Time flies they say, and I have to agree - hard to believe this site has now been going 10 years. When I started it back in 1999, I had no idea of how
it was going to grow, and how many people would come and visit. I'm encouraged that so many people still enjoy free flight scale aeromodelling, and am optimistic that together we can
we can keep it going for future generations to enjoy.
The purpose of this site is to show examples of free-flight flying
scale models mainly from the UK, together with useful information, hints
and tips for fellow builders. If newcomers to this fine hobby find encouragement here, then
so much the better!
My main interest is in traditionally constructed scale models, built using a balsa framework
covered in tissue. Motive power is usually electric, CO2
or the traditional rubber strip motor. It is years since I built a model with an internal
combustion motor in it - nowadays there seems to be a move towards quieter, more
"enviromentally friendly" power units, so CO2 and Electric are becoming more popular, and there
are even compressed air power units available. The appearance in recent years of Rapier solid fuel propulsion units has also
lead to an entertaining detour into the wonderful world of small free-flight scale jets.
"Rubber Powered Models" book
Many of you will have heard of the famous Czech modeller Loubomir Koutny, but what you may not know is that he has had a book published in the Czech language
dealing with all aspects of rubber powered models, and which includes several full size plans. He is planning an English language edition, but he will need to sell 1000 copies.
You can read all about the book here. There is a link there to email Loubomir if you would
be interested in buying a copy.
After some delay, and a few technical problems, I am pleased to offer another DVD featuring free flight flying scale models in action
at various events in the UK, plus the 2008 Flying Aces Nationals in the USA.
As with the last two, the DVD is in region 2 format, so outside Europe, you will most likely not be able
to watch the disc on the TV unless you have a multi region player - it should play fine on your PC or Mac though.
All copies that I send outside Europe will contain, as well as the DVD, a video CD of the same footage in MPEG
format (as I did prior to 2005) so all bases should be covered.
In terms of content, this is similar to the last two DVDs, so regulars will know what to expect. As I say every
year, don't expect professional quality camerawork - amateur enthusiasm is more the style. To save potential disappointment, I
should point out that there is no "planes behaving badly" section this time, as I did not collect enough crashes on video.
Indoor scale flying is featured from the BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals in 2007 and 2008 and Outdoor flying is from the Old Warden meetings
in May and July, The Peterborough "Flying Aces" meeting, Oxford "Dreaming Spires" meeting and the Flying
Aces Nationals in Geneseo, NY. Running time this year is 59 minutes.
The cost to a UK address is unchanged (again) at £3.50 including postage and packing. You can pay
by Paypal using the address:
ffscale@googlemail.com
or send me a cheque (e-mail me for my postal address). I have unfortunately had to increase the cost to overseas addresses due to higher postal
prices, so the new prices are £4.50 to Europe and £5.00 anywhere else (including postage and packing).
I can still supply copies of the 2005 and 2006 DVDs if you would like them - prices are the same as the new one. If you want all three, I should be able to save you some postage.
