Designer Techniques

by Simon Cocker September 2009 Members Articles Forever pushing the envelope in the quest for bigger thrills – Simon Cocker has written in to describe what we believe to be an exciting new aspect to PSS flying, combining sturdy PSS models with the pursuit for speed via Dynamic Soaring.   PSDS has been born in the…

by Anders Lindström – August 2009 Anders Lindström writes from Sweden to describe his latest O/D PSS model, the impressive Comet racer. The De Havilland DH-88 Comet must be one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built.  It flew in the MacRobertson Race in 1934 from Great Britain to Australia. The sleek elliptical wing and…

by Terry Lidstone – January 2009 I have recently finished a version of Andy Blackburn’s latest o/d CAD  plan of the English Electric Canberra B.2.  I opted for the T.4 version which differs only slightly, ie 2 crew seats, 2 DV panels and no glazing in the nose.  The attached photos show the all-balsa construction…

by Andy Conway – Autumn 2001 Designer Techniques No. 22 When asked why build a stubby delta for the slope and will it fly mister? Well when you look at it, there is an unusual shaped fuselage for a start, a nice elongated teardrop with the ends chopped off, also plenty of wing area: –…

by Stewart Redfern – Spring 2001 Stewart has already had plans of his Supermarine Spiteful and a Supermarine Attacker PSS models published in R/C model magazines – see the plans guide on this site.  His latest model, now successfully flown is the Avro 707A delta, one of 3 similar sized test models in the Avro…

by Gareth Logan – Summer 2000 Designer Techniques No. 19 I have built and flown a variety of PSS types in recent times, and like many began with an Andy Conway Hawk.  This was swiftly followed by the Jim Strain Victor and a Ron Collins Mustang.  All excellent choices for all conditions.  At some point…

by Jack Edwards  – Spring 1998 Jack Edwards gives us the details on his A320-200 Airbus, and takes us back to school – where it all began. This model aircraft started its life in 1990 as “An Airliner”, it was hung up in the hall of Longridge C of E Primary School for a week,…

by Andy Conway  – Spring 1998 Designer Techniques No. 12 Have you heard of the GODFATHER Alan Hulme, you know the type who makes an offer that you can’t refuse.  I.e. “we need an article for the magazine”, you know it makes sense not to argue.  Alan says “here is a list of your designs…

by Ron Collins  – Winter 1997 Designer Techniques No. 9 Ron Collins designed and built this fine Boeing B-47 Stratojet a year or so ago.  He has proved its excellent flying capabilities on various slopes since then.  Here in Ron’s own words are his views on the project. CONFESSIONS OF A MODEL ADDICT Models.  I…

by Alan Hulme  – Winter 1997 Designer Techniques No. 10 A few years back your editor decided to develop a series of WWII fighters which could be constructed easily, have good flying capabilities and be small enough to carry to the hill tops without stopping for a second wind. At around this time Micromold produced…

by Jim Ellis  – August 1997 Designer Techniques No. 7 Jim’s trials, tribulations and success in producing this scratch built model are recorded by him in his blow by blow account. How I built my 60” Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4/Trop “Yellow 14” or If only I had planned it properly in the first place! The Me-109…

by Martin Hursthouse  – August 1997 Designer Techniques No. 8 Martin, a recently joined PSSA member, has successfully designed, built and flown his Firebrand and helpfully contributes the sequence of events for our benefit. This was one of those projects which shouldn’t really have happened, but it did.  A trip to the Vintage Glider meeting in…

by Paul Janssens  – Summer 1997 Designer Techniques No. 6 Paul Janssens, who is known to many of us as a leading continental PSS model designer and flyer, has contributed this article on what may well turn out to be a most popular PSS model for beginners.  Construction is quite straight forward and Paul has…

by Martin Whitelaw  – December 1996 Designer Techniques No. 1 Martin Whitelaw takes us through the stages of his Gloster Javelin T Mk.3, from conception to maiden flight. When Alan Hulme asked me, or was it commanded(?) to write an article on one of my PSS projects I thought this was a chance to put…

by Neil McHardy  – December 1996 Designer Techniques No. 2 Neil McHardy’s 48″ span Messerschmitt Me.262 built to 1/12th scale and using the Eppler 205 wing section has been one of the most successful models seen on the slope in recent years.  Here Neil provides us with the inside information on his thinking behind the…