

Jon Harper describes the research and build of his 72-inch ‘Nugly’ bomber

In his second article on building with �luted polypropylene sheet Phil Stone shows how to make the fuselage of a PSS Hawk T1 Je�f Barringer reports on an impressive joint scale WW2 warbird project

16

40

October 2024 | www.modelflying.co.uk

RCM RC M&E | 7

Switch on

Our latest round up of model flying news and miscellany

VMC WESTLAND LYSANDER Newly released from the Vintage Model Company hangar, and the latest addition to their Magnificent Flying Machines range, the 22 wingspan Westland Lysander promises a challenging build with proven free-�light credentials. Designed by ndrew Darby, MC think this may be the first balsa Lysander since the old Keil Kra t Small Flying Scale kit from the 1950s.

The Lysander was most famous as a stealthy carrier of SOE operatives behind enemy lines during WWII and this new version includes black tissue covering and a marking scheme that re�lects those operations. The kit is supplied with a precise plotted plan, detailed instruction booklet, laser cut parts, vacuum-formed canopy, spinner and engine cowl, 6 prop, Super Tan rubber, prop hook and bushings. There’s even a bottle of wood glue thrown in.

Priced at just £3 .99 with free UK shipping, you’ll want to get this model on your Christmas wish list right now!

FLY WITH AVONVALE AT RAGLEY HALL Ken Richardson writes in with information about vonvale MFC, which was formed in 19 2 and was based originally at Long Marston in Warwickshire on an ex-wartime airfield. The club moved to the Ragley Hall estate where the members have transformed their patch into an excellent �lying site ‘Formed in 1962, Avonvale Model Flying Club has an enthusiastic membership. We are based on the Ragley Estate near Alcester where we have a dedicated field. The club is a�filiated to the BMFA and operates within their code of practice, and we encourage development of our hobby by o�fering free club membership to BMFA juniors.

At the present time we are unable to allow the operation of gas turbine powered aircra�t, but IC or electric fixed wing and rotary aircra�t of all sizes are welcome. The committee will keep this under review.

New members of Avonvale Model Flying Club are encouraged and we welcome flyers of all abilities and experience, as well as all types of model aircraft. As a BMFA Affiliated club all members are required to maintain current BMFA membership in order that you are insured and can take advantage of the BMFA achievement scheme should you wish. We have club instructors and examiners who can advise, assist and test you when you are ready.

Prospective new members are encouraged to complete our online form for advice and to arrange a visit to meet members and discuss either getting into

RCM M&E 8 | RC

the hobby or joining the club in the event that you are already �lying, no matter what your level of experience.’ http://www.avonvale.org.uk

www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

SALE MFC CELEBRATE 50 YEARS This year Sale Model Flying Club is not only celebrating 50 years since its inception, but it is also, remarkably, celebrating 50 years of �lying from the same site at Banky Meadow.

The club had some early beginnings before formally becoming Sale Model Flying Club. Back in 196 some of the founding members �lew control line models at Sale Boys Grammar School and a ter a short period the �lyers moved to the Cronford Fields running track in Sale where they continued to �ly for the next few years. In 19 the �lyers were asked to give a demonstration of model �lying at Sale Moor High School. This wasn’t the success it was hoped to be and as a result the �lyers were moved by the Council to another field, which was Parkway Cricket Club near Sale Water Park. This was the beginning of the formal club being established.

The move to the cricket field formally created the first club, Parkway Model Flying Club, which is still in existence today �lying from the same site at Sale Water park. t the same time the newly formed club obtained a 12-month licence to �ly from a council field on Banky Meadow. However, a farmer also had a licence for the same area and wasn’t keen on sharing. s a result, the Council o�fered an adjacent field which is where club has �lown from ever since. This began the formal creation of Sale Model Flying Club in 19 .

The field has changed over the years. Originally a retired tip, the field has seen the ground settle which has meant the topography has changed constantly. Originally there were a few trees around the field but now there are a large number, which has changed the landscape considerably.

Surrounded on three sides by the River Mersey it concentrates your mind on a safe landing!

The area was designated a SSSI (Special Site of Scientific Interest) in the 0s which gave some cause for concern at the time as the club was unsure whether �lying would still be permitted. Fortunately, it continued without any problems. s with many clubs we have had our ups and downs and at its peak the club had over 130 members, but nowadays we normally number around 0.

The club has dwellings within a few miles and as with many clubs it has sometimes had an issue with noise, with some complaints being made to the Council. The club has always managed noise strictly in line with BMF guidelines, however these days the issue is far less prevalent with many electric models being �lown.

The club has seen many members come and go and we have sadly lost some great friends. It seems that many clubs now have an ageing membership and we all need to do what we can to encourage the younger generation to get o�f their games consoles and get out and �ly! s a club we have welcomed many beginners and mentored and taught them to �ly model aircra t, both fixed wing and helicopters. The club has several instructors and currently two BMF examiners. We continue to welcome new people into the sport and to ensure the continuity of the club.

If you want to join a friendly club and can take the banter, come on down to Sale Model Flying Club at Banky Meadow for a great day’s �lying.

Richard Lines

BAN THE BLEMISHES

Advertising Feature | Fix and Flex 2

John Bristow shows how to banish unsightly marks and scu�f marks from a foam model aeroplane Words & Photos John Bristow

1

A mix of Fix and Flex with Micro Balloons makes a synthetic foam mixture. This is light in weight and flexible to match the exact characteristics of the EPO wing.

3

Here we see a torn and badly scuffed EPO wing with some damage to the aileron.

October 2024 | www.modelflying.co.uk

Apply the mix with a spatula to the aileron.

4

Similarly, fill in the scuff marks using a small spatula. The torn wing now looks like new.

RCM RC M&E | 9

F-22 RAPTOR Steve Hannon scrambles XFly-Model’s twin 40 mm EDF stealth jet Words Steve Hannon Photos Steve Hannon, Kevin Crozier, XFly-Model

T

he XFly-Models F-22 Raptor arrived extremely well packed in a custom designed polystyrene crate, with all the parts well protected. This is a twin 40 mm EDF jet constructed from EPO, with ABS plastic parts for strength and rigidity. It comes with the following items pre-installed:  5 x 9-gram digital servos  2 x 40 mm ducted fans (12 blades) with powerful 5000 kV motors  2 x 20-amp ESCs linked and fitted with an XT60 connector Also included are a bag of screws with two Allen keys, a pair of servo ball link connectors for the elevators, a set of landing gear, a carbon fibre wing joiner tube and a comprehensive instruction manual showing detailed assembly stages, control surface movements and the recommended C of G. Removing the packaging and the wings reveals a well packed fuselage with a removable canopy containing a pilot. The servo and ESC connections terminate in the canopy area and are all labelled with their functions.

RCM M&E 10 | RC

F-22Raptorisastreamlinedandtrue-to-scaledesign.

All�lyingpicturesarecourtesyofXFly-Model.

XFly Model’s F-22 Raptor joins the manufacturer’s growing line up of twin 40 mm EDF jets

Scale details include the air inlets, clear canopy with pilot, dummy jet e��lux nozzles and full-�lying horizontal stabs.

www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

TESTING, TESTING | Stealth fighter

XFly are experts at packaging with all parts firmly secured in closely moulded compartments.

All components can be assembled quickly without any glue being needed. Here, an all-movingstabiliser is being slid onto its joiner rod.

“I connected the elevator servo lead in the canopy area to my servo tester, ensuring that both elevator servos were at neutral”

Loops in the aileron pushrods allow fine adjustment of the control surfaces.

ASSEMBLY The carbon fibre wing joiner was first slid into the fuselage tube and then the wings installed, with the servo connectors being pushed into the already installed servo extension leads in the fuselage, making sure that the correct polarity is observed as it is possible to make the connections the wrong way around. ter pushing them home the wings are then fixed to the fuselage using the supplied screws.

Next, the tailplanes were fitted, with the rotating connector rods pushed into the tubes in the fuselage and fixed using the supplied screws. I connected the elevator servo lead in the canopy area to my servo tester, ensuring that both elevator servos were at neutral, and then fitted the elevator pushrods to the servos and elevators whilst making any adjustments necessary to the linkages to ensure neutral settings. A pair of ball link pliers is very useful for attaching the links to the elevators.

UNDERCARRIAGE The very substantial rear landing gear legs are a firm push fit into slots already present in the fuselage.

The front landing leg is steerable and slides into a slot in the bottom of the fuselage, October 2024 | www.modelflying.co.uk

9-gram servos are fitted throughout, five in total.

RCM RC M&E | 11

Closeuponthenosewheelsteeringservoandfittings.

Easy to fit landing gear can easily be removed for more speed and vertical performance whilst utilising the moulded-in finger grips (just behind the legs) for hand launches.

A �light time of up to eight minutes is claimed on a 2600 mAh pack with proper throttle management.

The review model �lew for six minutes on an 1800 mAh pack.

A sleek beast, nose on!

not forgetting to add the white plastic thrust washer to the leg before inserting.

A very clever linkage is included to connect the top of the steering leg to the installed servo in the canopy area. Installation is a bit fiddly, but it can be done with care.

RCM M&E 12 | RC

FINAL CHECKS The ailerons and elevators movements were set to the recommended values and the C of G checked. It is suggested that �light times between three and eight minutes are achievable, depending upon throttle usage,

with the recommended four cell 1300 - 2600 mAh LiPo. There are moulded-in finger grips on the bottom of the fuselage for easy hand launching when �lying from sites not suitable for ground take o�fs. www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

TESTING, TESTING | Stealth fighter

“A six-minute flight was flown, with loops and twinkle rolls easily achieved”

Finger grips allow for hand launches but if �lying this way (recommended if not �lying from tarmac) then maybe remove the undercarriage and get some throwing practice in over long grass. Even this short-mown grass proved to be too long for take o�fs.

FIRST FLIGHTS The first �lights of the F-22 didn’t go too well. nearby club field was chosen for the first �lights as there is a mown runway which is always kept in good condition.

A four-cell 1800 mAh LiPo was installed and with the C of G checked, the control surfaces checked and the radio range checked, all was well. The F-22 was placed facing into wind (a slight breeze) and the throttle increased to full.

The model accelerated well but as the speed increased it was clear that the slight undulations in the runway were causing the model to bounce up and down so the take-o�f was aborted.

We then decided to try a hand launch.

There are finger grips under the fuselage to make hand launching easier, so the model was pointed into wind again and a strong launch was given. Unfortunately, as the model le t the launcher’s hand the nose of the model was raised and with no airspeed the model sunk to the ground, causing damage to the front landing gear leg and minor damage to the nose.

With repairs completed I decided to try a hand launch again but with the landing gear removed. This time I got a helper to first launch the model over long grass and the first launch, again, was a struggle, with the model sinking into the long grass. The second launch was better, with more forward speed, and this time the model got away. six-minute �light was �lown, with loops and twinkle rolls

Despite the best e�forts of Steve's friend, John Freeman, good �lying shots of the review model proved elusive, hence the use of XFly’s in-�light pics elsewhere.

Flight times of 3 - 8 minutes are claimed when using the recommended 4S 1300 – 2600 mAh LiPo. The test model returned six minutes on a well-used 1800 mAh pack.

October 2024 | www.modelflying.co.uk

fitt landing gear o�fers smooth take-o�f and Easy to fi landings - if you are lucky enough to �ly from concrete, tarmac or bowling green style grass…

RCM RC M&E | 13

Under the cooling vents are two 20A brushless ESCs. Twin 1413-KV5000 brushless motors are fitted in the 40 mm EDF units.

control surfaces from the start. With an EDF model you must achieve a good �lying speed immediately from the launch as you have no air moving over the control surfaces until �lying speed is achieved.

In conclusion, the XFly-Model F-22 Raptor is a very nicely finished aeroplane and well designed. Once in the air it performs very predictably and is quite fast on full throttle, with the twin 40mm EDFs performing well.

Slow �lying at high alpha is good fun but a very smooth runway is an absolute must for this model to take o�f easily from the ground. ■ XFly’s 40 mm twin power system delivers plenty of thrust for fast climbs, twinkle rolls and loops.

easily achieved. Control movements were well harmonised but as with all small models the F-22 must be kept reasonably close in whilst �lying as it is easy to get disoriented if the model �lies too far away. Landing into the long grass at high alpha was easy and predictable.

Once airborne the F-22 is predictable and �lies fast on full throttle.

RCM M&E 14 | RC

LESSONS LEARNED So, the lessons learned with XFly-Model’s F-22 Raptor are as follows:  In order to get the F22 to take o�f from the ground you need a really �lat runway, such as tarmac, due to the small wheels fitted on the landing gear.  For hand launching it is advisable to remove the landing gear to avoid damage and launch the model over long grass if possible. When launching a model with a propeller at the front you have the advantage of air being pushed over the

DATAFILE Model:

Model type: Manufacturer: UK importer: RRP: Length: Wingspan: Flying weight: Wing loading: Wing area Motor size ESC EDF Size Servos Functions (servos): LiPo:

F-22 Raptor Twin 40MM EDF jet ARTF semi-scale stealth fighter XFly-Model CML Distribution https://www. cmldistribution.co.uk £169.99 955 mm (37.6”) 702 mm (27.6”) 950 g (33.5 oz) 89 g/dm² 16 .3 sq. in. (10.6 dm ) 1 13-K 5000 x 2 20 x 2 0 mm EDF 12-Blade x 2 9gx5 Ailerons, elevator, throttle, rudder/nose-wheel 4S 1300 - 2600 mAh

www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

GARGANTUAN NIMBUS Chris Williams crosses his fingers and toes as a massive scale soarer makes its maiden Words & Photos Chris Williams

The lucky three staggered to the edge of the slope…

Tun Models Nimbus 4 in impressive action.

W

hen weather historians come to look at the 13th of pril 202 they will note with considerable surprise that the conditions were near perfect for the first of the White Sheet club’s scale �ly-ins for that year. s much as I hate to preface an event report with such matters, given the endless Building Weather both before and a terwards, it was miraculous indeed that we were able to happily frolic on the hallowed slopes to our heart’s content. Thus, it was that there was a robust turnout, with much to see and marvel at.

RCM M&E 16 | RC

It’s usually the large stu�f that catches the eye first and Will Hosie’s gargantuan Nimbus was to be no exception. Let’s take a quick look at the specs. Spanning 1 metres, this product from Tun Models weighs in at lbs and runs on 1 channels. Scaled at 1 2.5, she has eight ailerons and four �laps, plus a retract with brake, costing… But no, I didn’t even dare to speculate, other than but wonder how it was going to escape the surly shackles of Earth. There was much in the way of confab and conference until a consensus was reached and the lucky three staggered to the edge

www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

SCALE GLIDING | Column

Launcher 1 shows the strain!

Barry Cole’s, aka Smallpiece, scaled up version of the RCM&E Slingsby Prefect at the White Sheet event.

Antonia Gigg launches her DG 303.

Adam Chambers with his Penrose Pegasus.

of the slope, borne down by more than the weight of mere expectation.

More confab ensued and the legs of the poor guy under the fuselage started to bend and buckle as the surrounding throng held their collective breath. Finally, the starter’s gun went bang, figuratively speaking, and the Launch Collective staggered forwards into the reasonably robust breeze.

The wingmen peeled thankfully away, whilst the Man in the Middle gave of his utmost, nearly getting his head clipped by the tailplane in the process. It was a close call as the sailplane sagged towards the side of the slope, but gravity was finally thwarted and the Nimbus sailed gracefully away from the hill.

On the sticks, pilot Graeme Mahoney’s face was picture of concentration as he assimilated all the myriad factors associated with a maiden �light.

But that was okay, the rest of us were quite relaxed… The model was quite a sight to behold as it �loated around for ten or fi teen minutes, although Graeme struggled to find the height for a conventional into wind landing.

Eventually he settled for a crosswind set down on the Western side of the hill and the adventure came to an end. Smiles all round, then, plus the usual congratulations, although the model stayed on the ground for the rest of the day!

October 2024 | www.modelflying.co.uk

RCM RC M&E | 17

Penrose Pegasus in action at the White Sheet event.

“I feared the worst and wondered if the doggy bag in my pocket would be all I needed to cart her home” Wife and husband team ntonia and Mel Gigg enjoyed a busy day, with ntonia’s DG 303 looking very tasty. Phil Huddleston put his Slingsby T21c through manoeuvres that Fred Slingsby would never have recognised and would have been impossible anyway without all that generous wing area. dam Chambers’ Pegasus had no trouble staying up and so confidant was he that he didn’t even strap on the propeller! ll in all, a great start to 202 and Event Director Jim Emptage is to be congratulated for calculating the correct size of the emolument to be paid to the Weather Gods…

PLANNED DISINTEGRATION It was at the above-mentioned event that strange things happened to my Skylark 3, which su�fered a dose of PTFCS (Premature Terra Firma Convergence Syndrome). Banking to the le t to turn into finals she suddenly failed to respond to my increasing desperate inputs and hit the deck with a mighty thump, still in a banked turn. Naturally, I feared the worst and wondered if the doggy bag in my rear pocket RCM M&E 18 | RC

In the pits on the White Sheet club’s south-westerly slope.

would be all I needed to cart her home. ou can imagine my surprise when I arrived at Ground ero to find she didn’t have a scratch on her, the outer wing panels having pulled partially out, breaking the wing tapes in the process.

Before I start boasting about it all being in the design, let me take you back to the same venue a few years ago when I was maidening my larger version of the Duster. This too had a three-piece wing and I had the outer panels retained with insulating tape wrapped around both the top and bottom surfaces - just to be sure, you understand. Coming in for her maiden landing the port wing collided with a muscular

clump of grass and the model just seemed to explode. Post Disaster analysis brought forth the conclusion that the over-use of the tape was the principal culprit and ever since, when using tape as a method of wing retention, I have always used it on the top surface only. (This has the extra benefit of hiding the join, which may or may not have been constructed to be su�ficiently neat!)

Thus it was with the Skylark that the splitting of the tape absorbed the sudden stresses, whilst the lightness of the near all-balsa airframe ensured that said stresses weren’t as strong as they might otherwise have been. www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024

SCALE GLIDING | Column

“…the use of film to cover the fuselage came as a surprise to those who thought it might have been painted”

a surprise to those who thought it might have been painted!

Now, what to do about this empty workbench…?

KEEPING SCHTUM… Before the ink for this column had dried there came a thunderous knocking at my front door.

It was the Scale Police, presenting me with a Cease & Desist Order in relation to my serial use of non-scale wing sections in my designs.

No sooner had they gone, the front door trembled once again and this time it was the Conspiracy Police. Cease & Desist, they said, from spreading rumours that our smart phones are really alien artefacts slowly

(Just in case anyone was wondering, the loss of control turned out to have been caused by a dodgy socket on the wiring harness. Said harness is no longer on the premises.)

PROJECT CONCLUSION In a break from my usual protocol, given the complete unreliability of the weather these days, I made the bold decision to give the Foka 5 its maiden �light at the aforementioned White Sheet event, just in case another chance might not come along for a goodly while. smooth launch by Motley Crew saw her �ly steadily away from the hill, seemingly in excellent trim and with no cause for any alteration to the shape of the trousers.

Unsurprisingly, the �light performance proved similar to the of the Foka , with a smooth performance in a brisk breeze, and the use of film to cover the fuselage came as

CW with his new Foka 5 before its maiden �light.

A smooth launch by Motley Crew saw the Foka 5 �ly steadily away from the hill.

October 2024 | www.modelflying.co.uk

RCM RC M&E | 19

Wing tip view of the Foka 5 soaring over White Sheet.

Just film, no paint!

Wringing her out!

RCM M&E 20 | RC

sucking out our brains. (Well, the evidence is all around what do you think ‘ ir Drop’ really means anyway?)

So, I’m keeping schtum about that one, but I will not be silenced about where all the balsa is really going. Seriously, wind turbine blades…?

I’ll tell you where it’s really going; it’s going to a secret facility in the Nevada desert (where else?) where they are building an all-balsa version of the Titanic. It is claimed that this will be the world’s first unsinkable cruise ship and will not be intimidated by any spare chunks of �loating ice.

Now, if only I could remember where I put my phone… c_williams30@sky.com ■ www.modelflying.co.uk | October 2024