The web site has been very neglected over the last six months after a few health issues (now resolved I hope) and my involvement in some projects elsewhere. However I have now found some time to put the “fingers to the keyboard” (a modern take on “pen to paper”) and have finally put together an article I promised to do many, many months ago.
Doc Baldock & Peter Daniel’s Models
I have often called for material to put articles together and unfortunately, not many members respond but two such members, Peter Daniel and Steve “Doc” Baldock, have (via Peter) sent quite a few photos over a long period of time.
For those who may not be familiar with Peter and “Doc”, they have been members of LMAC for many years. Peter was also a past secretary/treasurer of the club (some 8 yrs or more). They were regular mid week flyers at our old site but these days we do not see them at Symmons Plains as they have found a flying site near to where “Doc” lives in Evandale and they find it more convenient to fly there. Peter has other commitments on Saturdays and that precludes his attaendance at Club Days. We were very pleased to see them at our Christmas function and if Peter is not away on his winter holidays (as was the case this year), he makes the effort to attend AGM’s as well.
Doc is the “Doc” in “Doc Signs” the signwriting business in Wellington St in Launceston. Doc sold the business and retired a number of years ago however he has lost none of his creativity that was reflected in his business days. Many will have noticed the Air Pageant sign in our clubhouse, which is a Doc creation.
Doc and Peter are scratch builders and most projects are “joint” efforts. Peter is Doc’s official “test pilot” and knowing the time and effort that goes into building these models, admits some trepidation when he is about to maiden a model.
Here are some of their creations.
Model: Bristol M1c
¼ scale
Wing Span: 96”
Power: NTM 50/50 motor
Scratch built. Plans drawn by Doc from 3D views in Janes Encyclopaedia
Completed around October 2013
Some words from Peter….
“Just for your info Steve B and myself have finished a new scale model 40% scale of a Bristol M1c. “Red Devil” ·You can see it on Google in the wikipedia site if you are interested. It has 96″ span and is powered by an NTM 50/50 motor. It flew perfectly on it’s maiden flight with two clicks of up. In all the excitement we forgot a camera but will get some snaps of it next week in the air. Steve drew up the plan by overhead projector from a plan in an aircraft 3 view plan book he has. It looks quite beautiful.” Peter Daniel
(Pictures below and I’m sure you’ll agree. the model looks great. G)
Apart from the RC and power plant etc. everything else is scratch built, including the scale details!
Model: Junkers D1
Wing Span: 82”
Power:NTM 50/50 & 6s LiPo 2000W~
Scratch built. Plans drawn by Doc from 3D views in Janes Encyclopaedia
Completed: October 2014
“The plane is a Junkers D1.It was the first all metal fighter aircraft ever built and was constructed from corrugated duralumin. Apparently it could be broken down into sections for transportation quite easily. It first appeared in 1914.··Steve has built it with an 82 inch w/span from a 3 view in Janes encyclopaedia of WW1 aircraft which was enlarged up to the relevant size. He has powered it with a Turnigy 50/50 outrunner and 6 cell Lipo producing just under 2000 w.· The paint scheme is the one represented in Jane’s
May 14, 2014 – We didn’t fly the D1 today as I found a couple of items that I was not happy about . We ground tested it only and she was very good on taxi. Doc and I remedied the problems after flying this morning and will try again next Wednesday.
May 21, 2014 – As test pilot I can say that it tracks very well on taxi and after a very hairy maiden flight· now flies very well after a change to main wing decalage.” Peter Daniel
The scale detail to cut all the grooves to simulate the corrugated duralumin and the armament looks great. Not to mention the engine detail as well. (Looks like the windscreen has slipped). Geat job “Doc”
The model below is my favourite. I just love the rigging and the scale detail in this one too. Getting the fuselage alignment must have been a challenge when all it is is bits of wire!
1912 Farman Shorts floatplane twin seater.
Wingspan···· 68”
Fuselage length·· 50”
Wing cord···· 10”
Motor: NTM 35/48-B· 1100 kv
Prop·· 11×6
Front floats· 26”
Rear floats· 12”
Scratch built. Plans drawn by Doc from 3D views in Janes Encyclopaedia
Completed: December 2014
To put the model size in perspective, the rear floats are 1′ and the front floats are over 2′ long!!
Don’t you love the “Biggles” look on the pilots? – I do.
Originally built by the French company Farman Brothers it was used in World War 1 as a torpedo bomber.
“December 10, 2014 – Flew it off the dam on our field at Relbia today.. Went quite well and no mishaps.
Doc has retired it and donated it to the Evandale Historical rooms for display.” Peter D
The next one is one of Peter’s own models.
Vic Smeed Design Mam’selle
Wingspan: approx. 10′
Motor: Turnigy 50/50
Prop: 18×6
Battery: 5s LiPo
Some words from Peter –
October 14, 2014 – Just a quick note to let you see the new old timer that I hope to maiden tomorrow.· It’s a Vic Smeed design and is called a “Mam’selle”. I have built it three times the size of the original which brings it out to just under a 10’ wingspan and weighs just over 11 lbs. I have greatly reduced the dihedral and added ailerons and elevator as it was original a free flight model. Hoping for a still day which at the moment looks possible.
October 15, 2014 – Test flew today which was a perfect day for it. She ran down the strip and without any elevator from me gently lifted off after 20 metres and climbed out with a shallow climb.
She was so good to fly, and I could not stall the thing holding full back elevator and power gradually reducing. All she did was dip the nose down and glide away. Without a doubt she is the best (most relaxing) model to fly in my 23 strong fleet.
April 29, 2015 – Peter has since built a 12′ span Mam’selle and here are some details and pictures of that model. and I received this message –
I agree, Old timers are my favourite as well (5 in the hanger) as you can relax , fly safely, and talk to mates at the same time.
Doc is not happy.. Today he took his 10’ Mam’selle off on the wrong model setting today and broke it in half, but all is well on the road to recovery as I write, so hopefully back in the air next Wednesday.
I do have a number of very slippery models as well but after a day out with some of them I come home DRAINED.·
Vic Smeed Design Mam’selle
Wingspan: approx. 12′
Motor: Turnigy 50/50
ESC – 100A
Prop: 19×6
Battery: 5s or 6s LiPo
A big thank you to Peter for collating all the pictures and details and to Doc & Peter for sharing their models with us. Lastly, Peter and “Doc” we hope you’ll grace our next scale day with a display of your beautiful models?
Peter has just emailed me this – “When an old timer event is on we will really try to get there but I’m afraid the running club takes priority as I am the Club’s handicapper (one of two) and need to be there to both run myself and see how runners are going· etc.”· We might have to nobble one of the running events to get him to enter an Old Timer! He also advise they have a few more models to share so I’ll get these in the next article.
I know many of our members have created some fantastic models but if you want them on the web site for family, friends and the world to see, do as Peter Daniel did and drop me a line with photos and some text and I’ll place your pride and joy on the web for all to see. This is great to demonstrate your skills and it promotes LMAC by showing a wide variety of models on display. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be there when you maiden your model or know all the facts about it and I especially I can’t do it without your help. (Apologies to Peter and Doc for taking so long to to promote their efforts).
Don’t forget, “Put a spark in your life and fly electric” – George