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.

Once again the poor weather has kept most of us at Bumpy Green grounded. With the exception of a couple of die-hard's who fly even when the local strip is flooded (see Fluff 1 Jet from water movie in the cinema for the ultimate ''well I'll just fit floats and fly anyway'') I decided enough was enough and had to fly something to stop myself going stir 'stick' crazy. I charged the Pico-Jet packs and headed to the local electric field. Lots of sloshing across the grass to the car park, where I could at least stand without fear of sinking, I started off with my usual 1300mAh Overlander pack. I have noticed this motor is now a bit tired after so much use and may have to be replaced, so much so I couldn't even get near the seagulls who are usually good sports and head over for a look at who's flying in their airspace. I flew a second round with my newer 1500 mAh pack and this always lasts a good 15-20 minutes. The landing was uneventful except I steered it through the goal post nearest me to land at my feet. Using the spent pack to warm my hands for a few minutes I fitted another 1300 pack and decided to play Pico-Jet football. After about 20 goals I got a bit brave and was getting quicker and quicker through the posts until BLAM!!! misjudged the wind and twanged it but good. The nose section went one way - propelled by the weight of the battery pack and the wings, tail etc plopped down on the goal line. The model had struck about an inch from the wing root and left an angled dent in the leading edge (red arrow). The nose is now superglued back on (orange arrows) and should be flying again by beginning of March. I think it is safe to say, that not many models (especially anything made of wood) would survive such abuse. I will probably try one of the new 480 Racers edition Pico-Jets this summer.

	www.flairproducts.co.uk
Giles 202 (3D-aerobatic 40 size) Wingspan 1240 mm (48.8") Weight 2150~2250 g Length 1294 mm (51") Wing loading 51 g/dm2 Wing area 42.5 dm2 Airfoil 18% Engine 2c-40 4c-52 Radio 4 channels 5 servos
An ultra light 3D model of superb quality. All parts are Laser cut to exceptional accuracy. The picture shows that there is a minimum amount of assembly so if flying not building is your thing this model can be in the air very quickly.
Katana 140 Wingspan, 1800mm (72") Weight, 5000~5200g Length, 1690mm (66.5") Wing area, 64 dm2 Wing loading, 78~82 g/dm2 Airfoil, Naca-0014 Engine , 2c 108~160 / 4c 120~140 Radio, 4 channel 6 servos
A superb aerobatic aircraft from the Flair ARTF stable. Slightly larger than its predecessors this model will please those looking for an impressive aerobatic ship.
NEW MicroJet Following the well established tradition of fast flying exciting foam models Multiplex will be introducing the single 400 motor powered MicroJet. Faster than the TwinJet, just as exciting and a lower price. Available soon.
	www.mainlinksystems.co.uk
SERVO-TEST 2000 This unit has been developed to enable you to run and check servo operation without the need for the radio system. Microprocessor control gives a means to accurately check centring together with driving the servo either automatically or manually. A bar graph load indicator is provided to check for normal or excessive current drain from the battery. If the servo is mounted in the model, the tester provides a means for checking for the effect of stiff or jammed linkages. End movement indicators (high & low throttle position) enable the tester to be used with the speed controllers used for electric flight. OPERATION MODES: Four modes settings are provided by a simple push button. These are selected in stages by holding the button down for 3 seconds to change mode. At switch-on (Mode 1), the unit provides an accurate centre setting. After the first 3 second hold (Mode 2), smooth servo movement from end to end is provided. This corresponds to slightly more than standard stick movement with trims. Mode 3 follows a further hold of the button when the unit provides a slow automatic movement from end to end. Mode 4 (manual setting), the button now double up to allow you to position the servo. Each short press moves the servo in discrete steps. Two indicator LEDs are provided to show when end position is reached. This allows you to set a low throttle state when checking electronic speed controllers and drive motors. A further 3 second press returns the unit to mode 1 (centre position). There are no flying leads from the unit but connecting sockets are provided similar to those on most standard receivers, (standard Futaba, Blue Sanwa & JR). The Rx battery and the servo itself are simply plugged into the connector points in the conventional manner. During operation in any mode, the bar graph display indicates the current being drawn from the battery as the servo moves. It not only highlights stiff or jammed linkages but also is able to indicate possible servo faults where excessive current is being drawn. An awareness of current drain is important in the interests of safety and the endurance of the airborne system. Used wisely the SERVO~TEST can pinpoint impending problems by showing existing or developing servo faults.
3 new Scale ARTF kits from VMAR featuring the ECS covering system. VMAR kits include: Fully finished all wood airframe. Ready covered in plastic film with pre-printed colour trim. Complete with all hardware - spinner, wheels, undercarriage legs, control horns etc. Pushrods fully finished and installed. Universal servo mounts already in place - just drop your radio straight in! Large fuel tank, plumbed and ready to fit. Engine mount fitted. Strong metal straps clamp engine lugs, making engine installation a few seconds work - no drilling required! Control surfaces fitted and hinged.
Edge 540 ECS Specifications: Scale Edge aerobatic aircraft. Span: 56" / 1422mm Engine: 46 - 61 2 stroke / 60 - 90 4 stroke Price 109.95
	Tomahawk ECS Specifications: Scale Piper Tomahawk 2 seat aircraft. Span: 76" / 1930 mm Engine: 46 - 61 2 stroke / 60 - 90 4 stroke Price 109.95
Jodel ECS Specifications: Scale Jodel DR 400 series 2+2 trainer aircraft. Span: 56.6" / 1440mm Engine: 46 - 61 2 stroke Price 109.95
POLYCOTE ECS is a complete proprietary system that utilises ultra tough polyester, enhanced graphics and detailing INSIDE the covering and very minimal Sure Seal Seams to produce a totally fuel proof, high strength, lightweight, ultra durable covering. POLYCOTE ECS is one of the toughest polyester based covering sever used on a model! The graphics and detailing are INSIDE the POLYCOTE- not stuck on top! No Decals! No Layers! No Strips! No Stripes! No Drag!ECS produces a totally fuel proof, high strength, lightweight, ultra durable covering.
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 March 1977 in the modelling world. Take a look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era. An early announcement for the 1977 Nationals dates and venue made for some happy editorial chatter. To be held on the August bank holiday at RAF Little Rissington, Gloucester. With the Free Flight & R/C soaring events to be held the previous weekend rather than try to cram everything into the 3 days. This would also allow many of the free flight & thermal event entrants to also compete in the scale, pylon racing and aerobatic events. A hearty response was received from the January plea for more clubs to write in and announce local events with the Diary Dates section filling up fast. Allowing for months ahead planning for modellers to choose events is something we still enjoy today with the publication in all the magazines of sometimes vast event listings, often over 6 months ahead. Chris Foss of 'Phase' fame graced the cover this month in '77 holding an interesting one off model called Loving-Wayne Love at the 1976 Nationals. A 65" span scale model powered by a Merco .61with ED carb, balsa skinned foam wings, stringered fuselage and covered in nylon. Utilising a 12% area tail it is said to be 'quite a handful to fly' on dead stick.

Peter Chinn gets the Super Tigre G60F1 to bits this month. With the G60 series dating back to 1966 it is not hard to see why the F1 is in a performance class all of it's own. Utilising the latest features such as PDP (Perry Directional Porting), ABC internals and a 104% increase in choke area. Rated at 1.6 bhp this engine was testimony to the increasing development of silenced engines and surprisingly for the era (according to the graph) produced .22 bhp more with the silencer than without ~ a marvelous advancement for the cause of quieter flying models. Stated as the best G60 engine yet produced with the Perry supplementary porting, improved timing, large choke area carb, ABC design, pressure cast aluminium main casing construction and machined cylinder head it was assured a place in many modellers aircraft.

Featured plan was the Pegasus designed by Dennis Tapsfield. A 50" span standoff scale model of the Italair F-20 Twin Pegasus using 2 x 15 size electric Cyclone motors and running on 9 x fast charge 1200 mAh Nicad cells. Noted for it's lack of flying vices, agility and near silence during flight. Easily landed even on dead stick as the glide was smooth and steady with no problems normally associated with twin engined models ~ even performing a touch and go was no drama. Being Previous to the development of Electronic Speed controllers with BEC a separate 250mAh receiver pack was installed to control the radio & servos. It employed a rather clever switching setup for motor start-up where the motors would first power up in Series to reduce surge loading, then switch Parallel for maximum thrust during take off, then switch back to series which would half the current drawn by the motors but allow enough power to maintain altitude during flight. Ingenious.

New Kit on the block was the Graupner produced Piper PA18 Super Cub. Around 36" span and designed for .12 - .15 size engines this kit was packed with scale features. Intended for rudder & elevator operation quite a large dihedral was used. With a very light weight construction uses of smaller engines would see the model glide on and on without power, it being suggested that on a good day even with the engine cut a good thermal would keep the Super Cub airborne. Despite it's trainer like appearance it was not intended for beginners as the approach for landing required a long run in with the ability to keep the rudder control inputs to a minimum when close to the ground to avoid the yawing inherent with this type of control setup. An addition from the editor stated that with a slight reduction in dihedral would produce a more docile if less aerobatic (not to mention more scale appearing) model.

Keeping with the Piper Cub theme of the featured model Peter Cooksley gave an in depth guided tour of the Piper Cub and Super Cub full size aircraft. Some history was also revealed with the Cubs being descended from Taylorcraft and Piper pre war Grasshopper AOPs (Aerial Observation Posts) The first of which was the Cub Special with a 90hp Continental or 108hp Lyoming engine. Used extensively by the US Military under the designation L-18and L 21 the Cub variants. The last Cub to see military service was with the Dutch Air Force and was only retired in 1976 (the previous year). The Piper Cub series lives on today with many immaculate examples still flying in the hands of private pilots and companies. Modeled in various forms with variants from the 45" span 400 powered Multiplex Pico-Cub to the 1/3rd scale, 11 foot span Modeltech J-3 Cub.

Swindon Model Centre in Wiltshire showed just how a 'stocked' model shop should look. With kits, accessories and fully built planes crammed into every corner it provided a friendly familiar atmosphere for experienced and novice modellers alike. Jan Korda, the proprietor was always on hand to give export advice and welcomed newcomers to the sport with every possible requirement catered for.

Bleak is how this scene first strikes you. The snow filled gully showing just how cold it was during this session on the Yorkshire hills. The models cannot be seen due to the small picture size but there are actually three gliders up there, with three people flying with one seated watching from the slope edge and a further two standing back, hands in pockets to combat the low temperature and no doubt driving wind we all know inhabits these favourable slope soaring sites.

Another shot taken from very near the above location as a modeller braves the elements. A thick overcoat and wind swept hair again show that mid winter conditions do not stop people heading up the hills for a bit of peace and quiet (all be it freezing cold) A new tourist guide book to the Three Peaks region of Yorkshire was to become an invaluable guide to holidaying modellers wishing to find some soaring action whilst out of town. Three Peaks is now a much flown area and a favourite for some of the larger sport and scale soaring competitions still held today.

Final shot taken from the '76 Nationals event showing a contender getting underway with the assistance of a bungee launch. An interesting note went on this same page regarding Norman Armstrong who to date had achieved a record 3,680 feet altitude recorded using a home made split image range finder.

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 are still engaged in some off site activities but I have been out with the Protech Thermal 220 in the last week. Using 3000 mAh 7 cell packs to maximise flight duration even with the cold sinking air common at this time of year it still provided over an hour of quiet un-hurried flying with 3 fully charged packs. Full update and hopefully new pictures next time.

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

Article by John Kent from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
March 2003

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