Goodbye Graupner, hello Graupner/SJ

Graupner is under new ownership, and is trading under the name "Graupner/SJ". And their web site is now up and running again:

Modelspot closes its doors, and a new web site for Multiplex fans

Last week the unthinkable happened: the once-mighty Graupner went into administration. And today, one of our best loved retailers, Punctilio Modelspot, closed its doors for the last time, after 41 years. Their tales are told on their home pages:

Graupner 404'd

RIP Modelspot

Jeti DC-16 - first look

The Jeti DC-16 is rather interesting. It's the first transmitter to be manufactured by Jeti, the styling is different, and it has some novel features. It certainly generated a lot of interest in the hands of my clubmate Dave Woods, at Ivinghoe Beacon.

Topsky 2 DLG review and modifications

For the ultimate in flying fun, there's nothing quite like flying an F3F model in a good breeze from the top of a beautiful hill. There is just one little problem though: unless you are lucky enough to live next to a decent slope, a session with an F3F model will involve a bit of a drive.

Which is why I also love flying discus launch gliders. Long lazy flights, using nothing more than arm power and thermals to keep the model aloft - and all from the local park! It's flying at its purest.

SM Modellbau GPS-Logger (preview)

GPS sensors seem to be the latest virility symbol for the major R/C manufacturers. There are a number of manufacturers making these devices (e.g. Jeti, Multiplex, Hitec and Graupner). All of them link to their proprietary telemetry systems to provide real time display of height, speed and distance.

Recently, I've been looking at a couple of M-LINK compatible devices from Multiplex and SM Modellbau.

Multiplex Profi Tx announced

Multiplex fans will be excited by the recent announcement of their new flagship radio, the Profi. The new radio is being touted as the natural successor to the legendary Profi mc4000, and will be offered with a choice of 9, 12 and 16 channels. Each version optionally comes with the appropriate DR Pro telemetry receiver.

Cockpit SX M-LINK goes F3F

As we roll into 2012, I'm at last migrating my F3F models from 35 MHz to 2.4 GHz. Yep, it's time to recognise that the world is changing, most competition pilots already having made the switch. And it may seem a little thing, but having a tiny little aerial in place of the enormous 35 MHz fishing rods will make it easier to negotiate the rocks and rabbit holes which inhabit our slopes.