Articles & Journals

by Andy Blackburn I originally became interested in PSS because it offered a way to fly models of jet fighters without the expense, noise and complexity of IC ducted fans; things are different now, of course, but PSS models still have attractions in terms of relative simplicity when compared to EDF, and (mainly, TBH) the…

by Scott Edwards Now then, most build logs end with credits to the people who inspired and assisted them.  This one doesn’t.  Instead it starts with blame – shameless abject finger pointing blame, and to who?  That Blackburn chap, that’s who [I say, steady on – Ed]. There I was in my little world of…

by Steven Griffiths – Summer 2001 This project was a joint design by Steve and Mike Briggs, based on Paul Janssens’ original design. Our 40” span P-51D Mustangs built from a modified version of Paul Janssens’ plan had proved to be excellent fliers, managing not just to stay aloft in the light lift at the…

by Steven Griffiths, Summer 2001 Heartened by the ease and speed with which our Tucanos were put together, Mike Briggs and I set out to design a smaller dual-purpose model for PSS or Speed 400 power, and settled on the Fairey Barracuda as a different and, in some respects, challenging subject. Eventually we decided that…

A short series of articles by Steve Griffiths – 2001/2002 Part 1 – Issue No 56 Summer 2001 Ian Simmonds shed a few tears in the Spring 2001 issue over fitting and finishing cockpit canopies, so I thought I might comfort him, or send him into paroxysms of uncontrollable laughter, with a few words about the…

by Steve Griffiths and Mike Briggs  – Spring 2001 Ever on the lookout for another lightish model that could be flown in only moderate lift, we (Mike Briggs and I) felt that a Tucano of around 1:12 scale could be made to fill the bill (Tucano – bill; bill – Tucano), using Selig 3021, fairly…

by Stewart Redfern  – February 2000 We have got to be ‘with it’ so I’m told, but it’s a bit of an exaggeration. My method is more like 80% ‘hopefully’ organic.  My models are definitely biodegradable, some quicker than others! I build the old fashioned way using mainly wood.  All the ‘oldies’ amongst you will…

by Peter Walkinshaw – Summer 1999 Designer Techniques No. 17 I decided for last winters building project to get away from the complexities and frustrations of designing my own aircraft and instead to build from a tried and tested plan.  I came across an article on the DH 108 Swallow by Vic Steel in the…

by Martin Hursthouse – Summer 1999 Designer Techniques No. 18 Fieseler Fi 156 (Storch) Background On April 25th 1945, Hanna Reitsch and General Ritter Von Greim flew into Berlin and landed on the East-West axis near the Brandenburg Gate, there being nowhere else to land. Von Greim, who had been summoned by Hitler to accept…

by George Dexter – Spring 1999 Designer Techniques No. 16 I first heard from George, who lives on the Isle of Wight, in mid 1992 when he was planning to build a PSS model of this majestic flying boat.  The initial article in our newsletter was included in issue No.24 published August 1992.  Since many…

by Terry Lidstone – Autumn 1998 Designer Techniques No. 14 As many readers will know Terry won the PSSA Southern Area Trophy earlier this year with his FJ-4B Fury.  Prior to retirement Terry was a pilot with Malaysian Airlines flying the Boeing 737-400.  He tells me that the full size 737 also glides well and…

by Dave Sanders – Summer 1998 Food for thought Dave has been a PSSA member for over a year now and runs Dave’s Aircraft Works.  He comments generally on combat flying experience in the U.S.A. and provides useful knowledge for all interested in utilising the new EPP foam which produces an almost indestructible PSS model.…

by Cliff Gottfried  – May 1992 News that Cliff had fitted flaps to his small BAe Hawk PSS machine prompted me to ask him for further details.  His speedy reply will make interesting reading, particularly for those fliers currently troubled by fast landing approaches over small landing areas.  Cliff’s comments read as follows : –…

by Phil Cooke – November 1990 Above see Phil Cooke’s Tucano in flight Over the past 2 years I have been doing my GCSE examinations, and for my Woodwork project I decided to design and build a Radio Controlled model glider.  As I have been flying a PSS BAe Hawk for the last 2 years,…

by Paul Janssens – February 1990 Paul, a member from Belgium who flies full-sized jet aircraft, has bought a full-sized LS-6 sailplane and with over 300 hours airtime so far has set a Belgium distance record of 640km (400 miles) – Well Done Paul! His PSS activities do not seem to have been impaired though,…

by Alan Hulme and David Thomas  – November 1988 No, you don’t have spots before your eyes, the title is Gudy 870 Adhesive!  It is the name of a product which has been around for some time, and which is not generally known about.  I have been trying it for the past 6 months and…

by Simon Cocker  – August 1988 I have been almost obsessed with Power Scale Soaring for the past four years or so and to a great extent, to the exclusion of all other aspects of slope soaring. Recent projects have been gradually getting bigger and the foam/veneer construction technique has been introduced in almost every…

by John Hill  – May 1987 John Hill of Leeds completed and successfully flew his De Havilland Canada Dash 8 – a twin engined propliner – a few months ago.  In a recent letter, he gave the following information :- “The Nimrod PSS design inspired me to have a go, mainly because of the construction…

by Alan Hulme Each newsletter it is hoped to have a different PSS modeller putting forward ideas on their own views on model design and construction.  To start the ball rolling your editor offers the following views which I stress are strictly one person’s ideas and not necessarily a consensus of opinion. Most jet aircraft…