Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

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stuart mackay
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Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

Here we go, guys, another really long shot!?!
Has anyone got a switch, throttle lever and end cap for a single stick series 4 or Sovereign, trying to resurrect one here and these bits are missing or broken.
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stuart mackay
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

IMG-20201020-WA0002.jpg
IMG-20201020-WA0000.jpg
IMG-20201020-WA0004.jpg
stuart mackay wrote: 21 Oct 2020, 08:22 Here we go, guys, another really long shot!?!
Has anyone got a switch, throttle lever and end cap for a single stick series 4 or Sovereign, trying to resurrect one here and these bits are missing or broken.
Here it as received :cry: :cry: :cry:
Last edited by stuart mackay on 23 Oct 2020, 07:58, edited 1 time in total.
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stuart mackay
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

Stripped the case back to its bare resin, so here is a before shot!
DSCF4150.JPG
DSCF4151 (2).jpg
and with a coat of primer, sanded ready for colour coats.
DSCF4149.JPG
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RobertC
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by RobertC »

I used to love these sets, the servos and receiver always looked so neat with the multicore covered cables they used...

I'm pretty sure this stuff was made in Gants Hill, Essex, Just outside Ilford.. I seem to remember visiting a model shop on Gants Hill roundabout must have been 52 year ago or so , or around 1968 /1970 .. who sold this very exclusive and expensive equipment
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stuart mackay
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

RobertC wrote: 21 Oct 2020, 22:48 I'm pretty sure this stuff was made in Gants Hill, Essex, Just outside Ilford.. I seem to remember visiting a model shop on Gants Hill roundabout must have been 52 year ago or so , or around 1968 /1970 .. who sold this very exclusive and expensive equipment
Mar 74 Radio Modeller.jpg
1970 - Flight Link.jpg
1969 - Flight link.jpg
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RobertC
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by RobertC »

Ahh Thank you

Well there you go live and learn :D
Now was this the same as RCS then ?
The mystery deepens
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stuart mackay
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

RobertC wrote: 22 Oct 2020, 08:26 Now was this the same as RCS then ?
The mystery deepens
RCS headquarters/main shop was in Bath Road, Hounslow and, as far as I know, was an entirely different set up to FlightLink run by Idris Francis at Bristow Works, Hounslow. They shared the same same London Borough though.
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RobertC
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by RobertC »

Thanks for the info Stuart, there was a lot of good ‘Made in Great Britain ‘ Back in the 60’s 70’s 80’s, sadly not now as far as I know , and by the looks I’m not knowing much at all lately :lol:
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stuart mackay
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

Had a play last night with trying to fix the seized switch which I ended up replacing with a JR/Futaba proprietary slide switch. Also made a replacement throttle arm from 3mm Composite sheet to match the. original one.
I tried to planish the dent in the aluminium facia out, which I managed but trying to replicate the brushed aluminium finish with wire brushes proved elusive, so to conceal this and another couple of corroded areas, I resorted to a rattle can of aluminium paint, whilst not original made a better job of the ,otherwise, pock marked original brushed ali sheet facia plate.

Mike Kitchen came to the rescue (as always!) with a superb scan of his Series 4 lower black sticker, which I was able to get laser printed locally on self adhesive film and then laminated it with some clear fablon to get a better gloss and protect the inked graphics.
Pics below:
Mike K laser printed scans
Mike K laser printed scans
new label and facia plate
new label and facia plate
Damaged label
Damaged label
New throttle arm fabricated from Composite sheet
New throttle arm fabricated from Composite sheet
Finished facia ready to install
Finished facia ready to install
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stuart mackay
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Re: Flight Link Control Series 4 Restoration

Post by stuart mackay »

Got the Tamiya masking tape and a rattle can out and here is the result
20201022-DSCF4169.jpg
20201022-DSCF4166.jpg
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