discussion Back to balsa flying models now fully retired.

[Chris.A]

Although competent with Guillows and Comet balsa kits, I was given a West Wing Tempest V kit on retirement. Much more complex and difficult than prior models so I went forum shopping to find help. Found it here so I joined up to read all about the build. After 50 years I hope I can regain old skills and add to them. The Tempest has always been a build goal due to Pierre Closterman's book. I was a long time member of the Flying Aces modeling club here in the US and will attend their July 17-20th Nationals meet which also offers tutorials. Skill level is way above mine, consider a Lockheed Super Constellation powered by four rubber band driven propellors. As an aside, for many years family car was a Riley 2.5 liter RM Saloon BRG. ChrisA.

 

[Waspie]

Although competent with Guillows and Comet balsa kits, I was given a West Wing Tempest V kit on retirement. Much more complex and difficult than prior models so I went forum shopping to find help. Found it here so I joined up to read all about the build. After 50 years I hope I can regain old skills and add to them. The Tempest has always been a build goal due to Pierre Closterman's book. I was a long time member of the Flying Aces modeling club here in the US and will attend their July 17-20th Nationals meet which also offers tutorials. Skill level is way above mine, consider a Lockheed Super Constellation powered by four rubber band driven propellors. As an aside, for many years family car was a Riley 2.5 liter RM Saloon BRG. ChrisA.

Welcome Christofer. It's been a long time since I built a balsa aircraft. My build life of them ended when a removals company totally trashed all by builds by reducing them to matchsticks. 4 basic gliders and 3 rubber band powered aircraft plus one powered in construction.
I was rubbish at flying them but really enjoyed the building.
I think you may find the vast majority of members on here are plastic kit builders, myself included. But there may be some balsa guys on here.

 

[boatman]

WELCOME Christopher an yes ive built a few balsa models in my time mainly keil craft models an the last one was a small F86 SABRE about 2 ft wing span an had a jetex motor fitted to it but i forgot to fit heat resistance metal foil to where the engine was an as it was doped all over soon as i struck my ciggy lighter to light the jetex fuse it just went up with a bang an boy was i shocked lol
chrisb

 

[Airborne01]

Hello mate - built a Kiel Kraft model once that didn't fly for long as I added a Jetex engine to it - ashes to ashes etc ... !
Steve

 

[Waspie]

You two will be giving JR ideas!!!

 

[Gern]

You two will be giving JR ideas!!!

Don't think he needs them Doug! Word is he already seems to have all the skills required. :smiling3:

 

[Tworrs]

Hi Christopher and welcome.

 

[langy71]

Hello mate - built a Kiel Kraft model once that didn't fly for long as I added a Jetex engine to it - ashes to ashes etc ... !
Steve

Ahhhh the good ole Jetex engine, the only way to turn any flying model in to a huge pile of ashes..

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

I don't know about Jetex engines, but once at collage, my Aerospace classmates and I attached a model rocket motor to a paper aeroplane ( it seemed a good idea at the time) and tried to lunch it off a ramp like a V-1. Sufficed to say the paper aeroplane lasted about a third of a second and the motor went spinning around in all directions - I've never seen people run so fast.

 

[Bri62]

welcome, I used to build balsa gliders years ago with my Father and fly them via a tow rope on a mountain (moel famau) some had 6 foot wing span and flew for ages (lost a few)

 

[papa 695]

Hi and welcome to the forum Christopher.