Totally impressed with the craftsmanship and generosity of everyone here.

My background is varied to say the least:

Modelling experience started with Airfix and Revell with a bit of Tamiya thrown in at birthdays and Xmas, but started RC modelling at about 10, so 45 years ago now...

Mostly gliders, lots of Chris Foss and a few semi scale kits. 

Soon got into scratch building but mainly focusing on the aerodynamic/performance side.

Probably built over 200 planes by now, some semi-scale kits but nothing serious until recently, although I have been doing scale features for friends' aircraft for a few years.

The P51, albeit a renovated ARF is the first 'proper' scale plane I've fully built, but I feel like a fraud compared to the talents and dedication of many modelers here.

Although I have been a chef, carpenter, operations manager, visa courier, dispatch rider, sailing instructor in other lives, I have also worked in full size aviation :

300hrs on a US (lapsed) PPL

5000 flights / 8 years as a flight dispatcher (singapore airlines, Iberia, Royal Brunei, Austrian to name a few) as a contract dispatcher for British Midland Handling at Heathrow.

20 hours gliding in the Austrian alps.

Oh, and an Aerospace engineering degree from Kingston.

Lots of fun and interesting work, but my deep passion is RC modeling, since it is the only way to indulge wild aeronautical whims, without a multi-million £ budget.

Ultimate goal is to build a turbine powered version of this design:

 

Full size of course, but for now, I'm working on test rigs to get the aerodynamics worked out, then a model, then the full size. Does the model count as a scale model if the full size doesn't exist yet?

Anyway, great to be here and very grateful to the feedback and advice I have already received in such a short time. Looking forward to lots more.

Tony

Welcome to RCSB, looking forward to your build!

Down in Tonbridge Kent