Show us your favourite toys Boyz… and Girlz

SpeedyPhill · Apr 27, 2019

These guys have a nice scale model:
.

madjestikmoose · Apr 27, 2019

I have a couple of toys... no owls though... the first photo is of the Quad Artera Solus hi-fi system I acquired a year ago after upgrading from vintage Quad 303/33 amps. Wish I could post what it sounds like.

The second is more in keeping with the flight-theme on this forum - my DJI Phantom 3 drone which I love equally. I’ve also posted a few favourite photos I’ve taken with it 😀

Flatfoot · Apr 27, 2019

SpeedyPhill
These guys have a nice scale model:
.

Man, this would have been awesome to have as a kid....

as a kid back in 1969-70, I built a cardstock model of the LEM. I believe the kit was given away as a gas station gift/premium. Hmm...If one were to scale those cardstock model patterns up, grab some plywood and go to town... my 11 year old mind races...

I bet these folks above have to chase off all the neighborhood kids with a stick.

Flatfoot · Apr 27, 2019

BenCulverhouse
I have a couple of toys... no owls though... the first photo is of the Quad Artera Solus hi-fi system I acquired a year ago after upgrading from vintage Quad 303/33 amps. Wish I could post what it sounds like.

The second is more in keeping with the flight-theme on this forum - my DJI Phantom 3 drone which I love equally. I’ve also posted a few favourite photos I’ve taken with it 😀

These images are simply fabulous.

Omegafanman · Apr 28, 2019

@Flatfoot
Thanks so much for sharing your hobby and the video links. The detail is amazing and the trimming skills are awesome. How do you balance the twin engines - hard to get the same power / run time but they seem to work?
The speed and power ratio looks perfect on these models. RC aircraft can be hard to photograph and never seem to truly match real aircraft characteristics in flight. Yours really fly / look amazing. Apart from the prop sizes you could be watching a full scale flypast - really enjoyed those / thanks again :0)

Omegafanman · Apr 28, 2019

Thinking free flight models did anyone catch James May's toy stories with the record (22 miles) old school design glider flight (Slingsby Swallow- reminiscent of the Keil Kraft) Ok it was not 100% free flight with control surfaces / servo and onboard GPS but there was still no external control. I would love this toy but could not afford helicopter launch costs :0) I imagine it could have gone a lot further since it circled a while losing height to land.

Omegafanman · Apr 28, 2019

Gemini 10...… GI Joe / Action Man and the missing Major Tom.
I do have a few of these Astronauts plus a capsule so I am not breaking the 'own toys' thread rule too much... I thought this first video was fun and the second shows that space / near space is tough..... even for toys, with total structural failure for Gemini 10... I wonder if Major Tom will ever be found ….. breakin up....she is breaking up.....but they could rebuild him :0)
Not sure how he managed to get his visor down post ejection.... These old toys know how to look after themselves..

Flatfoot · Apr 28, 2019

Omegafanman
@Flatfoot
Thanks so much for sharing your hobby and the video links. The detail is amazing and the trimming skills are awesome. How do you balance the twin engines - hard to get the same power / run time but they seem to work?
The speed and power ratio looks perfect on these models. RC aircraft can be hard to photograph and never seem to truly match real aircraft characteristics in flight. Yours really fly / look amazing. Apart from the prop sizes you could be watching a full scale flypast - really enjoyed those / thanks again :0)

@Omegafanman, glad you enjoyed the videos.
The trimming of a finished model is a challenging process sometimes. It's a balancing act of maintaining stability longitudinally and laterally, plus finding the best prop size and motor cross section. After building and flying a number of birds, it becomes easier to predict stability problems, and work to overcome them in the design phase. Of course, we are surrounded by others who do this, so there is a very active sharing of information and "tribal knowledge" among all of us builders and flyers. The people who do this are just simply a whole lot of fun to hang out with. I'll be spending the better part of a week in upstate NY at Geneseo this July with about 200 others who build and fly these birds. And timing my flights with a Speedmaster!

For twins, most folks make counter- rotating (C/R) props. One prop spins one way, and the other spins the opposite way. Consequently there is no asymmetrical torque effect problems from the paired C/R props when compared to having both props spin the same way. Careful counting of the turns added to each rubber motor while winding, and ensuring smooth consistent unwinding of each motor gives the best shot at having a nice smooth flight. If one prop/motor binds up early in flight, there is the near certainty of a crash. ...Ask me how I know...😵‍💫. And ask any multi-engine rated pilot!

If you have even a casual interest, I can point anyone in the right direction to attend a FF meet nearly anywhere in the USA, or the U.K. /Europe and learn more first hand. FF scale emphasizes building- there are very few RTF models you can buy. But there are some really good, simple kits available to start with, and a phalanx of people willing to help you get them trimmed and flying.

Omegafanman · Apr 28, 2019

@Flatfoot Thanks for the explanation which makes sense and does not detract from the magic. I forgot to mention the lack of 'RC' background high pitch engine noise which lets you focus on the aircraft more - another big tick and much more pleasant. Also low cost hobby compared to RC so easier for family / kids to try. I have a current hit list and I am time poor for taking on new ideas at the moment but I will keep this in mind for the future.

Omegafanman · Apr 29, 2019

Carpet burns again from the weekend..... actually after a long time in storage this has now gone to a proper toys home with a 10 year old who's dark side makes Darth Vader look amateur …. I give it a week before the force dies in this saber :0(

Omegafanman · May 2, 2019

Das Boot … U16 Emden tribute mission to the USS Nautilus (SSN-571)
Ok so the Nautilus made it under the North pole ice shelf but could my little fully functional RC submarine make it under the deep-water beer stool shelf. Exceeding its rated dive depth by nearly 5 times it was a big ask…but I had got bored on holiday so why not set a tough mission. Dive 1 was a success but sadly despite some advanced superglue mods to the pressure hull it was all too much on Dive 2… water and chlorine on the electronics is never good / she could not take any more Captain…. All engines stop :0(
I was still impressed that this little sub made it the first time (full-function 3 channel 27MHz radio system / 0.15 knots).