Spektrum 5 channel 2.4GHz radio set

I have purchased one of these due to apparent interference problems at our flying field on 40MHz. Put it in a .40 size pattern model and had a few flights but had an 'incident' where the model had a hard landing and damaged the fuselage. The model suddenly started flying erractically as though suffering from interference. I have 'learnt' a couple of things... 1. Use a 6V battery pack which gives a bigger safety margin over a 4.8V 2. Don't use 'old' Futaba servos with Spektrum sets. I didn't even give it a thought but it seems that Futaba S128 don't necessarily go with Spektrum receivers. Anyway use more modern servos.

The Spektrum is now in a .25 size model and we have flown it on a number of occasions are all is fine (6V battery pack and no S128 servos).

JBA 52A

This engine looks similar to the OS46AX but as I don't have an OS AX (46 or 55), I can't compare them. This is an ABC type piston liner and twin ballrace design. I had some initial problems setting the idle mixture but that has been sorted (I would have thought that the idle mixture would have been fairly close when the engine is sold but that was not the case). Anyway the engine is still being run in, but it is a good performer. There is also a 46 size.

Sunday Flying at WMAC

This is our flying field at Trentham Upper Hutt. We have a prison in the background (behind the trees)!!

New Era III

Thanks to a fellow club member, he sold me this model, a New Era III. It is powered by an OS 25FP so it is economic to run. Alas the other night I had control issues and she hit the ground a wee bit hard. It is now a slightly second hand Era III. It is repairable and she should be back in the air fairly soon.

Bring back Schweppes Orange

Many years ago as a young boy, having finished my paper round, and being hot on a warm norwest day, I would stop at the local dairy and purchase a bottle of Schweppes Orange. Now that was one orange drink to quench your thirst. You can no longer get it (not sure when Schweppes dropped it from their range). Now of course we have Duet, which is nice but it doesn't have quite that orange tang. I would love to see it back especially when we have lime which I think is a fairly recent addition to the range.

NZMAA Nats 2009/2010

Here are some of the models lined up for F2B. Note that the model in the foreground has a 0.52 four stroke. Flys well too. Came fourth I understand. The model up the front is a Magnum powered by an ST 60.

NZMAA Model Plane Nationals 2009/2010

These are currently on at Carterton, New Zealand. Weather has been rather windy especially today, 2nd January 2010, contol line team race has been postponed 3 times so far. Here are some of the flyers in the RC Scale Aerobatics class.