Take off and a new Landing

OK Gentle Readers the time has come, I've registered my own domain and I'm moving the bulk of content and future posts to my new website. The new site incorporates my hobbies (ALL OF THEM!!!) my curmudgeon's muttering, mumbling and griping, my writing  and my other pursuits all in one place. This blog will still be maintained but as a mostly archival site so if you want to find out what I did/said/promised months or years ago you might find the answer here.

If you want to check out my new site then this is the address

www.grumpys-den.id.au

Help Needed.

I walked into the local Hobby Shop the other day to buy some supplies and there hanging from the roof was a vintage model aircraft - well - a new vintage model aircraft and of course I fell in love with it - I'm sure you understand - there are somethings you just HAVE to buy!

Any way - the logo on the fin says KEILCRAFT - yep - now you understand don't you? The model was fitted with a (choke) electric can motor but I forgave it that indiscretion and I will fit a proper IC engine to it.

My problem is I can't identify it! 60 inch wingspan and it does look like a typical Keilcraft model but - I don't know what it is. So dear reader - can someone please put me out of my misery and tell me what it is PLEASE. Photos attached.

OK Folks - thank you - it seems what I have is definately a Keilcraft Junior 60.  Nice model and built very lightly so I'm fitting a 30 4 stroke to see how it goes.

Update - June 2013

Well - I've done it and thinned down the collection to an almost manageable level. The Senior Telemaster, The Powerhouse and the Fournier RF4 have gone to new homes and I'm considering an offer on two more models. As well as that I've sold 31 model engines and given away a heap of unused plans. The result of all this is that I now have some room in the hangar to get moving and finish a couple of projects that have sat on the wall for to long.

As well as that there are a couple of new projects that I've been going to start for some time now but haven't got past the thinking about it stage.

SO - the current build list has been modified - What? - OK - Yes - again.

1st priorities: -
 1. The Texan to Wirraway conversion
 2. The Lancaster build
 3. The much neglected and overlooked Aero Commander.

2nd Priorities: -
1. The Mosquito build
2. The PBY Catalina. - I'm going to build this one to represent an Australian "Black Cat" from WWII

"Tidy ups"
I'm putting the finishing touches to the Bird of Time, The Asso Champion and the Phoenix.

"Our Father" moments.
 I'm still learning to fly the heli's.  I've managed to avoid any real catastrophe's but I admit to - errrrr -  a few bits of bark off here and there. So far I've replaced one set of main blades and two sets of tail rotor blades - miraculously without damage to anything more than a couple of connections and one belt on the Shuttle ZXX. So far the Kalt Space Baron has survived unharmed from my fumbling fingers and thumbs.

Drastic Measures

Well, it had to come and I had to finally make myself do it. I think it's called selling off the farm.  As I mentioned before this I have to many projects and not being a multi  millionaire or having all that much lifetime left it's time to "trim down the load."

I'm selling off all but a dozen models with their attendant engines and radio gear. As well as that I have a heap of plans that will go and a collection of IC engines as well. If any one is interested in a list of what is on the "it must go" list send me an email at: -

echo.echo100@gmail.com  

- you never know -you might get a bargain!

Confusion - My normal state of existance

I don't know if every one else has this problem but the more half finished models I give away because I haven't got the time or the motivation to finish them the more that seem to turn up on my "TO DO" list!! My current list consists of 15 fixed wing and three helicopters. Of those I only have 2 fixed wing and two heli's that are currently flyable!

The flyable fixed wing models are: -
1. A 58 inch conventional Trainer
2. A 104 inch,  power assisted glider.

The Heli's are: -
1. A Vintage Kalt Space Baron 
2. A Vintage Hirobo Shuttle ZXX  

OK you say, fair enough, but what about the other 13 fixed wing models and the one Heli? Errrrrrr, Ummmmm, that is where the rot sets in.

I have 4 models that need repair because they had an unfortunate encounter with that shameless hussy called Gravity. In one case Gravity was assisted by one of those evil jumping trees.

The unfortunate victims of Gravity's attack are: -
1. A 84 inch Powerhouse Old Timer. (Shameless and viscious Gravity attack assisted by cross wind and jumping tree.)
2. A 58 inch Asso Champion ARF (Once again Gravity attack assisted by hung port retract)
3. A 62 inch Sport Aerobat of questionable heritage(Gravity was assisted this time by brain fade and tangled thumbs)
4.  A 94 inch Senior Telemaster that decided to shed some of it's covering in flight! - Reason yet to be diagnosed but yes I did use "Stick It " (similar to Balsaloc) and it is a quality brand name covering. I haven't yet worked out how to blame Gravity for that repair.

Yeah , yeah, I know - that still leaves 9 models and one heli. OK - here's the confessional list: -

Models I'm still building and how long they've been in the process: -
1. A 72 inch Fournier RF 4 - 13 months - maybe longer
2. A 76 inch Aero Commander - more than 24 months!
3. A 90 inch Lancaster - not sure but around 2 years!
4. A 76 (?) inch Mosquito - been planning it for a long time but just started the build 2 weeks ago.

 OK - now we come to the real source of my problem. Restoration and rebuilding. If some one brings me a wreck and tells me it can't be rebuilt I just have to take up the challenge. I also like finding old models that have sat around in a shed or an attic or somewhere similar and bringing  them "back to life". Here is the horror list:-

1. A Bird of Time that started life as an electric powered ARF Glider and ended diving in from around 200 feet when a servo link failed. The owner was adament that it could not be repaired. It's almost ready to fly again as a pure glider. Restoration time so far 97.5 hrs.

2. A "something vaguely like" a Fokker EIII monoplane that I built many years ago. The model surprised me and flew very well so I decided to "detail it up". It then got damaged in a move and has sat at the back of the hangar ever since. One day I intend to rebuild it and do the dressing up. Every so often I put it down off the wall and think about it. Restoration time so far about 15 hrs.

3. The Harvard/Texan to Wirraway Conversion. Yep, I have a 90 inch Harvard/Texan that I'm rebuilding as a CAC Wirraway. Because I have a particular attachment to this aircraft I'm doing a "super scale"  restoration. Restoration time so far 617 hrs.

4. A 90 inch Chinese ARF P38 Lightning. I was silly enought to swap  my good Ugly Stick float plane for this kit which is a nightmare. The only way to recover something from the kit is to completely disassemble it and rebuild the bloody thing straight and true. So far I've stripped it down and it is waiting it's turn. Don't hold your breath. Restoration time so far 4 hrs.

5. A very large 3D model powered by an ASP108 glow engine. I bought it off another club member for virtually the price of the propellor!! Why ? Well it was a bargain and now I'm not even sure what I'm going to do with it. It does need restoration though and a bit of a redesign so it's on the list - and has joined the other models on the waiting wall. Restoration time so far - still thinking about it.

If I was into a full confession I'd admit there are a couple of other models or projects lurking around as well but the only other one I'm admitting to at this stage is the Kalt Space Baron restoration - yes - that's right  - I have two. One flies - this one doesn't as I recovered it from the rubbish tip. It is restorable and that will give me a pair of vintage IC engined Kalt Space Baron Helicopters!! Time I've spent on the heli restoration - counting chasing parts? around 150 hrs.

Well yes - SOME things are happening

It's getting near that time of year again - down here in the southern hemisphere today is the 6th day of Winter - it's also the Anniversary of the D Day landing in Europe for those who have a short memory or are to young to know - remember though that a lot of the men who went ashore that day were also very young and never got to grow old and forgetful. Lest We Forget!

The model I am building of a Lancaster is an aircraft from that conflict and while we marvel at the engineering of the engines and radio that will go into the model never forget that many of the men who flew the real thing never had that sort of technology but still pressed the attack to the enemy. MY model will be finished to represent an aircraft flown by a Tasmanian pilot and crew. I have added some information and some more photos to the 6th June update on the Lancaster page.

Some readers may note that my Lanzo Bomber build page has disappeared - no sorry - I haven't lost it but handed the half built model onto a member of my club to finish. He wanted it - I have to rationalise the number of projects I'm trying to build at once - and TRY to get some control and order to my hangar.

The Things you Find!

I don't know if this really fits into a radio control blog because it's a non flying model but  - there will certainly be a lot of building involved.  Our Club President and I got invited to have a look at a collection of models and assorted radio's, motor's, and general bits and pieces that were stored under a house. As is often the case with this sort of thing there were some real treasures - like a 1/3rd scale Cessna Skylane, ditto Mk 9 Spitfire, ditto Ryan PT 19 and to go on is to painful because - as is also common in these cases - everything had badly deteriorated, the owner thinks they are worth much more than a knowledgeable buyer would pay - and so they will sit there while he tries to get his price - no one will pay it - the models etc will deteriorate even more and eventually it is likely they will all end up in the bloody dump!!

However - I did make one rescue - but - other than the fact it is approximately 1/8th scale - is a static display model and is a Fokker DR 1 Triplane I don't know much about it. 

It may be one of those "buy a bit a week with a magazine" type things and a quick look around the internet after I came home suggests it might be of UK origin.  Photos attached - if any one can identify it AND if any one knows where I can get some building instructions I would be most grateful. 

Please email me direct at  echo.echo100@gmail.com  if you can help. I'm also interested if anyone has some parts - particularly of the the tail feathers as they are non existent in what I brought home.

Slow progress is better than none!

Yes, I know, it takes me forever to get anything much done. No excuse, it's my hobby, I work at the pace that suits me and do what I want to do when I feel like doing it. If that doesn't suit you then I have two suggestions -1. Get a life.  2. Go find some one who builds at the frantic speed you think everyone should work at.

OK - so I've had my little rant to the bright spark who felt compelled to email me with his demands - sorry fella - it's a hobby for me - not an obsession - go complain to someone else.  For those readers who understand that this is a hobby, and that you can work at any damn speed you want to here is an update.

1. I've almost finished the Bird of Time rebuild - the wreck is  starting to look like a Bird of Time again - a couple of update photos on it's build page.

2. I've made some progress on the Lancaster - sorry the photos aren't ready yet - AND - I've started to build the Mosquito. 

3. So - when I get around to it - hopefully in the next week - or so - there will be an update to the Gallery page, the Lancaster photos, some progress on the Fournier RF4 and a bit more on my helicopter obsession - and yes - I will try to put a Mosquito page together..

That Bloody P38

I've added some photos of this miserable bloody kit and some of the errors I've found - mostly very basic errors of design and construction. But as you will see  if you check out the P38 page I've decided to completely rebuild and upgrade the kit, it's either that or throw the whole kit in the rubbish bin and write off the investment.

I've also done some more work on the Lancaster, photos later this week . I've started to fly the Shuttle heli - I haven't crashed it yet - and almost finished the Bird of Time - currently it's in the paint shop and I'll post the finished photos soon.

Heart Break P38.

The more progress I make with this kit the more I'm tearing my hair out trying to get it right. As previously mentioned I think this is an early production kit. - By early I think I mean it was made by Ugg the Caveman with a blunt chisel and a stone hammer. There are that many errors - some minor, some major, that I am of the opinion that only a very experienced and patient scratch builder would have any hope of finally getting the bloody thing into the air. To call it ARF is a bad joke and the fact that it's partly factory assembled makes getting it right a frustrating task. It always takes longer and is harder to correct some one else's mistakes than to build it properly in the first place.

I have read a number of reviews of what appears to be the same kit - my example had no manufacturers name on the box or the paper work - and I have yet to see any one who is, or has, experienced the same problems that I have. I can only assume that my kit is a very early production sample - when it appears there was no quality control or - I've been caught with someone's poor quality fake copy. Unfortunately I have no come  back as the original local supplier is apparently out of business.

In the next day or so I will publish a full list of all the errors I have encountered with this kit - hopefully it might save some one else buying a load of crap like mine has turned out to be. The full list will be published on the P38 build page.

The list of problems I have found in the construction of this kit are now published on the P38 build page.

And Now !!!

Yeah well - and now I've been seduced by a Lockheed P38 Lightning! One of the blokes in my club had been admiring my Ugly Stick Float Plane so one thing led to another and it turned out he had a P38 kit lying un-built in his shed. Now A P38 has always been an aircraft I've admired - more so because in WWII the RAAF used 3 of them for photo recce. SO - we swapped didn't we and what I ended up with is one of the Chinese ARF kits to play with. All 90 inch wingspan of it. Now we all know about Chinese ARF kits - particularly the early ones so I expected that there would be some fitting to do and a few problems to iron out. Never the less a quick troll around the internet suggested that this particular kit does make up into a good model. So this is what I took out of the box and laid out to see what I had: - 

then I done a quick "dry fit" assembly to see what problems might present themselves.

I'm going to use a pair of OS 61 4 strokes in it although the specifications call for 2 x 45 2 strokes but I'm confident it will work out OK. I'm going to start a page on the build as soon as I tackle the assembly and I'll note any problems - and successes I have - stay tuned.

Oh! - Don't despair - I haven't given up on the Hirobo or the Kalt Heli's - I'm waiting for a few final parts to turn up for one of the Kalts and I've managed to get the Shuttle ZXX to hover - at eye level - without having a heart attack or loosing my head.

I've got the Heli Bug!

As regular readers will know I've had a Kalt Space Baron that I rescued from the dump and another that I bought new and complete. I've also taken delivery of a Hirobo Shuttle ZXX as well and I now have three nitro vintage helicopters! I've even been brave enough to get the ZXX running and very carefully begun to learn to fly it. That means I've had it fully tethered and managed to hover it in ground effect a whole 6 or so inches above the ground. Read - bathed in sweat and shaking like a leaf!

I've also managed to find a few more parts for the first Space Baron and I am up to the stage of fitting it out with engine and servos. The next step is to find the right clutch and cooling fan for it - then sort out all those linkages and settings.

My interest is in the vintage Nitro Heli's as they are fairly cheap to acquire and I enjoy the hunt for parts and getting the things flying again. To me there is a real satisfaction in restoring something to flying condition that no one else seems to want any more. To this end I'm starting a new Vintage Helicopter page on this blog which will detail all my efforts, trials, errors, mistakes and assorted disasters and I'm incorporating all the heli's onto that page. It might take me a few days but the separate pages for the heli's will all be moved to the one page.

Three Vintage nitro Heli's. At the front is the new Kalt Space Baron, in the middle the Hirobo Shuttle ZXX and at the rear the slowly progressing Kalt Space Baron that I rescued from the dump.

More, More, More!

I've done a bit more work on the Bird of Time while I'm waiting for some parts to arrive to finish the new Kalt Space Baron and some how I ended up at a garage sale and brought home a RC boat with a OS MAX SR40 rear induction with pipe. The whole thing is about 40 years old and needs a complete pull down and restoration - BUT - I am a glutton for punishment and it only cost me $5.00 !!! 

THEN at our last club field day one of our members become annoyed with one of his models and announced a FIRE SALE. No Bidders! So I offered $5.00 - mainly as a joke and to kick of some bidding offers - imagine my embarrassment when there was still no more bids and the member accepted my bid! I became the owner of a "slightly" used 3D model - no servos or electrics of course BUT with an ASP 108 2 stroke up front! The airframe is substantially complete and I took my prize home to put it back together - some photos soon.

No more progress on the Lancaster at present but I'm doing something with the Texan to Wirraway conversion and the new Kalt Space Baron as well as the older one that I'm restoring. Most progress in the last week or so has been on the Bird of time and it's getting near the ready to recover stage. There are some photos on the Bird of Time page along with a bit of comment on the repair status.

Finally - just to prove that I really am nuts I bought a Hirobo Shuttle ZXX Heli complete with servos, gyro, motor and fully setup and test flown by an expert! I might even learn to fly it without smashing it due to incorrect set up! Whether I'll crash it because of tangling up my thingers and fumbs is another question.

The Boat Hull. Some one suggested it might be a Dumas hull - don't Know??

Partly dis assembled OS MAX SR40 - a bit sad.

The "bits" that came with the hull

Another view of the hull. I've shown the model to a couple of people who know a lot more about boats than I do. In their opinion it's been a top class model in it's day!

A resurrected Lancaster build.

Over a year ago I started to build a 90 inch wingspan Lancaster and the build ended up going from disaster to disaster. First I lost almost all the build photos - then I found I'd screwed up the wing design. A word of explanation here - I started off with a very old plan that used foam wings and a ply/foam composite fuselage that used brown paper as a covering. I'm a difficult, grumpy old fart so that wasn't good enough for me!  I don't like using foam and I prefer to use conventional construction materials - I.E. Balsa and ply. SO -  I basically started with the full size out line that the plan provided and designed my own structure. Yeah - well - everything went OK until I decided I had to do a load test on the wing - of course I'd changed my mind half way through the construction and changed from a one piece wing to a fixed centre section with detachable out panels. Needless to say my bloody wing joiners failed and I destroyed the wing!! I did use a few strong words.

The part finished model then  hung on the wall at the back of the hangar while I thought about it and of course other projects came up and I mostly lost interest in the project. The 4 Saito 4 stroke motors I bought for the project just sat in their boxes - UNTIL  - I saw a 134 inch wingspan Lancaster  build thread on a Internet forum.  Now my model is only 90 inches but it did motivate me to get the bloody thing off the wall.

I took it down and promptly fell arse over head on top of it, that destroyed the remains of the wing and damaged the fuselage. I used a few very strong words. It also brought down the red fog and I vowed that no pile of balsa and ply was going to get the better of me. So I stripped the fuselage out - cut out the damage - and now I'm starting over again. So far I've replaced the fins and rudders which were broken off and repaired a thumb hole I put through the fuselage skin. I've started all over again with the wing and started to build a new revised centre section. This section will hold the inboard motors in their nacelles and the retracting under carriage. The outer panels will be detachable and hold the outer engines in their nacelles and of course the ailerons. I'm designing wing joiners using carbon fibre reinforced boxes and aluminium tubes.

A few photos of the early stages of the resurrection. The rebuild will continue on the Lancaster page as soon as I've done a bit more.

Knocked both fins and rudders off when I fell on the bloody model

Put my thumb through the skin as well

Luckily the fins and rudders were not damaged

Starting to build a new wing centre section - it will be bonded to the fuselage this time

Some reinforcing around the" thumb mark"

And a bit more work on the wing

This time I'm using dowels to reinforce the fin to stabiliser joins. I'll trim them off when the glue has cured.

It's Arrived !

My new/old Kalt Space Baron Heli' has arrived. I don't think there would be to many Space Barons around that are new and never been flown so I count myself pretty fortunate to have found this one. What's more it has an unused OS 32H engine in it and all the bits are there. The post man knocked on my door at 0830 this morning with a big box and a grin on his face - he's used of delivering  boxes of all shapes and sizes to me and I'm working on him - he shows some interest - and if I keep at it we'll have another convert to the hobby - I hope.

I've included a couple of photos of the new arrival and I'll include step by step build photos as I put it together. The photos and a description of the build, problems if any, and the set up and maiden flight will all be there as I progress.

New arrival with the existing Space Baron in the Background

All the components to assemble

I'm fortunate in that I managed to locate and download a complete manual off the Internet.

14th February UPDATE.

I've started a build thread page for this Heli as The NEW Kalt Space Baron to differentiate it from the second Kalt - the one I bought from the Tip and still intend to restore.

Some readers might also note that I have removed a couple of pages - I had to sort things out and rationalise my builds a bit so I've given some projects to other club members. I have no doubt they will see the light of day sooner than if they sit in the back of my hangar till Dooms Day !

Another Quick Update

For those who might be interested I've added some information to the Wirraway page - it doesn't seem like a lot of progress but I've worked my butt off to get that far - the joys of building a highly detailed scale model aircraft.

Of course like all scratch/scale builders I don't do it because I have to - I do it because I want to and it beats the hell out of sitting in front of the idiot box all day ! To my delight it also confuses the hell out of some people - they just can't understand why a 70 year old man wants to play with "toy" aeroplanes.  As I said to one bloke who sits in front of the TV all day and has a belly like a barrel - it keeps my brain going - it gets me out in the fresh air and I still have a social life - he just looked even more confused.

There is movement at the Hangar.

I've got around to sorting out a few photos and even made some progress on the work bench - as I mentioned in the last post - Gotta make room for that Vintage Kalt Space Baron which will arrive very soon. So I started by digging out some projects that have been gathering dust at the back of the hangar - I dusted them off - ignored the accusing looks - have you ever been giving an accusing look by a model project you have abandoned for months??? - brutal isn't it !!!

Any way - The Bird of Time was at the front of said accusing pile so I had a look at the wing panels - then I went away - had a cup of coffee and a smoke and came back to face my accuser. Result - I've finished the outer wing panels and started to cut back the inner panels and assess the damage - Photos of progress are on the Bird of Time page. Next is the the Wirraway conversion - coming soon.

Another Distraction

I just can't help myself. As some readers may know I've been struggling for months to restore a Kalt Space Baron Helicopter. Around 1972 vintage and recovered from the local tip. So far I've located parts in England, France and the United States - but the restoration is still only half completed. So - there I was desperately searching for yet more bits on eBay when - DAMN!! - some one has a complete Kalt Space Baron for sale - AND - it's never been flown - Brand bloody new!!! Then  - after picking myself up off the floor - well I'll be damned - it's in Australia - Sydney to be exact and the asking price is quite reasonable - Yeah - well - I just HAD to have it didn't I? 

A quick exchange of emails - some clarifications and I won the auction - IT'S MINE - It should be here by the middle of next week and I am going to lay out a red carpet for the deliver man. - well -I'll offer him a cup of coffee anyway. Photos as soon as it arrives.

All this excitement - and the impending delivery has got me all enthused again so I cleared off the building board - now I'll have to make some room and - Hmmm - I better get on with a few of the other projects - feverish work - much balsa dust and I've made some progress - even taken some photos as I worked.

SO - In the next week - in between updating the club website - I'll post some progress. I've done some work on the Wirraway conversion, The Bird of Time repair, built the wings (finally) for the Wittman Tailwind, recovered the Kyosho Trainer (after a hard landing when the bloody undercarriage fell off in flight) and made the rest of the ribs for the Fournier RF4. As well as that I've even dusted off the Lancaster,  maidened the Senior Telemaster and dug out the Mosquito plans - I know there is a half built fuselage here somewhere!. I even stumbled across the ply formers for the SR71!!

A few miscellaneous photos til I find out where I'm up to: -

Rebuilding the outer wing panels of the Bird of Time

I swapped out the Enya 60X for my OS61 4 stroke in the Senior Telemaster

And even dug out the Shrike Aero Commander to work on

Progress on the Wittman Tailwind Mainplane - more to come

Surplus Plans for Sale

I've been yelling and shouting at myself to clean out my plans collection and get rid of those that I am never likely to build. After much agonising  - and a realistic look at my age - my bank balance - and the time it takes me to build a model I have - reluctantly - decided that I must pass on the following list to new homes. I'm not interested in trying to sell them at a profit - A nominal fee of $AU5.00 per plan plus postage seems to be fair. All plans are brand new, unused in mint condition and will be shipped rolled in a mailing tube.

PayPal is preferred payment method but I will accept direct deposit  by arrangement from buyers within Australia - Over Seas - PayPal only.

SCALE

Boeing B17F  Flying Fortress - By Royal Products Corp -  2 sheets - 1/16th scale - 77 3/4" Wingspan - for 4 x .25 two strokes

DH2e - RC Modeller Plan -  2 Sheets - 1/6th scale - 60 " Wingspan - for a .60 2 stroke. NB: This model has ALL the scale rigging!

Albatross DVa. - Tom Polapink Design  - 2 Sheets - 1/6th scale - 71" Wingspan -  .120 four stroke

Sikorsky S39 Seaplane  - RC Modeller plan -  1 Sheet - 1/6th(?) scale - 76 1/2" Wingspan - .60 two stroke

Supermarine S5 - Schneider Trophy Seaplane- RC Modeller plan -  2 sheets -  1/8th scale - 40" Wingspan - .19 - .25 two stroke

DH103 Hornet -  Aviation Modeller plan - 2 sheets -  ?/? scale - 80" Wingspan - 2 x .56 size two strokes.

Albatross C111 - Dave Hurrell design - 2 sheets -  Sorry SOLD

Douglas Sky Raider  AD 7 (AH-1) - CAP plan #11 - 3 sheets - 1/10th scale -  62.5" Wingspan - .60 two stroke

Vickers Wellington Mk X - RCM & E plan - 2 sheets - 1/12th scale -  86" Wingspan - 2 x .30 - .35  2 strokes 

Sopwith Tabloid -  1 sheet - 1/6th scale - 51" Wingspan - .45 size four stroke - NOTE: This is a CHALLENGING build!

NON SCALE

1940 Playboy Snr - Cleveland Plan - 1 Sheet - 80" Wingspan - Engine size not nominated on plan - I suggest .60 size engine or electric.

Das Ugly Stick -  2 sheet - The original Phil Kraft design - Sorry SOLD

Killer Kaos - Joseph Bridi design -  1sheet plus full size templates - 62 " Wingspan - 61 size two stroke - Classic pattern model

Super Kaos - Joseph Bridi design - 1 sheet - 58.5" Wingspan - .61 size two stroke - A classic 70's era pattern model

Daddy Rabbit -  Jim Whiteley design - 1 sheet - 67.5" Wingspan - 60 size  two stroke - 1966 US Class 3 Nationals Champion Pattern  Model

If you want to buy a plan - or plans - or want to make extra enquiries please email me direct at echo.echo100@gmail.com

Vale "Shifty"

This hero died with barely anyone's notice.

"Shifty" By Chuck Yeager Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them. I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle," the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat. Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made. Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 ..." at which point my heart skipped. At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into  Normandy . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped. I told him "yes, I know exactly where Normandy is, and I know what D-Day was." At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero ... and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of  D-Day. I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said "Yes... And it 's real sad because, these days, so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say. I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in coach while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach. He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and who still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.  Shifty died on Jan. l7 after fighting cancer. There was no parade.  No big event in Staples Center.  No wall-to-wall, back-to-back 24x7 news coverage.  No weeping fans on television. And that's not right! Let's give Shifty his own memorial service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this post to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.  Rest in peace, Shifty. Chuck Yeager, Maj. General [ret.] P.S. I think that it is amazing how the "media" chooses our "heroes" these days... Elvis, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston & the like.

"SHIFTY" - an incredible American hero. Please do me a favor and pass this on so that untold thousands can read it. We owe no less to our REAL Heroes. This was sent to me as an email - I'm not an American but I am an Australian - and a Vet - I pass it on to all those who do care about Real Heroes. I don't know if I've trod on any ones Copyright by publishing this - usually I've very careful about using other peoples images and prose - but in this case - for once - I don't give a shit - REAL HEROES desert to be remembered with reverence and respect.

Sometimes you get Lucky!

As most readers will know I'm a died in the wool IC engine fan - just can't get excited about that (choke) *lectric stuff. So when I had the chance to pick up a PAIR of NIB Nova Rossi 60's (10 cc, 16,500 RPM, 2.3 HP!) I HAD to have them. Now that I have them on my bench and I've finished drooling all over them - yep I have the genuine tuned pipes too,  I ask myself - what to put them in?? Hmmm I could use one in a pattern ship - or an all out 3D but I am a scale builder - Hmmmmm something that will accept the tuned pipes and still look scale - something maybe with twin fuselages or booms? It will have to be a fighter of course - Hmmmmm! Now let me see - A P38 Lightning would be good - OR - what about a Twin Mustang or a ....... OK - any suggestions??

One of two

With header and tuned pipe!

A Quick Update

Not a lot has happened since my last post and the recent bush fires here in Tasmania curtailed flying activities to some extent. The building board has also been left to it's own devices for the last few weeks while Christmas and other annoyances got in the way. One thing I have done is to re-post the Powerhouse build photos as a  reference point for a mate in the US.  Unfortunately some of the photos and the original text have disappeared into that same black hole that has claimed all my missing socks - but I've cobbled something together for him and he can email with any other queries if he needs to.

I'm just starting to get myself back into gear and restart my building program. One change is the removal of the Big Lazy Bee project from the blog - unfortunately the project met with a sticky end and it's been scrapped before it was finished. The culprit is doing suitable penance. I still have a copy of the plan and I may have another go at it later but right now I have enough (read more than enough) projects on the go.