RE: The Great Scale Covering Debate
You didn't list the best covering of all - Ceconite. I started using it thirty years ago, and have never looked back. All my models are covered with Ceconite. All of them look brand new - even after hundreds of flights. Ceconite, dope, and latex paint is a good combination.
Posted on: 11/20/2008 7:21 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8167366

RE: giant scale tri-pacer
Tri-pacer: When you post in all capital letters, your posts are very difficult to read. Please try using lower case letters.
Posted on: 11/17/2008 12:23 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8155868

RE: giant scale tri-pacer
Tri-pacer builder: Great job. As a builder of giant scale, I can appreciate what you are doing. I assume the scale is about 45% - is that about right? I have four 40% planes, a Piper J-3, J-4E, a Stinson 108-3, and a VANS RV-6. Also have a 30% scale Stinson SR-10, that is almost as big. The SR-10 and the J4-E are powered by Fox 5.8 engines, with 27 x 10 mejzlik props. Plenty of power - weight about 45 lbs. The Stinson 108-3 is new, and will use a BME 115 with a 28 x 10 Xoar prop. It is still being worked on. The VANs has a GT-80, but that made it quite nose-heavy, so I am thinking of replacing that engine with a lighter one. The J-3 uses a DA-100 with a 27 x 10 Mejzlik prop, and it is just right for the airplane. For servos, I mostly use Futaba heavy duty 1/4 scale. They are limited to 5.8 volts - that is the only downfall that I can see with them. They are relatively cheap. Never had a problem with any one of them. For batteries I use A123, 2300 mah running through a dual Max Prod. ACC-135 regulated to 5.5 volts. Two batteries on the receiver, and one on the ignition. These are designed to be removed from the planes for charging - much like an electric. I use a FMA - 4 charger designed for 123 cells, and after an hour of flying, they can be recharged - one at a time - five minutes each. Six packs run two airplanes. They do not have a memory, and can be charged a 1000 times. Also said to last for at least ten years. These are charged from my truck, and can easily be charged at the field if need be. If I can help you with anything else to make your project easier for you - fire away. I'll keep track of this thread.
Posted on: 11/15/2008 12:13 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8149932

RE: Should AMA discontinue the Senior Citizen discount
Hello bassfish: Yes - I have traveled all over this country, in all directions. Are your initials by any chance DC? I may know you. Jim
Posted on: 11/13/2008 11:15 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8143242

RE: Should AMA discontinue the Senior Citizen discount
My age? I'm 78. Been a member of AMA since 1941 - 67 continuous years. I gladly paid my dues all those years, but when I became eligible for the senior citizen discount, I took it, figuring that I had earned it. Now I'm a life member, so that's even better. Why are you guys arguing about this simple fact of life? Stay in the hobby long enough, and you will eventually get there as well. It is your reward for past service to AMA. What's so wrong about that? It reminds me of the old parable in the Bible where the vineyard owner had pickers go into his field - some worked all day; some worked half a day; and some worked only a couple of hours. At the end of the day, each was paid the same wage. The workers that had worked all day griped, and so did those that worked half a day, but the landowner countered that they got paid exactly the wage they had agreed to. The AMA is like the landowner. Whether it took 54 years, (as in my case), or whether it took you ten years, or if you turned 65 only one year after joining AMA, the senior discount is the same. I'm not griping. I got exactly what I had agreed to when I joined the AMA. It just took me longer than most to reap that reward. It's not worth arguing about. Hang in there, and someday - you too will qualify, you better hope!
Posted on: 11/11/2008 7:55 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8138066

RE: Taxiing in the pitts...
We have dual runways, NS and EW, with five flight stations on each. Only one runway is used at any one time. All of our flight stations are rectangular in shape, so that the pilot is protected from all four sides. No chance of an airplane hitting him while being taxied from any direction, while he is flying. There is a 20 ft. taxi area in front of the flight stations to the edge of the runway. Any model can be started on the stand, or on the ground as is the case with large models, and then can be taxied out to the taxi area described above - parallel to the runway, to the flight station the pilot chooses to use. Once at his station, he taxis onto the runway, and takes-off. When a plane lands, the rule is to taxi to the edge of the runway, into the 20 ft. taxi area, and shut the engine off. If one must taxi for a longer distance, that is done on the runway. We have a big club, with lots of flying, and this system works.
Posted on: 11/11/2008 7:32 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8137975

RE: New 40% Piper J4-E build
No video. Expect to fly this plane within the next two weeks. Will post photos.
Posted on: 11/8/2008 7:29 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8127936

RE: Eastcraft Electric Starter for Quadra
Fred Eastman came out with the starter somewhere about 1980, I can't remember exactly. I sold Quadra engines then, and the starter was quite a fad. But - there were many problems, so in the end it, wasn't worth the effort to install it. The asseembly added about three pounds to the airplane - for what? Engines are easy to start, so other than a realistic start, it didn't offer much. Back then the battery pack was very heavy - maybe todays batteries would solve that problem. Anyway - I think they sold new for about a hundred bucks. Take fifty, and be glad that you got rid of the thing, as it is a worthless piece of junk that only fits an engine that is seldom seen anymore. Eastman has so many problems that he didn't take care of - it didn't take long for them to go out of business.
Posted on: 11/6/2008 11:25 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8120587

RE: New 40% Piper J4-E build
David: I am building a new 40% Stinson 108-3, and I may need that .40 engine to bolt into the engine compartment somewhere for additional nose weight. Whatever you do - don't throw it away!
Posted on: 11/1/2008 12:40 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8104689

RE: New 40% Piper J4-E build
No - I have been flying my Stinson and J-3 most of the summer. Now that cooler weather is coming to Florida, the J4 will see the air probably within a couple of weeks. Will post photos when that happens.
Posted on: 10/30/2008 9:34 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8098449

RE: Monster Planes USA,Lake Whales FL.
I'd like to get in on these conversations. First of all, I agree with the author of this thread that the event didn't live up to the advertising. I thought that there would be several BIG airplanes on the field - those that you wouldn't see at an ordinary AMA sponsored event. There were a couple that were definitely over the 55 lb. weight limit, and there were even a couple that I thought didn't even make the minimum 35 lb. weight limit. I design all my own planes, and for this event I had five airplanes that would qualify. Due to not owning a trailer, I could only take two to the field - a 30% Stinson SR-10 at 45 lbs., and a 40% J-3 Cub at 42 lbs. They turned out to be the largest civilian planes at the event - planes that can be flown at any AMA sponsored event, yet I don't consider these to be Monster planes by any stretch of the imagination. I see this event as a good news - bad news situation. The good news: 1. Event was well run, and being able to fly any time you wanted to was to the pilots favor. 2. The weather was excellent. 3. Registration was easy and fast. 4. For a first time event - having 105 airplanes on the field spelled success. 5. The field was well laid out, and there were lots of chairs for spectators. 6. The flying was excellent - a nice mixture of jets, war birds, and civilian planes filled the skies both Friday and Saturday. The bad news: 1. The $50.00 registration fee for pilots was in my opinion way out of line. On top of that was a $30.00 dinner fee. That's $80.00 big bucks for the pilots that put on the show - in return there were several trophies awarded. But, if you elected not to go to the dinner (awards ceremony), then you did not qualify for any prizes. That's what I was told. This was my first F. Taino event, so I wasn't aware of that fact. 2. The cost of food was outrageous. Six bucks for a hamburger, and five bucks for fries is a bit much. Next year I will bring my own food, so that will not be an item for me in the future. 3. The was no checking of airplanes to make sure they met the 35 lb. minimum weight limit. 4. The pilot protection fence was grossely inadequate. In fact, it was so bad that one pilot was knocked on his butt when another jet on landing crashed thru the small barrier. That resulted in the crash of a very large twin-turbine A-10 Warthog type airplane - probably worth ten grand or more. 5. Sunday morning when I arrived at the field at nine, about 75% of the planes were gone. I could have flown, but since I didn't qualify for any of the prizes, I said to myself: Why should I put on a show now? After all, I paid to fly, when at the moment it should have been the other way around. So about 11:00 am, I packed up and left. 6. When I left, and prior to that, people were still being charged $10.00/person to get in to see the Monster Plane show. I really felt sorry for them - they saw nothing. Two of them were my flying buddies, and they were pissed. Conclusion: This event will grow, and I will be there next year. I really enjoyed showing off my large (not monster) planes, and I had lots and lots of favorable comments from both spectators and pilots.
Posted on: 10/28/2008 7:37 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8093092

RE: Bud Nolsen Mr Mullagun
Well I have to say that you did a very nice job on the Citabria. I never built one of those although I have flown the big one. Now scale it up to 40% and you will have a real winner!
Posted on: 10/26/2008 9:33 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8085763

RE: Piper J4-E Cub Coupe still flying
to jperkinstrades: The J4-E is a very fine flying airplane. The DA-50 would be an excellent choice for this airplane. When I built mine, I made the gear out of fiberglass, but those molds are long gone. That was in 1994. I built a new 40% J4-E and I built the gear from 6061T6 tempered aluminum, and faked the round part on the rear with thin plywood worked around a rear music wire support. It wasn't difficult to do. to SoCalSal: Yes we fly at a landfill, but it is virgin land. Nothing has been dumped on it yet. They say - 100 years. The county doesn't charge us anything for the use of the land - in fact they built the field for us at no charge. Here is my new 40% scale J4-E
Posted on: 10/26/2008 9:29 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8085751

RE: RV-7
I designed my own RV-6 from factory drawn three-views. It is 40% scale, and it hasn't been flown yet. I have a GT-80 in the nose, and it came out slightly nose-heavy. Put the batteries way back in the tail to balance. Am now considering removing the GT-80 and purchasing a lighter engine. The canopy was a bitch to make, but I finally managed to get the job done. See photo below.
Posted on: 10/22/2008 7:36 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8075120

RE: **Frank Tiano's Monster Planes***
reply to Stickbuilder: I don't have a trailer so can only bring one plane at a time in my pickup. Brought the Stinson & flew it Friday - left it overnight. Brought the big J-3 on Sat., but took it home Sat. night. Picked up the Stinson Sunday morning. The Stinson got so much attention - much more than the Cub, I may have to build a bigger one. Food for thought! I had to go home nights to take care of my wife, who is partially paralized from having a stroke. She requires lots of care. I had a sitter during the daytime. That's why I couldn't attend the dinner Sat. evening. Keep the faith. Someday our paths will cross.
Posted on: 10/20/2008 8:48 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8066012

RE: **Frank Tiano's Monster Planes***
reply to Stickbuilder: The Stinson is mine. The Cub is not. My Cub is a 40% size - a lot larger than the one pictured.
Posted on: 10/19/2008 8:49 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8064672

RE: **Frank Tiano's Monster Planes***
In reply to Ross: Let me tell you that Ross is one heck of a pilot. At age 12 he can put a lot of us old guys to shame, and we have been flying since R/C was invented. Ross can fly that 42% BIG ONE better than most - even better than his Dad (I think). I know he had a grand three days, talking with other pilots; but most of all having his family there to see him fly - his Father, Grandfather/Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles, and some cousins. Ross is so lucky! It doesn't get any better than that!
Posted on: 10/19/2008 7:22 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8064412

RE: DA-100 question
I have a DA-100 and have checked the spark simply by placing the plug into the cap, and grounding it to the engine while the prop is flipped at starting speed. The instructions are ambiguous: they say: "unless you are having problems, don't bother "testing" the ignition with the plug removed from the cylinder". They don't say "don't do it, because doing so will harm the ignition". In your case, you are having problems: Test it. I do it all the time with my various engines, all with C&H ignitions, and have never caused a problem that I know of.
Posted on: 10/19/2008 7:08 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8064370

RE: EC Meeting Sat. 10-25-08
I just returned from the Frank Tiano Monster Plane event, and there were about 75 pilots with 105 aircraft registered. At least - that's what I was told. I was also told that 17 planes were over the 55 lb. AMA limit, and 10 of them held the AMA waiver. That meant that 7 planes were self insured by Frank. Don't take these numbers for gospel - they came from a good source, but still may not be correct - only close. I flew two planes on 2.4. At no time did anyone question my transmitter. I kept it with me all the time. Since I was not on 72, I did not ever go to the pin board, and I never saw the transmitter impound if there was one. I did watch a lot of pilots when they flew, and I only saw one with a long antenna, signifing 72. I liked the idea of no impound for 2.4. Our club has passed the ruling that persons flying 2.4 no longer need to have a frequency pin - or impound their transmitters. At the present time, we are about 50/50 - but ever increasing to the 2.4 side. We also wrote into our field rules that anyone shooting down another, due to his negligence in switching back to 72 (ie: forgetting to get the frequency pin) - he must cover the cost of the downed airplane. No if's, and's or but's about it. I think that 72 is rapidly on the way out. 2.4 is so much more solid (no interference or glitches) that it is almost a sin not to convert. I like the idea that nobody can shoot down my very expensive airplanes - and I cannot do likewise to someone else. It's darn good insurance to be flying on 2.4 - the low cost of 72 used equipment could get over-run by crashes and mistakes as impounds are eliminated and pin dicipline diminishes. I wouldn't want to be on 72 today - no way. It's far too risky, and will only get worse. So I vote in favor of eliminating the need for impounding 2.4 transmitters. No need to. Let the stragglers on 72 struggle with that problem - it's theirs and theirs alone for not choosing to changover to the only safe solution - 2.4.
Posted on: 10/19/2008 6:52 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8063506

RE: **Frank Tiano's Monster Planes***
Stick: I asked Frank Tiano on Friday if you were there. He said no. Maybe tomorrow. I forgot all about asking again as I was so busy talking and flying. I got in four flights with the Stinson on Friday, four more on Saturday, and two more with the big J-3. I was stationed at the far end of the flight line. Frank Noll and I flew formation - twice with the Stinson and Waco, and once with the Cub and Waco. We had many many good comments about the slower and more graceful flying planes. I'm sure there will be some photos appear somewhere, as several were taken at the time. Did you see any of that perhaps?
Posted on: 10/19/2008 5:58 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8064185

RE: **Frank Tiano's Monster Planes***
I just returned from this event, and I'd venture to say that it will eventually grow into something really big. I flew my 30% scale Stinson SR-10 (shown flying in one of the above photos) on Friday, and my 40% scale J-3 Cub on Saturday. There were lots of warbirds and jets, but only a few civilian type planes like I build. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would ever cross paths with Minn Flyer, and RCKen, but on Friday morning - there they were. All I can say - is that the world got a little smaller that day, and to meet face to face with these two individuals that moderate these forums, is indeed a pleasure that wasn't at all expected. So I say to you two guys - I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, and I'll now try to keep my posts really clean so that you don't have to moderate them at all - making your job a lot easier. I looked for you on Saturday when I brought my big Cub to the field, but didn't see you - so I assume you only had a one-day stay. All-in-all it was a fun two days. Sunday was a total bust. When I arrived at 9:00 am, about 75% of the planes were gone; so about 11:00 am. I packed up and left as well. My only complaint was that the meet was geared for the wealthy more so than the average Joe pilot. Everything was way overpriced. For pilots there was a $50.00 entry fee with a $30.00 dinner fee on top of that. Hamburgers were six bucks each, and if you wanted fries to go with them - another fiver. A bottle of water to wash them down was another two bucks, so a hamburger/fries/and water cost $13.00. I grew up in the great depression, and learned at an early age the value of a buck. Maybe we in America are about to re-learn that lesson once again from the looks of it. In defense of the low turnout on Sunday, it was reported that at least four vehicles were busted into Saturday night when parked at the nearby motel, and all the R/C related stuff inside those vehicles was stolen. One complete truck was stolen and still missing when the news was reported at the field Sunday morning. Still I felt so sorry for those spectators that paid a $10.00/person admittance fee on Sunday morning - with hardly any airplanes left on the field. I think in light of the circumstances, this was not right.
Posted on: 10/19/2008 2:54 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8063723

RE: Why I cannot support Mark Smith for AMA Ex. VP.
Red: All the persons you are referring to are simply posting answers to Bob M. He posts just to aggrivate them, and it just goes on and on - no good can come of it. He simply doesn't like Hoss, but can't let it go at that. He'd rather beat the dead horse. It's time to adhere to the old saying: "If you can't say something good about somebody, then it is best to say nothing".
Posted on: 10/13/2008 8:03 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8046173

RE: Who's lost it over this 'hobby'?
I like Stick's message, that this can be a lifelong hobby if you want it to be. I'm a little older than Stick, and have been in the hobby for 71 years. Yes, my wife approves, and so do my nine grown children. I design and build at least one new model every year, and have been doing just that for the past 50 years. I have designed at least a hundred models - all sizes - but since 1976 when I spearheaded the Bristol Scout Squadron by the STARS, (the beginning of giant scale), all my models are scale - working up from 1/5, to 1/4 to 30% / to 1/3, and now four models at 40%. I have ten models in my hanger, the smallest is 30% scale, and that is a giant Stinston SR-10 with a 13.5 ft. wingspan. At the present time I am working on a 40% big-tail Stinson 108-3. It's about 85% completed, and should be ready to fly before this year is over. Then I will build something else, as building is good medicine for the mind. I don't take any pills. I even had my picture in Model Aviation magazine, Oct. issue, page 9. If you didn't see it - go have a look. Yep - I went bonkers all-right, and look where that path has taken me.
Posted on: 10/13/2008 7:43 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8046100

RE: Why I cannot support Mark Smith for AMA Ex. VP.
Bob: Don't you have anything else to do? Ever try designing and building your own model? How can you get any satisfaction wasting your time on this AMA forum that goes nowhere? We all know that you don't like and didn't vote for Horrace, so why not just let it go at that. Go to your building board and do something constructive for a change. Your posts are getting a little stale!
Posted on: 10/13/2008 7:21 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8046030

RE: Spark plugs
Thanks for this very valuable information. I have printed the page, and will keep it close at hand. Information such as this is hard to come by.
Posted on: 10/11/2008 9:14 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8040275

RE: New 40% Stinson 108-3 build
Well guys, it's time for another up-date on the Stinson progress. The fuselage is now covered and it is on its wheels. The wheel pants have been constructed out of fiberglass, and fitted. Now removed for finishing and painting. I purchased a new BME 115 engine for the front, but may have to change that as it is very light, and probably won't balance out very well. Because of the big tail, it will require a lot of weight in front, and the 115 may not cut it. I'll mount it, add the prop, spinner, and a weight to take the place of the cowl, and see how far off it is. If it's too far, then a larger heavier engine will be considered. These are the problems one runs into when designing new planes, but I love doing it. SoCalSal: You need a bigger garage. I've got ten in mine at the moment. Here are the latest photos of the fuselage.
Posted on: 10/8/2008 12:44 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8030228

RE: Monster Planes Fly-In
mogman: I've made arrangements for someone to stay with my wife during the day, so I can attend this rally. I sent in my entry fee yesterday. I'll be looking for a big Spacewalker. You look for a big 30% Stinson SR-10, and a 40% J-3 Cub. I won't get there until mid morning Friday, so will probably have to set up my sun shade pretty near the end of the flight line. Here are the planes to look for.
Posted on: 10/7/2008 7:45 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8028161

RE: Monster Planes Fly-In
mogman: Thanks.
Posted on: 10/4/2008 7:21 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8018817

RE: Monster Planes Fly-In
Frank: Thanks for the explaination. In my case, with a wife that requires constant care, I never know from one day to the next just what is in store for me. So I ask you this question? What is the last date that one can pre-register with the $50.00 fee? I just want to avoid being penalized with the additional $25.00 late fee, if I can help it, in light of these circumstances.
Posted on: 10/4/2008 4:48 PM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8018520

RE: Monster Planes Fly-In
Mogman: Thanks for pointing out a grammatical error in my post. It has been edited to say : $50.00 pre-registration OR $75.00 when you get there. That's what I meant to say - just typed it wrong.
Posted on: 10/3/2008 11:34 AM by Author "Jim Messer" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8015210