Just a reminder that the next Club Meeting is on Tuesday 9th March and is a Bring and Buy at the cricket Club in Trowbridge. Please note that this is not just restricted to Club members, and that all are welcome to come and browse or put things up for sale. Kick off at 19:30.
And next month (April 13th) we’ve got Adrian Finch of Nexus Modelling Supplies coming along with his mobile shop. Again, all are welcome.
Just a few shots from a pleasant Sunday a couple of weeks ago that I’ve been meaning to get round to. (I seem to be spending most of my spare time in the workshop these days trying to get on with the latest project – you know how it is?)
Brian Phillips brought out his refurbished DB Cub for some engine tuning.
He firmly and resolutely resisted all attempts by the assembled panel of experts to persuade him to try a test flight. Perhaps next time.
Brian has since sent over some more background on the Cub.
‘…could you please add that this cub had been in a garage hung up for 15 years and had been electrified before I obtained it. The front end had to be rebuilt and recovered and controls of he ailerons brought up to date with two servos. Likewise the elevator. Also wing fixings were modified. It will fly when conditions improve, ie not over the tower.’
Fairynuff
John Thomas enjoyed numerous flights with his vintage Pioneer, an American design so he tells me. (Must get on with my Ben Buckle Biplane so we can have races, I thought.)
I tried to get some flying shots, but even with this slow flying oldie I only managed to get bits at a time, and not even enough for a decent collage. I’ll hand the camera over to Michael next time.
And Garth got back to basics with his Wot Trainer.
There’s a lot to be said for keeping it simple at this time of year! I’ve got something similar in mind myself – probably just in time for the weather to improve knowing the way my builds go. Oh well.
And one of Sunday regular Ian Andrews and his faithful vintage low winger off for another flight (OK, so I should know what it is, but I don’t, and forgot to ask. I will find out.)
Ian Andrews on his way out, as it were.
John Bishop has sent over some pictures of his current project:
He writes:
‘The workshop is getting a little overfull with models, so it seemed like to time to build something smaller and in any case I need a plane that will fit into the back of an Audi TT coupe…..
I fancied building from a plan rather than a kit and the Tony Nijhuis designed Cosmic Wind caught my eye – a free plan in RCM and E last year (the one with Pat’s Albatross on the front cover). Although Cosmic Wind sounds like some unfortunately high-powered flatulence, this type of design has always ben one of my favorites since watching one fly at Fairoaks air display when I was a lad!
I also had in mind a project that I could complete fairly quickly – it usually takes me more than a year to build anything….Things are moving along well and I think that I have overcome most of the problems – instructions in the mags are a little sparse! I just need to source some 3mm dural for the u/c and then I think I’ll have all the bits.’
(webmaster: just playing around here. You could make galleries for each project??)
We’re working on this one at the moment!
Some events up and published (we know they need tweaking!) and more to come.
Hi everybody, I’ve made some changes to get the changeover to the new website started.
Most people’s browsers will insist going to the old site.
There are a few ways to force your computer to behave:
Once on the new site, you can visit the old one from a link at the top of the page, and from the old site, click on the ‘new site’. I’m sure you’ll work it out. It only slightly more complicated than holding a tranny.
I’ve been playing with this new website a fair bit and we’re nearly ready to go with it, but here are a few shots of an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at Keevil at the end of January:
Early starter John Thomas with his contrasting styles of electric aircraft.
Chris Kirk and his plan-built Cap-It. Making a return to fixed wing flying after some 30 years, he got Mike Brode to give it its first two flights. No problems reported!
Mike was also asked to help out new member Rich Hooper, who ended an exciting flight with an unfortunate heavy landing. Repairable damage, and I believe Rich is in the market for a buddy box system to ease the learning process.
Roy and Mike having a Yak. Roy’s flew for the first time and looked good! Chris Kirk managed to get some video of it to mark the occasion – I’ll try and get the link sorted so you don’t just have to take Roy’s word for it that it’s flown.
And here, I hope, it is…
(Just a few seconds of a highly succesful maiden flight. And note the applause – why do I never get that???)
The outgoing committee made the following awards for 2009 which were announced at the AGM:
Best Scale Model
Garth Pearce for his Twin Islander
The Alan Sims Trophy for the Best Scale Flier of the Year
Pat Cuss
Pat Cuss receives the Alan Sims Trophy for Best Scale Flier of the Year from Andrew Sims
Vic Burton Memorial Trophy for the most Improved Flier
Ray Litten
Brian Chandler Cup for the Best Engineered Model
Vic Ford for his P47 Thunderbolt
Freestyle Aerobatics Trophy
Mike Brode
Member of the Year
Andy Morse
Photographic Competition
Nick Curtis
Engine Twiddler of the Year
Mike Brode
started on a build to create a suitable vehicle for his home-made Bentley aero engine. It’s an Avro 504, and here’s what he says:
‘The first thing I had to do was make the great space I have as a workshop into useable space and not the tip it has been since I moved in nearly seven years ago. I’ve rigged up a curtain to separate engineering and aeromodelling to reduce the amount of balsa dust getting into my machinery. I then cleared my long building bench and chopped down the drawer units and fitted them under said bench. I also threw out a lot of junk!! Continue reading →
No access to Keevil this weekend (no great loss as the weather’s been rubbish) so I imagine, like me, everyone’s been catching up on all those chores that mean we can go and play when the weather’s better (or is it just me who has to run a balance sheet??). Will Harley and Roy Packer have sent me some piccies for the website so you’re not just subjected to shots of my garage and half completed projects….
Roy has been working on one of those Hangar 9 Carden Yaks this summer, and apparently it’s ready to go subject to a bit of radio tweaking. He has also tried to justify his appalling lack of attendance at Keevil recently (and it has been noted) with some story about refitting a kitchen at Packer Towers. Continue reading →
Tony Box has provided more details of the intriguing scratch built plane he brought along to November’s meeting.
He writes:
‘It was going to be my “Winter project” but when you are retired, you seem to spend more time in the workshop to avoid getting any domestic chores.
It’s a Piel Emerauld CP301, The full size is up in the Hanger on the airfield. They are home builds and Piel Emerauld is the designer of the well known CAP10 series (it looks a bit like one). Continue reading →