Hi all,
I'm hoping the experienced modeller reads these forums and can help me in my quest. I was wondering if there are any books that can be recommended that cover all aspects of RC model aircraft from building to finishing, adding detail/weathing/hint and tips etc to hints on flying.

I've preparing to build Brian Taylor's Spitfire Mk 1 and want to get as much information as possible before I start [sm=drowning.gif]. I'm working on the 7 p's principle (Prior Planning & Preperation, Prevents, Piss, Poor, Preformance)
Being a fitter/turner I'm more use to working in metal (more forgiving) than wood. Reading his plans aren't a problem and seeing all those excellent pictures of warbirds on the forum are making me eager to start..

Thanks in advance

Splash

I can recommend three on flying and I'm pretty experienced. 47 years worth. The are by Dave Scott at 1st. US Flight School in Wisconsin. They deal with beginning flying as well as intermediate and advanced aerobatics. The are very well done and worth the money. Check out his website for information.

Rich

Well... the Spit is a BEAUTIFUL airplane... but its probably a poor choice for someone needing advice in the beginner's forum.[&:]

Thre are lots of tips on the subject of building and finishing such a model over in the scale forum... Kit building forum also has a lot of good info appropriate to the project.

The AMA has a couple of books and videos on ther website which would be helpful.

***********

What is your previous RC model building and flying experience? Might be a good idea to take a few steps back and punt (start with a trainer).

Hary Higley has a good set of books on construction and finishing. There available from Tower and other outlets. Worth have as references.
[&:]

Splash, I suggest you start with a high wing trainer and get help from an experienced flier especially in aspects of flying. Having said that, there are many excellent books for beginners from Harry Higley. On detailing, there are a couple of good books from Faye Stilley. Do a search and you'll find them. There's also a video series on scale building that I can't remember offhand, but I have it somewhere. If you need the links, let me know.

Here's the link I was referring to Dave Platt's "Black Art" videos http://www.daveplattmodels.com/Videos/index.htm

Well... the Spit is a BEAUTIFUL airplane... but its probably a poor choice for someone needing advice in the beginner's forum.

Sure is a beautiful plane that's why I want to build it. I'm not quite the beginner you think I am, I have built an SE5a already and had lots of fun with it.
The Spit is for now an engineering project that will take a while due to the lack of quality time to build it (real life job). The flying isn't that bad I'm learning like eveyone else does on trainers and my SE5a etc.

Sorry for posting in here, but I never see any references to books in here. The links would be good for me, it might be good for beginners as well.

One last question, since I have limited time to fly and with our usual crappy weather here in the UK, would a simulator help? I see them advertised all the time but does it relate to actual flight?

If so which would be best.

Thanks for your links and replies

Splash

I would recommend aerofly pro which has helped me tremendously from basic flight training right to 3D flying. The flight physics is great and you can also have fun flying through the many 3D sceneries.