Welcome to Mike's flying scale model pages



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.


Recent additions to the site:

21.06.09
  • "On the workbench" updated

    15.05.09
  • 2009 Indoor Scale Nats report added
  • Photo gallery 10 added
  • "On the workbench" updated
  • Rapier Gallery 6 updated

    20.02.09
  • 2008 Flying Scale Models DVD now available
  • New kit review added

    19.01.09
  • 2009 Events calendar added



  • Contents

    Why free-flight?

    Photos and notes on some of my models

    Photo gallery 1
    Photo gallery 2
    Photo gallery 3
    Photo gallery 4
    Photo gallery 5
    Photo gallery 6
    Photo gallery 7
    Photo gallery 8
    Photo gallery 9
    Photo gallery 10 *updated 15.05.09*
    On the workbench *updated 21.06.09*

    Guest model pages

    Chris Parent
    Rapier model gallery 1
    Rapier model gallery 2
    Rapier model gallery 3
    Rapier model gallery 4
    Rapier model gallery 5
    Rapier model gallery 6 *updated 15.05.09*
    John Ernst
    Chris Starleaf

    Reports from flying scale model events

    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2004
    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2004 - Part 2
    Eddie Riding Trophy 2004
    Interscale 2004
    Interscale 2004 - part 2
    Indoor scale at Swindon, November 2004

    Indoor scale at Birmingham, February 2005
    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2005
    Eddie Riding Trophy 2005
    Indoor scale at Birmingham, October 2005

    Indoor scale at Birmingham, February 2006
    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2006
    2006 Flying Aces Nationals part 1
    2006 Flying Aces Nationals part 2
    2006 Eddie Riding Trophy

    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2007

    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2008
    2008 Flying Aces Nationals part 1
    2008 Flying Aces Nationals part 2

    BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals 2009 *new 15.05.09*

    Click here for older reports (1999 - 2003), with lots more pictures

    Techniques

    Hints and Tips
    Step by step guide to masking and spraying markings and insignia
    Attaching wings to biplanes
    Simulating corrugated metal surfaces
    Jetex/Rapier powered models
    Printing German WW1 Lozenge Camouflage onto Tissue
    Moulding your own cockpit canopies
    Canopy forming using a sealant gun
    Build your first flying scale model
    Build your first flying scale jet

    Plan downloads

    Rubber powered scale models
    Rapier powered scale jets

    Other stuff

    Kit reviews *New review added 20.02.09*
    Nostalgia corner
    Useful addresses
    2009 Events calendar *Updated 28.01.09*
    Links
    Who is this Mike bloke anyway?


    2008 Flying Scale Models DVD


    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.




    Counter reset 04.03.07


    Feel free to E-mail me with comments or suggestions



    Site last updated 21st June 2009