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.....and good build progress Brian

Brian wrote: Well, I thought it might be fun to give the "Curare Gang" a bit of competition with the model that won the National Championships in 1968. It'll give you something to do looking up the name of the designer/builder/pilot and the name of the model.

Mike Birch won the Nats in 1968 I think, so I'm guessing Moonglow, I think the Capricorn was later?

Very nice work on the Kadet by the way!

Thanks Jon, the model is indeed Mike Birch's Moonglow VI, winner of the 1968 Nationals. Still available as a laser cut kit from Belair. Before I make a serious start on the build, I'm considering retracts and whether to go electric or try to get a decent second hand .61 two stroke. Weston offer an engine for the Curare, but its a bit pricey, so far the offerings on the BMFA site aren't up to much, neither is eBay, so perhaps a PO-3547-700 from 4Max will be the way to go.It was surprising to read that the original radio gear weighed as much as 20 oz. Perhaps if built lightly, the model might perform on a smaller engine, especially as the power/weight ratio of a modern two stroke is likely to be better than 1968 engines. However, I must finish the Kadet first.

Hi Brian

Would this be any good to you? Merco 61, suitably retro!

I have no use for it, it's yours if you want it. Still turns over OK and has reasonable compression (for a Merco anyway!)

Not looking for any money, just be good to see it being used again.

DaveBright wrote:

Phil Ford wrote: Yes , it is used to stick dressings. I have used on loads of items, stays flexible and hangs on. Great for gliders. Have not used it on glow model's hinges though so would not know. It is pretty resilient to much.

Didn't have it on the ailerons of your EFX racer did you Phil?

No. My error by missing that. Although the mega G forces to the EFX on that fateful day may have contributed. :lol: Although something that won't apply to Brian's build if he flies it.....

JonTappin wrote: Hi Brian

Would this be any good to you? Merco 61, suitably retro!

I have no use for it, it's yours if you want it. Still turns over OK and has reasonable compression (for a Merco anyway!)

Not looking for any money, just be good to see it being used again.

i'll match Jon's offer with this one. No wear on the mechanics but needs new bearings - So its a BOGOF buy one for nowt get another free.

Its been a funny old day today. The overnight frost made the shed a bit inhospitable this morning, all I did was pop in to see if the fin and rudder had glued up, the three pieces of 1/4" sheet had gone together with no fuss, but all I managed before lunch was to mark the outline, and then with cold and aching fingers went indoors to catch up on a few chores.
As it turned out, things ended up better than I thought possible. Thank you Jon and Kevin for the offers of two Merco 61s. Being a greedy old b****r I'd like to accept both offers, thank you both very much. Fortunately the Moonglow plan has provision for fitting either a Super Tigre 60 or a Merco, and now I can go ahead and plan the build of the model as it would have been in 1968, that means fixed trike U/C and covered in doped heavyweight tissue, but no chance of fitting 20 ounces of radio gear!
By early afternoon the sun had reached the shed and I was able to enjoy a relaxed hour or two sanding the fin and rudder to profile and section. As usual I was enjoying myself so much that I failed to notice that I'd made a mistake in marking out the lower end of the fin. I'd intended to leave the profile slightly long so that I could slot the centre of the tail plane and "let in" the fin. I prefer to do that rather than just perch the fin on top of the tail plane. I glued in a small piece of 1/4" X 1/8" balsa to patch in the mistake. I'm sure it won't notice after its sanded and tissue covered.

My broadband/Internet finally relented and allowed me to contact Balsa Cabin and place an order, yesterday morning they sent me confirmation. Now I have to wait until they contact me for payment. I really wanted to finish the wing before I made a serious start on the rest of the Kadet, I thought of getting a couple of sheets of balsa from an alternative supplier, but it wasn't economical, balsa sheets around £3 for two, postage £10.90! To keep busy I was "tidying up" (keeping out of my wife's way). There's a box of "stuff" on the shelf, just odds and ends of covering and left overs from other builds. There was a sheet of balsa, it was 1/16" X 3" and just enough to complete the L.E sheeting, fortunately I went by the actual thickness of the sheet rather than the info stamped on by the supplier.

Hi Brian - many of us have stocks of raw material in case you rum out of other material - also just l Just wondered if Probuild are open for click and collect ?

At present they are not for "walk in shoppers". You can understand why though due to space limitations