Scott, if you have never built an RC model before, I suggest you start with a relatively basic kit, something like the Ultra Stik. That will teach you the basics of kit building and building from plans. You might also invest in an ARF trainer so that you can learn to fly - unless your goal is to simply build a model and do not intend to fly it.
Twins such as the Albatross can be difficult - some twins are better than others, not to say the Albatross is a bad airplane, simply that it is a twin and therefore relatively advanced.
Learn to walk before you run!
Have you looked into hypnotherapy for pain management?
__________________ 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
Scott, if you have never built an RC model before, I suggest you start with a relatively basic kit, something like the Ultra Stik. That will teach you the basics of kit building and building from plans. You might also invest in an ARF trainer so that you can learn to fly - unless your goal is to simply build a model and do not intend to fly it.
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Twins such as the Albatross can be difficult - some twins are better than others, not to say the Albatross is a bad airplane, simply that it is a twin and therefore relatively advanced.
<br>
Learn to walk before you run!
<br>
Yep, absolutely. All great advice and I appreciate it, thank you. The flying boat, whichever one I ultimately decide on (I'm waffling quite badly now after an email exchange with Sturla Snorrason regarding plans for his stunning PBY), is my long-term goal rather than anything near-future.
You've struck on a truth with one comment in particular: I really am more interested in building than flying the PBY/Duck/Albatross. At this point I don't particularly care if it's me or someone else who ends up flying it, so long as I get to see it in the air. That may change once I have a few thousand hours of my sweat invested in it, of course.
As for my flying, I intend to start with some very simple foam board jobs so there's minimal heartbreak when I inevitably wind one around a tree or spread it across the lawn. Flite Test has some great starter projects, they even have some simple foam board twins to learn with as I advance.
I know I have a long road ahead, but that's kind of the point of the exercise as I have a surplus of time which, on the days when the pain doesn't have me flat out, needs filling.
Quote:
Have you looked into hypnotherapy for pain management
I have, but thanks for the suggestion. Apparently there's something screwy with my wiring that makes me resistant to hypnosis, or that's what I interpreted from the therapists explanation. I have also tried acupuncture, chiropractic, laser and massage therapies, all to no avail. The acupuncture actually made it worse.
I've been referred to a specialist who has been having some success with spinal stimulators, but there is a long waiting list so I'm 6 - 8 months away at best before I even get to talk to her.
Ah well, there's still life to be lived when I'm able so I take advantage of the good days as best I can in the meantime.
Thanks again for the advice, it's just that sort of stuff I was looking for when I joined this forum.
Hi and welcome. I am just getting back on my feet again. I haven't flown in a few decades. I plan to get an E-flite apprentice S 15 trainer. It has safe flight technology and goes from beginner to expert with a flip of a switch on the X-mitter. Go to their website and check it out. I have back problems as well not to your extent, and am also an electrician. I won't be able to fly until spring as being from Detroit winter is coming and the fields around here are closed for the season. Again welcome and remember the only stupid question is the one not asked!
I will second the motion on the Apprentice. We have 2 in our club that we use as trainers for interested spectators. Earlier version without "safe flight" but we always have them on buddy boxes. Big enough to see and don't require dead calm days to fly. Everything you need is in the box, at least when we bought ours it was.
Cheers guys. I've just had a wee peek at the Apprentice. I really like the idea of having a panic button, although it presumes that I will have the presence of mind to hit it in time to save the model. Chuckle.
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.
Scott, not an Albatross or a Duck, but Model Aviation has a plan, at 48" electric, for the Goose., by Paul Kohlman. Should be fairly easy to enlarge.
Have you tried the Model Airplane News plan service? They have a sale every year about this time. Also see if you can find the plans from Model Builder, also check Traplett (English)
If you get lucky you might find and be able to get them from RC Modeler Plans service, although be leary - several people have had bad luck, but when I ordered (several years ago) I got my order in reasonable time.
__________________ 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
Scott, not an Albatross or a Duck, but Model Aviation has a plan, at 48" electric, for the Goose., by Paul Kohlman. Should be fairly easy to enlarge.
Have you tried the Model Airplane News plan service? They have a sale every year about this time. Also see if you can find the plans from Model Builder, also check Traplett (English)
If you get lucky you might find and be able to get them from RC Modeler Plans service, although be leary - several people have had bad luck, but when I ordered (several years ago) I got my order in reasonable time.
I'll have a look at both. Thanks very much, Jeff. As it happens, I've purchased a set of Albatross plans from an eBay seller (I know, I know, but it's like gambling - don't bring more than you're prepared to lose). If they're crap, well, they weren't expensive and worst case is that I paid for some printed three-views. If they are decent I win.
I'll report in when I've received them and post a pic or two of part of them to see what the forums thoughts are. I have also decided that I will purchase a set of Sturlas PBY plans after getting a glimpse of them and perusing his build photos. Long term plans...
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