http://www.rcmf.co.uk/4um/index.php/topic,24106.2130/topicseen.html



Wow what a day yesterday was!
 I am beaming from ear to ear, and must have looked at these photos a hundred times each today. What an absolute pleasure to operate and fly this model is. Engine was so well behaved this time. Hopefully a sign of things to come in the future. No indications of any troubles at all. It did not miss a beat all day. The only slight issue was that max rps was only achieved at just above half throttle. Any higher than 3/4 and it started to drop in RPM as the butterfly opened more....... Strange??? Any ideas you lot?
 The plane was stunning to fly. It felt like it was made of helium on the sticks. So light and controllabale. Straight away I felt at ease with it, and I think most of the flight test requirements were met easily in the first two flights.
 It looked great in the air. With such presence and appeal. The sound added somewhat to this.
 Slow flight envelope was staggering. With flaps clean it just would not stall, and even with flap the wing drop came at such a slow speed in was ridiculous. On the second flight I found myself playing with it at about 20 ft with 1/2 flap at just over tickover flying lazy figure of eights round the field like it was a seasoned sport model thatI had been flying for ages.
 Power was about right really. Not overpowered but I wouldn't say underpowered either.  It would perform a series of aerobatics with some energy management. Loops, rolls, half cubans and reverse half cuband were all done without the need for any diving. From a straight and level pass at 3/4 power a nice vertical climb into a wing over was easily achieved.
 Landings were pretty easy, although some practice is needed by me to judge such a large plane with massive momentum and huge amounts of drag. ( The second landing was not hard as Phil claims. It was perfectly smooth..... Just a little bit off road  Whistle)
 All in all a wonderful two flights. Really really memorable. I cant wait to get the stores on it now.
 I will this week decide on a nose art once and for all. This will probably be put on around spring next year. I hope to be taking delivery of the model some time in January so will find the time then to get the cowling to the paint guy ( Unless I go for a pretty simple one and appeal to the kind nature of Mr Clark to apply it while its at fighteraces hangar 1)   
 No more weathering is required. In photos it looks a little clean but in real life its beautiful. Exactly what I wanted. Also after yesterdays 4 engines run my decision to let it weather naturally appeared to be the right decision.
 I wish you guys could see the fuel flow, and the oil stains on the fuselage ( But I doubt photos would do justice)
One of my not so right decisions was saying that I didn't like the drop tank weathering. In real life it looks so different. Although we have agreed ( Well me myself and I have ) that the weathering on the tank needs flatting down a little to tone it down.
 Anyway I am waffling deliriously. Just want to say a massive (200 lbs) thankyou to Phil for his efforts and skills. I don't know of anyone else who I would have the confidence in to even undertake, yet alone complete to this level a project such as this.
 Also thanks to those behind the scenes such as those within the LMA and Longhorsly club who have given so much of their time and support with this project. Especially Andrew Crosby! Who cant use the excuse that my lump of an aeroplane is stopping him from finishing all those projects in that lovely ( Recently more spacious workshop of his)
 Regards Al