Questions

[Tabitha64]

No fly, I just love building them. And too many rules to fly.

[Bill Gaylord]

I'm somewhere in the middle of that flowchart David. Many of my builds fly once or twice, and then are displayed. I enjoy building them more than flying, and hate to see models destroyed. The flying part to me is simply knowing that it actually can fly and is a functional model, but beyond that building is the main enjoyment. I've had technical responses from the "experts" on the rc forums, some a bit overly critical, telling me that I must do this and that... Reality is that it likely will not fly again after the maiden, and I just want to move onto the next build.

[squirlye]

I used to build them to hang on my ceiling. But that was after I tried flying them. When I was a kid I had no idea on how to correctly make them fly. Now I want them to fly correctly. But I think I will build a few for static. My older brother used to build some of the best static ever. His had working flaps,elevators, rudders, retractable gear, etc. He made the cockpits as realistic as possible. And all of this in the early 80s, no internet for references. He would use the same techniques as Dave. But he would cut out aluminum foil panels and attach the to the model. And then paint over the aluminum. If the paint got scratched it looked even more realistic. I will have to try it sometime. I just wish my brother lived closer. Then we could build side by side again, just like when we were kids.

[Phugoid]

For a limey this comes as somewhat of a shock, as so many people have told me over the years that you Yanks don't get sarcasm.......

[Mitch]

FLY

Not all my models fly, but I build them TO fly. To me it is a challage and comprimise of scale fidelity and flight performance.

Mitch

PS: I also build NO FLY, those are the 1/48 plastic... Usually WW1 models

[jpuke]

Build them to fly!

I started with building these when I was around 16 and had no luck at all getting them to fly. I stockpiled a bunch of models at the time and eventually college, marriage, kids, etc. helped me forget about modeling for a while. I picked it up again two years ago, and with the wealth of information on the internet was able to see that these planes really CAN fly, something which I'd never seen before in my own experience. I now build about one plane every three months, fly it until it has wrecked itself, give the carcass to my kids and start on another.

Nothing made me smile more than to see a Guillows Chipmunk fly for the first time around Apr. 2011. The other reason to fly them is that once they're destroyed, the issue of where and how to display them is resolved.

[rayd]

Dave, interesting question. Numerous variables involved in my opinion. Personal choice of course, but lots more which change with time and modelers age/experiences. Where one lives, city, rural, conjested areas..various laws, ordinaces, hazardous substances, eg dope, fuel, litigation issues, areas once vacant with no rules now used for other purposes, or you get chased away. Perhaps unruly youngsters nearby, limitations in some building supplies...old school methods limited, costs up, toxic odors/alergies, hobby shops limited, some poorly supplied and not always user friendly.

How about living conditions...own a home with private grassy areas? Nice neighbors? Have a family, spouse, a place to build without worrying about strong odors, making a mess, or storing "stuff". You're gonna have a mess, sawdust etc....hopefully, modeller keeps area neat and keeps paints, razor blades etc out of little ones reach. What does one do with finished models...store indefinitely, donate, sell,...flying models take up more room than static plastic ones. Or, do modellers pass 'em down to kids? yours, others? Will they share your enthusiasm, past, present?

In my decades of interest, I've been thru lots of these variables. Given a choice of ONLY ONE, I'd select Flying Model... conditions permitting. One learns more with this and can apply it to many projects. Construction builds not only an airplane, but teaches various skills....and if the thing gets airborne, wow! .... a rush of sorts which will not be forgotton. Its likely to crash at some time, or get chewed by the dog, or get stepped on, while the plastic one may stand proudly on a chest of drawer maybe, longer, but gathering dust. This is not a really a put down on static/plastic models....they are part of the experience, and valuable lessons can be learned, matching up pieces, painting, lining things up, etc and proudly displaying a nicely detailed model.

I see I've consumed too much coffee this morning but felt the need to yak a bit. Given the two, I'll vote for Flying. For, in the classic sense, using traditional balsa, it involves building...in itself a great way to learn, also modifying....to fine tune things with the flying itself. Hey! did it fly...even if a little? Congratulations. Did it not? Don't give up. You learned a lot building that plane....and you're gonna think about the experience for a long time. Some day, you may want to build a flying model again. They're pretty good for any age. I guess many of us may select something midway.. some static, some flying. That's ok...but do try to get your kids involved in this rewarding, educational hobby.

[SteveM]

Very humorous. I'd have said "6 what?" because a number without units is meaningless.

[Phugoid]

Apart from dimensionless quantities that is

[SteveM]

Even then we give them names and symbols to show what they are for, such as pi and e. The way my mother talks "6 eggs" in the context of grocery shopping would actually mean 6 cartons of a dozen eggs each.

[yellowlynn]

The question "fly, or no fly" never entered my mind when I started building model airplanes. In 1938 or 39, I thought ALL model planes should fly. That was long before plastics. The kits came with thick balsa props, and weight, trim, and such never entered an 8-9 year olds mind. Pennies were too dear to think of BUYING sandpaper, so build, and hope for the best. Double edge razor blades and all.

It amuses me no end to think how far I am behind. I still build once in a while, but old and shaky makes gluing ANYTHING in place to be almost a comical pastime. It all comes out crooked, and busted and mended so many time, even before I start covering, that flying makes me snicker. First, and foremost, I enjoy myself. If one ever flew, I'd probably have a heart attack.

I read all entries and one of these days I may even turn out one that"kinda" glides.

Lynn

[Mitch]

I hear you Lynn... loud and clear... the ONLY reason I bought my FIRST Guillows model is because the box said "SCALE FLYING MODEL" I think it cost 99 cents and with 2 cents sales tax I think I was a penny short, but the owner of the store sold it to me! That was a 100 series Fokker D-8.

Used Moms pins and Dads Razorblade and Built it on a piece of Plywood.... Yes My fingers were sore and bloodied...

Now I have fancy tools, but still remember my beginnings... I want it to FLY! Mitch

[Bill Gaylord]

I assumed the post originated, as David's planes appear to be flying models, with separated control surfaces and excellent workmanship. I imagine people often ask if they are flying models.

[joecrouse]

Did you use Visio to make that or another flow chart maker?
And what kind of font is that? Inquiring minds want to know.
(You didn't specify WHICH questions to ask)