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Imbecilliac Basic Member
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Joined: November/06/2016 Canada Posts: 24 IP Logged
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Posted: November/09/2016 at 4:37pm |
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Hi folks, I'm new (like, green as grass new) to the RC world and this site so here I am saying 'hi'.
Hi.
A little background in case anyone is interested:
I'm a 50 year-old electrician from the wilds of Ontario. I grew up in a two-to-three (depending on the year and state of the economy) airplane family - dad got his pilot license when I was 9 or 10 and went through a few in his quest for the "perfect" float plane. He usually bought basket-cases and rebuilt them (I was free labour for some of the more mundane tasks like sanding longerons and rib stitching) so I've always had an interest in flying, which I did a lot of from the back seat of a number of different machines.
He finally found the one he was looking for when he built it - a bit of a mongerel with a salvaged Wag-Aero ST fuselage and tail feathers, Aeronca Champ wings and a 90hp Continental riding on floats of his own design. It worked really well. Even though he's been gone for 7 years now, I still see it flying quite often (mom sold it after he passed).
I inherited his PA-11 that was in real need of recovering but, at that time, I was so busy with life that I didn't see myself ever having the time and sold it to someone more likely to enjoy it.
Life is funny. I've since had spinal surgery to correct a problem that has left me with moderate-to-severe chronic pain and unable to work (nobody seems to be jumping at the chance to hire someone who may or may not be able to report to work or remain at work once there), or even perform most tasks around the house that require the slightest exertion lest I aggravate an already difficult condition.
This left me with a lot of spare time to fill and, after spending days, weeks, months with little to do but watch Netflix and explore the internet (I know what you're thinking but, perhaps surprisingly, no porn) for inspiration I landed on the idea of RC modeling. I built a few balsa kits when I was young and remember enjoying it so, added to my past experience with being around full-scale builds, it seemed like a good fit and here I am.
I'm planning to, on my better days, take my first steps into what appears to be a very entertaining hobby. From what I've seen so far this site is populated by some incredibly talented people from whom I hope to learn, provided you're willing to put up with a bunch of stupid questions from someone who tends to prattle on at great length about very little of interest.
Anyway, hello all. Nice to be here.
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Alan Site Supporter
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Joined: December/10/2003 United States Posts: 15420 IP Logged
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Posted: November/09/2016 at 4:50pm |
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There are no stupid questions, but sometimes the answers might be different.
__________________ Please engage Brain before operating tongue or machinery.
"Scale Detail equals Weight"
Alan
Woodway, TX
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J_Whitney Moderator Group
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Joined: November/10/2003 United States Posts: 7412 IP Logged
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Posted: November/09/2016 at 7:21pm |
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Quote: Alan
There are no stupid questions, but sometimes the answers might be different.
I like that quote Alan!
Imbecilliac, welcome to RCSB. There are indeed some marvelous modelers here, and we all learn from each other. Strap in and take the ride!
Take a look at the site supporter program too (HERE) - if you choose to become a supporter it will allow you so much more access to the site.
__________________ Jeff
Castro Valley, CA
The essential paradox of our democracy is that our warriors fight and die for our right to dispute the cause for which they are fighting and dying.
Let me know if I can help
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foodstick Lifetime Site Supporter
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Joined: November/22/2007 United States Posts: 1953 IP Logged
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Posted: November/09/2016 at 11:16pm |
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Nice introduction ..it sounds like you came to the right place ;) Once you find an airplane, or even a Genre that appeals to you..It will be fun to see what you get up to ! Be warned that tinkering with these things can be satisfying to the point it becomes an addiction.
As long as you have fun you are doing it right.
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graphic5 Lifetime Site Supporter
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Joined: April/21/2009 Canada Posts: 1444 IP Logged
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Posted: November/09/2016 at 11:53pm |
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Welcome IM. You have picked a great site if you wish to learn, this site offers all a new modeler needs to get hooked on this hobby. As Jeff already advised take a look at becoming a site supporter, you wont regret it.
__________________ It is easier to see if it is bigger
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Cobra1gwt Lifetime Site Supporter
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Joined: July/06/2012 United States Posts: 119 IP Logged
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Posted: November/10/2016 at 12:00am |
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Welcome! You will find most everyone here helpful and not (too) judgmental. Opinions are that way you know. Like you I've had two back surgeries and 5 and a half years ago came down with Guillian Barre' Syndrome which has left me in almost constant pain. I have recovered from GBS as far as will probably get. Again, we welcome you. Gerald
__________________ AMA# 2806
FAA# FA3RANMNHN
FCC# KM4BUU
From beautiful Central Florida
Current Project...1/5 scale: Bell XP63H
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poppawang Basic Member
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Joined: July/14/2011 Canada Posts: 107 IP Logged
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Posted: November/10/2016 at 1:54pm |
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+1 on all of the comments.Welcome, its always good to see another Canuck. This hobby becomes an obsession/addiction and we are all dedicated enablers. Where aboot are you in Ontario? I'm in Denfield, just north of London.
Andy
__________________ Next in Line: 1 of 500+ planes on my list. First pick changes daily.
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Imbecilliac Basic Member
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Joined: November/06/2016 Canada Posts: 24 IP Logged
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Posted: November/11/2016 at 12:39am |
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Wow. Thanks for the warm welcome, folks!
Different answers are almost always more entertaining than the usual ones so I'm prepped and ready. I always wear flame-proof underwear when I set foot into a new forum anyway. ;) As I said, I'm a complete newb to RC so I expect to be the target of lots of "different" answers for the next wee bit. The internet is a superb learning tool but it's no substitute for the experience you gents have.
Cobra, I'd be interested in hearing what methods, if any, you've found that help dealing with constant pain. I'm a couple years into this now and, according to the surgeon, things are about as good as they're ever going to be. Some days it's more or less tolerable but other days are somewhat more difficult so any insights you've gleaned would be most welcome. I'm hoping the distraction offered by a challenging build will help.
I'm currently looking for a comprehensive set of flying boat plans, leaning toward either a PBY, Grumman Albatross or Duck. Not as a first build, I'm ambitious but I do recognize the learning curve limitations. I have a couple of simple foam builds in mind for the inevitable crash 'n' swear portion of the hobby, followed by a pink foam (I've already built a couple of hotwire cutters while working as maintenance manager at a sunroom manufacturing company - who knew that would come in handy so many years later?) Cub for which I've found a beautifully detailed set of plans, onto which I'd like to eventually add a set of EDO floats.
If anyone knows of a reliable source for the Albatross or Duck I'd appreciate you pointing me toward them. I've spoken with Ivan Pettigrew (very impressive fellow) about his Albatross plans and, while they're probably what I'll eventually end up going with, he's warned me that the quality isn't as good as he'd like and to call the landing gear "difficult" to build is understating it so if there's a cleaner set out there somewhere I'd like to find it.
Poppawang (great handle, btw), I'm north of Peterborough in Ennismore, about three hours to your north-east, surrounded by lakes and farms so the flying potential is pretty fair. Where do you go in the GWN for inexpensive gear like servos, motors, etc? I like to shop locally but Hobby King seems to be selling that stuff for less than 25% of what the Canadian sites do and I can't bring myself to put $25 servos and $100 motors into something I know is going to get hammered mercilessly until I learn not to auger things into the tundra.
Cheers,
Scott.
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