Members Projects

 
 
  Andy Monks Winter projects 2005/2006    
   
 
This year l have added two different types of aircraft to my collection.

The first model is different to the two stroke types l usually fly, in that it is powered by a four stroke engine.
The plane is a Flair P-41D "Young Men" Mustang, which is powered by a ASP 120 four stroke, it has a wing span of 56" and has flaps and retracts. I bought the plane from Albert who had a petrol job up front, all l had to do was add the new four stroke (which l bought at Woodvale last year), new servo's and receiver, alter the nose section and add a pilot. Now the plane is ready for its first flight (weather permitting).

 

Being a good boy, the second aircraft arrived from Santa.

Again its different from the types l usually fly in that its an electric 3-D. The plane is a Cermark Banchee, with a wing span of 54". I am using a Axi 2820/12 brushless motor, with a Jeti 40 speed controller. My previous electric experience was with the Multiplex Twin Jet and the Foxbat using NiCad batteries. For my new plane l have gone 21st century, l have opted for a 3s1p Li-Po battery (they say its lighter and more powerful than NiCad's, I'll let you know). Again this plane is waiting for better weather for its maiden flight.

The only fly in the ointment is the prop size. The plane manufacturer Cermark recommends a prop size of 15x8E whereas the engine manufacturer Axi recommends a 11x6E prop. Assuming that the aircraft manufacturer has already tested the aircraft, l have sided with Cermark - again watch this space.
 
My squadron now consists of the two above plus the bi-plane Aero-bi, the Hooligan, Chipmunk, Enchanta, Chantilly Lace, Twin Jet, Cougar and the Foxbat. The Twin Jet and the Cougar l have just bought from Paul Smith who has packed up, they need electric's fitting to them - at some point l will get around to it.
 
    
         
   
  Trevor Starkie Two more projects - Sukhoi and Stampe    
   

 

Here are two models I've been working on over winter, first is the Stampe SV4B nearing completion, and the Sukhoi SU26 which was flown last December.

 

 

The  Stampe is 1/4 scale 82" span and I plan to fit an OS120FS currently in the Sukhoi, I was impressed with the Stampe flown by Doug

Rigby at the last Southport show who told me (and demonstrated) that the Precedent model is semi aerobatic providing the top wing incidence is reduced, the power is upped and the rigging is made functional. Instead of the Rothman's blue I plan to copy the all white 00BPL of the Stampe-Vertongen museum website, expect the test flight early summer. Coincidentally I have acquired a copy of the Neil Williams full size Aerobatics book (from John P) which is a great read, and starts with the Stampe, I'm looking forward to trying some manoeuvres to see if the model emulates the full size.

 

 

 

 

The Sukhoi is 72" span semi-scale from the Goldberg kit and has flown on the OS120, which was fine but seemed to lack a bit of power vertically for a model of this type. I have fitted a finer prop and think this should help but better still is the MOKI 1.8 lurking in my shed off the Regal Eagle. This motor has a reputation for bending elevators so I will need to be careful and review the potential forces particularly acting on the tail plane. Thanks to John Prothero who sold me the Sukhoi 80% finished when I was struggling for building time.

 

By the way for anyone who remembers the Regal Eagle flights, I finally traced the engine problem to a rotted neoprene pipe connection at the MOKI crankcase nipple used to pressurise the smoke system, the consequent dead stick on rough ground collapsed the undercarriage and distorted the fuselage, repairs will have to wait until the summer holidays (or next winter !!)

 
 

Many thanks to Andy and Trevor for submitting details of their projects. Hopefully we will read a report on their progress at the field shortly.

Please submit your projects for inclusion and help build the web site.

www.fcmfa.co.uk has now been live on the web for 2 months and is steadily growing.

 
 
   
         
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