At 58 yrs of age I have just retired and my first project is a 60" wing span Tiger Moth. Now it is 40 odd years since I built my last model aircraft (a control line model), so this will be quite an undertaking as well as a challenge.

I have obtained a set of plans by Markus Horn, which I am getting enlarged to full size, then construction can commence.

I feel confident regarding the basic construction as I did my apprenticeship as a craftsman cabinetmaker, and have built smaller models before, but I will need guidance through the construction, and advice regards motor, R/C unit, controls etc.

Is there anyone here who would take a learner under their wing and help guide me in the right direction. I live in Auckland, New Zealand, which is a long way from the US, but with the aid of the internet, I imagine that this is possible.

Thanks,
Brian.

Hi Brian,
Thanks for joining this forum and yes, You are across the "holler" and over the hill from this neck of the woods, but if the creek don't rise and Lord Willing, we can keep in touch. ;)

You have indeed chose a nice challenging project for your first RC airplane.
I am confident you will be able to do A nice job of building it and getting it flight ready. :thumbup:

Since you probably will want to fly your Tiger Moth yourself at some point instead of watching some experienced RCer be your proxy pilot all the time.
I would suggest that while you are in construction phase of Tiger Moth, get a trainer type plane, and perhaps even equip it with engine and radio you will eventually be using in the Tiger Moth.
That way, you, engine, and radio will be getting broke-in at same time.

At least, do get the trainer plane and get some local help for learning basics of RC model airplane operation. This is really recommended best way to approach hobby with greatest chance of success.

As you can, provide us with little more data about the Tiger Moth and brands of RC engines, radios, fuel, and such that are available to you. Of course you can order over the internet most anything you will need. I know that there is some nice RC activity in New Zealand, so you will have access to local hobby shop/s and hands on help.

Please keep this forum informed of your progress and ask any questions.
We will be more than happy to help in any way possible.

Some of our "Scale Types" :pilot: will hopefully check in soon with more welcomes and offers of help.

Hi, Brian,
I see you live on the North Island, in the "City of Sails", metro area pop. about 1.2 million. What a beautiful skyline!
We are on the water also, on the Gulf of Mexico, in Mobile, Alabama, USA (pop. about half of Auckland's.)

If you have not flown RC (you didn't say), start now, but WITH AN INSTRUCTOR! Heed Alvin's advice! :yes: :yes:

I'm sure the scale guys (I am not a "scale guy", although I will fly them...) in our club will jump in and help you with any question you may have. We have several who are quite knowlegeable, but not all visit this forum, unfortunately.

I don't know if you have checked with any of your local cluds. I did a Google search of "radio control new zealand", and came up with dozens of clubs. There are at least three in your city, one is a hellicopter-only club, one a soaring RC club (Auckland Soar - Radio controlled aircraft [probably unpowered models), the third is an indoor flying club (Auckland Silent Flight Club), but they probably play only with 6 inch wingspan or less rubber-powered models, not 60 inches like yours! Another club is listed as Auckland Society of Model Engineers (not sure what they are and what they play with!) <_< >_>

Here is some info you may not know:

There's a club 180 KM south of you: Tokoroa Radio Control Club, contact: Bruce Simpson, 021 1131962.

And check out your national organization, the New Zealand Model Aeronautical Association:
http://nzmaa.org.nz/apps/club_websites.asp
The New Zealand Model Aeronautical Association (NZMAA) is a non-profit body dedicated to the promotion and protection of aeromodelling in New Zealand. The NZMAA has been an incorporated society since 1948 and is affiliated to the FAI.

If you go to the NZMAA Website and select "RC scale" from the main menu, you get the following R/C Scale Contact:
Lloyd Dickens (Secretary/Treasurer), 55 Titoki Street, MASTERTON  5901.
His email is: lloyd.dickens@wise.net.nz, sTelephone 06 370 3790

I'd like to see how this one turns out I LOVE vintage bipes.....that's going to be my next project( or at least one of them)