I had promised myself that I would try to keep a blog going more frequently here on RCG, not for self congratulation or ego massaging just because the last one I wrote was a good way to reflect how 2011 had gone, but since my last blog was nearly 4 months ago I think we can safely assume I have failed to keep it going. Never mind, there is still next time.

This is just a review of what I have been up to in 2012 so far, as summer is nearly on us and we get some more stable weather then we should have more flying - though the outlook for the next week doesn't look great - see the attached screen shot.

The last few months I have been trying to focus on streamlining my fleet to make room for some more as the swathe of new must have planes continues to destroy my wallet! So my current hangar has been severely reduced, some intentionally, others not so much. My fleet is down to 6, with more arrivals planned which I'll come to in a minute:

• My PZ Stinson met an untimely end in a tree, where the fuselage is still lodged;
• My trusty UM Mosquito has finally died, an ESC problem I think;
• The 35mm A10 from HK flew a few times before being donated to a friend as I was never truly happy flying her; too much weight, not enough power...

My PZ Spit is still going strong, though not in mint condition anymore after a run-in with the tree that claimed the Stinson (I know.... why was I still flying near it...)
Various Micros are still sitting in their boxes but for the last few months the larger scale stuff has taken air time, maybe the summer will see their revival...

On to the new stuff:
I have found that my local craft store now stocks foam board so the last few weeks have been spent scratch building planes which has been lots of fun, I have so many servos, motors, ESCs and orange RXs that I have finally found a use for them. Though the last scratch built is now in a farmers field somewhere after an emergency landing.... Only I haven't been able to find the plane, annoyingly it is being hidden by 10 inch grass!!!

Two new arrivals for HK have impressed me greatly, the Durafly 1100mm T-28: Flaps, retracts, LEDs, and a great build quality - better that Parkzone I personally think, and a joy to fly!
And a HK SPAD XIII 700mm, my first Bi plane and she handles amazingly, these two birds are fast becoming my favourite planes.

In fact because of the success of the T-28 I am eagerly awaiting the Durafly A-1 Skyraider, 1100mm - I love the plane and after the T-28 impressed so much I think the A-1 will be a definite winner! The other model on the wish list is an AXN floater, just because I have heard such good things about them and want a plane that I can just chuck in the back of the car and fly without stress. Money and weather permitting hopefully my summer will shape up to be a pleasant one - Ill keep you updated, obviously.

Keep flying!
Luke

Luke... I really think that "that tree has to come down..."
Still haven't heard the end of that from my wifie....hehe