Have a look at Page 3. Its a light hearted attempt to put some definitions to familiar situations.

OK, so to start with, what's in the currrent hanger?

Well, here is the scale list: P51 Mustang, Tiger Moth, Cessna 172, Havard (Texan to the Americans), Avro 504N, and Storch.

For fun fly: a Wots-Wot and a Scorpian (vintage)

Pictures of these are shown below in thumbnails. Click on the picture to getter a larger view

The Wots-wot, A Chris Foss design biplane fitted with an OS70 four stroke with Futaba 35 Mhz radio, PPM receiver, conventional four channels.

Nothing unusual about this plane. Flies very well, no suprises. Good intro to bipe flying. The OS 70 has more than enough power providing almost vertical takeoff climb after a few yards run. Right rudder needed to counter engine torque on take off.

Stats:

Weight: ................ Wing Area: .......................(Note, wing area is calculated on actual wing which excludes the fuselage space of lower wing)

Overall Wing span: ................... Wing loading: ...........

Power/weight: .................... Prop: ..................

The Scorpion is scratch built from a vintage design. Ideal for little to no wind and pottering about the sky. Can loop and barell roll with a bit of speed built up in the dive. Three channel conventional control with Futaba M FM 27 Mhz equipment.

Power plant is an OS 25 four stroke. Will take off in a couple of feet.

The Fieseler Storch, a SVENSON kit that I bought years ago and just did not get round to building .....until now, . The plane was waiting for me to get the engine (see below) which I now have so no more excuses not to continue. It will be modelled on the Fi156 multi purpose STOL aircraft with all the working bits hanging out. Ever seen that undercarriage? Its like nothing else ever designed dangling underneath.

Nevertheless it was one of the most successful STOL aircraft built. It was Fieseler who came up with the idea having first built the Fi Tiger for himself then modified it to a two seat version and then into a four seater. It also saw a torpedo bomber version would you believe, designed for carrier operation.

Finally it is finished ...... well sort of. Why, well I am agonising over the engine. I thought the 120 RCV would deliver enough ooomph but on casting about for wisdom I now have my doubts.

The rcv 120 is specified at 1.8 bhp at 5000 rpm with a static thrust of 8-9 lbs.. The model weighs 15 lb. With a wing loading of around 38 oz/sq.ft that gives a power to weight ratio of about 0.5. Conventional wisdom suggests static thrust should be at least 1/3 of total weight, so that criteria is OK even if the published test data is on the optimistic side (an independant calculation for an 18 x 12 prop suggest about 7 1/2 lbs.). However, an article by one modeller who bult the Storch experienced marginal takeoff power with an OS80 and had to upgrade to an OS90. Now this engine is rated at 2.8bhp with a static thrust of some 19 lbs at 15000 rpm. That is quite a difference.

Watch this space for an answer to the dilema!

Here are the two halve joined and the engine installed under that cowling. Sharp eyed visitors will notice the unconventional bump (grey) on the cowling top. That's were the RCV engine pokes up above the cowl! and until I trial fitted the engine I did not know it was going to be required. Sort of on the fly modifications!!

At least it does not poke out of the bottom as a conventional four stroke might have done.

Anyone into flight simming?..........By this I mean using a PC with software such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or Longbow etc. I now have Microsoft versions from MS4 to FS2002 pro and the three combat flight simulators, Longbow 2 (a helicopter battle sim), F22 and Aerowinx 747. This 747 is really a cockpit simulator i.e. virtually no external graphics except for minimal night runway landing ..... but it is a superb program for flying the heavies! Also in the stable is X-Plane and IL2.

Simulators are great when it's winter and "outside" means cold hands...runny nose and biting winds and when that engine kicks back...wow! So I fly in the warmth of the house. It is also good for training if used in the mode where "you" fly the plane from a fixed spot...just like RC........... except these blighters are modelled on full size and the best programmes have full size characteristics. Now you can really land a 747 remotely...its not easy at all.....stick with the Cessena!

There are now many programmes on the market. Some are a cross between a game and flight simming but nevertheless provide good entertainment for the money............assuming you have a PC of course .............and you would'n't be reading this if you hadn't!!