Tales from the kitchen table
Posted: 02 Dec 2022, 21:54
Well you could be forgiven for thinking this thread was started by Mike Kitchen. But it’s not , it’s by me : Jonathan 
But Mike you are so welcome to chip in. It’s also prompted by my good and congenial chum Stuart Makay.
So what the hill hev I bin up to bor ?
( because that’s how we speak up here in Spud land - Norfolk )
As some of you may have already gathered my kitchen table is the answer to Stuart’s Swaffham Skunkworks
So my kitchen is more like the Wymondham build shack
The Building bug has really bitten hard and have had such a great time building like fury .
First off was the Black Magic , then a Super 60 high wing , then Junior 60 . Only a few weeks back a buccaneer on top, and the very latest another Super 60 which I built as a low wing version with a tricycle undercarriage.
And this from box of Super 60 bits Stuart very kindly gave me. The catalyst for this latest creation
All the above are flown on vintage radios on 35mhz conversions . The Black Magic on an MRC the Super 60’s on Digifleet pcm.
The Junior 60 on an Os cougar mk1
The Buccaneer is currently on a modern set but will be flown soon on the Raven Reed tx with modern innards and Reed emulation.
I’m having probably the best time of my model flying career and now I have discovered how to get those pesky little engines running sweetly, I am in my element.
When electric came along I grabbed it - so easy clean and instant . Plus it’s super quiet . I love it still but there is nothing like the extra level of enjoyment a purring 4 stroke adds to a vintage airframe stooging around the sky .
Next on the kitchen table will be a pair of Mercury Matadors .
One for me and one for Stuart. Mine will be fitted out with some original 27mhz single channel gear with a rubber band escapement . I have all the bits so why not use em !
I have never flown single channel nor have I flown free flight . However I did come close the other day flying the Black Magic on a lovely still and sunny day . I put the transmitter on the ground and stood and watched it fly itself for a whole 20mins ! The torque of the motor just imparting enough turning element to make it do smashing big circles in the sky.
I have surprised myself twice in a row now. Both the Buccaneer and the Super 60 low wing flew to coin that hackneyed phrase ‘straight off the board’
NO ballast fore or aft !
Complete fluke, both balanced spot on first time . The buccaneer needed a tiny amount of down trim .
The Super 60 low wing - well nothing !
Just absolutely straight as a die with a super smooth 3 point landing on its trike undercarriage.
Never flown trike before .
The objective ? To have a period plane to go with each of the vintage transmitters that I choose to make operational . Quite a few more planes to build yet then !
But Mike you are so welcome to chip in. It’s also prompted by my good and congenial chum Stuart Makay. So what the hill hev I bin up to bor ?
( because that’s how we speak up here in Spud land - Norfolk )
As some of you may have already gathered my kitchen table is the answer to Stuart’s Swaffham Skunkworks
So my kitchen is more like the Wymondham build shack
The Building bug has really bitten hard and have had such a great time building like fury .
First off was the Black Magic , then a Super 60 high wing , then Junior 60 . Only a few weeks back a buccaneer on top, and the very latest another Super 60 which I built as a low wing version with a tricycle undercarriage.
And this from box of Super 60 bits Stuart very kindly gave me. The catalyst for this latest creation All the above are flown on vintage radios on 35mhz conversions . The Black Magic on an MRC the Super 60’s on Digifleet pcm.
The Junior 60 on an Os cougar mk1
The Buccaneer is currently on a modern set but will be flown soon on the Raven Reed tx with modern innards and Reed emulation.
I’m having probably the best time of my model flying career and now I have discovered how to get those pesky little engines running sweetly, I am in my element.
When electric came along I grabbed it - so easy clean and instant . Plus it’s super quiet . I love it still but there is nothing like the extra level of enjoyment a purring 4 stroke adds to a vintage airframe stooging around the sky .
Next on the kitchen table will be a pair of Mercury Matadors .
One for me and one for Stuart. Mine will be fitted out with some original 27mhz single channel gear with a rubber band escapement . I have all the bits so why not use em !
I have never flown single channel nor have I flown free flight . However I did come close the other day flying the Black Magic on a lovely still and sunny day . I put the transmitter on the ground and stood and watched it fly itself for a whole 20mins ! The torque of the motor just imparting enough turning element to make it do smashing big circles in the sky.
I have surprised myself twice in a row now. Both the Buccaneer and the Super 60 low wing flew to coin that hackneyed phrase ‘straight off the board’
NO ballast fore or aft !
Complete fluke, both balanced spot on first time . The buccaneer needed a tiny amount of down trim .
The Super 60 low wing - well nothing !
Just absolutely straight as a die with a super smooth 3 point landing on its trike undercarriage.
Never flown trike before .
The objective ? To have a period plane to go with each of the vintage transmitters that I choose to make operational . Quite a few more planes to build yet then !