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.

September turned into a bit of a mad dash at Bumpy Green with a flurry of last minute events and shows. Early in the month was the RCM&E 2004 Freestyle Championships held at Knebworth House. An impressive event with some of the country's top pilots taking part in this, the fifth, event. Competition was of the highest standard as was the flying. Fixed schedule and musical routines were performed in a virtually cloudless sky. See the Outings section for a report and more pictures.

Old Warden is a treasure trove for aeromodellers and non modellers alike. Not only is it an historic country park it is also home of the Shuttleworth Collection, a museum dedicated to keeping exhibits in flying condition. Bumpy Green have been frequent visitors to air shows both model and full size as well as the museum itself. On September 11th and 12th we were there for the Aeromodelling and Twilight Sunset Air Show, a spectacular of model aircraft and some of the full size collection flying much closer than at any other regular airshows.

Finally Bumpy Green headed to Hop Farm in Kent for the Southern Model Airshow. Hop Farm itself is a museum of rural history with Shire horses, pet zoo, historic and military vehicle displays and hosts various events throughout the year. This year is the first time the Southern Model Show has been held here but with the attractions of both model and full size aircraft displays and facilities such as camping, showers, bar and restaurant it is sure to be a popular venue for shows in the future.

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. All kits include a full size 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
Sonata Glider or Electric. A superb midrange glider for rudder and elevator control that takes full advantage of the lightest lift. Wing can be constructed in 2 halves to ease transportation Wingspan 1981mm (78”) Power 600 size direct drive or geared motor Radio Glider 2 channel 2 servos Radio Electric 3 channel 2 servos & ESC
Sonata E Classic Increased wingspan for a lighter wing loading and greater soaring performance and larger tail and fin area for improved stability. Wing can be constructed in 2 halves to ease transportation Wingspan 2184mm (86”) Power 600 size geared motor Radio Glider 2 channel 2 servos Radio Electric 3 channel 2 servos & ESC Available from www.rcsuperstore.co.uk
DB sport & Scale wing retaining system This new system recently designed by us, has dramatically improved the retention of wings on model aircraft. The system was primarily designed to overcome wing movement problems on our Auster kit, we are also using this very simple unit in the Piper Cub & many other aircraft. These aircraft will include our quarter scale range of biplanes, enabling wings to be easier transported and much faster rigging & de-rigging at the flying site.
The wing can only be removed from the wires by applying gentle pressure to the clip triggers in the direction of the arrows. This system is excellent as just a retainer to the fuselage along with an existing main wingload joiner as in large sailplanes. There are many advantages to this system; the first is speed of operation, just simply plug on the wing and it stays there. No bolts, no tape, no collets, no wing movement (it stays against the fuselage) rigging done in 10% of the normal time. The wing can only be released by gently easing the clip trigger in order to slide off from the wire.
F35-C Joint Strike Fighter (1/10 Scale) Specifications: Wing Area: 19 dm2 Wing Span; 700 mm Flight Weight: Starts at 1100 grams Wing Loading: 57gr dm2 to 75gr dm2 Required to Complete: 3 Channel Radio with delta mixer Light weight Receiver: and Servos x 2 Motor: Kontronik Fun 400-36 / 400-28 Electric Speed Controller smile 40-6-12 Wemotec Mini Fan 480 Battery:12 x CP1300 or 3S3P lipo cells
Design Features: All Formers And Ribs CNC Cut, Unique Tab Lock Design, One Piece Design, Easy Motor/Fan compartment Hatch, Easy Battery Access through Hatch Kit Includes: Photo Instructions, Full Size Rolled Cad Plans With All Parts Shown, Vacuformed Canopy and Outlet, PVC Outlet Tube, Control Horns , Steering Cables.
Mig 29 Fulcrum Specifications: Wing Area: 13 dm2 Wing Span; 650 mm Flight Weight: Starts at 1100 grams Wing Loading: 64gr dm2 to 75gr dm2 Required to Complete: 3 Channel Radio with delta mixer Light weight Receiver: Light weight Servos: 9 grams x 2 Motor: Kontronik Fun 400-36 / 400-28 Electric Speed Controller smile 40-6-12 Wemotec Mini Fan 480 Battery:10 x 1250 scr or 12 x CP1300
Design Features: All Formers And Ribs CNC Cut, Unique Tab Lock Design, One Piece Design, Unique Motor/Fan compartment closing, Easy Battery Access through Canopy. Kit Includes: Photo Instructions, Full Size Rolled Cad Plans With All Parts Shown, Vacuformed Canopy , Nose Cone, PVC Outlet Tube, Control Horns , Steering Cables.
BIG performance in a compact, Ready-To-Fly heli! Comes fully assembled and ready to fly after charging the batteries. A highly detailed Schweizer 300C body adds realistic looks. SPECIFICATIONS Length: 17 in (430mm) Width: 3.5 in (88mm) Approx. Weight: 13.4 oz (380g) Main Rotor Diameter: 19.7 in (500mm) Tail Rotor Diameter: 5.5 in (140mm) Includes: 4-channel radio w/servos, ESC, 2 motors, 9.6V NiMH battery, AC charger, training gear. Requires: 8 "AA" batteries for the radio
It's the newest innovation in R-C helicopters: one that requires ZERO building, ZERO accessories, and can be flown indoors! The EP Caliber M24 flies like helis much larger (and more expensive) — with smooth, quiet electric power that requires none of the special equipment of glow-powered models. It makes flying helis as easy as it is fun!
Sopwith Triplane Aerographics latest model is this fantastic version of the famous WW1fighter the Sopwith Triplane. The 22" span model kit comprises Stripwood and printed sheetwood, A CNC version is also available, clear computer generated 3 sheet plan, glorious set of decals featuring the machine at the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, vac formed wheels, tissue and detailed building and flying instructions. The model has been designed for use with the GM300 Co2 motor or the KP01. The prototype came third in the Eddie Riding Trophy at Woodvale in 2002.
Slingsby Kadet/Tutor A very pretty rendition by vintage designer Phil Smith of these popular Gliders used both by the RAF and Gliding Clubs. Build either the Kadet at 25" span or the Tutor at 30". With the latest micro small r/c it is also possible to convert to radio.
CZ Absolut DLG A brand new name from the Czech Republic with a beautiful and sparkling DLG aircraft called the Absalut. With a flying weight of less than 250g, and a very efficient wing, this model is not just pretty to look at! The design was perfected with the assistance of the Aircraft Research Institute in Prague. It is produced from negative CNC moulds and production quality is ensured by using only top materials from companies such as Vantico, RG, MGS, etc.
Absalut is typical DLG with excellent launch performance without speed-loss, very smooth flying in thermals and high glide ratio. Fuselage shape is optimised for low launch drag. It's constructed from unidirectional carbon ensuring high longitudinal stiffness. You can mount up to four servos inside. High torsion strength is reached using an additional Aramid 45 deg. layout. To keep the weight low, there is no colour gelcoat layer. Full colour 2K layer is available upon request.
The wing is equipped with flaperons (flaps working also as ailerons). Split ailerons and flaps are also available on request. This configuration allows full crow braking (butterfly). Wing layout consists of a 45 deg. orientation glass layer, selected 0.6mm balsa and a further glass layer. Main spar is from Carbon. To keep the weight low only coloured resin is used . Wingspan 1494mm 59" Length 1170mm 46" Flying Weight aprox. >290g 10-11oz Wing Airfoil AG/TS (Marc Drela based) Wing Area 24.3 qdm 373.5 sq in Wing Load aprox. >3.85 gsqm 4.5oz/sq ft Recommended RC equipment: 4x servo 5-8g (Hitec HS55, MX 50 or similar) Receiver up to 15g Battery 250mAh NiCad or up to 720mAh NiMH
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 September 1978 in the modelling world. Take a look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era. Editorial from David hughes was focused on the results from the World Scale R/C Championships being held at Woodvale. Mick Reeves flying his Fournier RF-5 won the individual title with a total score of 5369 points. Great Britain took the team title with a combined score of 15248 points. At a time when the Sports Council had at long last decided to recognise aeromodelling as a sport, this news was a much needed morale boost as well as a hopeful sign for the future. Cover shot showed Mike Trew holding his 103" Slingsby Swallow, the featured plan of this months issue.

The 1978 Radio Modeller All Electric Fly In, it's 3rd successive year was again overcast by poor weather. This however didn't stop a large attendance to this fun fly event. Conceived originally as a way of exchanging ideas with fellow electric enthusiasts the event has grown and those who wish to compete do so in 3 special categories. 1) Nominated Duration or Aerobatic and Spot Landing, 2) Pylon Course against the clock and 3) Power Duration from a 3 minute motor run.

Again many different designs were seen with traditional soaring glider types still in dominance but with an increasing presence of sleeker more aerobatic types as well as some own designs now returning greater performance. Various power systems were also in evidence with geared and shaft driven propulsion being used. Alan Litchfield took the RM Trophy after winning the Aerobatic and Pylon sections with a reasonable spot landing to just pip the win. Nick Cook won the Power Duration with a flight of 7min 5sec AFTER the power run of 3 minutes. Powered by 8 x 1200mAh cells even today that would be a respectable flight from a 3 minute motor run.

The Sopwith Pup (or Scout to give it the proper name) has been modeled since it first flew in 1916. Dave Skertchley had the chance to build the Micro Mold kit from a design by David Boddington. With a 40" wingspan and designed around the popular and inexpensive .19 size engine range this model was both a delight and challenge to build. Flying was described as very scale like and akin to a soggy trainer but with loops and stall turns easily manageable. The ground handling was improved with a further rearward C of G and the only notable change by Dave was the use of a stronger, full depth dihedral brace after a windy touchdown flipped the pup and snapped the original part cleanly in two.

Slingsby is a name well known in the scale glider circles. The Swallow was a single seat trainer designed for first solo flights, had a good rate of climb and easy to fly and maintain with minimum work required for most repairs. Mike Trew designed his model at 1/5 scale giving a wingspan of 103" and weighed in at 5.5lb . The model had aileron, elevator and rudder controls with top and bottom airbrakes to avoid excessive speed and keep the landing run to a minimum. Flying was very steady with winds of 10-15 mph returning the best performance. Had a tendency to spin during slow turns if the C of G was to far back but was otherwise very capable including aerobatics of the scale and not so scale type.

Roy Yates on Scale Topics was at the Esher club bonanza, which despite bad weather had a turn out of 25 entrants. Judged on the much simplified Class-2 type competition with no originality section for the static. Flying was a fixed routine with aerobatic of low fly by options. Moving on to the Wyton Fly-In gave the opportunity to see some original own designs including an 8ft span Sikorsky S43 flying boat.and a scale flying replica of the Wallis WA116 Autogyro also known as Little Nellie form the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. One point of much discussion was the 'builder of model' rule which was not being enforced at a number of competitions. With instances of film studio special effect artists helping to create a models life like finish it was leading to strict rules and even score penalties if the model is not entirely built and finished by the person entering it into the competition.

Dave Hughes wrote of an incident that happened to him and like as not many before and since. Sloping a Middle Phase with a group of others with one of them also with a Middle Phase. Can you guess what happened next? Having glanced away for a moment Dave continued to fly quite happily until a loud crunch was heard behind. He had in fact been watching the wrong Phase and it could have cost him dear. As it was minor damage was the result and flying resumed after repairs. George Stringwell on the Thermal front started with criticism of the soaring Nationals stating shortages of staff, inflexible officials when the wind changed, lack of knowledge of basic rules,poor transmitter control leading to damaged TX's and vagueness concerning the running of such an event. On a brighter note Richard Hunts new 15ft (4.5m) span Opus 2 soarer was one of the most promising models of the Nationals only to be dashed when a free flight glider towline caused it's demise.

Final shot is of the static display models of the South Cambridge Model Aircraft Club. Taken during the Swaston Fair and judging by the shadow cast by the tree and models it was a rather sunny day.

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

As jolly good rest is in order with recent shows and countless late nights fixing bits on the various Bumpy Green web pages. It is near the top of the list now but one dreaded job is to tidy my workshop. It is currently several models deep on both benches with various boxes propping up a fuselage here and a wing tip there. Tools are also a little scattered which for me as an ex mechanic is close to sacrilege. Fortunately most of the tools I use for modelling do not fall into the same price range as my Snap On tools which remain safely locked in their own tool chest. If between my office and my workshop I manage to squeeze in a few flights I will consider myself fortunate having looked out the window at 7:30 this evening to find it almost totally dark outside. Those long summer evenings sure do get short quick when you are on a time budget.

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

Article by John Kent from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
September 2004

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