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.

What hectic month that was, with the new developments on the Bumpy Green Shop and the beginning of the model show season. First stop for us was the Sandown Model Symposium and this year was an exceptional show. Although we didn't field a stand this year so we could concentrate on seeing the show for a better show report there were more trade stands, more flying and more people than I have seen at this show for the previous 2 years. Watch for a full picture report coming soon.

Scale Aircraft Insignia A new range of decals designed for scale aircraft are now available in the Bumpy Green Model Shop. The range includes the insignia shown below with many more available in virtually any size to suit any aircraft. Other designs will include custom graphics, decals and entire colour schemes for a large range of popular aircraft. Contact the Bumpy Green Model Shop for more details or enquiries concerning your custom graphics needs.

FORMOSA F3A GWS brings the fun of precision aerobatics to the park flying scene with the new F3A Formosa. The Formosa is modeled closely after larger scale F3A pattern planes and offers extreme aerobatic capabilities. All parts are injection molded for precise fit, allowing the Formosa to go together easily in about six hours. GWS’ potent EPS300C power system (370 motor w/gear reduction unit) is included. Specifications Wingspan: 39.8 in Wing Area: 260 sq in Length: 35.9 in Motor: EPS300C Power System Radio: 3-Channel Minimum 2 micro servos, micro speed control, micro receiver, Battery: 270mAh to 600mAh 7.2 - 8.4V Flight Pack: Brushless upgrade and 2000mAh Lithium Polymer pack available for flights of 30 minutes or more.

Evolution Smoke System The Evolution Smoke System is the most complete ever manufactured requiring only a tank to be purchased. Supplied with its own pre wired battery pack, pre-wired switch and charging socket. It comes complete with our Pete's own design and manufactured injectors (choice of 2 for different positions in exhaust) and a smoke fluid compatible tank bung as well as 2 lengths of tubing, one being heat resistant the other for the plumbing. It is fully proportional and switchable and can be linked to the throttle for automatic volume control at all engine speeds. Each component is tested before assembly and once again after assembly in the workshop.

Tojeiro The The Tojeiro is an aerobatic F3A style model for indoor and park flying. Made from laser cut Depron parts and supplied with a hardware pack this model is quick to assemble and fun to fly. The model is supplied in kit form. All parts are pre coloured and laser cut in lightweight Depron® material which guarantees a short building time and a superb looking model.The double deck wing construction gives the model high lift even at very low speed. The model can be powered by a standard MEGAX 300 motor with gearbox (not included) which provides the model with enough power to prop hang, or you can choose a hot brushless motor for outstanding performances. Suitable for beginner or expert flyer alike. Wingspan: 27.56 in / 700 mm Weight: 9.5 oz / 270 g Requires: 4 channel radio with 3 super micro servos and 18 amp Speed Controller MEGAX 300 motor or similar and 5:1 gearbox.

Practical Models UK

RPM 124 Twin Practical Models UK., was set up over ten years ago by Len Rawle, specialising in large models and accessories.The company’s main objectives are to supply reliable, high quality products together with a superior spares and help-line facility. Latest addition is the RPM 124 Twin petrol engine. Ideal power for large (1/3 scale) projects. DISPLACEMENT: 124cc LENGTH: 188mm WIDTH: 290mm WEIGHT: 3700g PROP SIZE: 28 X 10, 28 X 12, 30 X 8, 30 X 10

D.H. Beaver Semi-scale model of the rugged Canadian bush plane. Features Include: Smooth and easy to fly, Fully moulded from tough specially developed ABS, Very quick and simple to assemble, with illustrated instructions. Decals and comprehensive accessory pack SPECIFICATION: Wing Span: 1.57 (62”) Engine: .40-.50 Build Level: ARTF Skill Level: Intermediate Required to complete 4~6 channel radio with 4 servos, engine, propeller and engine starting equipment.

Spitfire EP With the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings why not take to the air with this electric powered Supermarine Spitfire complete with D-Day invasion stripes. Built up construction and pre-covered ARTF model of probably the most famous fighter of the second World War. Kit Contents: Wooden built up structure for light weight with maximum strength, Pre-printed invasion striped film covering, Fuselage top hatch for easy battery pack access, Launch holes in wing undersurface to aid hand launching SPECIFICATION: Wing Span: 1.2m (48”) Weight: 1.45kg Motor: 600 Build Level: ARTF Skill Level: Intermediate Required to complete: 4 channel radio with 3 mini servos, Motor, Speed controller 5~10 cell, battery pack, Propeller adapter, Electric flight propeller.

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. Email chinman

What was going on in May 1978 in the modelling world. Take a look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era. Editorial was again back on the ''noise effectiveness'' debate with letters from the readership regarding the issue. One in particular stating that RM's previous statement regarding FAI pattern type models being the cause of most of the noise problems should lead to not publishing such designs. Also strongly criticised was the featuring of engines too noisy to be used in the UK. Editor Dave Hughes was quick to point out that as a magazine it had world wide circulation was only covering the whole range of models and disciplines. Continuing that RM was not in the business of censorship regarding types of engines or models being used and that it was not the model that was the issue but the way it needed to be flown for competition.

George Stringwell who wrote the regular Thermal column of this publication had the good fortune to try out the E.M.P. Corona (Edmonds Model Products). Designed by Dick Edmonds, this Standard Class 100-inch thermal soarer was also aimed at light weather slope flying. Features included and ABS fuselage, foam core wings with skinned leading third of the wing and cap strips giving the appearance, once covered, of a built up wing. Not quite an ARTF but a very quick to build model, with minor modifications made by the author to strengthen certain parts seen to be less than perfect. Flying was good even in low lift and it outperformed many more expensive models on the slope.

Peter Chinn was put under the cosh by a very waspish letter regarding his article from March 78 on the Lee Custom 61 being very noisy. This led to criticism about reviewing engines clearly too noisy for the UK. Getting back to the main theme of his article Peter reviewed three 4 stroke engines and noted how much quieter they were by comparison. One engine featured a toothed timing belt driving twin overhead camshafts. Still comparatively expensive compared to a similar capacity 2 stroke and often reported as being heavier and lower powered the author went on to show that this is not always the case, as savings could be made on fuel and silencing due to the 4 strokes being much quieter and more fuel efficient than 2 strokes.

Cover model and featured plan was the Titan designed by Clive Weller. A 62" span FAI aerobatic model for .61 size engines and 6 channel radio installation. Complete with retracting undercarriage the look was very sleek and jet like, especially with the fake jet nozzles under the fuselage. Other features were flaps, and large flying and control surfaces all of which went to make a very agile performer with enough control for even the most demanding manoeuvres as well as ability to float along. Noted point on the float along characteristic was the first landing which seemed to go on and on and on.

Roy Yates was back on the case with his regular Scale Topics column and featured a segment on building highly detailed scale static show propellers for large models. Full details were included for creating a very realistic looking Hamilton type prop. Also featured was a request for sourcing steel tubing for scale model construction, the latest plans from Duncan Hutson concentrating on the detailing for the elevator hinge type on his Pitts Special and a full list of SMAE scale events for the coming months.

Dave Hughes was speaking of the possible need for a third scale soaring column with the increased interest in flat field soaring. Using either a tow plane or a winch for launch, this aspect of soaring was gathering a large following around the country with many clubs already holding competition events. A Gallery type page featured a number of models including the tug release mechanisms and a very good shot of the high powered electric winch used at the event in Lasham. Foul weather almost spoiled the day but most entrants managed to get a flight in before the final points and judging were decided. One picture particularly caught my eye as it was of someone I have met quite a few times now ~ Tony Baker ~ RCM&E Columnist and BMFA official.

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

This week marked a return to flying for us at Bumpy Green. A new model graced the skies over the electric flying site, one which be reviewed soon and the welcome return of an old favourite of mine ~ Yep the Kyosho T33 is still going strong. The GWS Formosa & Kyosho T33 in flight at Bumpy Green The Formosa, featured at the top of this very column is an F3A style aerobatic model which flies superbly. The last few days have seen perfect evening conditions and much flying was done. Flown with 7.2V Lithium Ion 1000mAh, Lithium Polymer 2000mAh and 9.6V Ni-Cad AR500mAh packs performance was smooth and very with the Li-Pol pack in excess of 30 minutes and there was still power left after that flight which only ended as the light began to go. See more of this stunning model very soon on Bumpy Green

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

Article by John Kent from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
May 2004

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