Just thought Bill & a few others might enjoy a pic of the "piece of s#%t" ARF that I "wasted my time" dressing up.

Go for your lives & criticize the hell out of it if you like, but if you think it got to look like this, (be that right or wrong ) without me learning more than a few things that I will apply down the track, you are even more close minded & intolerant than already demonstrated. ( See post #45 of this thread )

This knowledge will be used when building scale models of a few prototypes for which plans do not even exist, as well as finishing my 1/5 scale Pica Mustang.

"IF" any of you wish to see more of this model check out -

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_21...page_19/tm.htm

Cheers

And in that forum, you stated that the cheap chineese ply landing gear rails failed. In a later post you made a statement about removing the crap from the wings. Do you think that perhaps if you had framed this model up yourself that you might have selected a better grade of hardwood for the landing gear rails?

It really took you a year to assemble that ARF? Was it because you spent so much time on the details, or was it for some other reason? Shame about the hard landing messing up such a pretty plane.

Bill, AMA 4720

sportstar1,

Maybe you can build a kit version of the Hurricane when you finish the Mustang?

Bill

Yes I did state that the cheap ply rails failed, but I also stated I had reservations about them from the start. I also stated I am happy with the rest of the model. Yes I definitely would have used something alot better had I framed this wing myself.

No it did not take me a year to put it together, I said it had taken me all year to do. I started this project just before Xmas last year. As this was my first attempt to detail out a scale model, all that detail did take a fair bit of time, so can you imagine how long it would have taken if I had plan / kit built the thing? I am happy with the result, I have a model that surely does not look like any other sitting on the flightline, nor does it look like a "plastic fantastic" ARF. Along the way I have gained some valuable knowledge & experience and enjoyed myself which to me is what this hobby is all about.

Another factor for this taking so long is that I own, fly & maintain a full size light aircraft. I say this not as an excuse, but to inform you that I CHOOSE to do other things with my spare time. ( Well I choose to do the full size thing when my wife TELLS me to. It is such a terrible thing when you are told to "stop mucking around with those models, let's go fly the full size one!!!" ).

The deadstick landing was not hard, it touched down just short of the strip in thick grass about 6" long. The 3.75" diameter wheels never had a chance of rolling through it. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if the gear had not come out so easily. I am sure some other damage would have resulted. I did think about pulling the gear up, but was worried what would happen if the airscoop's on the bottom had dug in, and I was hopeful of making the strip right up to the last second. It was such a close thing, after touch down ( and breaking retract mounts ) it slowly tipped over onto it's back and the fin landed on the strip!!! Thankfully there was no further damage done. So it has not messed up the model & she should be airborne again in just over a week.

Cheers

blw

Nope!!! After I complete the P-51 ( learning a few more tricks as I go ), I am keen to move on to scratch building models of some obscure prototypes that I fancy.

I have a list of models I would like to build that is way to long for two lifespans, so I will tick the Hurricane box & continue on with the list.

Cheers

I know what you mean about the choice between flying the models, and flying the full scale. I, too have a full scale, and often I would rather fly one versus the other. I never actually know which one is going to win out. The full scale was purchased mainly for business, but sometimes the business of flying for the business is fun as well. Beats the heck out of waiting at the airport since the trouble 5 years ago. I don't have to worry about being seated next to the fat lady as well. I'm glad that your Hurry will fly again.

Bill, AMA 4720

Hi Bill

What type of full size aircraft do you own? Any pic's?

See my gallery for a pic of my Sportstar.

Cheers.

The real thing and models compete for limited resources, time and money - tough choice
I've been trying to learn to fly the real thing too, unfortunately I've had to spend too much time away from home with work so it's been on hold for six months. I've been learning on a Piper Warrior which I think looks a bit like a "flying cross"!
Owning unfortunately is beyond my means at this stage so its back to my ARFs and try to find some time to get stuck into my Spitfire kit and perhaps a few more 1:1 scale lessons.....

PS nice Hurricane.

I think arf's are fine and admittedly I own a couple of them,In my case when I worked there was simply little time to devote to kit building and some of the arf's are simply easier to finish .but in my humble opinion as well cut and covered as they are in most cases they build lite and often need reinforcing on stress joints..I am building a sig kit ..oh I hear the you must be nuts sound .thats ok for me I enjoy the construction as much as flying invertyed at 80 miles an hour.it shouldnt make any difference to anyone .actually it has aloowed many pilots to just fly and enjoy a great hobby.

I have a few posts on another thread regarding the RaidenTech P-51, altho mine's an AK...

I bought it a year ago and was fairly disgusted with it. It had broken wing tabs, junk hardware but looked REAL good, lol.

I've since shaved the top fuselage, installed the TopFlite "B" razorback, peeled the bottom wing skins, replaced the gear blocks, am installing Robart 605 pneumatics, carved flaps out of the trailing edges, installed a retractable tailwheel and will be rebuilding the tail feathers as the originals were paper thin. The wing filets are foam, thin ply and 2oz fibreglass.

yeah, I like ARF's, LOL...

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