Welcome to Chins Chins, my chance to chin-wag.
Each month I will be looking at what's new in the modelling industry, some history from the same month a quarter of a century ago and current Bumpy Green projects I am involved in.

Freezing weather, high winds and now snow has reduced flying to the simulator over Christmas (must consider moving to Southern California soon) Also a last minute trip to Chicago and Indianapolis, which was even colder than here in England, has cut into my time. Recent project test flights on hold until decent weather returns.

Very low temperature and a suitable 4x4 vehicle to deal with the snow covered roads.

Having been forewarned of heavy snow I opted for an SUV (sport utility vehicle) for my trip down into Illinois. The snow held off until Saturday night and made for some good fun playing in the empty and snow covered shopping centre parking lot with the 4 wheel drive.

Lots of space for flying and I have yet to find the local flying club.

As best I can make out the local flying club is in the nearby river valley area (about 15 miles away) Well that is very near when you consider that the state of Illinois alone has a larger land mass than England.

The famous Chicago skyline just before sunset. Maybe I should do a United Airlines model soon.

I was able to try out my new camera on this trip including the huge zoom. I look forward to trying it out on models as well as full size aircraft.

All FX engines come with remote needle valve. A longer crankshaft provides more secure attachment for spinner, prop and nut. Dual ball bearing construction for durability and longevity. Semi-square head shape creates more fin area to increase cooling capacity. Each engine comes with a high-performance carburetor and muffler with adjustable exhaust direction and built-in pressure tap.	OS MAX 46FX Displacement: 0.455 cu in (7.45cc ) RPM Range: 2000 - 17000 Output: 1.59BHP @ 16000RPM Weight: 13.2oz (374g ) Price: £99.99
After an in depth investigation into what power unit to use in the Phoenix Impulse for Januarys project, taking into account power output, weight & cost, the OS 46FX came out a clear winner. More powerful than almost all other engines in the .46 range and considerably lighter than some of much less power.
	www.ripmax.co.uk
Specifications: • Delta Peak Auto-Cut. • Fast Charge Current 500~4200mA Fully Adjustable. (1-12 Cell Output) • Fast Charges 1~12 cell NiCad/NiMH Packs. • Simultaneous Tx 9.6v 1000mA output. • 100~200mA Pulsed Trickle Charge Current. (1-12 cell output) • 50~100mA Pulsed Trickle Charge Current. (Tx Output) • DC12v Input Voltage. • Separate LED's Indicate Power, Trickle and Quick Charge. • Microprocessor Controlled. • Reverse Polarity Protection.	The Pro-Peak Multi Plus 12 is a highly advanced, low cost, easy-to-use Delta Peak charger With the ability to charge battery packs of 1 to 12 cells, and capacities from 250 to 10,000 mAh. Pro-Peak Super 12 Fast Charger £54.99
Ripmax Lightspeed motor & propeller sets. A brand new range of both direct drive and geared systems for electric flight. With highly efficient folding and non folding propellers, there is a power system to suit almost any model. Sets include 400, 480 motors with direct, 1.85:1 & 4:1 gearing and 600 motor with 2.8:1 gearing. Prices from £8:99 for 480 direct drive to £44:99 for the geared 600.
Allows you to refine your flying skills when flying solo! Fighter Bird Features Include: •Perfect for the beginner or expert pilot • Quick and simple to assemble • Long flight times •Military style colour scheme with alternative decal sheets included • Supplied complete with radio, rechargeable battery pack and with both AC240v and DC 12v input chargers, plus 8 x AA batteries (for Transmitter). Ripmax Fighter Bird £99.99 Stealth Target with Combat Module Features Include: • Vacform “Stealth Fighter” target with Sonic Combat Module • Supplied with 9v dry cell battery Stealth Target with Sonic Combat Module £24.99	Fighter Bird
Pre-Built Wooden Flight Box Features Include: • Pre-built and painted • Pre-painted in fuel resistant white paint • Easily visible side mount for power panel (not supplied) • Purpose designed transmitter recess keeps the TX safe •Includes Colour Decal Sticker Sheet Wooden Flight Box £19.99
	Moulded Flight Box Features Include: •Blue moulded plastic parts with colour-matched metal fuel can mount (detachable) •Detachable section holds engine starting equipment (not included) • Adjustable internal dividers • Small parts and tools storage drawers •Fittings to secure spare propellers Moulded Flight box £29.99 Carry Strap £3.99
Aluminium Servo Arms & Discs Features Include: • Colour Anodised Aluminium (Futaba-Blue/JR-Purple) •Available with either 2 or 3mm tapped holes •Strong and hard wearing Aluminium Servo Arms & Discs £2.99 each.
RealFlight Generation 2 R/C simulator is the most realistic 'off field' training aid for the home computer. High resolution graphics and very realistic flight characteristics make the latest RealFlight simulator a must for the serious model enthusiast. Features include: 3 Skill levels with optional virtual flight instructors. 10 Aeroplanes, 2 Helicopters and 3 Flying Sites. Binocular View and Basic NavGuide.
Optional Virtual Flight Instructor	USB 6 Channel Mode 2 handset.
Superb landscapes to fly against.	Highly detailed & realistic models.
Do you have a new or existing product you would like to let everyone know about? Drop me a line with some details and pictures and they can be included with the next months issue. chinman@bumpygreen.co.uk

What was going on in February 1977 in the modelling world. Take a look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era. Editorial defends the magazines right to draw attention to the noise problem created by inconsiderate modellers but is accused of being unsympathetic to all 'lone modellers'. This not being the case as the editor pointed out and urged the majority who abide by local noise restrictions or take steps to decrease the noise pollution at a given site not to feel included in the accusations. A number of letters were also written in regarding the 'continual' writing about noise control and the magazine made no excuses for being a champion of this very valid point. As we have seen over the years, this was a good start to addressing the problem but we have still lost valued flying sites because of an inconsiderate few.

Motor Miscellany with Peter Chinn had the K&B SR-11 and RS-111 on the bench for testing. Both of 6.5cc or .46 range the SR being the aero engine, much favoured by the Formula 1 Pylon racers of the day and the RS being the marine version featuring a water cooled cylinder head. Interesting feature of the SR was the rear mounted carb and exhaust ports which like a modern ducted fan engine give a more streamlined profile. Also under scrutiny were the Japanese Enya 60XF & the American market the FOX 15 Schnuerle.

Featured plan 1 was the EKK0 designed my Hoh Fang Chiun. A 63.5" span low wing aerobatic pattern model designed for .61 size engine and 4 or 5 channel radio. Suitable for both competition and fun flying even had details on the plan for optional retracting undercarriage.

Featured plan 2 was the Diablo designed my Chris Smith. A 54" span low wing aerobatic slope soarer for 2 or 3 channel radio. Ultra slick design but using very basic building techniques.

John Elliot was tasked with trying out the latest Pat French Models kit, a DH Vampire economy scale slope soarer. Very easy to build and capable of all non rudder aerobatics. 2 channel control was required for this scale on a budget soarer.

Kirkaldy MAC took part in an ATC PR day with the local corps whilst showing off the hobby in return for the squadron helping to police the years coming show events.

David Vaughan performs an overshoot at the Nationals with his Wirraway for the judges. Roy Yates who wrote the Scale Topics column for RM was seated 2nd from the right in this shot. Quite a crowd were gathered at the event and from the number of short sleeves and sunglasses present it looks like it was a hell of a day.

Final group shot of a packed venue, this time the South slope at Ivinghoe Beacon. The shot was taken by John Bond from a twice size Aries in 1965 and unearthed by Dave Hughes some 12 years later.

Recognise yourself in any of these pictures, we'd love to hear from you at Bumpy Green. chinman@bumpygreen.co.uk

We at Bumpy Green will be engaged in some off site activities in the coming weeks and with a number of previous projects still waiting to be flown (don't you hate short days and dark evenings especially when it rains all weekend) there will be a short break in the regular project section. New additions will return when the weather improves with a couple of new sections for you to enjoy.

That's it for another month,
See you in March

Article by John Kent from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
February 2003

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