Welcome to the May2025 issueofRCM&E. If somethinglooks a bit di�ferent thanusual with your copyofyourfavouriteR/C magazine that’s because it has changed to anew paper size of 205 x290 millimetres Thetypes of papers used forboth the coverstock andthe inside pageshave also changed. But don’tworry,weare not alone in this,our sister modelling magazines Model Boats andModel Engineer Workshop having also adopted this new format
‘Why the change?’,you maywell ask.Well, simplyput RCM&E and many other titles published by MortonsMedia have nowbeen taken over by Kelsey Media, oneofthe leadingindependently owned media businesses in the UK. This new format is oneofKelsey’s preferred papersizes and it will be used forseveral other titles,including the model magazines mentioned above, Best of British andaselectionofangling publications Bythe time youreadthis the take-overwill be completeand hopefullywewill be able to manage ourlittle piece of the transitionwith minimal disruption. In fact,I hopeitgoes as smoothlyasitdid when MortonsMediaGroup took overRCM&E from MyTimeMedia which, at least from my point of view,happened with avery lighttouch.
It will takealittle while foreverythingtobed down so therewill be atransitional period when youmay see things likethe Mortonslogo still being used –probablywhen I’ve failed to spot them! So please bearwith us while we finetune things.But hopefully, apart from thepaper size, anychanges will be almost invisible to ourreaders overthe coming fewissues.Thank youinadvance foryourcontinued support andpatience
Ihaveyet to be issued witha new email address so if youwish to contact me then please carryon using the Mortonsone forthe time being.
Nowfor aquick look at some of the main articles in this month’s magazine. BarryStevens starts the ball rolling by assembling the latest twin 40 mm EDF jet from XFly-Model, aworking swing-wing F-14 Tomcat.InRetroRamblings, ShaunGarrity previews the 13th PontefractSingle Channel &RetroFly-in, as well as handing some page space to PeterChristy so that he can describe the AnalogueProportional radios of yesteryear.Martin Hardyhas beenbusyinhis workshop again, this time finishing o�fa classic SIGSpacewalker kit andconverting it to electric power. Then it’s overtoDannyFenton, who has alsobeen busy building anew model, but this
one’sa lot smaller,being aBlackburn Monoplane which Dannywill be �lying at the IndoorScale Nationals.Model Magic this month is dedicated to Kevin Powling’s latest scalemasterpiece which he built from theCARF P-51 Mustang kit Fortunately, the full-sizeP-51 which Kevin chose to replicatenow resides in theUKsohewas able to takehis model along to photograph alongside the real ‘Jersey Jerk’beforeembarking on a�light in this famous fighter.Our free pull-out Pro-Plan this month is forFundroid, a51-inch wingspan fun�ly model which MikeBell has made from foamboard andDeprontoreducethe cost of making acompetitive fun�ly machine.Our second review this month is from FrankSkilbeck whohas been busy buildinga VP2600 electric glider usingthe kit andpowerset supplied by 4-MaxModels.Then we return to MikeFreeman so that he cancompletehis article on building St8us,aone metrespanEDF delta, featuredas last issue’sPro-Plan. In Aerobatic Scene,Keith Jacksonventures outfor his first aerobatic �lying sessionthisyear, maidening his new Fantasista 70 pattern ship.Haveyou ever wondered how Express LRS (ELRS) radios work?Ifso, join Kevin Scott as he li�ts thelid on this new breed of radio control systems.Tofinish everything o�fjoin me as Itakemyfirst steps intoFirst PersonView (FPV) �lying with DJI’s Neopalm sizedrone Ihope youenjoyreading it all. HappyFlying!
Editor: Kevin Crozier
MortonsMediaGroup,Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle,Lincs LN9 6JR kcrozier@mortons.co.uk
PRINT AND DIGITAL
Thewhole package –just £5.50 per issuefor a printed anddigital version www.classicmagazines.co.uk/subscription/RCM
Regulars
8 SWITCHON
Ourlatestround up of model� lying news
38 ALLWRITE
Have your sayinRCM&E’s monthlychat room
92 GOINGPLACES
Ourupdated list of modelevent sand competitions foryou to visitoverthe next fewmonths
94 MARKETPL ACE
Sell o� fyourunwanted airframesand enginesormaybe buya fewnew ones
95 NEXT ISSUE
Take alookatwhat’scominginthe June ‘25issue of RCM&E
98 PARTINGSHOT
Aper fect sixpointer (!)isc apturedby Mike FreemanasGar yOliverlands his ak110 at Weston Park
Features
24 SPACEWALKERFLIES AGAIN
Aquarter sc aleSIG Spacew alker‘lo�t find’ is resurr ec tedbyMar tinHar dy
40 PRET TY PUPPE TEER
When building hisFlair Puppeteer, Ben Smithdecided to do somethingalit tle di�fer ent. Mike Fr eemantells all.
68 ST8USPART2
Continuing fr om thelas tissue,Mike Fr eemanfinishes and� lies hisonemetr espanEDF �lying wing
82 EXPRESSLRS
KevinScott pr ovides an intr oduc tion to ELRS
Columns
18 RE TROR AMBLINGS
ShaunGarrity hark sbackt oearly pr opo radioset sand look sfor ward to the annu al Pontef ract retr obash
SUBS CRIBE…
andreceive Modern AerobaticTeams &HalfCentury,Baby! bookazines FREE!See page 74 fordetails
Reviews
10 F-14 TOMCAT
Barr yStevens assemblesthe latest kit in theXFly-Modelrange of twin 40 mm EDFjet s
56 VP2600
FrankSkilbeckadd sa 102-inch span thermalsoarertohis glider �leet
88 DJINEO FPV
Theeditorpulls on some FirstPersonView gogglesand explores hislocal �lying field
30 MAKE IT SC ALE
DannyFentonworks up aBlackburn Monoplanet oc ompete with at the Indoor Sc aleNationals
76 AEROBATICSCENE
KeithJackson gets readyfor thenew F3Asea sonand �liesthe BJ Cr a� t Fant asis ta 70
Free Pro-Plan
48 FUNDROID
Mike Bell intr oduces aFun Flymodel madef romhybridmaterials
LANCASTERAND MORECAMBEMODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB
Lancaster andMorecambe Model Aircra�tClub (LAMMAC) is alongestablished BMFA a�filiated club situated ashort distance from the village of Glasson, nearLancaster in Lancashire.
Theclub enjoys the use of alarge open and unobstructed siteafew minutes’ drive away from the M6 motorway. Tworunways,apit area andparking area arefastidiouslymowed and maintained by club members.LAMMACalso featuresanon-sitesolarpowered charging systemfor members using electric models
Beginners,orthose simplycuriousto trymodel �lying forthe first time,and,of course,people returning to the hobbya�ter
abreak, canbeprovidedwith trial lessons on aclub trainer andtuitionfromBMFA qualifiedinstructors. Tailored�lexible support andtuition, as required,isinclusive and complimentary to LAMMACmembership.The club promotes the BMFAAchievement scheme
Theclub has averyfriendlyand relaxed atmosphere. Safe enjoyment of ourhobbyisits primary goal. Thesiteisopen from 10 am to 9 pm,orsunset if sooner
We currentlyhavecirca 43 members andare actively seeking more.Wehost barbecuedays, fun�lysand several other events throughout the year.The club welcomes fixed wing and rotary wing models,and its membership has
SHROPSHIRE MODELFLYINGCLUB
ShropshireModel Flying Club is alongestablished club with membership vacancies for 2025 forboth new andexperienced pilots
Theclub operates on aprevious WW2 airfield,fourmiles west of Shrewsbury andis easilyaccessible with ashort drive from the A5 trunkroadbetween Shrewsbury andOswestry. Thereisample car parking andamowngrass runway of onehundred by eighty metres adjoining the previous pavedairfield perimeter track. This tarmacareacan also be used fortakeo�fand landing.
Thereisample space to �ly, land andpark models,and withnoadditional height limitations outside of usual legislative requirements the club alsohas aBMFASite Permit established formodels between 7.5 to 25 kg to operateupto1500 feet,which we will ask to be increased up to 2500 feet for soaring events
Members operatethe full range of fixed wing, helicopter andmultirotor aircra�t. While it is predominantlyfor radio control, other disciplinesare allowed, including control line �lying. Theclub has astrong thermal soaring following andoperates regularaerotow events.Ithas aGPS event planned for2025.
Flying is allowedduring daylight hours and thereare no limitations on model type and
size, subjecttoICpowered models being properly silenced andincompliance with BMFAnoise recommendations (82dBA 7 m). Onlyturbine jets arenot allowedatthe landlord’s request
Most �lying is done at weekends, with a consistent turnout mid-week forthoselucky enough not to be working on good �lying days! We also have access to examiners forAand Bcertificates.
Pleasecontact us Shropshire.model.�lying. club.sec gmail.com
awealth of experience with all forms of model �lyingincluding electric,IC, helicopters,3D aerobatics andjets.Wealso have oneofthe country’s topprecisionaerobatic pilots as a club member
If youare looking to learnto�ly R/C planes or could use our�lying site, we would really liketohearfromyou. Membership is fairly inexpensive anda discount is available fornew members holding BMFAAchievement AorB certificates.
We hope youenjoythe attached photos capturing the actionand funatLAMMAC. If youwould liketoknowmore, please contact Membership Secretary andInstructor,Mick Lomax on 07783940934 or Committee Member, Stuart Emeryon07921315524
BMFANorthwest Area ScaleDay at the SMFC field at Montford Bridge.PhotobyDanielGray.
Atypical SMFC �lying daygathering. PhotobyMalcolm Elliot
Theseimagesshowthe
Abroad metalplate acts as amainspar. Wing pivots aremounted at each end.
Aspacerplate is screwedontop a terfittingeach wing over itspivot,sandwiching it in place.
With thepushrodsconnected up thesepicturesshowthe extended andswept positionsofthe wing sweepmechanism
pushrods canbehooked up to linkage balls mounted at each wing root.The other ends of the pushrods aresimple Z-bends inserted into metal servo arms fittedtoa pair of 13 gservos
mounted alongside each other in thecentreof the fuselage
Theswing-wing mechanics arethen covered up with athin topcoversecured with several
smallscrews. However, youmight want to wait beforefitting the coverasyou will need to see the pushrods when switching on the radio and setting up each sweep servo individually.
XFly-Model Tomcat with itswings sweptand fullyextended.
Nose cone is attached with magnetstohelpstopthe dummypitot tube beingdamaged in transit. It’s easy to forget though so we placed ours in alarge plasticbag that hangsoverthe tail of themodel when in storage.
SETTINGUP
Asmearofepoxy on thefront andrear�loors of the equipment bay, situated underneath the full-length removeable canopy, provided smooth areas forthe self-adhesive hook &loop tape supplied to fix onto.Iuse the furry side of such tape on my LiPopacks andreceivers,soit’s the hook side that Ileave permanentlyinside eachaeroplane.XFly’s tape is nice andwide so is especiallyuseful forgrippingontoheavy LiPopacks
My Futaba receiverpopped neatlyintothe smaller bay, just in frontofthe nose wheel servo,with the LiPosettled in the larger bay behind the servo. ou’llneed to fit a4SLiPo to powerthe Tomcat.A 1300 to 2200mAh pack is recommended andthere’splenty of room to move it around to achievethe Centre of Gravity positionindicated, just amere15 –20millimetres behind the pointwherethe leading edge meets the edge of the swing-wing cover. Iused thesameVoltz 4S 2200 mAh pack from the Hornet to powerthis model asithad proven to be such agood match forthe twin40 mm fanunits
It wasnow time to check that the controls were moving in the correct directionsand to set up the throws as per the manual. Since the Hornet instructions hadprovided good advice regarding control throws anda safe CG for the maiden �light,I felt happytofollow XFly’s advice once again with this model. With the ESCscalibratedtomytransmitter’s throttle range,asper the instructionsatthe back of the manual, andwith failsafe checked, the model wasput away,leaving anoteinthe cockpittoperform arange check beforeits first �light.
FIRSTFLIGHTS ON HOLD
In recent yearsmy�lying field seems to requiremoreand more time to recoverfrom ournow very wetwinters.Intruth it is only during summer that it can reallybeused for �lying model jets with their relatively small wheels.So, as with the Hornet,itwas time to pass the model back to Kevinsothat he could wait fora weather window andtest the Tomcat from aclub that he has recently joined so that he could �lyitfromtheir ex-RAF tarmacrunway…
Magnetically attached canopy, complete with apairofnicelyformed aircrew, acts as alarge batteryhatch
F omcat bas sinthe springs nshineshowing o
his modelreplicatesthe distincti e olly oger s ll crossbonesli eryofanF of F FighterS adronbased on boardthe SSNimit inthe late s.
SPRING EQUINOX
A�ter waiting several weeks fordecent conditions in which to test �lythe XFly-Model Tomcat,lateMarch brought along ashort spell of fine weather.Sadly,the wind direction was stillnot optimumfor the tarmacstripthat Barrymentioned above but aparticularlygood forecast forthe Spring Equinoxhad me sending acall to arms to my �lying buddies Barryand Robatone of my otherclubs,theirjobs being photographer andEDF lobber respectively,to
tryhandlaunching the F-14 over grass.Rob had done asterling job in getting all theprevious XFly review jets away cleanly so Iwas hoping he could repeat the task with this model.
However, arriving at the patch Iwas very pleased to see that it hadbeen closelymownand wasinexcellent condition, amarvelconsidering the soaking it hadsu�feredinearlierweeks. Rob suggested thatitmight be safertotry a‘rise o�f ground’,especiallysince the Tomcat has decent sized (55 mm)rearwheels, asentiment that I
ith itswings e tended theF iseasyto� ly andcapable of allthe s alEDF manoeuvres
fullyagreed with. So,withthe model facing into the sti�f breezeand the wings fullyextended, Ismoothlyapplied full throttle.The little jet trackedstraight andtrue, anda�ter acouple of bumps she wasairborne andclimbing fast
An easy circuit or twosaw me inputafew clicksofupelevator butthere wasnoneed for anyaileron trim, dispelling anyfears Barrymay have hadabout possible tailerone�fects caused by that slightlyo�f-centreelevatorservo.Itwas time to settle her down forsomecamerapasses
Surprisingly,despite higher rate settings,the Tomcat is less agilewithits wingsswept
andbythistimeRob hadjoined Barrywith his owntelephotoequipped DSLR,soI waslooking forwardtohaving awealth of sunlit�lying photos to choose from
THENEEDFOR SPEED
Since atransmitter timer waits fornoman I steadied the F-14 in astraight andlevel pass and �licked the �light mode switch. With my usual Tx set up this normallyjust increases the control throws,but the manualrecommends combining the rate switchwith the swept wing control Thewings tucked smartlyaway, giving thenow arrowlikejet an extraturnofspeed, which I added to by pushing the throttletoits limit. With its wings extended the Tomcatisveryeasy to �ly, o�fering ahigh degree of stability, but with its wings swept it becomes alittle less stable, rocking slightlyatlower speeds, so isbest �lown as fast as possible.Itthen becomes averitable rocket ship andquicklycovers alot of ground, just likethe real thing is designed to do in this configuration. Flying her is stillapleasure but youdoneed to keep your wits about youwhen �lying with the wings rakedback.
Although the Tx timer wasstill counting down to my usual test �light estimate of six minutes,Ireasoned that all those high-speed passes would have takentheirtollonthe remaining capacity in the LiPosoonthe next pass I�licked the rate switch to extend the wings andbrought the Tomcataroundfor a smooth circuit andaneasy landing.
DOUBLE THEFUN
oumight be surprised to findthatthe Tomcat, with its wings swept andthe higher rates commanded at that setting, would be more agile but in fact the oppositeistrue. Withits wings extended this model is capable of all the usualjet stylemanoeuvres,looping androlling with ease from mid to fullthrottlesettings. But with its wings folded back it rolls farless quickly, although �lying faster,tothe extent that Ichickened out when it becameapparent thatthe F-14 would struggletocompletearoll on the suggested high-ratesettings.Loopsare also much more of astruggle,sobesuretogive yourself plenty of room to pull outifthe ground starts to approachreallyfast.I think thatthis
mustbebecause with its wingsswept the ailerons areblanked to acertain degree andthe horizontal stabilisers toobya lesser amount In fact,the full-sizeF-14 doesn’t even have ailerons, roll control beingsupplied via wing mountedspoilers andtailerons.
So,myadvicewould be to enjoyher easy handling characteristicsand agileaerobatic performance with the wings extended andsave the wingsweep as aneat looking party trick, followedbya fast pass or two, beforereverting to ‘wings out’
Although the real thing could land with its wings swept in an emergency,the stall speed wasgreatlyincreased so don’teventry going therewith this model. Butwith the wings extended the Tomcat becomes areal pussy catand iseasy to land,allowing forreasonably slow, highalpha approaches,followedby smooth touchdowns
If you’re lookingfor asmall semi-scale jet, then XFly-Model’s renditionofthe F-14 Tomcat shouldbehigh on your list.Buy oneand Ithink you’ll be impressed. ■
DATAFILE
Model: Twin 40 mm F-14 EDF 700 mm jet
Modeltype: ARTF semi-scale fighter
Manufacturer: XFly-Model
UK importer: CML Distribution https //www cmldistribution.co.uk
RRP: £239.99
Wingspan: 970 mm (38.2 ), fully extended
Length: 950 mm (37.4 )
Wing loading: 115 g/dm²
Wing area: 10 dm²
Motorsize: 1413-KV5500 x2
ESC: 20A x2
EDFSize: 40 mm EDF 12-Blade x2
Servos: 9gx3,13gx2
Functions (servos): Ailerons, elevator,throttle, nose wheel steering, wing sweep
LiPo: 4S 1300 -2200 mAh
andings arebree ewiththisnicelypresented semi scale twin EDF et.Another excellentmodel from XFly-Model
Best save sweptwingmodefor fast passes andwidesweepingturns.
ThePontefractSingleChannel &Retro Fly-In is back again! Our13thretro extravaganza is back on the12thand 13th July
DIGITAL, ANALOGUE &PONTE 13
This month ShaunGarrity harksbacktoearly proporadio setsand looks forwardtothe annual Pontefractretrobash
Wordsand photos: ShaunGarrity
Last column’s feature about reeds generated some interesting responses regarding old worldradio gear. One interesting questionwas about early proportional sets knowasAnalogueProportional. I’vebeen meaningtocover this topic fora good while,but it’s stayedinthe to-do pile not done However, Ihad recentlybeen discussing this with my good pal Pete Christy; modellersofa certain
age will remember Pete as an accomplished model helicopter pilot anddesigner of R/C gear, specificallya range of sets forWorld Engines, including abrilliant UHF version.
Another widget that wasextremely popularwas his Christy Mixer.Backinthe day transmitters were very basic,manynot even havingservo reversing, so internal mixers were apipe dream. Built intoareceivercase his
mixer allowedtwo channels to be combined in the airframefor V-tails,elevons etc. Afar more elegant solutionthanthe old school mechanical mixers used at the time Anyway,Petetold me he hadrecently scribbled afew notes (in Pete speak‘scribbled’ is adetailed, well written, easilyunderstood description) andwould Ilikeitfor the column? So hereitisand many thanks, Pete
DIGITAL-ANALOGUE
All the proportional sets on the market today are‘feedback’ systems.Inthese,the receiver feeds asignal to the servo which is proportional to the stick position. In the servo,thisis comparedwith an internallygeneratedsignal, which is proportional to the servo position.The servo thendrivestomakethe twomatch.
All the first-generationproportional systems were trulyanalogueinoperation.For example,the originalFlight Link wasbased on the single channel Galloping Ghost principle Themark/space ratio representedthe rudder signal, the rate represented the elevator andfull on or o�fdrove the throttle servo Obviously, youlost control of therudder and elevator controls,which centralised,while the throttle wasbeing operated. Notreallyvery desirable (VeryHeath Robinson but successfully �lown by manymodellers. ur very own ave oddingtonwas a fan - haun .
EarlyAmerican sets likeSpace Control and the British RCSTetraplex managed to get this up to four fullyproportional channels by switching between twoalternating‘tones’. Thefrequency of these tones provided two further channels
At the receiverall the signals were converted intoa varying voltage,tobefed to the servo Theservo compared this to the voltage from the feedback pot anddrove in adirection to makethe twoequal.
heSpace Controlwas belie e thefirstcommercialfo rchannel proposet a ailable to modellers. ni e in itsday b t scarilye pensi e.Designedby erschel oominin .
Absol tely rammed f ll of al es t bes capacitorsand resistorsitwas a erycomple pieceofhardware. Interestinglythe Rx wasall solidstate.
Therewereanumber of problems with these systems.Ifthe di�ference between the input andthe outputonthe servo wassmall, the ‘error’voltagemight not be su�ficient to make the servomove. It wasextremelydi�ficult to implement more thanfourchannels andeven four proved toomuchfor some manufacturers Kra�tabandoned their analoguesystem a�ter yearsofdevelopment without ever marketing asingle set.Also,the updateratetothe servoswas very slowand sluggish duetothe need have at least tencycles of audio forthe discriminatorstoact on,evenatthe highest rate of transmissionand the minimummark/ space ratio
In practice,they also su�fered from trimdri�t with varying temperatures. On the plusside, the interferencerejectionwas good.
Thebreakthrough came when Doug Spreng ‘invented’ the pulse tracking amplifierinthe servo.Isay ‘invented’ becausesimilarsystems hadbeen in usefor adjusting satellitedishes by the military andweremeant to be secret. Spreng managed to makeitpractical for model applications.
TheSpreng system replacedthe varying voltage with avarying pulse width. This overcame nearlyall the problems with analoguesystems at theexpenseofbeing more pronetointerference.
Pete Christy smi er wasmade nder licensebyACE in the SA. ndredsweresoldthere asinthe . t startedasanideabyMic ilshereof orld Enginesand achatwithPete. An e ampleofa mechanical mi erisshown on theright.
Thebeauty of it wasthat all the signalswere either ‘on’ or ‘o�f ’(0or1), hence beingregarded as ‘digital’.Intruth they were just adi�ferent form of analogue. Since no audio ‘tones’ were involved the data repetitionratecould be much faster
Thedrive to the motor wasalways‘on’or‘o�f’, with only the mark/space ratio varying forsmall errors. This meant that the servo developed fulltorqueevenonthe smallest of errors. Also, because everychannel operated in exactlythe same wayyou only needed to design onecircuit, which could be repeated forevery channel True analoguesystems disappeared quiterapidlya�ter ‘digital’ came along. They
couldn’t competeoneither performance or price
Even today, most servosoperateonthe Spreng principle.Thereare no systems that aretrulydigital from end to end. So called ‘digital’ servossimplyuse speed controller technology to drive the servo motor at ahigher frequency thanthe transmissionrateofthe originalsignal.
What has changed is howthe signal is encoded. Following theswitch from AM to FM on 27/35 MHz it becamepracticaltotransmit thedata as aPCM code,where abinary number is usedtorepresent the desired servo position. This also enabled
e were behind thec r e in the b t afew yearslater CSbro ght o ttheir etraple fo rchannel propo set. e always wanted to ownone of theseb t to date e nothad m ch s ccess.
When released youcould buya carfor what it cost!
his Flight in setwas thefirstman fact red by IdrisFrances.Two proportional channels with a progressivethrottleonthe buttons.
My later single stick Series 3- 4channel setis in mint condition. do bt it wase er sed. t s my fa o ritedes ornament.
