Hey everyone. Am curious about something as this is kinda a pattern tradition.

Does the name of the plane "Have" to be on the fuse? I am looking for opinions here. I am contemplating putting it on the wing and leaving the fuse area as is.

If using Nitro, and not using clear on the fuse, what techniques have worked for keeping the vinyl from peeling off quickly from the fuel residue. I went through 3 sets of Symphony stickers last year. Electric comments need not be made at this time (hint hint.)

Thanx

ed

Name has to be on fuse for the same reason that it isn't a pattern plane unless there is white in the colour scheme.

Other things that make it a pattern plane are pilot's name displayed beneath canopy, manufacturer's sponsor stickers (whether you are sponsored or not) and an alloy transmitter case!

Malcolm

Malcolm,
Don't forget the tent canopy!
JLK

And here I was expecting other anwers like

1) Have a rule book in your back pocket
2) Have the tan that shows your flying sunglasses, hat and in my case sandal lines
3) Have the flight box with 20 spare props hanging on the side
4) Know where the local watering hole is in every contest town you travel to, whether you can find a hotel or not
5) the list goes on and on!!

Seriously though, still am curious about others opinions

ed

the answer is of course no - there is absolutely no need to have the name of the design anywhere on the plane! Do whatever you want! Paint it green all over with pink spots if that pleases your eye.

The only thing to bear in mind when designing a colour scheme is that you need it to stand out well in all attitudes and lights, and help you pick out when your angles are off etc. I have had some issues with my Synergy 90 which has an asymmetric design on the wing, which does make it a little harder to lock into a line.

I have used lettering cut from black solartrim on my Alliance which is as tight and neat now as when it was first applied over two years ago. Lettering on the side of the fuz tends not to get very dirty with oil and fuel anyway so you are unlikely to have any problems.

Ed,

Just to be a little different I put my AMA and NSRCA numbers on the fuselage sides
and the name of the airplane on the left wing panel.

tommy s

It's rare to be able to identify a pattern flyer by his tan here in Scotland. You are much more likely to identify him by his windswept appearance and running nose!

To be serious for a minute. If you are entering a contest being run strictly to FAI rules then your model must carry some lettering as the extract from the FAI Sporting Code shows:

Section 4 – Aeromodelling
Volume ABR
Section 4A, Section 4B, Section 4C
2006 Edition
Effective 1st January 2006

B.15.8. Each model shall carry a model identification code (letters and/or numbers) and this must be recorded on
the model specification certificate. The identification code is to appear on each part of the model aircraft
(wing(s), tail, front and rear fuselage if detachable) so that the individual parts of a competitor’s different
models may be separately identified (except indoor and scale). The letters and/or numbers must be at
least 10 mm high and clearly visible. The identification code of the nominated models will be recorded on
the score card.

and

B.15.10. Except for Indoor and Scale, each model must bear the nationality abbreviation of the International
Olympic Committee and for Free Flight models the FAI license number or National Identification Number
of the competitor. The letters or figures must be at least 25 mm high and appear at least once on each
model (on the upper surface of a wing for free flight models)


Malcolm

Ed

Possibly it's just the expanse of space on the modern pattern fuselage that needs filling. I've used AMA #'s or airplane name, interesting how many folks ask "What plane is that?" when the names on the side - fewer when on the wing.

The only rule is to have the AMA # on the right wing or fuse side.

4.7. Identification. All models shall be identified by the contestant’s AMA license number permanently affixed to the upper side of the right-hand lifting surface or to each side of the fuselage or vertical stabilizer. The height of the numerals must be at least one (1) inch. Both stroke and width shall be such as to enable ready recognition.

There are no other requirements for identification, I would suggest not to put what some wife's call it anywhere, just wouldn't be in good taste,LOL.

Steve Maxwell

Steve,

Just an FYI but the FAI (for F3A anyways) identification rule has changed so that the numbers only need be on the plane (once) and readable....there is no required location anymore.

It's been said that we do it because we're too dumb to remember the names of our planes! : )

We had a guy here in Texas that flew a Boxer that was all green and it had some sort of reddish pink spot on the bottom that glinted in sunlight.

Wayne G.

[quote]ORIGINAL: jamesjoneill

the answer is of course no - there is absolutely no need to have the name of the design anywhere on the plane! Do whatever you want! Paint it green all over with pink spots if that pleases your eye.

I bet it looked lovely!!!



James

My name is on the wing Malc. Think I should transfer it to beneath the canopy to ensure fully fledged pattern plane status? I doubt I need it on the Astral to be honest as it has an anhedral tail therefore elevating it above the more common or garden flat tail variety

Been flying my Yak a bit recently (3 flights so far). Bloody awesome. Not as accurate as our F3A types but very good nonetheless. Weighs 16.75lbs with an 8hp engine. Vertical performance is simply obscene.

A

I dont think I have ever put the plane name on the side, only reason I have considered it is so people wont have to ask what it is.....or maybe not having it there is a good conversation starter...

Brian

Hey Gus,

What does the 17! mean? You have got 17 flights before the anhedral tail fell off?

Flew indoors with the EK lot on Friday night it was a laugh but it doesn't half concentrate the mind in a small hall. A few loops and rolls was a sexy as it got!

Malc

17? Ach, just a memorable result from a minor competition middle of last year.

Wanting to try the indoor myself but really can't justify the £200 odd outlay for all the equipment. Will just be sticking to my slightly larger outdoor type shockies. Mindue, you could easily fly my Foamtana in a largish hall. How big was the hall you flew in? If it wasn't large enough I could always come along and do buddy box with the living legend that is Malcolm Harris[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

Do you know who services Hacker motors in the UK?

A

Ah,

That little comp! I should have remembered but you will cloud the issue with pics of half naked women about the place.

You could try Gordon Tarling for Hacker service - he sells them so might be able to help.

It wasn't a large hall - around one basketball court size. I found the best way to steer my Shockflyer about was relatively flat turns using mostly rudder instead of aileron so in effect I was flying your mode only backwards. Does this qualify me for a shot of the Astral - using your Tx?

M

But of course! T'would be an honour. I'll get my tx all spick and span for Lanark as I know you're a clean freak

Malcolm, don't let Angus use the old 'you don't fly my mode' excuse on you. On the JR 10X, the procedure to swap modes only involves removing about 8 screws and swapping two plastic connectors on the circuit board.

-Adam

Adam,

We both fly 10X so if I really wanted to fly his slime burner we could just copy the model to my Tx but IC is so passe' these days!

Malcolm

Ah now Malcom, the funny thing about the electric guys is they have to let their cars run all day to charge the packs, who's a slime burner ?

Niall!

Good to hear from you! Actually I have a 4st generator to charge the batteries these days but I do run the car to warm them up before flight!

Howz the new venture going?

Malcolm

Hi Malcom
New venture going well, looking forward to meeting up with you guys in Stranraer in July. I think it's time for the Irish to take the cup back

Niall

Well with Malcolm and Steve running about like headless chickens trying to warm their bloody batteries up I wouldn't bet against it. Although I do have my secret weapon to fly with Mindue, you have the same cloud tool as I so it kinda cancels our advantage out.

A

ps English team FYI is:

Barry McLeod
Sam Wragg
Arthur Silsby
Bob Wasson

Int member: Adrian Harrison

I make that three Astral flyers. Should do syncro.