Issues with your account? Bug us in the Discord!

RC Flyin'

BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
in Zocalo v2.0
Does anyone else here partake in the hobby of radio controlled aircraft?

I used to, about 7 to 10 years ago. I had one full model and another I was halfway through building (both shoulder wing ICs - 4cc's, if I recall correctly) when I ran out of time and motivation to drive 30 minutes then trudge through mud and cow shit on a farm once a week just to fly my planes. I ended up selling the complete model to help pay for my first computer. I'm considering getting back into the hobby now that I have time and money again. I'm probably going to switch to small electrics, though. Shorter flying time and less fun to build (for most models), but I'll be able to fly them whenever I want and at the school across the road rather than at a farm half an hour away. I'm also considering a micro helicopter, since I can fly that indoors on rainy days. Fixed wing IC will always be where my heart is though...

[url=http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/jlbiggs/images/photos/112_1264.jpg]Here's a pic[/url] of all that remains of my collection.

Comments

  • shadow boxershadow boxer The Finger Painter & Master Ranter
    two words

    Ducted Fan

    only way to do it... takes a little more skill to fly but you can get some really sexy jets in ducted fan configs
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    i used to a few years back. had 2 high wing planes and was/still am building a bi-plane.

    i always wanted to try to fly a heli, but they're well expensive. after watching a friend try to learn to fly it, and all the repairs he had to make to keep it flying, i was put off somewhat. they are hilariously funny to watch when they crash tho (as long as noone is hurt of course) as they flop maddly around on the ground until the rotors stop:D
  • FreejackFreejack Jake the Not-so-Wise
    I worked in a hobby shop for 3+ years so I am pretty familier with the planes, though I've never flown anything more than a sailplane myself. I have seen some wonderful aircraft put together though. Couple of my favorites include a giant scale Clipped-wing Cub and a beautiful Beechcraft Staggerwing.

    On the subject of ducted fan, they don't take a little more skill, they take a lot more skill.

    I knew a guy who had a ducted fan SR-71. It was insane to fly since it had such a high stall rate. Basicly it took two spotters on either side of the pilot. The plane was so fast that really all the pilot could do is fly in circles. I don't think, do to its poor low-speed characteristics, that he was ever able to make a clean, successful landing with that beast.

    Jake
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I've tried flying a ducted fan. They are extremely difficult to fly because of their speed characteristics, and you can't do as much with them. I prefer props, you can do more with them, and they tend to be more graceful.
  • Captain,SimmondsCaptain,Simmonds Trainee trainee
    My grandpa(who died 1 year before I was born) use to build radio controled things. He was working on a Radio controled air plane before he died, which is not finnished, and is hanging in my grandma back room.
  • FreejackFreejack Jake the Not-so-Wise
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Biggles [/i]
    [B]I prefer props, you can do more with them, and they tend to be more graceful. [/B][/QUOTE]

    I agree, there's nothing like watching an Extra 300 pull up into a vertical climb for 100 ft or so, then cut the engines and wait as time seems to stand still in those few weightless moments before the tail turns skyward and she begins to head for terra ferma...

    Jake
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    or you get one with an engine powerful enough let it climb vertically :D
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I wouldn't mind a scale hurricane. That would be nice. :)
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    a p-51 would also be cool. have u ever seen one of the big 4 engine B-17's? man they look cool (and a bitch to fly)
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I saw one being flown at an RC aeroplane airshow 10 years ago. It was incredible.
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    aye, they are that:) would be a tad embarrassing (and expensive) to have a prang in one of them:D
  • rcmodelsrcmodels Ranger
    cough ahem hack
  • shadow boxershadow boxer The Finger Painter & Master Ranter
    Ive seen a large scale FA18 Hornet in Aussie colours/markings, ducted fan... the guy was flying it from a clifftop. The guy loved living dangerously... he had it out over the water at about 10 ft..:D

    Leaves a very strong impression on the mind.

    I also like the genuine turbine planes... tho thats getting just palin ridiculous... a proper jet turbine engine the size of a coffee cup which puts out 9 kilos of thrust... insane... and hellaciously expensive.

    Ive also seen anti-duck hunting type greenies use RC planes to scare away ducks... and seen what a multipile shots of heavy load of Number 5 pellets does to an RC plane..:)

    matches anyone ? :D
Sign In or Register to comment.