The 2024 John Bird Competition WAS HELD on
Wednesday 21st August at Waverley
The task this year was simple but hard.
"Get the maximum flight time from a supplied basic rubber powered model.
You may not alter the model in any other way.
You will get at least 3 attempts (probably more if time allows). You may launch from anywhere in the Court. The flight time is measured from hand launch to the first contact with any surface (floor/wall ceiling/hoop etc.).
There will be a supply of #18 elastic bands and Scotch tape on hand. Bring your own scissors, and blu-tak and tape if you want.
Rubber motor winders are allowed for those who can’t count. There will be at least one simple Hobbyking one available to borrow for the non-professional rubber fliers.
Some hints based on flying a test sample will be offered by the President on the morning but you should treat them with the respect they deserve."
"Get the maximum flight time from a supplied basic rubber powered model.
- You get to collect a rubber model in a sealed packet from 10:00am on Wednesday 21 August at Waverley. There are 19 models available; all are identical. First in – best dressed. The instructions are printed on the packet and are both indecipherable and only in Chinese.
- It is possible to assemble and fly the model with only what is supplied; however, some minor modification is permitted:
- You may add blu-tak for balance (although it is not necessarily required to balance the model as the wing mount slides on the fuselage stick).
- You may stiffen the fairly flimsy wings with Scotch tape (recommended).
- You may replace the supplied rubber motor with any combination of #18 elastic bands which will be supplied.
You may not alter the model in any other way.
You will get at least 3 attempts (probably more if time allows). You may launch from anywhere in the Court. The flight time is measured from hand launch to the first contact with any surface (floor/wall ceiling/hoop etc.).
There will be a supply of #18 elastic bands and Scotch tape on hand. Bring your own scissors, and blu-tak and tape if you want.
Rubber motor winders are allowed for those who can’t count. There will be at least one simple Hobbyking one available to borrow for the non-professional rubber fliers.
Some hints based on flying a test sample will be offered by the President on the morning but you should treat them with the respect they deserve."
*******************************************************************
Colin's REPORT ON THE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION
Right Christmas is coming so lets play silly wotsits with last years pressys. Err... no quite, but the club did make a big purchase of the Anko gliders and space was needed at the storage facility. I bet John Julians wife calls it something else, as does my wife about how much room my toys consume. Anyway a competition was needed so I volunteered to run it......harder than it appears , you should give it a go next time or at least think about it.
After considerable amount of thought process and questions being asked the format was arrived at and scrutinised by the hierarchy and the was emailed to all members and then before the day the set of rules sent to everybody . This was to stop any attempt at individual tuning before the day. All had an hour or so to fettle their models for straight line gliderability and endurance, using the models and “stuff” provided. 18 members turned up to compete, which was excellent and soon the air was abuzz with models and expletives as they found out just how they flew with and without a catapult launch. I was observing all this happening from a vantage point and the reason for that was so I could calculate how long the course should be and how well they were being trimmed........cheeky maybe but “interesting”.
First up was..... Glider Golf with the 18th hole as a straight forward Par 3. Put the glider anywhere or anybit of it inside a smallish hoola hoop counted. Just like that silly game of “chase the little white ball and spoil a good walk” game also called golf. The course being a Par 3 or in lay terms two basketball courts wide. They all started behind the line and let fly with their catapults . It was surprising how and where they flew..... Then their owners had to walk, pick up and relaunch to clear the seating (or landing runway) that Boronia is known for. Some cleared it and then a short ....or long......lob to the hole. Colin Ellis was the first to score a direct hit and with par, probably influenced by the cajoling from the crowd so did Peter McCarthy and it was looking to be a tie until Taun Packeer who had arrived only just as the comp starter went in as well. Blimey a 3 way tie......this was all too easy so an executive decision was made for the fly off and the hole stretched to a par 4 and that included the remaining Basketball court . I think the extra distance taxed the stamina for Colin and Peter who both floundered and found bunkers but Tuan was again deadeye dick on the day and spot on with a bullseye and an eagle I think or is it an albatross or maybe a budgy .......1 under pie , I dont play that game. One game down two to go!
Next up was the simple Hole Shot......easy as eating pie ( no, not the humble type) but the HUGEHOLE was set up equidistant from each end of the runway ( seating ) or perhaps it was in the middle and planes could be launched from either end. Easy peasy.....Not ! Good fun though watching as they drifted sideways at the last moment and missed or were over catapulted and went over, even the clipped wing version that shed its wings didn't fair well so it was almost re-bung for all until Lew Rodman launched straight and true and went right though without any part of his plane touching. Two games down and one to go !
Final was the Mighty Chuck ....Longest glide and slide will be the winner. It was like trying to herd sheep just to get all model bungers standing behind a straight line for a mass launch ! Eventually they did and I suspect it was anticipation coupled with nervous exhaustion that finally settled them down and the mighty mass chuck could commence.
It was funny seeing where models ended up when the catapults were drawn back to their full capacity especially after the two preceding comps but Andrew Halstead was the winner with the longest fright.
All Games Done and Dusted and prizes of chocolate were awarded to deserving persons.
So endeth the 2023 Christmas Indoor Aviation Big Bung and I think, hope, that all competitors had a good time .
We certainly had a few rule interpretations the first was a careful slicing of the supplied rubber band lengthways to make two that were then looped together to make one long but less violent launcher. Point taken and Two bands next time.
Wings inserted inverted , try saying that quickly, worked great on a hand launch not so great with the catapult.
Balance blue tack was out front on an extended and inserted thin dowel....... broke the dowel on landing but worked for CG
An aerodynamacist calculated the efficiency of removing the wingtips from each side to create a missile.....result was........ Missile 1, aerowotsisname 0
I have to admit that I was astounded that there were no canards manufactured especially with all that cardboard (boxes) to play with, an that would have been allowed under the rules.
Some original positioning of the launch peg, one in particular was for a backwards launch and catpule didnt wrk well as the band slipped off.
A couple of things I learned was that you can email everybody the rules but only a couple will actually read them !
The rest will plead ignorance and many other excuses BUT will constantly ask and thoroughly frustrate the organiser . ..... Jeez, I nearly said .....constantly ask stupid questions .
As a knowledgeable man once said .....The only way to get a message across is for the words to be printed on a tee shirt and that tee shirt worn by ..........your guess is best.
Finally a big thanks to Michael Best who brought along his limbo equipment , great fun for us Diffyfrust maniacs and also all the flappy bird blokes.....taint easy, is it.....flying to an pattern, but I don’t think any animals were damaged in the making of this report .
There were about 10 or more models in the air at same time there were few collisions iff any, models or humans.
Colin Smith
After considerable amount of thought process and questions being asked the format was arrived at and scrutinised by the hierarchy and the was emailed to all members and then before the day the set of rules sent to everybody . This was to stop any attempt at individual tuning before the day. All had an hour or so to fettle their models for straight line gliderability and endurance, using the models and “stuff” provided. 18 members turned up to compete, which was excellent and soon the air was abuzz with models and expletives as they found out just how they flew with and without a catapult launch. I was observing all this happening from a vantage point and the reason for that was so I could calculate how long the course should be and how well they were being trimmed........cheeky maybe but “interesting”.
First up was..... Glider Golf with the 18th hole as a straight forward Par 3. Put the glider anywhere or anybit of it inside a smallish hoola hoop counted. Just like that silly game of “chase the little white ball and spoil a good walk” game also called golf. The course being a Par 3 or in lay terms two basketball courts wide. They all started behind the line and let fly with their catapults . It was surprising how and where they flew..... Then their owners had to walk, pick up and relaunch to clear the seating (or landing runway) that Boronia is known for. Some cleared it and then a short ....or long......lob to the hole. Colin Ellis was the first to score a direct hit and with par, probably influenced by the cajoling from the crowd so did Peter McCarthy and it was looking to be a tie until Taun Packeer who had arrived only just as the comp starter went in as well. Blimey a 3 way tie......this was all too easy so an executive decision was made for the fly off and the hole stretched to a par 4 and that included the remaining Basketball court . I think the extra distance taxed the stamina for Colin and Peter who both floundered and found bunkers but Tuan was again deadeye dick on the day and spot on with a bullseye and an eagle I think or is it an albatross or maybe a budgy .......1 under pie , I dont play that game. One game down two to go!
Next up was the simple Hole Shot......easy as eating pie ( no, not the humble type) but the HUGEHOLE was set up equidistant from each end of the runway ( seating ) or perhaps it was in the middle and planes could be launched from either end. Easy peasy.....Not ! Good fun though watching as they drifted sideways at the last moment and missed or were over catapulted and went over, even the clipped wing version that shed its wings didn't fair well so it was almost re-bung for all until Lew Rodman launched straight and true and went right though without any part of his plane touching. Two games down and one to go !
Final was the Mighty Chuck ....Longest glide and slide will be the winner. It was like trying to herd sheep just to get all model bungers standing behind a straight line for a mass launch ! Eventually they did and I suspect it was anticipation coupled with nervous exhaustion that finally settled them down and the mighty mass chuck could commence.
It was funny seeing where models ended up when the catapults were drawn back to their full capacity especially after the two preceding comps but Andrew Halstead was the winner with the longest fright.
All Games Done and Dusted and prizes of chocolate were awarded to deserving persons.
So endeth the 2023 Christmas Indoor Aviation Big Bung and I think, hope, that all competitors had a good time .
We certainly had a few rule interpretations the first was a careful slicing of the supplied rubber band lengthways to make two that were then looped together to make one long but less violent launcher. Point taken and Two bands next time.
Wings inserted inverted , try saying that quickly, worked great on a hand launch not so great with the catapult.
Balance blue tack was out front on an extended and inserted thin dowel....... broke the dowel on landing but worked for CG
An aerodynamacist calculated the efficiency of removing the wingtips from each side to create a missile.....result was........ Missile 1, aerowotsisname 0
I have to admit that I was astounded that there were no canards manufactured especially with all that cardboard (boxes) to play with, an that would have been allowed under the rules.
Some original positioning of the launch peg, one in particular was for a backwards launch and catpule didnt wrk well as the band slipped off.
A couple of things I learned was that you can email everybody the rules but only a couple will actually read them !
The rest will plead ignorance and many other excuses BUT will constantly ask and thoroughly frustrate the organiser . ..... Jeez, I nearly said .....constantly ask stupid questions .
As a knowledgeable man once said .....The only way to get a message across is for the words to be printed on a tee shirt and that tee shirt worn by ..........your guess is best.
Finally a big thanks to Michael Best who brought along his limbo equipment , great fun for us Diffyfrust maniacs and also all the flappy bird blokes.....taint easy, is it.....flying to an pattern, but I don’t think any animals were damaged in the making of this report .
There were about 10 or more models in the air at same time there were few collisions iff any, models or humans.
Colin Smith
Tuan PaCkeer's video of the event.
END OF 2023 CHRISTMAS COMPETITION AND SWAP MEET
David Benner HAS DONE A video SUMMARISING SOME END OF YEAR FLYING
*******************************************************************
BORONIA BALLON BURST 01/03/2024
Colin Smith's report of the day.
Its a funny old world and there is nowt funnier than when somebody suggest’s that we fill bal-
loons with hot air and try to burst them with hand chuck gliders. Now you all know that indoor
aviation is full of hot air, during and between flights , so to entice competitors it was suggested
that a drawing pin was stuffed up the gliders nasal protuberance, and of course the obligatory
chocolate prizes. Well that was the basic idea from Lew Rodman, probably to boost the dwin-
dling turn up at Boronia, cos if we dont use them we will loose them. After broadcasting it via the
email a meagre few turned up to compete with the gliders they already had and had used in the last
fun comp. There were a few spares for “justin”.......”justin” case you had chucked your’s away.
So with some late arrivals we had a total of 8 participants, and one lonely spectator who declined
the offer of a loan plane. Lew was busy arranging the two big waste bins along the centre spot and
with a string looping between them . I dont know who provided the hot air to fill the balloon’s but
suddenly there were 6 suspended on the line. Multicoloured to boot WOW !!!!!Pins were quickly
attached to the chuckies and battle was commenced from behind the basketball court base line,
with backs to the netting. First to bung one was Peter Cossins, renowned full size aviator, and he
bunged a beauty......straight and true but right over the top of all obstacles and nearly hit the far
end wall, not quite a basket but there was plenty of time .
Ok , so now we know what we had to do and in all honesty most of us did exactly the same and
missed completely. Next effort’s were to reduce the bung length and thus move nearer and then
even nearer to those pesky balloons. Some went over and some went under, and a few went round
but jeez we were having a ball and getting plenty of exercise retrieving our attempts and plenty of
banter to encourage the chuckers.
Planes were passed around and Laurie bent the rules with a double prong out front . I think he
called it a foolscap drawing pin ?????? Must find out one day what he meant, but the reworked
paperclip seemed to bounce off or bend and by this time we were very close to the balloons, al-
most at arms length. Although there were lots of fly throughs and wing hits there was not a “bang”
among them. Hey that’s what we should have done.... Drawing pins on the wings.....”simples”
Dynamic David Anderson was the first to pop his cherry and got a resounding cheer as the bal-
loon went up, so to speak.......only trouble was he was using Colin Smiths plane ! So who got the
chocolate ?
Colin put that right by getting the next balloon burst as soon as he got his plane back and that was
followed by a couple more , but in all fairness we were all very close to them and still missing !.
For those who missed it .....what was the final outcome ? Basically who cared we had had so much
fun ......What a great way to spend a morning having a really good laugh and competing for simple
prizes. This simple comp was far harder than any of us could have imagined. Thanks to Lew for
organising it all and the competitors Laurie Clark, Mark Heffernan, Peter Cossins, Tony Red-
flinski, Brian Ealy, David Atkinson, Colin Smith and Lew Rodman for competing.
We were treated afterwards to a free fright rubber model display by Brian Ealy who would up his
rubber with a winder and then made one turn too many. BANG....n ...BUGGA !!!!!Dont dare ask
him anything while he is winding, but he will just do it again and I think three rubbers went in the
bin but the flights after were a joy to watch as that very big propeller slowly turned and the very
flimsy plane waggled its way into he air. Approx 40-60 seconds (I wasn't counting) later it slowly
landed. Now try holding your breath for that long and for me that is what indoor aviation should
be all about.....none of this stabilised, fast n furious, knock others out of the air type of fly-
ing......just slow and gentle and squeezing every last mili-second out of the flight.
Seriously .......I reckon Boronia has the best air for that ....just saying.
Finally what other zany ,whacky, mad or just insanely simple events can YOU come up with to
create more enjoyment indoors.
Let the committee know and dont rely on a few to do it all, cos we had a ball.
Its a funny old world and there is nowt funnier than when somebody suggest’s that we fill bal-
loons with hot air and try to burst them with hand chuck gliders. Now you all know that indoor
aviation is full of hot air, during and between flights , so to entice competitors it was suggested
that a drawing pin was stuffed up the gliders nasal protuberance, and of course the obligatory
chocolate prizes. Well that was the basic idea from Lew Rodman, probably to boost the dwin-
dling turn up at Boronia, cos if we dont use them we will loose them. After broadcasting it via the
email a meagre few turned up to compete with the gliders they already had and had used in the last
fun comp. There were a few spares for “justin”.......”justin” case you had chucked your’s away.
So with some late arrivals we had a total of 8 participants, and one lonely spectator who declined
the offer of a loan plane. Lew was busy arranging the two big waste bins along the centre spot and
with a string looping between them . I dont know who provided the hot air to fill the balloon’s but
suddenly there were 6 suspended on the line. Multicoloured to boot WOW !!!!!Pins were quickly
attached to the chuckies and battle was commenced from behind the basketball court base line,
with backs to the netting. First to bung one was Peter Cossins, renowned full size aviator, and he
bunged a beauty......straight and true but right over the top of all obstacles and nearly hit the far
end wall, not quite a basket but there was plenty of time .
Ok , so now we know what we had to do and in all honesty most of us did exactly the same and
missed completely. Next effort’s were to reduce the bung length and thus move nearer and then
even nearer to those pesky balloons. Some went over and some went under, and a few went round
but jeez we were having a ball and getting plenty of exercise retrieving our attempts and plenty of
banter to encourage the chuckers.
Planes were passed around and Laurie bent the rules with a double prong out front . I think he
called it a foolscap drawing pin ?????? Must find out one day what he meant, but the reworked
paperclip seemed to bounce off or bend and by this time we were very close to the balloons, al-
most at arms length. Although there were lots of fly throughs and wing hits there was not a “bang”
among them. Hey that’s what we should have done.... Drawing pins on the wings.....”simples”
Dynamic David Anderson was the first to pop his cherry and got a resounding cheer as the bal-
loon went up, so to speak.......only trouble was he was using Colin Smiths plane ! So who got the
chocolate ?
Colin put that right by getting the next balloon burst as soon as he got his plane back and that was
followed by a couple more , but in all fairness we were all very close to them and still missing !.
For those who missed it .....what was the final outcome ? Basically who cared we had had so much
fun ......What a great way to spend a morning having a really good laugh and competing for simple
prizes. This simple comp was far harder than any of us could have imagined. Thanks to Lew for
organising it all and the competitors Laurie Clark, Mark Heffernan, Peter Cossins, Tony Red-
flinski, Brian Ealy, David Atkinson, Colin Smith and Lew Rodman for competing.
We were treated afterwards to a free fright rubber model display by Brian Ealy who would up his
rubber with a winder and then made one turn too many. BANG....n ...BUGGA !!!!!Dont dare ask
him anything while he is winding, but he will just do it again and I think three rubbers went in the
bin but the flights after were a joy to watch as that very big propeller slowly turned and the very
flimsy plane waggled its way into he air. Approx 40-60 seconds (I wasn't counting) later it slowly
landed. Now try holding your breath for that long and for me that is what indoor aviation should
be all about.....none of this stabilised, fast n furious, knock others out of the air type of fly-
ing......just slow and gentle and squeezing every last mili-second out of the flight.
Seriously .......I reckon Boronia has the best air for that ....just saying.
Finally what other zany ,whacky, mad or just insanely simple events can YOU come up with to
create more enjoyment indoors.
Let the committee know and dont rely on a few to do it all, cos we had a ball.
JOHN BIRD TROPHY, WAVERLEY, 25 August
There was a great turn up at Waverley for this years John Bird Trophy. Here is the group at morning teatime before the competition started.
It was won by David Benner with a time of 28.7 seconds. In addition his second best flight was 28.3 seconds. Talk about consistent. Second place went to Ron van Bemmel with 17.1 seconds and third was Greg Egan at 14.5 seconds.
It was won by David Benner with a time of 28.7 seconds. In addition his second best flight was 28.3 seconds. Talk about consistent. Second place went to Ron van Bemmel with 17.1 seconds and third was Greg Egan at 14.5 seconds.
David Benner, The winner of THE John BIRD TROPHY 2023 with Ian Jemmeson
*******************************************************************
John Bird Trophy 25/8/2023
Tuan Packeer's video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH8NIdHKx6g
David Benner's video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNEzvXUTArM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH8NIdHKx6g
David Benner's video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNEzvXUTArM
*******************************************************************
A bunch of PHOTOS from the John Bird Trophy 2023.
Thanks to Julie Bird, Tuan Packeer, and Ian Jemmeson.
Rules for the John Bird Trophy 25 August 2023
John Bird Trophy 2023 – Rules
The photos show the layout and dimensions of the model.
After the competition, it can be converted to an RET RC model using the motor by adding a mini receiver, and a couple of 1.7g servos. If you do BE CAREFUL taking it apart on the central hot-glued seam as it would be easy to puncture the LiPo cell with a sharp blade. Alternatively, small grandchildren love this type of model.
Both Julie Bird, John’s wife, and Laurie his brother will be in attendance this year so let’s have a lot of fun.
- The aim is to achieve the longest flight time of an electric powered 36cm span foam glider. All contestants will be issued with an identical EPP foam model with a fully charged battery.
- The skill will be in trimming the model and adjusting the motor run to get maximum circling flight time without hitting the walls, ceiling or another obstacle.
- Flight time is measured from hand launch to contacting the floor. Hitting the walls, ceiling, hoops or anything other than the central divider will result in zero flight time.
- Each contestant may have 3 attempts at a flight.
- IA has purchased 20 models for the competition and they will be available from 9:00am or whenever Waverley is open. First in – best dressed, so if you want to be in the competition be there early.
- The time up until morning tea ends is available for trimming. Morning tea starts at 10:30. The competition starts at 11:00 after which only competition flights are allowed until a winner is announced.
- Apart from omission of the plastic prop protector NO structural changes may be made to the model. Trimming by bending the fuselage and surfaces and shortening of the motor run by delaying release or reducing thrust by reversing the propeller plus addition of weight to optimise the CG are allowed. Bring your own Blutak. You may also want to bring a pen to write your name on your model as they are all identical!
- The model runs off a single LiPo cell and the motor run is governed by a built-in timer. One push of the start button gives about a 15 second motor run, 2 pushes about 20 seconds.
- The battery holds enough charge for over 20 flights.
- There will be at least 12 USB charger sockets available to recharge but bring your own and a power board (to share the limited mains outlets) if you prefer. The short cable supplied with the model plugs into a standard USB A connection. A full recharge takes a bit over 20minutes.
The photos show the layout and dimensions of the model.
After the competition, it can be converted to an RET RC model using the motor by adding a mini receiver, and a couple of 1.7g servos. If you do BE CAREFUL taking it apart on the central hot-glued seam as it would be easy to puncture the LiPo cell with a sharp blade. Alternatively, small grandchildren love this type of model.
Both Julie Bird, John’s wife, and Laurie his brother will be in attendance this year so let’s have a lot of fun.
Photos and videos from FRANKSTON, 17 March
Reg's Pterodactyl and Microlight. Photos and Videos by Michael Halse
*******************************************************************
David Benner's video of Waverley FLYING Wed 15 March 2023
David was a welcome visitor at Waverley on Wed 15 March and recorded a video of some of the flying.
David has his own website "DavesFunRC" and says," I’ve been recording my journey back to the RC Hobby after a 25 year break.
I’ve visited various clubs in Melbourne and joined the Caulfield Racecourse Flying Club.
I’ve enjoyed meeting and flying with fellow aviation enthusiasts as I get my confidence back.
David has his own website "DavesFunRC" and says," I’ve been recording my journey back to the RC Hobby after a 25 year break.
I’ve visited various clubs in Melbourne and joined the Caulfield Racecourse Flying Club.
I’ve enjoyed meeting and flying with fellow aviation enthusiasts as I get my confidence back.
*******************************************************************
Videos of Andrew's creations flying at Mullum on 26 April
Includes the "Wallish", the Star Wars T16, and Concord WITH 4x EDFs. Also Col's JUMBO SKY GLIDER
Videos by Greg Egan
*******************************************************************
Ian's FW190 flying at waverley on 28 APRIL
Video by Peter McCarthy
This is built from an original MicroAces kit which used realistic printed paper stickers attached to a profile foam model. This method was the precursor to the current realistically printed foam sheet fully 3 dimensional kits.
The battery was almost exhausted, hence the short flight.
The battery was almost exhausted, hence the short flight.
Photo of the kit under construction and testing. Lemon DSMX™ compatible brick for rudder and elevator plus external brushless 1Smotor controller. External micro servo (in the green clamp) for ailerons.
Ian with his FW190 at Boronia on 5 May
Nice line up of WWII birds at Mullum on 7 June
Picture by Ron van Bemmel
*******************************************************************
Colin's new toy at Donvale on Wed 14 June - something different!
*******************************************************************
Discussion of prop slot noise
There was some discussion at Waverley on Tue 7 Feb about the shape of the slots used in the differential thrust flat plate wings with the motors mounted in the body of the wing and the props running in slots.
Greg and Andrew were showing people that a "bow tie" shaped slot causes a lot less noise than a straight one.
For those interested in the topic, here is a thread on RCGroups discussing this issue together with some experiments that established an optimum shape for the slot.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20946046&postcount=1
Greg and Andrew were showing people that a "bow tie" shaped slot causes a lot less noise than a straight one.
For those interested in the topic, here is a thread on RCGroups discussing this issue together with some experiments that established an optimum shape for the slot.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20946046&postcount=1
*******************************************************************
Two of Greg's Quick Build deltas and Andrew's Arado
Flying at Mullum Mullum 11 January, 2023
Click THE links to open THE videos taken by Laurie and Greg
****************************************************************
A good turn up at Frankston on 9 March
John Julian's very light differential thrust "Zanonia" wing was flying at Frankston.
There is video taken by Michael Halse of it here: https://youtu.be/Zaolk89EmWQ
For more on the amazing Javan cucumber seed that inspired it, Wikipedia has an article on the plant here.
For more on the amazing Javan cucumber seed that inspired it, Wikipedia has an article on the plant here.
*******************************************************************
Energetic bunch of rubber fliers at Waverley 15 Feb
*******************************************************************
The foam-safe spray cans for styrene foam models shown bY JJ
at Mullum Mullum on 22nd and waverley on 24th Feb.
NOTE: The "GOLD" range of Montana Spray cans is the acrylic foam-safe one. Others may not be.
https://www.montana-cans.com/en/spray-cans/montana-spray-paint/gold-400ml-artist-paint/montana-gold-400ml-colors
Available from Officeworks but you may have to order on-line and collect.
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/search?q=montana%20Gold&view=grid&page=1&sortBy=bestmatch
Also available from Amazon.com.au.
Montana Gold has an extensive range of colours, many of which appear to match standard camouflage shades. The Metallic and Fluorescent range is impressive. Light multiple coats on styrene foam is always recommended.
https://www.montana-cans.com/en/spray-cans/montana-spray-paint/gold-400ml-artist-paint/montana-gold-400ml-colors
Available from Officeworks but you may have to order on-line and collect.
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/search?q=montana%20Gold&view=grid&page=1&sortBy=bestmatch
Also available from Amazon.com.au.
Montana Gold has an extensive range of colours, many of which appear to match standard camouflage shades. The Metallic and Fluorescent range is impressive. Light multiple coats on styrene foam is always recommended.
****************************************************************
Greg's Flying Business Card MAIDEN (21 Feb 2023) at Boronia
*******************************************************************
Final day at Waverley 13 December 2022
Final day at Mullum Mullum 14 December 2022
Greg's BLOG ON HIS KMART $10 GLIDER CONVERSION
****************************************************************
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4047737-KMart-LIDL-Clone-Electric-Conversion-Rudder-Elevator
SOME recent videos from Greg egan
Colin Smith's twin rotor gyrocopter at Mullum Mullum 12 October
https://youtu.be/yAQzGJduOUQ
Greg's twin motor 3mm foam Vulcan at Mullum Mullum 12 October
Filmed by Colin Smith
https://youtu.be/Dgi0PPN6xBg
David Anderson's Whoopy multiplane (quintaplane, pentaplane?)
at Mullum Mullum 28 September
https://youtu.be/HTzBUSI7XFM
https://youtu.be/ofA5MB41Srk
https://youtu.be/yAQzGJduOUQ
Greg's twin motor 3mm foam Vulcan at Mullum Mullum 12 October
Filmed by Colin Smith
https://youtu.be/Dgi0PPN6xBg
David Anderson's Whoopy multiplane (quintaplane, pentaplane?)
at Mullum Mullum 28 September
https://youtu.be/HTzBUSI7XFM
https://youtu.be/ofA5MB41Srk
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Links to the double sided SANDING boards ($4.74 for 10) and the sandpaper holder ($5.82) shown by John Julian at Waverley on Tuesday 12 July
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Santos-Dumont Demoiselle Maiden at Mullum Mullum Stadium.
PIlot and constructor Ron Hickman. VIDEO Greg Egan. 25 May2022
Andrew Halstead's Arado234-ish twin EDF flying at Boronia 10 June 2022
7mm motors, 31mm drone props and Greg Egan 3D printed shrouds.
Radio is from a C17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=R15tEqghODI
7mm motors, 31mm drone props and Greg Egan 3D printed shrouds.
Radio is from a C17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=R15tEqghODI
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Don Bladier's Tomboy - 45 yeARs on
Story and Pictures by Ian Jemmeson 9 August 2022
Don built the fabled Vic Smeed Tomboy about 45 years ago (or earlier he is not sure) while he was a member of VARMS.
it is the larger 42” wing version. You can see Don's MAAA number on the fuselage.
The designer Vic Smeed, died in 2011. He had designed it around 1958 when it came out in Aeromodeller, as the original free flight version.
The larger wing version was designed for RC and came out in the RCM&E in 1950.
This is when Don was prompted to build the Tomboy, but he chose the brushed motor rather than the usual, for the time, Mills 75cc engine.
Note: I built my original Smeed Paageboy in 1956 which was the same size model and powered by a Mills 75cc.
Don's plane had a speed 400 fitted with a gearbox but it has never flown. Don says he never got around to it.
The gearbox was locking up, so that might have made it difficult.
The construction is excellent with the see through film looking magnificent after all these years.
The wing is still perfectly level even after years of storage.
The tyres on small thin wheels had perished and I replaced the wheels with some modern slightly larger types.
Still not good in the rough ground at Caulfield.
So Don offered it to me free, to have a go at getting it flying………..mmm
I had to cut the nose off, (a job I hated) to remove the motor mount and fit the brushless.
The brushless I chose is from Wes Hoffman’s lot, I bought through Colin Smith and is way over sized
but is the same weight as the Speed 400 and gear box. So the model CoG is perfect.
I have fitted a new SC and a FrSky radiomaster RX. with 3 levels of switchable rates.
The motor runs at 6 amps on a 2S 1500 mah. battery.
Don’s 9 x 4.5 prop was very old plastic and brittle, it broke on the first flight.
I have ordered a replacement at 9 x 6, as it seemed a little under powered on the recent flight.
John Gottschalk built one in his latter days, powered by a gas engine, Lew Rodman has flown it and is in charge of that now.
it is the larger 42” wing version. You can see Don's MAAA number on the fuselage.
The designer Vic Smeed, died in 2011. He had designed it around 1958 when it came out in Aeromodeller, as the original free flight version.
The larger wing version was designed for RC and came out in the RCM&E in 1950.
This is when Don was prompted to build the Tomboy, but he chose the brushed motor rather than the usual, for the time, Mills 75cc engine.
Note: I built my original Smeed Paageboy in 1956 which was the same size model and powered by a Mills 75cc.
Don's plane had a speed 400 fitted with a gearbox but it has never flown. Don says he never got around to it.
The gearbox was locking up, so that might have made it difficult.
The construction is excellent with the see through film looking magnificent after all these years.
The wing is still perfectly level even after years of storage.
The tyres on small thin wheels had perished and I replaced the wheels with some modern slightly larger types.
Still not good in the rough ground at Caulfield.
So Don offered it to me free, to have a go at getting it flying………..mmm
I had to cut the nose off, (a job I hated) to remove the motor mount and fit the brushless.
The brushless I chose is from Wes Hoffman’s lot, I bought through Colin Smith and is way over sized
but is the same weight as the Speed 400 and gear box. So the model CoG is perfect.
I have fitted a new SC and a FrSky radiomaster RX. with 3 levels of switchable rates.
The motor runs at 6 amps on a 2S 1500 mah. battery.
Don’s 9 x 4.5 prop was very old plastic and brittle, it broke on the first flight.
I have ordered a replacement at 9 x 6, as it seemed a little under powered on the recent flight.
John Gottschalk built one in his latter days, powered by a gas engine, Lew Rodman has flown it and is in charge of that now.
Here's a link to a YouTube video of the maiden flight.
https://youtu.be/cswYPZNT1jM
https://youtu.be/cswYPZNT1jM
UPDATE
Don joined Ian at Caulfield on Sunday 2 October and was able to witness some long flights of his Tomboy.
Ian reports, "I flew quite a few low passes for him to see it up close. As the wind got up the Tomboy struggles as it is very light. Changing the prop to 9 x 6 [on a 2S LiPo] was a big improvement. I tested a 1300 3S in the workshop in case i needed it, but not necessary. Flew well against the wind which it did not the first time (9 x 4.5).
Ian reports, "I flew quite a few low passes for him to see it up close. As the wind got up the Tomboy struggles as it is very light. Changing the prop to 9 x 6 [on a 2S LiPo] was a big improvement. I tested a 1300 3S in the workshop in case i needed it, but not necessary. Flew well against the wind which it did not the first time (9 x 4.5).
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A happy group AT WAVERLEY ON FRIDAY 16 AUGUST with THE FreeFlight freebies DONATED by Mark ChristENSON OF MICRON WINGS
Ian Jemmeson's MudBug flying at Waverley 15 June 2022
Built from the long discontinued Steven's Aeromodel kit.
Video is here: https://youtu.be/GA0gxKSVWj4
Built from the long discontinued Steven's Aeromodel kit.
Video is here: https://youtu.be/GA0gxKSVWj4
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Low cost 1S LiPo capacity tester and Storage discharger thread on RCGroups.
As demonstrated by John Julian at Waverley on March 8
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?4084835-Simple-small-1S-tester-and-discharger
Alan Sherwood's amazing R100 DIRIGIBLE flying at waverley on 8 march
THE WINNERS OF THE LIMBO COMPETITION HELD AT WAVERLEY ON 12TH DECEMBER 2017
The Maxecuter group in Washington have posted photos of their fly ins.
Some nice models.
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-09-30/
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-04-28/
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-06-30/
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-07-31/
Some nice models.
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-09-30/
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-04-28/
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-06-30/
http://www.dcmaxecuter.org/photopages/2013-07-31/
Another vendor disappears - then reappears!
Email from MicronRC 20 May, 2014
Thank you to everyone who placed an order in the last week - the Micron staff have been working flat out to get all the orders packed and dispatched. I apologise to everyone for delays - the number of orders received in the last 10 days has well exceeded what we normally get in a whole month!
I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails and telephone calls expressing sadness that Micron was closing. So much that it has caused me to rethink the closure - I was never one to stubbornly resist change when I am proved wrong! Such an expression of loyalty cannot go unacknowleged and I have decided that Micron R/C will continue. Micron will focus on kits and specialist parts for micro models - all other items will remain in the clearance sale. More model kits have been added to the sale over the weekend and APC, GWS and Master Airscrew props plus all on-sale LiPo are now at 50% discount.
The sale has somewhat depleted our stocks, but replacements are on their way and I will send another email-shot when they arrive. Stevens Aero have a new kit for the SE5a and this is expected in about 2 weeks. Parkscale have two AR6400-type micro models in their "Wisp" series: a Monocoupe 90a and a DHC-2 Beaver. Take a look at them on page www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk/parkscale_wisp.html.
Email from MicronRC 8 May, 2014
We regret to announce that, due to a combination of circumstances, Micron R/C is closing down. All products will continue to be available while stocks last and are available at discounted prices on the Sale pages - www.micronradiocontrol.co.uk/sales.html. The product web pages will remain on-line for reference, but the 'buy' buttons have been disabled; purchases should be made from the 'sale' page where the stock level plus original and discounted prices are shown.
All of the great Flight Line Plans, Stevens Aero, Mountain Models and Parkscale Models micro kits are still available and currently have a 15% discount. Take a look at them via the model browser ormodel sale web pages.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all customers for their loyalty.
Andy
Peter's "Day Before DElta" design
Design notes on Peter's delta foamy derived from his simple chuck glider (left) are available by clicking the button below.
Interesting new Micro kits
Mark at MicronWings in Brisbane has just become the Australian agent for the new range of MicroAces kits from England. His contact details are under the Hints, Tips and Vendors page.
He is taking pre-orders now. I have a couple of the early kits bought direct from the UK and can attest to the quality.
Now available to order.
The link to the MicroAces stuff is here:
http://www.micronwings.com/Products/SectionMicroAces/index.shtml
These kits are produced by Jon Porter, an enthusiastic micro builder, and feature a unique form of foam profile construction involving an extremely detailed finish. Probably a tad fast for Waverley unless you have good flying skills but these are spectacularly good looking small profiles - they are good fliers as well judging by the reports on the forums.
UPDATE: Unfortunately Jon found it impossible to make acommercial success of the MicroAces line. Micron Wings might have an odd one left.
He is taking pre-orders now. I have a couple of the early kits bought direct from the UK and can attest to the quality.
Now available to order.
The link to the MicroAces stuff is here:
http://www.micronwings.com/Products/SectionMicroAces/index.shtml
These kits are produced by Jon Porter, an enthusiastic micro builder, and feature a unique form of foam profile construction involving an extremely detailed finish. Probably a tad fast for Waverley unless you have good flying skills but these are spectacularly good looking small profiles - they are good fliers as well judging by the reports on the forums.
UPDATE: Unfortunately Jon found it impossible to make acommercial success of the MicroAces line. Micron Wings might have an odd one left.
waterslide decals
There's a new tip on making waterslide decals here /some-tips-from-experience.html
