Chippy intros
Danny
I have been modelling for a while, well since the age of 7 really, started with the usual
Keil Kraft stuff, and progressing onto diesel control line models. The family moved
Stateside and I carried on my modelling building many of the Sterling control line
models, Ringmasters mainly all sizes.
Back in the UK I played with RC for a while before drifting off to race indoor electric, the
culmination racing for a Bristol club and partially sponsored by Bristol manufacturer
"Sarik Vacform", in the Southern League. I progressed to 1/8 IC and was club Champion
at mendip for a while. Good fun.
I eventualy got back into RC and messed around with a Gangster 52 and The Flair Scout
models as well as the odd 60 sized Reeves Spitty. Once again life got in the way. But
inevitably I returned to modelling only a few years ago and am really enjoying it.
Scale and detailing are the bits I love the most, though figuring out new ways to do
things is also well up there as things I like.
I was asked to write a scale column for RCM&E two years ago and this has been really
enjoyable. I am proud to be part of a great team, hopefully that will continue.
So what do I hope to get out of this 'ere Chippy build, well I am hoping to try some new
planking techniques as well as have a crack at a full cockpit build which I haven't tried
before. I am also going to try KlassKote which I have been meaning to do for a while.
But without doubt my main hope is that I can help a few others to tackle a scale subject
and get it flying. It would be great to all get together at some point in the future and fly
them in loose formation.
Okay which Chippy am I doing? Well I am doing the Silver and yellow banded example
from Cosford as its close for me. I am however making one slight change. The serial
number will be 8341M which was a Chippy I worked on when I was just 15
I have the cnc wood kit, the cowl, canopy, wheels, motor and cells all ready to go. I am
also the only one to have hinges so far but hopefully that is in hand.
so roll on October I say
Davwik (David)
Its time I contributed to the chipshop build, first a bit about myself
Like many others I was started in modelling by my father at an early age, being in the
Navy during the 50s,60s and early 70s he would go away for what seemed years at a
time and suddenly arrive home with an array of models he constructed during his time
away, these were mainly of the plastic variety and surprisingly enough (for a Matelot) all
of aircraft, of course by the age of 7 or 8 I was building Airfix and Revelle kits and
progressed to the usual Keilkraft and balsa kits by the time I was 11or12.
Like others on this forum I joined the ATC at 13 and a bit (2336sqn Plymouth wing) and
my first flying experience was aerobatics in a Chippie at RAF Chivenor in 1971 Easter
camp.
Living quite close to Roborough airport the chippie was almost a daily site as Britannia
Royal Naval Air Experience Flight was based there till 1993, the Chipmunk having
replaced Tiger Moths in 1965-66 and of course I had many air experience flights with the
ATC from there.
My modelling career tailored off during my late teenage years as motor bikes, cars and
women gradually replaced them although I stayed with the ATC until I was in my mid
twenties when a wife and young children put paid to many things, a brief resurgence of
modelling when my boys were about 6 & 8 saw me build a cub and Skyvan with the
intention of doing the same as my father in passing down what skills I had was soon
killed off with football for my eldest son, netball for my daughter and the advent of
computers and games for my youngest.
Now like so many over 50`s I find that I have time on my hands, so when my mother
died a couple of years ago, and having to empty the house that mum and dad had spent
40 odd years living in, I found forgotten in the loft several plans and unfinished models,
OS engines and the like, as well as some old 35mhz equipment.
Having found all this has rekindled my desire to restart modelling and flying, so having
rescued a defunct arisingstar joined a local club and now looking for something to build
over the winter months which will tax my rusty modelling skills and certainly scare the
wotnot out of me when I come to fly it having got my A under my belt (hopefully)
sometime this summer.
My chosen Chipmunk to model stems from the fact that I was born in Ceylon in the late
50`s when my father was stationed at Trincomalee and to be quite honest I thought the
colours were unusual but compared to some of the schemes aired here, that may not be
so.
I have ordered the plan and canopy and hinges and am trying to decide whether to cut
my own parts or just order the cnc pack, certainly looking forward to taking part and
learning new skills
John Stones
My aviation background ? got none. It was fishing and rock concerts for me as a kid,
Loved it, would do it all again if I could
First model was a Keil Kraft Matador, wings folded because I used wrong balsa on wing
spars. Built a lot of models since, always fly well but I chicken out on the detail, I really
struggle with the scale stuff. So that's why I joined in the build, if the talent that's on
here can't get me a WOW , i'm a lost cause.
Martin Fane
After reading Danny's RCME article I figured this build is just the one for me. Got back
into modelling about 4 years ago and trying to broaden my horizons in regard to scale
building.
I have a BT Bf109e on the building board although I've stalled with the fuselage well
underway, this model is way beyond my flying ability so the break is probably for the
best. I also have a MR RF4 well underway and hope to have this cleared off the board by
Oct 1st. This is a really nice one to build.
The Chipmunk seems the ideal candidate to improve my scale building skills although
apologies in advance for probably not being able to add much to the forum.
As a member at the Old Warden club I'm thinking of basing my Chippie on their RCAF
example although I'm also considering the RAF AEF color scheme as I have fond
memories of flights from RAF Woodvale in the late 70's as an air cadet.
Thanks in advance to all the other builders, I'm sure I'll be learning loads from you.
Martyn K
I have never ever built a scale model - apart from a few peanut scale models which I
never seem to complete. I have been building a 13" span Piper Cub for nearly 3 years it may get finished in Italy this summer.
What do I hope to get out of this? Broadly, I want to improve my building skills, I have
been building aeroplanes (and boats) since I was 12 or 13 years old - about 45 years. I
am therefore considered to be quite experienced but I am not a good builder by any
stretch of the imagination. I am in awe of people like Danny who produce a work of art
with all joints absolutely perfect, finished perfectly and the only imperfections in the
surface are intentional - where the rivets pop through..
I would like to try a bit of that and I see this build as a (possibly - very) slow build which
will take a back seat occasionally while more pressing repairs/maintenance/replacement
of my usual hacks takes place (I normally build 2 models at once anyway). The Chippie
will be reserved for those quality time moments when I need to be able to take more
care and demonstrate real patience.
Things I am looking forward to are:
1. Having a working undercarriage that is strong and accurate enough
2. making a pilot or two
3. A bit of cockpit detail - instruments that look like instruments
4 Not sure about the rivets though....
5. Working with litho
6. Writing up this blog
I have already got the plan, canopy and cowl. I think that I will buy a cut parts wood
pack as well in due course.
I have got a Enya 60 F/S to power this. I am hoping that I can get a scale working
exhaust as well..
The aircraft I am going to attempt to replicate at 1/6 full size is this...
I prefer civilian colour schemes. Hopefully, I may be able to get access to it to
photograph it closely - its down south somewhere so it will be an excuse to get a
weekend away camping.
Glenn Stratton
I started building Airfix kits when I was 8, joined the Cadets at 13 and started freeflight
balsa bashing, this lasted until I left the ATC. While I continued gluing plastic I couldn't
afford the balsa modelling, cars and girls!
After failed marriage and relationships I returned home to Mum briefly in 1994ish, where
upon I joined Ivel MAC in Bedfordshire, brought & built and learned to fly a Flair
Cub(which is still airworthy!) powered by Saito 40S, guided by Fleet and gained my A
Certificate. Moved to Somerset and built the Flair Volture, not successful being
underpowered but still have it to revamp! Moved back to Bedfordshire and joined Old
Warden MAC. I have brought a Seagull Spacewalker(Saito 65) and upgraded to Hitec 2.4
Auroa9 and hope to do the B cert, before the Chippie is finished!
I have in my possession the plan, laser cut parts, cowl & canopy and have purchased the
hardwood & wire. Being a capable person, I enjoy building and look forward, during the
Chippie build, to learning how to plank and picking up tips/doing some scale detailing, in
preparation to building Dennis's Magister and Avro Tutor, but then again I might build
DB sportandscale 1/6 scale Tigermoth!
I hope I haven't rambled on to long and you get an insight of my aims and aspirations!!
Colin Leighfield
Here's my Dennis Bryant Chipmunk thread. I have everything to build it (except the
hinges which Danny is taking care of).
Mine will be a bog-standard RAF trainer in late 50s/early 60s decor. The Chipmunk was a
work-horse and provided thousands of pilots with their ab-initio training, that's what I
wish to represent.
However I'm doing absolutely nothing about it before October, there are far too many
things going on in the meantime!
Kevin Fairgrieve
Firstly I need to say that I have not been doing this RC malarky as long as some, and
certainly not up to the standard of most. I never built any Kiel Kraft or other such kits
until recently. My very first building experience was building the plane that came with
the book from the BBC series about 40 years ago. Can`t for the life of me think what it
was called now.
I have no background in the ATC like a lot of you, and no flight experience in a
Chipmunk., wish I had.
I started RC flying about 20 years ago. My first trainer was a Cosmo powered by an
SC25 and it lasted four flights! My usual instructor was busy teaching another learner, so
a helpfull soul said he would take me up. Keen as I was I took him up on his offer.
Anyway from a great height and at full chat I made a great impression on the ground.
Engine buried completely, airframe a complete write off. "I thought you were more
experienced than that says he." My original instructor said it was the best thing I could
have done as it was a pig of a plane. I of course at that time knew no better.
Got myself another trainer and proceeded to learn the basics.
Deciding that I needed another model, I bought a Flair Cub. Built it (my first ever build)
flew it and still have it. I did my first full solo flight with the Cub. !
It took me a long time to learn to fly and I went back to a trainer,a Ripmax Trainer40, as
the Cub I found was not the ideal model for me to improve on.
I was just about getting to grips with everything when life got in the way. I took a
sabbatical and returned to flying in 2008. Having kept all my gear it was an easy thing to
do. I joined my local club having moved in the mean time. Buddied with an instructor for
the first three flights and was back at it like a duck to water. took my "A" in 2010 and
have not looked back.
My fleet now consists of..
Flair Cub. Presently mothballed.
Flair Pup. OS52FS
Flair Legionaire. ASP48FS
Galaxy magician. Magnum XL 46 Took my A with this.
Mini Roo. Presently mothballed.
Mini Jazz. SC15
Maxi Jazz. OS40FP
Mini Jazz MKII. SC12
Chorus Gull. Lazer80
Dawn Flyer. My first electric build.
Kestrel Autogyro OS35 MAX
Farmhand 90. CRRC40GFI Petrol
Mitsubishi Zero. ASP 52
1/4 scale Fokker DVIII. 28 CC strimmer conversion
1/6th scale Sterling Models Stearman. Presently mothballed.
Parkzone Ultra Micro Mosquito.
Parkzone Ultra Micro F4U Corsair.
E-Flite P40 Warhawk.
Blade MCX Heli.
As you can see it is pretty varied, but there is a theme. I like to build.
So why am I doing the Chipmunk?
I attend quite a few fly ins and when I compare my "scale" stuff to others I think to
myself, surely I could do that.
My object is to build the best model I can. One that I can take to the various fly ins and
the club strip.
Do I want 100% scale? No.
Do I want a challenge? Yes.
I have never used glass cloth and epoxy, I have never done rivets. There is so much I
have not done.
I hope to learn lots from doing this, and to possibly giving a little back.
Am I daunted by the challenge? No, I will do my best.
Chosen subject. WP964 Army Air Corps- Middle Wallop.
Why? It looks like a "Warbird".
I have started gathering a few bits together.
I have the engine, a lovely Laser80. I hope it fits. I am currently in possession of twenty
sets of hinges, but think I may only need one.
Glass cloth and epoxy purchased.
I intend to add small scale details, nav lights and such like.
I hope also to load it full of telemetry. Another first for me.
I think I will go with the CNC cut kit as although I normally cut my own, errors can
occur. planning on making that purchase in July or August.
So there you have it. Apologies for boring you all. If you got this far well done.
G-YRUS (Phil)
I have been flying 5 or 6 years now. I don't have any family history around
aeromodeling but have always been fascinated by aeroplanes. Now I have a little more
time scale is my ambition. Having suffered the woes of ARTFs I am convinced building
your own is the way to go as I have spent so much time sorting out ARTFs I could have
built several models. Asking around at our patch (Flying Druids at Rollestone) where we
have close scale ties I think the Chipmunk was suggested as a first good scale model. I
had already bought my set of parts and stumbled across this by accident but thought
heck lets get involved. I'm self employed so time can be at a premium and I don't plan
to get drawn into a race. I am happy to be last to finish if that's what it takes as I am
not a quick builder although I am not on this model going to get bogged down with rivet
counting. I want my Chippy to be a regular flyer that gets noticed. I am aiming for
interesting scale fidelity without to much fuss. My colour scheme which might be open to
change is civil as I thought it would be a bit different and simply found on the web.
Electric power is the plan as its just so clean and convenient.
Terry Walters
Hi Readers! This will be where to find my build of a Cambridge UAS Chippie from the
60's in the silver and 'dayglo' colour scheme. Here it is in a black and white pic. This one
was 'demobbed' and became D-ELLY and is privately owned being hangared in HamburgFuhlsbuttel. It may still be out there!
It was one of the CUAS aeroplanes at the time I was being flown from Cambridge. It was
still in RAF use in 1973 as there is reference on another site to an ex-cadet being flown
in it from RAF Valley that year.
Colours will look like this one below which is of the same era but this is not a CUAS
aeroplane. I've included it so you know the kind of thing I will be aiming to do.
My interest in Chippies? Well I was born in Northampton into a working class family that
never went on holiday (ever!). I became fascinated by aeroplanes - frequently biking out
to the local aerodrome at Sywell to see what ever there was to see there. Finding a
friend at school who shared the same interest we joined the local ATC, 5(f) Northampton
Squadron.
I think it fair to say that event changed my life and my outlook on life. The ATC fed my
hunger for anything that flew, taught me to drive (on RAF Landrovers and 1 and 3
tonners as a staff cadet at 644 Gliding School Spitalgate Grantham), got me to fly solo
at 16 in the usual T31 Tandem Tutor (known more accurately as 'The Brick'!). I also
learnt to shoot and compete at it. Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award included trekking in
the Lake District. There was a lot more too but naturally that included air experience
flying in Chippies from Marshalls Airport, Cambridge. I loved it and did well enough to be
put onto the 'White Card' scheme which identified those cadets who had shown
exceptional potential as a pilot. That meant that if you could get yourself to Cambridge
any week-end you were guaranteed a flight or two. That 'potential' did not, however,
translate into being a good RC pilot!!
So a Chippie from Cambridge it will be as homage to that era when H+S didn't apply.
When youngsters were encouraged to hitch-hike and take pride in themselves, their
country and its armed forces!
So thank you the ATC and the RAF for being a considerable guiding force in my life.
By the way, they gave me my first holidays! I went on annual camps - holidays at last!!
Shouted at by the SWO men, Drilled about here and there but flew on many different
RAF aeroplanes and loved it all.
Last flew in a Chippie about 15 years ago when doing my full size tail wheel conversion. I
was being instructed on an Auster but on this particular day it was at the back of the
hangar with four other aeroplanes in front of it. That was too much to contemplate even
for my instructor (have you ever tried moving an Auster? Let alone another four
aeroplanes first!!!) so he said 'sorry' and would I like a go in his friend's Chippe? Would
I? Took me less than a nano-second to say yes! It was really good to fly in it after my
diet of Cessna 150s. Piper Cherokee, Auster etc. Controls beautifully harmonised and
light too - naturally 20 minutes of aeros were included in my tail wheel conversion!!!
Anyway a bit more about me;
Leaving school I worked in Triumph Garage Stores briefly before going to a couple of
insurance companies until mid twenties. Got fed up with insurance so changed careers
ad went into Northamptonshire Police, being a beat bobby, detective constable, trainer,
shift patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, patrol inspector - retiring in that rank after 30
yrs service and now live in the SW of France and member of the local RC club - Cahors
Lalbenque.
Building: I have built a few reasonable RC aeroplanes and broken most of them. I like
them to look 'right' and I am currently building a Dennis Bryant Turbulent which is true
scale but not many rivets!! The build is here. I have declared it must be finished by 1st
Oct - we will see............. Other stuff - have a look at the photos in my albums. I want
to do the Dennis Bryant Magister too and have the plan for that.
My build will be intended to stretch my scale skills further - how far we shall find out.
The Chippie was already a 'must do' on my build list and so I have the plan, cut parts
and cowl. It will probably be an IC engine but I haven't ruled out a 'leccy' one especially
as Danny Fenton will be dabblilng with the A123 cells - that might be interesting hmmmm.
Roll on 1st Oct!
Nev
Well maybe not everything but I am expecting this to take up most of my building and
thinking time for quite a while.
I always liked to paint my AIRFIX pilots and was very proud of my wheels when I found
that buffing the mat black paint with pencil lead gave a good rubber tyre look, it also
added that bit of weathering in the form of exhaust stack stains. But that is about the
extent of my scale detailing.
Like many others I started aero modelling in my early teens with control line models and
a brief but unsuccessful attempt at RC with a KK mini Super. Then the almost inevitable
30 year layoff, until a welcome return to modelling a few years ago now. Having
revisited the mini super ( MK2 flier very nicely) and having found that I do like a good
project to get into, this chipmunk build looks like a great way to learn some new skills.
Also the fact that it is a joint build is a big attraction as I think it will help enormously to
keep the enthusiasm going, I found that out with the mass builds.
I have slowly been acquiring a few bits, nice shiny motor, some wheels, just to get
things started and I already have a 5S, Lipo pack so that’s practically a Sign !! So today
I placed my order for plan, wood pack, canopy and cowl. Roll on October.
Tony Bennett
Oh ok gents i will stick my head up over the parapet and say.
i will be building this one.
i can have a play with tinfoil or aluminium tape to cover it all.
plus the bubble canopy will make it that little bit different.
Chris Bott
My modelling career started with a Keil Kraft Polaris chuck glider, graduating through
built up free flight gliders, profile control liners and the odd Jetex model that usually
went up in flames.
R/C started with Macgregor single channel in a Mercury Matador then a lot of pocket
money + birthday and Christmas went into a Waltron 4/5 proportional 27Mhz set and 3
servos. These served in various models from DB Tyro to Cambrian Capstan and various
other sports models and gliders.
A big gap just as many others until picking up as electric flight was just becoming viable.
Fast forward through many plans kits & ARTF's to find that all my scale models are ARTF,
or foam, or built by someone else. Except for a cute little Model Designs Spit.
So, it's about time I used the experience I do have, to produce something I've not done
before. That's a decent scale model that I can be proud of.
The help here is going to be invaluable.
My intention for the Chipmunk, is to make it the best scale model I can, while not going
overboard. I want to do something I can definitely achieve, and I also want to end up
with a model that I'm happy to fly regularly.
So if an addition looks like it may take many many hours and not add massively to the
effect, then it may well be left off.
I like "practical" too. So there will be hatches, everything will be accessible for
maintenance, and it will be as simple to operate as possible.
It will be electric, and the battery will be as easy to change as I can possibly make it.
Nigel Day
Although I built a lot of airfix kits when I was a kid I didn't make it to RC properly until a
year ago.
I too spent a short while in the ATC but a move away to rural South Wales meant that I
never got very far. I did get offered the chance to become an RAF officer straight out of
university but as they wouldn't let me fly (asthma as a kid), I said no thanks.
Although my Dad was a great DIY-er and woodworker, he didn't go very far with balsa
gliders or RC. I dabbled briefly 5 years ago but my Junior 60 got started and then put
into a cupboard. It stayed there until a year ago when I found that I had more time on
my hands. Having always loved building things during my childhood (Lego and Meccano)
it seemed natural to have a proper go at building. Since then I've completed the J60 (but
not flown it) and got over 3/4 of the way through the building of a Barnstormer.
Not having got seduced by IC, the ease and cleanliness of electric has drawn me to the
dark side.
Now I've (nearly) got two basic builds under my belt and the usual desire to build some
'proper' models (read Spitfire, Mosquito, Lancaster etc), the Chippie project sounded
good. It'll be beyond my current skill-set but that's what I want. I can learn as I go and
there will be plenty of expertise and guidance here. What a great opportunity!
Living not far from Newquay and the Classic Air Force museum, their Chippie seemed an
appropriate subject. It's mainly black, which will make it a little cheaper to paint/cover (I
hope) but there's still plenty of detail that will be visible. I visited the plan last week and
the guys there were kind enough to let me get up close with my official photographer
(my wife) so we've got plenty of detailed shots. It won't be difficult to get more if
needed either.
The hinge set, canopy, cowl, plan and wood pack are already waiting. I may already
have a suitable motor and ESC so all I need are the 101 other things that seem to be
needed to make this beastie a proper scale model.
Roll on October 1st.
John Howitt
I am getting quite excited about starting the build. I have not yet succumbed to doing
anything more than touching the laser cut sheets and gazing briefly at the plan. The
Bryant Storch has been put aside for the minute in preparation for October1. I must say
that the construction of the Chipmunk seems a piece of cake compared with the Fiesler
Storch. Perhaps once started I will change my mind.
I have also a large rebuild kitchen project to do and unlike most of my models this one
must be finished.
I started aeromodelling in the 50's building a multitude of Keil Kraft models. None of
them flew but I enjoyed the build and the thought that the latest one would exceed my
expectations and actually fly for a few hundred metres. These pleasures were no longer
possible when work and marriage interfered. It was not until much much later in life that
cash was available to support a hobby adequately. I did manage to build an E-type
replica (~10years) and a house in the extreme Scottish Bush before taking up model
engineering and equipping my workshop as and when retirement provided more funds.
It was when the current project was proving tedious I , and don't ask me how, decided
to return to aeromodelling. As I have not yet learned to fly my enjoyment comes from
the basic construction. This project will be finished and the result will be flown – not by
me – unless I get down to some serious training.
Why put aside my Storch in favour of a Chipmunk? Part of my reason is that my best
friend from early childhood, when at Aberdeen University ATC (I was too blind so had to
join the OTC) was killed when his plane crashed as he was practising his aerobatic
routine. He was a gifted flier, having achieved membership of the Scottish Universities
Aerobatic team in his first year. The accident was written off as pilot error which seems
to be par for the course if you read Ray Blyth's book. Hence my interest in the
Chipmunk.
I am hoping to see this blog through to its termination with some photographic evidence
once I determine how to do the latter. Wish me luck and pray that I will manage to say
something of interest.
AlexJ
I thought it was about time that I started a thread for my chipmunk.
I am coming back to model flying after a break of about 12 years. I have not started
flying again, so i will need to blow some cobwebs away. Hopefully it will be a bit like
riding a bike but without the sore behind!
This build can take as long as it needs, although I am looking forward to the joint
endeavor.
This aircraft appealed to me as an elegant paint scheme. It was restored by a chap for
his flying circus.
Here it is!
Roll on the 1st of October!
LPP
Have finally plucked up the courage to start a ‘build’ thread for my chippy.
Well, where to start.
Like some of you have grown up with a love of all aviation things in our household, my
Dad was a keen aeroplane modeller in his early years and introduced my older brother to
it, naturally I tagged along. They did the building and I was the general little helper and
dogsbody.
At that age although the fascination for aviation was there, the building and flying for me
wasn't taken up, I was happy to watch, apart from the plastic kits and the odd small free
flight build.
My first experience actually in the air was when I was about six with a family pleasure
flight in the good old Skeggie Auster. Later on I joined the Air Scouts, it was in that time
we went for an air experience day at a local gliding club, enjoyed that so much in the
open cockpit of a T31 that after seeing the lads there in the ATC, made enquiries and
joined, just to get the gliding. Succeeded in getting my solo gliding certificates on my
sixteenth birthday. Also got lots of weekends at RAF Newton for Air Experience on
Chipmunks, fantastic.
Same year started work, no, not the RAF or aviation related but in engineering as an
apprentice mechanical fitter, enjoyed working with my hands. Left the ATC as girls had
appeared from somewhere, couldn't afford the gliding so took up sailing instead! I
continued still watching the model builds as older brother was still going strong on
building and flying with Dad. They had gone from the galloping ghost of the early sixties
to full house proportional stuff in the late sixties. I occasionally helped at the flying field
if I wasn't too occupied elsewhere.
Before I knew what had happened, was married and had a family, now all grown up,
unfortunately no interest had been kindled in aviation with them despite taking them to
many events, full size and modeling. Have no complaints though, still say best thing I
ever did getting married.
Fast forward 34 years to the year 2000, new millenium. After visiting my brother in
Australia and seeing his beautiful 1/4 scale model DH2 and Sopwith Pup in the air,
couldn't stop talking about them. Much to my surprise, my wife buys me a Grampian
Skyline kit, veneered foam wing. Thoroughly enjoyed building that and then joining a
club and learned to fly. Everything else since then has been ARTF apart from a bit of
wishful thinking in buying a few part built models with the intention of completing them,
which unfortunately didn't come about.
So, why the Chipmunk, like many, the memory of youth and the experiences of flying
will be a huge incentive to complete a scale model of one similar to the one I first
experienced aerobatics in. I say similar as for the life of me cannot find my old ATC book
with the record of what I flew in.
Now, this chippie build will be the ideal opportunity to make a descent start to 'proper'
building with the guidance of all the experts here as am greatly lacking in the complete
building experience due to ARTF assembling and many repair jobs.
I'm considering eventually completing mine in the BBMF black scheme although it's
possible for that idea to change, perhaps when my ATC book turns up.
I'll be doing the IC version, have a Laser 70 earmarked to go in it.
Looking forward to this build but will be a late starter as have to work away from home
for a few weeks and will be playing catch up when I return.
Got a massive learning curve ahead with the building and the mastering of the forum
and posting photos which I haven’t tried yet.
John Timmis
Hi folks
Don't wish to jump the gun but it's time to start the blog. It's a first so there may be some
hiccoughs.
Why two Chippies?
Well the first one was started in 197? & then put away in the loft for the next 35 yrs or so. Danny's
post provided the perfect incentive to resurrect the build & also up my game a bit. After quite a
long gap, which included getting married again, involvement with schools karting, classic cars &
full-size gliding I got back into rc modelling about 5/6 yrs ago following a visit to Western Park &
seeing the EDF jets.
At first the rescued airframe (90% built) looked quite good. Only small damage to an aileron
trailing edge. However, by the time the flaps & ailerons had been removed from the wing they had
virtually crumbled to dust. Some wing ribs were also very fragile.
I don't think it's worth the hours involved in a proper scale build but it seems to good for the bin.
So the plan is to finish this one off asap as a stand off scale model, converting it to electric &
generally use it as a prototype to solve problems. I'll do the best build I can within the limitations
of time but definitely no rivets on this one. Hopefully it won't be to shabby & should be flying soon.
Second Chippie starts in October & will have whistles & bells, we will see about the rivets.
I'll put up some photo's when I find out how.
Steve/Fatscoleymo
Thought I'd better get this started before the off!
My father started me off with a life long love of aircraft and all things aeronautical. He
was in the Observer Corps during the '39-45 war (polio as a child left him with a bad leg
so he was not able to join the forces) and I grew up during the 50's obsessed with all
aircraft and the wonderful variety of planes being produced in those days. Put together
what seemed like hundred's of Airfix kits (Revell too) and Keil Kraft chukkies, rubber
powered, then onto control line with little cox 049's etc. A little time in the ATC.
Then : bands (I play piano, love New Orleans piano and RNB,) girls, marriage in '75 and
still together, 1st RC set in '76, a year crewing in Helicopters on North Sea oil support in
77-78, work , 3 kids, gliding at Yorkshire Gliding Club, Sutton Bank, then a PPL in '88.
Got back into RC in the late 80's and have remained involved on and off ever since.
Chairman of the Darlington club for a couple of years in the early 2000's. All this time
continued playing in bands. We retired to SW France in 2005. I am a member of the
local club here.
My Dad loved the Chippy - he had a soft spot for them. I'm going to model a French
registered one, in the classic Red/ White/ Grey scheme. I have done a little detailing in
the past - some rivets, fasteners and the like, but am really looking forward to doing a
lot more. I'm going to fit nav and landing lights, and the sprung Oleo's, sliding canopy if
possible, and hinged cowl sections I hope! ASP 61 fs will be powering mine, with on
board glow. Taranis will guide it.
Good luck everyone.
Kevin Fairgrieve