The whole month of March was spent taking turns on the flu with the rest of my family, so not much control line activity. At least I managed to get my kit stash organized a bit. I also picked up a couple of Thunder Tiger .36 Pro engines as I've devided to cross over into the dark side - Control Line Navy Carrier. Our club (Reno Sparks Control Liners - a.k.a. RaSCaLs) is fortunate to have Eric Connelly as a member, and I think I can learn a lot from him. You can find rules for the various carrier classes at the Navy Carrier Society web site. A good source for general carrier information is the Carrier Discussion board on Stunt Hangar. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your time here. As always, have fun and please be sure to sign the Guest Book.
Crossing over to the Dark Side
Well, I haven't given up on Stunt, but I've decided to expand my horizons by delving into Control Line Navy Carrier. I'm really excited about it, but also kind of sad. Sad for the event that is... To me, Navy Carrier looks like an event with tons of potential. I like it because the models look like real airplanes (most of them anyway) yet aren't as complicated to build as a Scale bird. The flight routine is challenging, yet with much lower risk of crashing than, say, learning the Stunt pattern. The models (many at least) are very rugged, so if you do crash, the chance of damage is minimal. Yet, with all these things going for it, the popularity of Carrier continues to languish...
Why it's languishing is a subject unto itself. For now I'm just looking forward to trying it. My first plane will be an MO-1 powered by a Thunder Tiger 36, and yes it will have a slider. I don't really like the looks of the MO-1, but for a first attempt at carrier flying I think it is probably my best choice. It looks simple to build compared to the other carrier planes I've seen, it seems to be fairly rugged, and crash repairs should be easy. Als, I'm kind og an old school type person, and I think high wing airplanes make better trainers than low wing airplanes. Any way, I'm anxious to get started. It looks like it could be built in just a couple of weeks (so at the rate I build, I'll have it ready to fly by the end of April... 2013:).
Still A Good Time to be Buying on EBay
Most of the model airplane stuff I like is outdated and long out of production - hence, only available on the "previously owned" market. Lately I've been finding some
. There was a time not too long ago when just about any vintage item would go for "collector" style prices - meaning more than I could usually affford. Lately though, prices have become more reasonable. In the past month or two I've picked up several Sterling Beginner Series 1/2A control line kits for around $20 - a year ago these were going for $40 and up. I also picked up a really nice Bridi Soar Birdy kit for $65 (including shipping), a Sterling Skyshark, and a NIP Cox Babe Bee. Of course, if you're an EBay veteran, this won't be news for you. If you've never experienced Ebay though,
and check out the deals you can find.
Selling on EBay
As good a time as it is to be a buyer on EBay, the same can't be said for selling. Prices that are good for buyers aren't so good for sellers. Although I've had good luck selling on EBay in the past, lately I've noticed few watchers and fewer bidders - even on items you'd expect to fetch a good price (not to say that some items still don't do well - vintage Sterling RC kits for example). In addition, EBay has recently made some policy changes that aren't good for sellers. Insertion and final value fees have gone up, and now they pretty much forbid you from accepting checks or money orders as payment. For items that don't have high collector demand, I think you're better off just posting them to Stuka Stunt or RC Universe and saving yourself EBay's fees and hassles.
The Dance
It is with but a touch that you come alive...
I run to seek your control so that you can lift to be where you belong with me...
I raise my hand to show we're ready; We are one, to do what we are destined to do.
With the accuracy of a machine and the grace of weightless snow, we perform the beauty only we can know.
Together we climb to the stars and attack the ending ground.
Then turn away and laugh with joy at the shouting of the crowd.
We dance the circles and leap away to another part of time.
We spin and loop and blow 'em away; Because it is we who love to fly.
And now it's time to end this dance which lasts just moments and dies.
Thus I bring you down to touch the ground as graceful as you fly.
