Welcome
Welcome to silk-n-dope.com, a place where you can find information on Control Line and Free Flight modeling from a beginner's perspective. I originally made this site because when I got started in Control Line, I had a hard time finding places to get help. It was almost by accident that I found a local club. As time went on, I ran into other problems with finding information on Classic airplane designs on the web, and my interest in Free Flight and classic RC airplanes began to grow, so I've decided to grow the site to include these areas as well.
Silk-n-dope.com is intended to be comprehensive online resource for Control Line, Free Flight, and Classic RC modelling from a beginner's perspective. We'll have advice on how to get started, help you find a club, and provide product reports to help you decide what products will best meet your needs. We'll provide links to other Control Line resources on the web and to businesses that provide honest service. Most of all though, we hope to make your journey into model aircraft flight as enjoyable as possible. Have fun, and don't forget to sign the Guest Book.
Summer Projects
My biggest priority this summer is to get a couple of backup planes built. I need something that is really quick to build, cheap, and flies good (hopefully as good as my STOCK Skyray 35). I've got a couple of ideas, one based on the Shark 402 rib set and one based on the Li' Hacker wing cores. The Shark based project is really just a Skyray built with Shark 402 ribs. I dislike the ribs that come with the kit and I'm too busy (or lazy, take your choice) to cut my own rib set. The Shark 402 ribs only cost $12.00 and they're laser cut. Airfoil is ~almost~ identical to the Skyray so hopefully it will fly the same. Details on the Lil' Hacker based project will have to wait until I finish it.
After getting my backup planes finished, my next project is going to be a Sig Banshee powered by a Brodak 40. I've read lots of good things about this engine and I'm really anxious to try it. It's supposed to have a "real" Stunt run. The Banshee is my second favorite profile next to the S-1 Ringmaster. I'm building it before the Ringmaster because it looks like it is easier to fly tham the RM and also I can't make up my mind what engine to put in the RM. Speaking of Ringmasters, you can find lots of info at the Brotherhood of the Ring.
Other things I've got going on are my Sterling Project, sorting through my engines, and deciding what to build when the Banshee is finished. I'm thinking it might be a PT-19 - either the cardboard trainer that appeared in Model Aviation or Dave Hemstrought's stunter. I'm also trying to save enough money to buy an Aerotiger .36 from Randy Smith at Aeroproducts.
NEWS (May 17, 2007)
According to the Tower Hobbies web site, the OS Max 46 LA-S will soon be available in natural finish. This is great news for those who like the 46 LA but don't like the blue paint on it.
I'm also still working on my Sterling Project, so if you know or hear of any Sterling 1/2A Beginner Series kits for sale, please let me know.
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.
Author Unknown
