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.

October is that month where you can just squeeze a quick flight in when you get home from work for the first few days, but by the end of the month it is usually dark by the time you leave work. This restricts flying to just 8 (usually) possible flying days and with other work and family commitments this can easily be halved again. Also on the bad news front my faithful old Mainlink Delta 6 charger seems to be having problems so I have to get that shipped back for repair or service at some point. I've already spoken to the nice chaps at Mainlink and they will soon be applying their dark arts to the internals of my charger. Something interesting and quite different landed on my desk the other day. I won't reveal all now but suffice to say it is a kit, electric powered, reportedly aerobatic and could turn out to be quite a foxy number (you'll get the reference when you read further). I'll be doing a full review and a feature in this very column hopefully next month. With flying time on a rapidly decreasing scale the time for building should be available. (famous last words??)

A range of inexpensive traditional balsa wood gliders that are easy to build. Coupled with superb flight characteristics these models are suitable for novice or advanced builders and flyers alike. Distributed by www.rcsuperstore.co.uk
Fantasia 100" Thermal Soarer The Fantasia is a 2 channel radio control glider, for elevator and rudder control with a 100 inch wingspan and low weight. This low wing loading and inherent easy handling makes it an excellent soarer for both beginners and experts alike. A superb midrange glider for rudder and elevator control that takes full advantage of the lightest lift. Wingspan 2540mm (100”) Radio Glider 2 channel 2 servos Fantasia is traditionally constructed from balsa, with some ply and hardwood components, and may be covered in any of the popular lightweight covering materials. The wing is in two parts for ease of transportation, and is joined using steel rods fitting into strong, but light, brass tube and hardwood wing root boxes. The kit includes the plan, full instructions, and all constructional wood with selected items pre-cut and shaped. Covering materials and hardware items are not included.
Rhapsody 100" Electric Soarer The Rhapsody is a 3 channel radio control glider, for motor, elevator and rudder control. It is basically the electric version of the Fantasia and shares the same 100 inch wingspan and low weight. This low wing loading and inherent easy handling makes it an excellent electric soarer for both beginners and experts alike. Wingspan: 2540mm (100”) Radio: Glider 3 channel 2 servos plus ESC motor control. Motor: Geared 600 size electric. Rhapsody is traditionally constructed from balsa, with some ply and hardwood components, and may be covered in any of the popular lightweight covering materials. The wing is in two parts for ease of transportation, and is joined using steel rods fitting into strong, but light, brass tube and hardwood wing root boxes. The kit includes the plan, full instructions, and all constructional wood with selected items pre-cut and shaped. Covering materials and hardware items are not included. Available from www.rcsuperstore.co.uk
Distributed by www.rcsuperstore.co.uk
F-14 Tomcat The Green Air Designs F-14 Tomcat is easy to fly, vice free and has working swept wing, variable geometry authenticity! Span - 508mm (20") TO 711mm (28") Length - 812mm (32") Weight - Speed 480BB:- 16 oz, Brushless 18-25oz. Servos - 2 x HS-55`s/HS-81`s & 1 x HS-81/HS-225 for wing sweep mechanism. RX - micro - e.g. Jeti rex7 Batteries - 480BB:- 10 x 1050 KAN Nimh`s with Carbon Cam prop. Use Mega 16/15/4 on 10 x 1050mAh KAN packs or 3s Kokam 1500 packs for quick performance. Or the NEW Typhoon brushless setup!!!!! Long flights....High speed.....Low amp dump!!!! Variable geometry wings closed and open Wing sweep is controlled by a single servo and the wings lock into position at each end point to avoid stalling the servo. With the wings out the F-14 handles like a docile StarJet, with the wings swept it goes like a hot TwinJet. Great fun to fly in either configuration. Kit Consists of:- Complete set of Depron parts for construction. Complete set of balsa and lite ply parts for wing carrier/ wing pivot carrier modules. All carbon supports and toes. Complete hardware pack including linkages, bearings, shafts, ball links to make your F-14 wings swing. ABS Canopy. Full instruction sheets and drawings. Available from www.rcsuperstore.co.uk
Saito FA-100Ti The new Saito V-Twin four stroke engine offers the smooth running of a twin cylinder engine with an overall size that will fit most inside the cowling of most .60 size models and upwards. Specifications: Displacement: 18cc (1.09 cu in) Bore: 24.8mm (0.97in) Stroke: 18.6mm (0.73in) Weight: 1130g (39oz / 2.4lb) Props: 13 x 8 - 14 x 8 RPM 9100 on 14 x 6
P-51D Mustang 1/5 Scale WWII's "Little Friend"—as an ARF Giant! Called "Little Friend" by the bomber crews it protected, the P-51 Mustang also became known as the Cadillac of the Sky — one of the finest high-speed, high-altitude fighters built during WWII. SPECIFICATIONS Wingspan: 84.5 in (2140mm) Wing Area: 1245 sq in (80.3dm2) Length: 73.5 in (1865mm) Weight: 17.5-19 lb (7.9-8.6kg) Wing Loading: 32-35 oz/sq ft (98-107 g/dm2) Requires: 5-7 Channel radio with 9-11 servos; 2.1-2.8 cu in (34.5-46cc) 2-stroke glow engine or 2.5-4.3 cu in (41-70cc) spark ignition petrol engine All-wood construction, with prepainted fibreglass and ABS parts plus clear canopy, aluminium spinner, and cockpit kit.
Already set up for flaps and optional retracts with functional landing gear doors. Available MonoKote-covered to recreate WWII's "Big Beautiful Doll," flown by Col. John D. Landers or as a ready-to-cover (RTC) model so you can create your own trim scheme. Large dimensions allow for a generously sized radio compartment, making installation of on-board radio gear hassle-free. Prebuilt, MonoKote-covered main sections feature built-up, fully sheeted wood construction. The cowl and wing fillets are made of prepainted fibreglass. Painted ABS parts provide more realistic detail, as do the supplied aluminium spinner and ABS cockpit kit. Assembly can be completed in as little as 25-30 hours! Top Flite includes fixed, heavy-duty wire landing gear, but also has set up the model to use optional Robart retracts with functional landing gear doors. To make future upgrades easy, retracts install using the same bolt pattern as the fixed gear. The Giant P-51D Mustang ARF's realistic appearance, impressive size and fully symmetrical wing turn a trip to the airfield into an opportunity to fly spectacular sorties!
Hughes MD-500 Body Kit Amerang are now distributing the new Hughes MD-500 Military Defender moulded body kit from Thunder Tiger for the Raptor 60 helicopter. The fibreglass fuselage is supplied pre painted in military green and features aluminium extruded landing skid legs. Supplied with two TOW missile pods and SCOUT front mounted pod. All canopy panels are supplied and accurately moulded, complete with fixing kit.
HS-635HB High Torque Servo One of the most durable and reliable servos Hitec has ever offered. With dual ball bearing, heavy duty, high impact resin gear train and high performance circuitry, the HS-635HB offers lots of torque and features excellent centering and resolution. Specifications: Torque 4.8v/6.0v - 5.5/6kg (69/83oz) Speed 4.8v/6.0v - 0.18/.015secs Size - 40 x 20 x 39mm (1.6"x 0.8"x 1.5") Weight - 52.1g An ideal choice for any application where more speed are torque are needed from a standard size servo.
HS-56HB Feather Servo The Hitec HS-56HB continues the Hitec tradition of affordable performance with precision components that have been engineered to provide long lasting trouble free service making the HS-56HB hard to beat! Specifications Torque 4.8/6.0v : 1.0 / 1.2kg. (14 / 17oz) Speed 4.8/6.0v : 0.12 / 0.10 second Size : 23 x 12 x 24mm (0.9"x 0.5"x 0.9") Weight : 10.7g (0.37 oz. ) The perfect choice for any micro application from indoor R/C and hand launch gliders, to ultra small electric Park and Yard flyers, but it can handle the duties of larger electric 3D aerobatic aircraft as well. Mount it upright or flat; either mounting style is accepted with its unique case design. The new HS-56HB sets a new standard for heavy duty ultra micro servos.
HFS-05MG Receiver The HFS-05MG features a unique 5th channel that allows you to use the 6th channel of your transmitter. This new receiver also uses the latest surface mount technology (SMT) to reduce the size and weight. Type 5 Channel Single Conversion FM Operating Voltage 3.6 - 6.0 volts DC Gold plated pins. Ch. 1 - 4 & Ch. 6. Current Drain 9 mAh +/- 10% Size 38 x 25 x 16 mm (1.5 x 1.0 x 0.6") Weight: 19 grams (0.7oz) Port 5 is the 6th channel of the transmitter and can be used for a second aileron servo, flaps, or flaperons. (Not compatible with channel 5 on Flash 5 System X.)
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 the modelling world of October 1978. Take a look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era. Editorial from David hughes pointed out a correction to the previously ''hot of the press'' results of the World Scale R/C Championships being held at Woodvale. Fortunately it didn't affect anything previously reported here. More news on the Sports Council that had at long last decided to recognise aeromodelling as a sport, looked set to provide grant money to assist in financial support of all teams from the UK competing in European championships and to help with the organisational costs of any World Championships held here. Cover shot was George Swallow and his 68" span Avro Tutor at the Nationals. Meticulous detail was evident throughout the model with particular pride by George for the hand turned metal cowl riveting.

Woodvale 1978 was the location of the World Scale Championships and what an event it turned out to be. With rain on all three weekend mornings of the event and torrential at times it was fortunate that the large hangar was available both for static judging and for the models and crews to work under shelter. Each team from the eight competing countries had three members (except Switzerland who only had two) A new scoring system was introduced as well as the change to 5 static judges each of a different nationality. The scoring changes did away with the old 'complexity bonus' and merged the 'workmanship' and 'fidelity to scale' sections into a single score. The changing weather also meant the judges position was changed seven times over the three days of flying.

Many models featured such scale details as; working lights, illuminated instruments, working artificial horizon, audible stall warning, functioning control linkages so the control stick and rudder pedals moved with the controls, hidden compartments for radio gear and on board glow plug power. Great Britain won overall to become the 1978 World Scale Champions and winners of the Keil Memorial Team Award with all three pilots ranked in the top ten. Mick Reeves took the title with his Founier RF-4, Terry Melleney took 5th with his D.H. Moth Minor and Brian Taylor completed the trio with his superb Black Widow taking 8th spot.

How many people have said the good 'old' Super Sixty? At this point in time not many as it was and this version the latest 'new' thing from Keilkraft. The New Super Sixty was every bit as good as it's namesake with a modern look and greet handling. The kit reviewed by Ginger Daws was by his admission the most complete kit he'd ever seen. Supplied with two types of glue, pins, a craft knife and even a plastic sheet to cover the plan. Seems like they thought of everything in those days. Flying was as expected from a Super Sixty, docile and easy to control. Mild aerobatics were no problem even if the rolls were of the barrel variety. The stall was a non event, the model could be hand launched with ease and could be stooged around quite easily even if the ailerons went a bit soggy at low speed. A bit of rudder assist in the turns soon sorted that out.

John Stennards latest creation was the featured plan, a 41" span Eastbourne Monoplane designed for 1/2A (.049 - .051 engines) and 2 or 3 function radio control. Constructed using standard methods throughout the plan featured full size fuselage top and side, full size tail, both wings full size and even a dummy engine. Flying was reported as more like a 1.2A racer and the model was not a floater but flew very easily and very well with examples built during prototyping using single, dual and three channel operation. With the trend towards miniature modelling increasing the Eastbourne was sure to be a popular subject with both scale and sport builders alike.

Sanwa had the very latest radio set out with the Custom FM Series 6F-4SNF. A six function transmitter supplied as standard with "interchangeable frequency facility." Aimed at the serious modeller with Pattern and scale competition and model helicopter pilots being the primary customers, demanding a higher level of quality mechanical excellence from a radio set. In the set you got (and this is some list) The transmitter, receiver, a pair of crystals, a frequency ribbon, a neck strap, 3 servo mounting trays, an extension lead, receiver switch, receiver aerial tensioner, bonding braids, rechargeable transmitter and receiver batteries and charger and 4 servos (twin ballraced and all metal gearbox) supplied as 2 normal and 2 reversed.

Dave Hughes was at the West Mendip Clubs scale meeting and found that many models were able to exploit the light lift at Crooks Peak far better than others. Climb on nothing models were very apparent and almost had the qualities of the legendary 'hydrogen filled wings' of yesteryear. (Did people really fill their gliders with hydrogen?) A brief mention of Ivinghoe Beacon (our local slope) to inform the readership of a new club secretary - Peter Perman. George Stringwell on the Thermal front examined an interesting modification to improve airflow efficiency on the underside of a top hinged flap (or any top hinged control surface) using stiff tape to prevent disruption at the hinge point when deployed.

Bloobirds were at it again this time at the 4th Annual Open Event. The top pilots shown above from left to right were; E Playfoot, D Hopkins, R Hunt (winner) and M Levit. The event was held at Hawkinge Aerodrome and was competed under full BARCS rules.

Recognise yourself in any of these old pictures? We'd like to hear from you at Bumpy Green. Email chinman

New goodies recently arrived will get some bench time over the coming weeks, The Vixen (get the foxy quote now?) is a geared 600 size electric sports/aerobatic plane designed by Rob Crampton as an easy to build kit with easily replaceable parts. Intended to allow low cost learning to fly without excess expense and time and simple enough to build for anyone with a little DIY knowledge. Supplied with pre cut parts, hardware pack, a full colour step by step building guide and even precut and shaped covering so there is very little required to build the airframe. I have already looked at the instructions and they are among the best I have seen so look out for a full report on this great looking homegrown aeroplane.

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

Article by John Kent from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
October 2004

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