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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Colin's new toy at Donvale on Wed 14 June - something different!
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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
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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
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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.
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Energetic bunch of rubber fliers at Waverley 15 Feb
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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.
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Greg's Flying Business Card MAIDEN (21 Feb 2023) at Boronia
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Final day at Waverley 13 December 2022
Final day at Mullum Mullum 14 December 2022
Greg's BLOG ON HIS KMART $10 GLIDER CONVERSION
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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
