Hi Stuart

Now being controversial is not a bad thing, it usually meant you are 
ahead of the others, new ideas are by their very nature controversial.  
Take heart.

You are free to use my comments and I am more than happy for you to use 
my name.

Pocket refractometers are commonly used by grape growers to measure the 
concentration of sugar in unharvested grapes, but for accurate 
methanol/water determinations you need a narrow range refractometer.  
They are not too expensive and available from Biolab Scientific and 
maybe other suppliers.  I am happy to locate one with the correct range 
for you and get a copy of a set of water V methanol refractive index 
tables.  The other advantage is they only use about a mL of methanol to 
get an accurate measure.

I read your article on PVC release agents and wondered about a better 
solution.  There are some solvents that are quite water like but I am 
not sure of their effect on the PVC itself.  Acetone is very good as a 
water-like solvent, has an excellent evaporation rate, and very low 
viscosity but it may precipitate PVA and form a clot.  I will have to 
try some (and some other solvents) in my lab and report back to you.  
The solvent would have to be like ethanol (main constituent of metho 
and very water like).  Methanol might work, it is more water like than 
methylated spirits.

How high was Melnick ? Altitude has a big effect on tuning as less air 
pressure at higher altitude mean less oxygen and needling becomes 
critical along with air/fuel ratios.  I have always flown near sea 
level, ideal conditions.  I'll hazard a guess but most fliers would 
practice and tune near sea level too.  Any changes in altitude would be 
a shock to most modelers.  There is nowhere very high in Australia to 
do testing either.

I will get you some contacts for the narrow range methanol 
refractometer in my next email.

Your web sites full of good stuff, I have already adopted some of your 
ideas on improved cooling duct design in my speed models and team 
racers. Keep up the good work.

Kindest regards



Lance