This is a project that has been running for some 4 years now. People often ask where all of my models come from, and it usually takes a bit of time to explain how much forward planning is needed to keep a constant supply of new models rolling though. Especially the larger, more complex models. Right now, we are starting projects with a completion date of well into 2013 planned. Although, I do have to say that the 262 has been the longest to date by far.
The model was originally designed and built by a man called John Greenfield, here in the UK. He campaigned it for a few years in Europe before selling it to me. It had a pretty hard and short life, so I decided to rework it slightly.
What started off as a simple month long re finish and detailing, turned into a complete strip down, reinforcing, re shaping and complete turbine and radio refitting exercise. On top of which the model was then fully detailed ( Panel lines, rivets, raised panels and weathering)
All of the above work was carried out by a chap called Ian Redshaw. Now Ian is pretty famous here in the UK for his work on highly detailed WW1 type aircraft, so the 262 was a big diversion from what he is used to. The results have shown that Ian's talents ( Not only in the detailing, but also in the structural aspects of such a huge jet) are wasted on them old string bags
The model was then handed over to Matt and Steve Bishop, who are two of my most regular builders. They then stripped the radio, and wiring system from the model and updated it with more current electronics, in the form of a Power Box Royal, running 2 x Spektrum AR12100 DSMX receivers. JR 8711's were used on the main flight controls, and 2x 6500Mah Lipos fitted for power ( Its strange having a plane that I can do 1 hours worth of flying on and the battery indicators stay at pretty much full)
It was then decide to update the turbines. originally the 262 flew with AMT Olympus's for power. I have remember seeing the 262 getting into some predicaments due to turbine issues at one point or another, so it was decided to fit new fresh units. I decided to go for a pair of the new Jet Central Mammoths.
It may have taken longer than I was expecting, but they do say the best things come to those that wait. It's been a couple of days since I flew it, so I know its not just post flight highs talking when I say this is without a doubt, the most impressive model that I have ever flown. Which when I look back at the some of the previous ( C-17/ SkyRaider/ Citation/ Spitfire..... ) Is pretty impressive in itself. The model has that "Sit" both on the ground and in the air, that make it so convincing. The sound!!! The Sound!!! i just cant rattle on long enough about how wonderful this plane sounds. Fortunately. I was not around to ever hear the real 262 in operation, but these Mammoths have a sound that is exactly how I would imagine the real thing to be. I so hope we manage to get some video that will do it justice, but I have a feeling that the only way people reading this will get to experience the true effect is in real life.
Any models weighing over 20 KG ( 44 lbs) here in the Uk must pass through a large model scheme. This involves various examinations of the model during its build process. Finishing up with a final inspection where a certificate to test fly is presented by our civil aviation authority ( FAA)
As the owner, I then have to go to a non public field and perform 1 hours worth of test flights in order to obtain the certificate to fly. With it being well into the start of our show season, I was quite keen to get the 262 started on its tests. With the hope that as long as nothing major went wrong, then I should be able to complete the tests in a few weeks and maybe have the model ready for some of the events during the mid section of the season. My experience with big models is that they are normally twice as complex, and twice as likely to go wrong as smaller ones. Also my experiences with twins, is that they are 4 times as complex as a single... So things were looking interesting for the first flights.
In the end. I could not have wished for a better result. The 262 performed flawlessly for 7 flights, back to back ( Thats 84 lt of fuel... 21 gallons for our US chums) It flew so well, and has so much potential as a show plane, that i was over the moon. The gear took all that I could throw at it ( It was blowing a strong cross wind almost all day) and apart from a stripped flap servo gear ( We left the non JR Flaps servos in place [:@]) We didnt have to wrench on the model once.... Just fill and fly, fill and fly!
Sorry for the poor photo quality. I still haven't invested in a decent lens for my Cannon ( Next on the list) and before anyone mentions it.. We are working on a pilot as we speak. But finding a 30 % German 262 pilot of the shelf is proving to be a tad more difficult than expected.
Regards Al
