RCM&E - June 2022

102 Pages·2022·35 MB·English

FREE
BE SEATED
AIR IN 13
COCKPIT FURNISHING
PRO-PLAN!
WACO YKS

GOLDEN
ERA
BIPLANE
VVOOLL.. 6655 NNOO.. 66 JJUUNNEE 22002222 www.modelfllyying.ccoo..uuk
PIPER PAWNEE
BIG BOLD
AGRI-PLANE
MINI STICK 06 F3A EURO CHAMPS
TRAD SPORTSTER IN MINIATURE INTRODUCING TEAM GB
SUSSING SCALE SPEED MAX-THRUST
SLOPE
TOO FAST, TOO SLOW
SOARER
OR JUST RIGHT?
RIDGE
AGGRESSOR

WELCOME
Editor: Kevin Crozier. Mortons Media Group, Media Centre,
Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR
[email protected]
M
y recent mention of my local gliding club's one-model The only downside is that theirflying patch is surrounded by quite a
competition has raised a fair bit of interest. Unfortunately, few trees, with hedges close to the strip too, so I found myself mentally
the affordable foam wing and plastic fuselage glider that was parking my aerobatic models, not wanting to cause any damage to
chosen has become rather diffi cult to source from the online retailer them, and equipping myself with one or two smaller foamies to fly
originally recommended to club members, with delivery times of instead. But over time, as I have become accustomed to the circuit
several weeks being experienced when shipped from the other side of patterns needed to avoid the local greenery, I have yearned for my
the Channel. ‘proper’ aerobatic models again.
However, the good news is that this model, the Volantex Phoenix 1600 My favourites are my 50-size SebArt machines; as Goldilocks might
is soon to be made available to UK model shops via Volantex's UK say: not too big, not too small, but just right! After a thorough check
distributor, CML. Delivery is expected in June, so there will be plenty of over, radio test and range check, the Wind 50S, which you may be
calm summer evenings left to enjoy if you want to team up with a few familiar with as it's pictured with me in every issue (see above) recently
clubmates and try your own ‘mass launch, last one down’ comp withthis powered its way back into the air again. And what a joy to fly she is.
model, or possibly one of the larger span gliders in the Phoenix range. Welcome back, old girl!
Just make sure to all buy the same model and keep to the factory
installed motor, ESC and prop set, to ensure a level playing fi eld. Okay, let's now take a brief look at what we have lined up for you in
Even our springtime practice sessions have turned into fun mini the June 2022 issue of RCM&E.
comps, with between two to six pilots battling to be the last model to Kicking off with our regular columns, in Bench Blog Tim Hooper builds
stay aloft after a 30 second motor run. The only issue I have is that a one-off R/C enlargement of a small free flight model called the
quite often the fi rst glider to return to terra fi rma is my own! But there Speedster. For Scale Gliding, Chris Williams reports on an electric vintage
again, for the most part, I am fi ghting things out with dedicated glider conversion and goes misty eyed over a control line inspired tug. As
thermal soaring competition pilots, most of whom have a whole lot the curse of Covid begins to lift, Alex Whittaker has been taking a few
more experience than me. Well, that's my excuse! road trips for his Weekenders column, starting with a visit to the
It has become apparent that as a sport pilot I have been flying my FighterAces super shed! Keith Jackson then concludes our regular
Phoenix with its Centre of Gravity too far forward. My colleagues will columns with Aerobatic Scene, as he introduces the members of the UK
often talk of their gliders being near the stall, but my own model never Team for the F3A European Championships in Spain later this year.
stalls and actually feels quite nice to fly. However, unless there is This month's Pro-Plan designer is Bill Bowne, who shares his plans
strong lift around, it will fly straight through any weak areas of rising for building a sweet looking .32 size sport scale biplane based on the
air. Meanwhile, the other guys, whose models have rearwards CG's, can Waco YKS.
make good use of even light wisps of lift and often land at least one or The Editor begins this month's reviews as he heads for the hills with
two minutes behind me. the slope version of Century UK's quick to assemble sport glider, the
So, I have started moving my LiPo back down the fuselage and Ridge Aggressor. This stylish 1.5M ARTF glider is just one of four
gradually my flight durations have started to improve. But my Phoenix possible variants of Aggressor that Century UK distribute. Next into
is still pretty reluctant to stall, so I have a bit of a way to go yet before the air is the Mini Stick 06; Shaun Garrity treats himself to this small
the club competitions proper start in early summer. Wish me luck! built-up version of the classic sports model, kitted by Dancing Wings
Hobby.
For far too long I have resolved to get some of my larger models out Our feature articles begin with another Model Magic by Alex
of storage. It has been all too easy to keep a few foamies close to hand; Whittaker, who admires a huge 1/3rd scale Piper Pawnee owned by
they allfly great and have helped me keep my flying thumbs in Malcolm Wood. Mike Freeman then attempts to diffuse the
working order over the past couple of years. But it has meant that all potentially divisive topic of scale modelflying speeds. In ‘Sussing Scale
my - for the want of a better word - ‘premium’ models have found Speeds’, Mike asserts that there are two ways of defi ning scale speed -
themselves confi ned to a local storage unit. or maybe there's just a compromise to be made...? To wrap things up
It all started with the loss of a much-loved local flying fi eld - a wide ‘Our Alex’ fi nds himself ‘Back Indoors in Rochdale’, where he revisits a
open space on marshland - which was perfect for my style of wannabe popular all-disciplines indoor meeting.
F3A aerobatic flying. The only downside was that my flying group
friends, mostly heli enthusiasts, were afternoon fliers, whereas I like to I hope you enjoy reading it all.
fly in the morning. This meant that I was often packing up before I saw Happy Flying!
anyone else to chat to.
For the social side of modelling, I relied on an occasional visit to a Kevin Croz ier
more distant club and when I lost access to the fi eld on the marshes, I
found myselfflying with them more and more often. They have always
been a friendly bunch so it's well worth a bit of a drive to meet up.
4
| RCM&E www.modelflying.co.uk | June 2022

CONTENTS
RADIO CONTROL MODELS & ELECTRONICS I VOLUME65 ISSUE06
ON THE COVER
10
Photo: Alex Whitaker
For his latest Model Magic feature, Alex takes a close look at
Malcolm Wood's third scale Hangar 9 ARTF of the Piper PA-25
Pawnee crop-duster. Malcolm says that before buying the kit, he
considered things carefully for all of twenty minutes - and then
bought it. A typical R/C aeromodeller!
reviews
22
RIDGE AGGRESSOR
Kevin Crozier heads for the hills with the slope soaring version
of Century UK's quick to assemble 1.5 metre span sport glider
regulars
28
MINI STICK 06
8 Shaun Garrity treats himself to a small built up version of a
SWITCH ON
classic sports model, as kitted by Dancing Wings Hobby and
Our latest round up of modelflying news. sold by 4-Max
37
COUNTERPOINT
A feast of new gadgets, kits and bits for you to buy
78
ALL WRITE
Have your say in RCM&E's monthly chat room
86
GOING PLACES
Our updated list of model shows, R/C events and
competitions for you to attend over the next few months
92
MARKETPLACE
Sell off your unwanted airframes and engines or maybe buy
a few new ones
94
NEXT ISSUE
Take a look at what's coming in the July issue of RCM&E
22
98
PARTING SHOT
The Editor looks back at the last Scale Nats to be held at
Barkston Heath
64 28
6| RCM&E www.modelflying.co.uk | June 2022
16
columns
40
16
BENCH BLOG
Tim Hooper buildsa one-off R/C enlargement of a small
features butstylish free flight model, the WSAT Speedster,
for some calm eveningflying.
54
SCALE GLIDING
10
PA-25 PAWNEE
Chris Williams reports on an electric vintage glider
Built for work... Alex Whittaker admires a huge 1/3rd scale ARTF of
conversion, goes misty eyed over a control line inspired tug
Piper's famous design.
and assembles a DIY pilot
38 SUBSCRIBE… 58
MAKE IT SCALE
and get your hands on a Flight Lab Toys HoverCross 2-in-1 RTF
As work progresses on his latest scale project Danny Fenton
Quadcopter & Hovercraft
fettles the cockpit interior of his DB Auster
40 BACK INDOORS IN ROCHDALE! 70
AEROBATIC SCENE
Alex Whittaker retraces his steps to a popular all-disciplines
Keith Jackson introduces the members of the UK Team who
indoor event as he takes a Sunday morning drive to the beloved
will be flying at the F3A European Championships in Spain
Rochdale meeting
later this year
64
SUSSING SCALE SPEEDS 80
WEEKENDERS
Mike Freeman attempts to diffuse a potentially fi ery topicat many
This month our Alex is delighted to get out and about on a
club flying fi elds by discussing scale modelflying speeds
new series of road trips. First off is a visit to the Fighter
Aces ‘Super Shed’
free pro-plan
45
WACO YKS
Bill Bowne offers plans for building a sweet looking sport
scale biplane. His Waco is a cruiser, designed for relaxed
flying on calm evenings.
54
45
80
All reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the magazine contents, but the publishers cannot be
held legally responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or for any loss however arising from
such errors, including loss resulting from negligence of our staff. Reliance placed upon the contents of this
magazine is at readers’ own risk.
June 2022 | www.modelflying.co.uk RCM&E |7
SWITCHON
Get in touch...
[email protected]
INTRODUCTION TO
AEROBATICS
We recently received an invitation from Ashley Hoyland, PRO of
the GB R/C Aerobatic Association, to join them at one of their
‘Introduction to Aerobatics’ days at BMFA Buckminster. We hope to
take Ashley up on his kind offer sometime this year, but in the
meantime here's the details so that our readers can book their own
spaces in the queue for these popular training days:
Since September 2017, on the first Wednesday of every month at BMFA
Buckminster, GBRCAA competition pilots volunteer to run ‘Introduction to
Aerobatics’ days for the benefit of any BMFA member.
What you need to bring
A model that you are happy to fly, that weighs less than 7.5 kg and that On subsequent days
will do a couple of loops and rolls. Maybe a chair to take to the flight line and You may attend as many times as you wish and bypass our introduction
a rain cover, although we have use of the pilot’s shelter and the hangar. There session, which gives you the maximum opportunity to track yourflying
is an outdoor mains socket if you need to use your charging equipment. progress and ask further questions, which become relevant after practicing
Due to restrictions, we ask that you bring your own food, so the cost to back at your club.
you will only be the daily flying rate for Buckminster (£10 during 2021).
If you wish to join us
Our aim Please email John Morton ([email protected]) as the first
These days are not about competitionflying or becoming a member of contact, or Ashley Hoyland ([email protected]), for more information or to
the GBRCAA, although we will base our references on the GBRCAA and add your name to our mailing list and receive notifications of the next
FAI international rules for F3A aerobatics and particularly the GBRCAA session. On the Monday evening two days before the event the first ten
Clubman Schedule. You can fly whatever manoeuvres you chose on the day. applicants will receive a final confirmation email.
Flying in a straight line from right to left, and left to right, upright and
inverted is a good start but it is up to you and you can make yourflying as We thank our mentors, John Morton, who also looks after the
complicated as you wish. administration, Alan Williams, Kevin Caton and Andy Shutt and, of
We feel this is an opportunity for us to pass on the huge amount of course, Manny Williamson, Andy Symons and the team at Buckminster
knowledge gained over the years and give something back to our sport to who make all this possible.
encourage every pilot to have more control over their model from take-off
to landing.
COCKLEBARROW
On the day RETURNS
Starting at 10am in the Goldsmith Hangar, first time pilots will be
invited to a presentation covering where we fit into our sport, our Tony Tomlin writes in about the welcome return of the full set of
organisation, the basics of flying aerobatics, trimming your model and popular Cocklebarrow vintage model meetings:
anything else you wish to discuss. This lasts up to 90 minutes and will give "Due to Covid we were only able to run one Cocklebarrow Vintage event
you the time to ask questions and think about what you would like to in 2021. The event held on September 5th was a great success. 58 fliers
achieve from the day. signed on with around 150 models. By lunchtime there was not a single
The rest of the day is spent taking turns to fly. We only have one model in parking space left.
the air at a time and this is why we limit the numbers attending to 10. This We were lucky to have perfect weather and as so many fliers had not seen
should give everyone the time to fly several meaningful flights with a each other, in some cases for two years, it was
highly experienced mentor at your side. described to me as like the gathering of the clans!
If you want to attend as a ‘non flyer’ but join the introduction presentation As before we had our dedicated helpers on the flight line and parking etc.,
and be part of the discussions on the flight line, you can at no charge. as without them the event could not happen.
There will be demonstrationflights by the mentors covering the current This year we have been given the go ahead by the farmer to run three
aerobatic schedules. See the GBRCAA Schedules menu linked from our events, as before - this will be the 32nd year! These will be to the normal
home page: gbrcaa.org format of relaxed flying (no competitions) and as always there will be a lot
If you wish to arrive early and fly electric powered aircraft, you can fly of chat going on."
from around 08:30 am. Our mentors will be available from 10am to give Please see our Going Places events listing for full details of the 2022
advice. Cocklebarrow Vintage meetings. Here are the dates for your diary:
Sunday 17th July, Sunday 21st August and Sunday 25th September.
8| RCM&E www.modelflying.co.uk | June 2022
GOING PLACES ENTRIES
Our Going Places events calendar is starting to swell as we receive more and more notices of forthcoming model flying events. It's great to see
this much read resource being well used again after all the disruptions caused by Covid, but you can almost have too much of a good thing!
You see, with only limited space to run the next few months' worth of events some entries are proving a bit too long to run as supplied.
So, to give every event organiser a fair chance to publicise full details of their meeting we would ask anybody who sends in details to limit their
entry to 100 words maximum.
Despite RCM&E's recent change of publisher, Going Places will continue to be compiled by Beth Ashby. Beth still works for our previous
publisher so to save any confusion we would ask you to send any new GP entries to her new RCM&E email address: [email protected]
Finally, since Covid is still out there and is far from being over, if you do intend to visit any events listed then please check with the organisers
before travelling in case of any last-minute changes.
PECCADILLO HATCH
No doubt there will be a few Peccadillo delta gliders either currently on the workbench or being planned by our readers, based on the free pull-out
Pro-Plan designed by Keith Thomas and included in the print version of May 2022's RCM&E.
As detailed in Keith's article the Peccadillo's Rx and servos can be powered by either a LiPo or a NiMH battery pack. Following a request from
Grahame, our CAD draughtsman, for more details of the hatch area when drawing up the plan, Keith sent in some extra pictures.
These pictures show the various front dowel and rear magnet options for retaining the hatch depending on the chosen battery type, so we are
printing a selection here to help any Peccadillo builders when they have decided on their choice of battery pack.
AUSSIE TURBULENT kit each from Laser Cut Kits Australia. I found the parts to be cleanly cut and,
overall, a great time saver. The included plans by Jerry Bates were
For our regular Pilots' Pictorial feature we encourage readers to professionally printed. I based my colour scheme on Keith Jarvis’ Turbulent,
send in brief details and one or two pictures of their favourite models. as photographed at Warracknabeal in 1967.
But sometimes we get a little more information and images than can Back in 1963 Keith’s son entered and won the Free Flight Scale Nationals
be published in the Pilots' Pictorial format, so we will sometimes use at Strathalbyn with a Mills .75 diesel powered model of his father’s
some space in Switch On to provide a little more room for an Turbulent VH-ULI. The twist to this story is that his father flew his full-size
occasional reader's model. version into the free flight competition site on the day. How’s that for
Geoff Hennig sent in these notes on building a replica of the first providing authentic scale documentation for your entry!
Australian Turbulent: Covered in HK white heat-shrink film and powered by a 35-year-old Saito
"The Druine D-31 Turbulent has often been built by both modellers and 45S, my model has a wingspan of 58 inches. It has Frise ailerons, with wing
full-scale home builders. A Dutch designed ultralight, it is constructed of tip slots behind them that make the build a little tricky. The U/C has no
wood and some metal tube and is fabric covered. It is usually powered by a suspension. It flies smoothly and has that satisfying elusive factor called
VW engine; the Ozzie Jabiru engine has also been favoured in recent years. 'presence' that scale models seem to possess.
The first Ultralight registered in Australia, VH-PWH, was a silver Turbulent Stephen's model has a GB PFA colour sheme and is electric powered."
built by Keith Jarvis and Peter Hodgens.
Completed in 1957 it is now registered as
Ultralight (19-0908). Keith went on to build
many more ultralights.
Modelling mate Stephen Redsell and I
were chewing the fat over which model
would make a good flying project and we
decided on purchasing a Druine Turbulent
June 2022 | www.modelflying.co.uk RCM&E |9
PA-25 PAWNEE
Built for work... Alex Whittaker admires a huge 1/3rd scale ARTF of Piper’s famous design.
words & photos » Alex Whittaker
“The single seat
was deliberately
placed high...
to give the best
possible visibility”
C
rop dusters occupy their own
niche in civil aviation history. The
Piper PA-25 Pawnee is an iconic
design that conforms to most
modellers’ idea of an agricultural
workhorse.
Before the advent of specialised crop
dusters in the USA most such aircraft
were converted military airframes.
However, in 1950 Fred Wieck, who was
then based at Texas A&M University,
designed a specialised airframe
dedicated to agricultural requirements.
This was called the AG-1, which first
Very distinctive! The Piper Pawnee is instantly recognisable. flew in 1950.
10
| RCM&E www.modelflying.co.uk | June 2022