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Painting ceconite options

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 18:43:07 -0600

Trying to wrap up a 1/3 scale Curtiss Hawk P-6E and not sure about how to finish over the ceconite and pinking tape.

I could use the Full scale Randolf option (clear buterate dope, then silver to fill in the weave),then either klass kote epoxy (light coats) or Latex (then I have to fuel proof the latex with K2). there are 2 main colors, light blue #23 and yellow, but the nose is insignia red then there is also some the blue, white etc, (5 or 6 colors of klass kote can get expensive, but it sure is durable).

or, I could just paint latex directly on to the ceconite. Most of the plane is yellow and I dont want to see thru the fabric. Guess I could first put a coat of black or silver, then the yellow, but I am not sure.

Any advice or experience with these methods would be appreciated.

Wanted: Don Smith - B-24 or Constellation

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 19:25:39 -0600

Looking to see what may be out there. Two of my favorite 4 engine planes.

Wondering if anyone out there has either plane they have worked on but given up or lost interest. I'm interested if you are interested in moving either along. Would prefer if you have the landing gear as that is hard to get these days.

Let me know.

Scott

Keleo Radial Exhaust Ring

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:47:47 -0600

Keleo Saito FG-60R3 Radial Exhaust Ring for sale.

Used one season, excellent $120.

Thanks for looking,

Jose G.

Phoenix FW 190 .46 size 1400mm light bash

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:29:56 -0600

Today a bought a 1400mm span .46 size Phoenix models FW190 for my .52 size fs nitro engine which a had in storage.

The plan is to get familiarized again with nitro/gas flying since this winter I want to finish my 1/8th scale plan build P47 Razorback, which was halted for over 12 years..

Back on flying and building I want to do a ‘light’ kit bash on the FW to have a ‘transition model’ before I finish the P47.

But to go to the flying site with a plastic foil covered plane..

So first I will remove the plastic covering and go from there.

Packaging Change

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:11:57 -0600

Flite-Metal less than whole airframe packaging will soon no longer ship in round mailing tubes. USPS is now charging a stiff penalty for round tube shipping...often in excess of 100%. This due to Murphy's law of gravity...consequence of label weight...

Flite-Metal will begin replacing round tubes with 3" four sided rectangular mailing boxes. Though our cost is higher, overall, less than whole airframe Flite-Metal order shipping will cost you less.

*Just a guess...To align laser routing code labeling is more often than not requiring multiple automated attempts...resulting in too often manual handling to achieve proper results.

Ziroli Corsair CG question

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:55:35 -0600

Can you guys share your experience with CG position for this corsair.

Mine is heavy at 45 lbs with UMS 125cc up front.

CG currently at 5" with gear up, very slightly nose heavy when I balanced it.

But seems very nose heavy with inverted upline at 45 degrees.

Thinking of moving CG back to 5.5" gear up position.

Any input from guys with this plane about where they liked the CG position?

Magnet safety and pacemaker

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:06:12 -0600

Finally got clearance to go back to building with magnets from my Doctor.

Only need to avoid large magnet like old style speaker magnets and electric magnet machines.(airport scanners and wands.

Also need to not keep cell phones in a pocket near the device.

Dennis Bryant’s 81" AERONCA C3

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 03:58:28 -0600

Hello, Good People! It's me, Don Coe, back to haunt you after some four years making models of things other than aeroplanes. I gave up building/flying RC aeroplanes for reasons metrological, wokeness, near fulltime coaching fencing at epee and a few other things too boring to mention. I gave away ALL of my model aeroplanes to fellow club members who fly them on a regular basis.

So here I am, still up & running at 95, having built 12th scale carts, ploughs, carriages, buggies, Surreys and waggons et al, until I exhausted my choice of -wait for it! - Horse Drawn Vehicles. OK I know it's off topic but I've promised Jeff, our friendly moderator, that I'll not dwell on that subject!

So for one time only, just three I made earlier.

... a Northumberland Hay Cart...

... a Milk Float...

and, finally, a Brewers Dray. This, a model of the one my Grandpa drove in the early 1900's. (Thank you, Jeff, for allowing this one off-topic posting!)

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------

Now to the 81” span AERONCA C3. I’ve been thinking of building this model for over 60 years and at last its going to happen. Designed by one of my old mates, the late Dennis Bryant the plans are still available from Sarik Hobbies in the UK. and are included in their ‘Short Kit’ range.

This is the scheme I shall be modelling…

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

The kit arrived last Friday, I cleared a space in the shed yesterday, Tuesday and by suppertime here are the first components ready for covering with Silver Solatex.

The fin & rudder. Note Dennis's traditional construction methods. No CF in those days!

The multitude of laser cut parts for the J.A.P. engine make up to an approximation of the product of Mr John Alfred Prestwich of London!

That’s all for now Folks. See yer soon.

Using ChatGPT to create models for Fusion

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:11:04 -0600

I have been playing around with the newest version of ChatGPT-6 Astra. At first, I wanted to see if it could design and create stl files for a floating connector dock for servo connectors in the wing to connect to a dock on the fuselage when a one piece wing is attached. It created printable stl files. I did go back to ChatGPT to make some modifications.

Eventually, I wanted to try and edit the design in Fusion 360 so I went back and asked the AI to create a solid body that I could open in Fusion. It created step files of the stls, which opened fine. This allowed me to make some edits by creating sketches and some new features.

Finally, I though, it would be very useful to have a full parametric design with sketches, construction planes, features all in the history timeline. This would allow for easier editing and to get insight into how the AI created the model. I tested with just one of the parts. ChatGPT could not directly create an f3d file, but what it did was the next best thing. It created a python script that could be run in Fusion 360 under Utilities>Add-ins>Scripts and Add-ins to create the parametric design. I ran the script and it gave a error. I posted the error in the AI chat and it corrected the script. I did that twice. It then created the part with a full design history timeline as shown in this image.

This definitely has potential.

Cheers,

Scott

Struts: Tension or Compression?

Thu, 15 Sep 2026 16:06:20 -0600

A question for you engineering types among us. Many WWI aircraft used an additional set of diagonal struts to support extended upper-wing panels. This Aviatik B is one example. I've also opted to add diagonal struts to my fantasy Antic for purely aesthetic reasons.

I've always thought of these diagonal struts as functioning like flying wires, i.e. I've assumed they are in tension. In contrast, my (limited) understanding of biplane aerodynamics is that main vertical struts are in compression.

Note: I suppose this question could equally well apply to the wing struts on a Piper Cub.

For Those in Search of a New Project #400

Thu, 15 Sep 2026 15:10:09 -0600

The Laird-Turner RT-14 Meteor, also called the Turner TR-14, Ring Free Meteor, PESCO Special, Miss Champion, Turner Special and the Turner Meteor is the winning aircraft of the 1938 and 1939 Thompson Trophy races. The aircraft was commissioned and designed by Roscoe Turner in 1936. The Meteor would be the last of the Matty Laird race planes as well as the last race plane flown by Roscoe Turner.

The aircraft is a conventional geared mid-wing monoplane with a radial engine built in California. It was modified in 1936 by Mattie Laird at the E. M. Laird Airplane Company in Chicago with three-foot longer wings, wing flaps, a longer fuselage and a 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal) fuel tank. In 1938 wheel pants were added for the Oakland races.

The original aircraft was put into storage at Weir Cook Airport for 29 years until it was restored, then donated to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. In December 1972 the plane along with many of Roscoe Turner's trophies were transferred to the Smithsonian. The aircraft retired with less than 30 hours flying time. The Meteor is on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

Want To Consider Another Radio...Any! ! !

Thu, 15 Sep 2026 14:50:21 -0600

Consequnces of a squeeze on toy radio importation...

Under Topic Of Wood, Rod, Tube Storage

Thu, 15 Sep 2026 13:55:50 -0600

Can you guess what this is for?

RBC 1/4 Jodel D9 Bébé - My first build

Thu, 15 Sep 2026 03:09:39 -0600

I bought this kit last year intended as my first build as I have to start somewhere and hopefully my choice will work out ok. This build will be based on a Kiwi D9 which flew in the 1980s as I like the unique paint scheme.

So here we go on a somewhat temporary workspace.

I started with the wings, and I noticed that my kit has many ply parts compared to the parts shown on the pictures provided by RBC.

This image is from RBC showing the balsa ribs.

Not sure why a lot of the balsa parts got replaced by plywood? I guess cost or strength. One issue I see is that the ply ribs all have a slight bow which will be a challenge to straighten.

The wing is built in two half and the ply piece in the center of the wing has a chambered bottom which is a bit strange as the wing is straight. So I added a piece to make it flat.

As the balsa spar is just butt joint in the middle with two spruce strips on the bottom and top, I added two extra pieces of ply to provide some extra support. Most likely not needed but makes me feel better.

Fortunately, there are many videos on YouTube to learn from, but any additional help and tips are much appreciated.

Cheers, Peter

Red Stick Classic 2026

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:11:04 -0600

Hello everyone, I've attached the flyer for our annual Red Stick Classic competition

Wood sources?

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:44:59 -0600

I'm shocked! Flabbergasted! Flummoxed! Royally bummed!

ALL of my local sources for basswood have disappeared. My local Hobby Lobby used to carry hobby balsa, ply, and basswood. Another Hobby Lobby 10 miles away says they carry it, but don't have any in stock.

Two proper RC hobby shops (Dynamic Hobbies and Hobbytown) used to carry it, but now only have balsa and ply. Michael's doesn't carry it. In the space of just a few month ALL my usual local sources (SoCal) have dried up and blown away!

I have NEVER had to order wood...not even in rural Japan. It just seems ridiculous.

But that's the sad reality.

So...

What are the online sources for basswood? Note: I would not consider using any company that requires a minimal purchase.

Dang!!!

Boeing XF8B

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:50:55 -0600

Good afternoon,

After taking a 25-year break, I’m retiring at the beginning of next year, and starting to get back into r/c with a group of friends. I was always the builder in the group, and the rest of them were the un-builders, for the most part.

I was watching a video on YT a few nights ago about a very large Navy fighter that Boeing designed late in WW II, called the XF8B. Boeing called it the 5-in-1 fighter, as it was designed to fill five roles — interceptor, ground support fighter, torpedo plane, dive bomber and level bomber. Only three were built, and they were all scrapped by 1950. I’ve always been a fan of large single engine warplanes (my two favorites being the P-47 and the A-1 Skyraider), and this looked interesting to me.

Even at 15% scale, the wingspan on this monster would be 97”.

I was wondering if anyone had already done any work to turn this aircraft into an r/c model?

Thanks very much,

Tom Herbert

I need Laser Engines parts -available in

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:24:10 -0600

I am in need of some Laser engine parts . My UK source will not ship outside of the UK . I'm in the US . If you have access to Laser engine parts and can ship within or to the USA , please PM me so we can discuss details .

Regards,

C. Kimball

Laser FT-200 Twin SOLD

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:00:29 -0600

Laser FT-200 has been sold

Up for sale is a New Laser Engines FT-200 with the exhaust (not pictured). It has not been mounted or run. It is exactly as it came from Laser Engines.

$800 Price is firm.

Prefer local pickup. Shipping at the buyers expense. Shipping with Pirate Ship to a destination in the continental USA.
PayPal G&S. PM me if interested.

Located in South Jersey

USAAF Scheme on Spitfire PR.XI PL983

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:56:11 -0600

I'm not really sure where to post this thread but reminds me why I picked the Spitfire MkXI as a subject:

https://youtu.be/ie3SrjLlcUY

Now the Aircraft Restoration Company’s Spitfire PR.XI PL983 has received a new look. The rare reconnaissance Spitfire with the USAAF markings inspired by PA892.

Full article HERE.