Ian's X-Models Stingray

Myself, Ian and Tony met up at Itford Hill at a blustery Sunday morning. Tony with his foamy, Ian with his new Stingray and myself with my newly purchased Ascot from Will.
The wind was way off the slope but strong enough to be working well at times. It was rough and my Ascot went well but was getting knocked all over the place by the turbulence.
The day goes to Ian and his Stingray. He purchased it months ago and has been waiting for the right day and yesterday 'was the day'!.

With a really goof heave the Stingray was airborne and a little down trim it was off and running like a racehorse out of the stalls. It cut through the turbulence like a hot knife through butter. It's energy retention was amazing. Pull up and it just continues to climb. I not fair cos I want one!

Ian flew his new toy brilliantly and made two very good landings. Well done man!

Love this one!

Just Mental!

Saturdays flying at Beachy Head

I drove to Eastbourne on Saturday morning with Ian and parked up at Beachy Head. There were already some guys there flying foamies. The wind was blowing well from the South East and the lift was strong. There was a bunch of handgliders huddles behind a grass bank but the wind strength kept them on the ground.
Ian and I walked on past the guys flying their foamies and along the slope to a wide open area. Here you could barrel along the slope below your feet in lovely smooth lift.

The pictures above were taken from the Bomber Command memorial stone looking down on the light house on our right.  While Ian was flying a handglider launched from behind and above us in conditions we thought was too windy but luckily Ian was on the ball and got out of his way.
Beachy Head is one of those places I think people are wary of flying at but its a great site with a grassy area to one side so you don't have to be flying out over the sea if you don't want too. The parking is great with the car park located just behind the flying site. The landing area can get very busy with people and dogs so best to go early to avoid walkers. Make the effort if you haven't already as its well worth the effort.
 

Mini Vec Rebuild

Hi All,
As you might have read, a few weeks ago I landed the Mini Vec too hard (crashed) and broke the fuselage. On further inspection, the snakes for the rudder and elevator had also broken meaning I had to get a new fuselage (which has the snakes pre-installed).
While waiting for the fuselage to arrive I stripped the old fuselage of all its parts and managed to save everything except the pushrod ends (clevises and couplers) because they're glued to carbon rods.

I also couldn't get the servo tray out without breaking it, but I used it as a template for a new one which still needs to be fitted and shaped .....

I bought new couplers and clevises and spent ages getting the old epoxy off the ballast tube so that I could reuse it

I then had to make a new (still rough) rudder horn because the old one is stuck with 1/2 a pound of epoxy !!

Then I tried to get the nose weight out of the old fuselage but as it's made from lead shot fixed with epoxy I realised I would never get it out -

So I found a local gun shop who let me have 110 g of old lead shot for nothing - I can use this in the new fuselage 

Finally, I cleaned and checked all the wiring loom and servos in the fuselage and they're now ready to put back together ..... 

Hopefully I can get time soon to put it all back how it was ! Then I have to work out how to wire it to the receiver !!! Might need Tim H to help me

Rob

Coyote Glider Update

Hi All,
I have made some progress on the Coyote build despite working on the broken Mini Vec to replace the fuselage and building an indoor model called a Hawk -

I have managed to make some minor headway with the Coyote - the update is here - Coyote Glider Build

Rob

Will is selling up!

Our good friend Will is selling up as his work and family commitments mean he just can't get out flying for a while.

Will has for sale his Ascot F3F 3.1m span fully moulded glider and a DX8 transmitter.

I've flown Will's Ascot and it flies beautifully and is very well co-ordinated. Would make an ideal first mouldy with a little help from your club instructors.

The glider comes ready to fly with receiver and battery and is bound to the Spektrum DX8 transmitter.

Will wants £400 for the Ascot F3F and £80 for the DX8 or if you want both together then he will accept £450 OVNO.

If you are Interested then feel free to contact Will on -07855 916434

A NE Gale at Ditchling

Hi All,
This morning we decided to try out Ditchling Beacon in the very strong NE gales - 30 to 40 mph.
In all there were 8 of us - Paul, Ian A, Ian D, Jim H, Rob S, Rob P and James P with Paul and Ian's gliding pal Ian White along as a spectator.We arrived at 09:00 and wind was rough all across the hill and we all found it hard going regardless of which model we flew.
We decided that it was probably M60 weather to start with. Paul and Ian flew theirs and then Ian got out his Starjet which also flew very well. Rob started with his Moth, but it developed a funny servo noise so he moved to the Ninja. Jim had his Wildthing and Middle Phase (which stayed on the ground), Ian D had both his Wildthings (48 and 60), and Rob P and James had their Wildthing and Rob's carbon fibre Erwin which flew at an enormous speed, but was getting thrown around all over the place, so Rob landed in the field behind to ensure a safe touchdown. Paul flew one of his mouldie models and it went very well, even did perfect landings despite the awful conditions.
Everybody flew pretty much everything and all models survived despite landings being very blustery and surrounded by people, kids, dogs, bikes, whatever......
After 2 hours we all decided that it was getting a bit too blustery and crowded to be safe.
A great session though and many thanks to all who came along...

Rob

Spektrum DX7 Transmitter For Sale

Black Spektrum DX7 transmitter - Mode 2
Unmarked, very little use.
Comes boxed with:
2S  lion battery.
Battery charger.
Neck strap.
Instruction manual.
£130.00

Contact Tim on t.hampshire@tiscali.co.uk

Long Range Weather

A happy new year to you all!

Just off to work for my first day back after the break. Just had a look at the long range forecast and it looks like the weather at the weekend could be good for Ditchling Beacon. We know these can be incorrect but I wanted to give you all a heads up for the weekend, so If you have models to charge then there is time to get this organised. It must have been 3 or 4 months since I last flew at Ditchling Beacon. Lets hope the NE winds appear eh?

Myself and Ian did go over to Mill Hill on New Years eve and we did fly briefly before the rain came in. It was a case of a quick flight and dash back to the car and then back out again, till the heavens opened. As ever it was worth making the effort.

I will keep the blog updated as ever, as and when the weather forecast is a little more accurate.