Contents...
REGULARS
PRE FLIGHT
Introducing this issue
TAKE OFF
Latest R/C model flying news
SHOP WINDOW
A look at the latest R/C products
LIGHT FLIGHT
After a mild overdose on quadcopters, John Stennard returns to flying indoor model aeroplanes and helicopters. In his regular small models column he reviews the Blade AH-64 Apache and also discusses flying disc-shaped Bugs and Nutballs
SCALE SOARING
Chris Williams was so enthused by the success of his electrified Slingsby Dart 17R that he started work on making another electric scale glider based on the Bergfalke IV from his recently published plan in RCMW (MW3750). Chris also reports from the Ghost Squadron Aerotow at Middle Wallop in early May
A BRIT IN BRITTANY
More tales from a French model club, with ex-pat Dave Goodenough. This time Les Fous Volants prepare for their two-day scale model show, one of the largest in North-West France. Top notch pilots and their beautifully crafted creations were expected to gather at the runway of St Cyr-Coetquidan – but the weather had other ideas... However, some flying still went ahead
SOARERS’ SLOT
Mike Proctor catches up on a vintage soaring project and witnesses the first flight of a 1960 designed Beatnik. He also visits the UK F5J International, held over the first weekend in July at Ashurst, West Sussex, before heading straight over to France to soar his gliders in the hot dry conditions at the annual Loire Valley F5J event
THE SPORT CHANNEL
Gray selects another batch of popular sport modelling topics
DIARY DATES
Our events page ramps up for autumn and the start of the indoor model flying season
REVIEWS
ELAN 100
Tony van Geff en builds a classic glider from the Cambrian Model Company. The 100" Elan was first introduced in the 1980s and this modern kit provides a quick, easy build and has great performance in the air. Elan is a two-channel thermal and slope soarer with a sturdy plywood and balsa fuselage and two-piece plug-in wings
FEATURES
FROM THE SCRAPHEAP
Frank Skilbeck takes part in an enjoyable inter-club Scrapheap Challenge organised by Gloucester Model Flying Club. Intrigued, Frank circulated the GMFC’s invitation around his fellow Newent club members and soon solicited enough interest to put together a team
MODEL FLYING WITH A DISABILITY
Living with a disability doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy flying R/C aircraft. Brian Collins, who was paralysed following a motorcycle accident, passes on some of his experiences, tips and advice on R/C flying from his wheelchair
THE LONGEST XC
Vaughn Entwistle recounts an epic cross-country glider flight made by Pat Teakle from Crook Peak and far across the Mendip Hills back in 1984
A SUPERB WACO YKC
Phillip Kent takes a close look at Paul Blakeborough’s detailed model of a military Waco Cabin Series biplane. Built to 1:5.5 scale, Paul’s YKC flew at the Pontefract ‘Traplet Scale’ competition in May. It is based on a full size example used by the Long Range Desert Group (LRGD), a covert force that carried out deep penetration and intelligence raids behind enemy lines, mainly in the Libyan Desert between 1940 and 1943
SIZE ONE
Looking around for something quick to build for a spare SC 30FS, Peter Miller scaled up his Size Zero design from RCMW March 2008 (MW3304) by 18%. The resulting 51" wingspan model provides the perfect dimensions for a .30 size, four-stroke engine, although Size One would also perform well on a .25 two-stroke glow. Peter changed construction from an open framework fuselage and built up tail surfaces to sheet sides and solid sheet tail surfaces, and also fitted a wingmounted undercarriage
POLE DANCER
Pull out this month’s free plan and construct this simple to build 40" wingspan Depron and balsa pylon racer, designed by Graham Dorschell for a 1500 KV outrunner and three function R/C
LMA AT TIBENHAM 2016
Neil Hutchinson visits the new home of the Large Model Association’s East Anglian show, which was based at Rougham for many years, but because of a new road development and safety concerns a new site had to be found. The new site at Tibenham, which is approximately halfway between Thetford and Norwich, benefits from having a tarmac runway – ideal for flying big model aeroplanes!
QUICK QUADS
After a short break, to prevent multirotor overload with our readers, John Stennard returns to conclude his short series on sport flying with a racing quadcopter, plus lots of tips on FPV flying