WRCFC

WRCFC is a BMFA affiliated Model Airplane Club, flying at Keevil airfield in Wiltshire. We share the site with Bannerdown Gliding Club.

Access to the site is strictly controlled. Anyone who wishes to visit the Club is most welcome but must do so by prior arrangement, and he/she must be accompanied by a club member at all times.
Contact details can be found here.

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And it didn't rain!- The wind wasn't very helpful though (quite strong and straight down the patch) but there was nontheless a lot of flying, a lot of chatting, and a great deal of eating and drinking. The event was well attended and all in all a very successful and enjoyable day. Thanks to the organisers for all their hard work, especially Al Pinnington (who even smelled like a burger at the end) for the time he spent cooking, Graham Hamblin and Andy Morse for taking turns at the grill, and to Chris for fetching the grub. There were also home-made cakes, fresh fruit and some beers brought along by members to help matters along. A very fine spread indeed!

And Brian Philips had clearly put in extra time (again) getting the patch to a fantastic state for the day. (Wish my lawn was that good!)

A selection of photos follow (before my camera ran out of memory). If anyone's got any more they would like to share, please send them in.


Graham Hamblin takes his 'turn to burn'.


Mike Brode, Will Sturgess and Will's Sukhoi


A selection of goodies from the Bring and Buy line up.


The feasting commences!


Brian imparting some of his immense wisdom to an appreciative (captive?) audience of youths.


Vic Ford's impressive WW11 line up. Both the (re-engined) Focke Wulf and the Mustang had successful proving flights (neither entirely uneventful!) but Vic And Andy Hill managed to get both safely down again much to the relief of all watching. It will be fanastic to see them flying again when Vic's got them sorted.


Andy Johnstone's Bentley BR2 draws a crowd.



Andy Morse is looking for some volunteers to put together a static display at Southwick Show. Please contact Andy if you can help on 01380 870189 or 07810858957



This page is now up and running and kicks off with some serious kit offered for sale by Andy Sturgess. Have a look! If any club members have anything to advertise on this site contact me (Nick Brode) as per Vic's email, or see me up at the patch for terms and conditions.

Out with the old:

A bit battered and tatty round the edges, but generally a reliable starter with a good few miles left in it yet. (Hang on, sounds just like Brian...)

In with the new:

Lots of new features (including a bouncy chair, a flashing light and a go-faster stripe) - any volunteers please see Brian or Andy Morse for operating tuition.


A very damp day cleared sufficiently by 10.30am to allow the four guests who made the heroic trip from the Home Counties to augment our small gathering.
Tony Tomlin and John Perry from the Raynes Park MFC, Nicholas Skyrme from the Bracknell and District MAC and Mervyn Tilbury, a member of SAM35.
Tony had a very interesting variety of models including a Wee Snifter with a tiny diesel which fairly tore around the sky (no ailerons). Mervyn Tilbury had a very clean PB TWO and John Perry had an electric powered Queen Bee. Nicholas Skyrme had a Kiel Craft Majestic Major and Kiel Craft Falcon, both powered by Laser 80 Diesels which was a surprise to me as I was unaware there were such engines. Both Nicholas' models were exceptionally presented and I found it difficult to decide which was the best. In the end I chose the Majestic as it had a beautifully made cylindrical, highly polished fuel tank visible in the cockpit complete with level gauge!
Garth Pearce and Ian Andrews flew the flag for us and quite a few flights were made before the rains came around 1.45. There was another clear spell after that which allowed a few more hardy souls to fly and the presentations were made at 3pm. The prizes, which consisted of a bottle of wine each, were as follows:

Best I.C. Model: Majestic Major, Nicholas Skyrme
Best Electric: Queen Bee, John Perry (only one)
Visitor who seemed to enjoy himself the most: Tony Tomlin. He had so many models of such a wide variety of types which all flew well accompanied by his jovial banter. He also sent all these photos.

By 3.45 the heavens opened and I assume the proceedings drew to a close (I left at 3.55). Subsequent emails from Tony expressed great thanks to the club for holding the event and congratulated us for organising it. The Portaloo was most appreciated by the wives.

Lets hope for a better spell of weather next year.

Andy Johnston














John Perry presented with Electric Flight prize for Queen Bee


Nicholas Skyrme presented with Best Model prize


Tony Tomlin presented with prize for most enjoyment

Many thanks to Andy Johnston and Brian Phillips for braving the conditions and reporting back on the event!



The aerobatic competition was held on an unusually fine day for a weekend with brilliant sunshine and a moderate wind. An informal event (Vic Ford had said beforehand "...this is a low key fun event if your model can loop roll stall turn and do a touch and go HAVE A GO"), flying was off the peg board and in no particular order but always under the scrutiny of top local celebrity judge, our very own Steve McBrine. (That is, when he wasn't busy passing on advice, comment and witticisms to anyone who would listen to him.)

Entrants ranged from Pat Cuss with his Regal Eagle, through Andy Hill's Boomerang jet to Tony Box's Wot Trainer. The competition winner was eventually declared to be Ken Simpkins flying an Extreme Flight Extra 300 powered by a Saito 82 4-stroke. Many congratulations to him, and to everyone else (who I think came joint second). Apologies for the lack of photos (spent too much time advising Junior on his sick engine) but here's a general view of the line up.



After the dust had settled Vic rolled out his new Focke Wulf 190 for what turned out to be some 'taxing trials'. The conclusion was that the fan at the front wasn't producing enough wind, so he took it away with a view to finding something a bit bigger. Looking forward to seeing it in the air next time!


Vic pumping air in to try and make it lighter....




Had to move the CofG back to get within the limits on a new model (the Extra 300s in the photo below). To do this we needed to fit an extension lead to the battery. And guess what? Yup. It came disconnected on the fourth flight. The result was a total loss of the aircraft and big rebuild required for the engine. And it was flying sooo well!
Lesson learnt - Fix the connections properly!


Before...


After. Anyone got a Binbag?

A couple of photos from a day out learning about the IMAC (31st May 2008)


Mike Brode in Happy Land


Mike Brode and some Big Bloke



Taken with one of those FlyCam gadgets on a pleasant (and quiet!) evening in May.



Webmaster: Fixed

We'll have another go at some point with a different plane going a bit slower and steadier to try and improve the quality, but it's just something a bit different for now!


By invitation of the organisers the club put on a static and limited flying display to support the fun run
on Saturday 10th May. The event was well supported by club members and I think enjoyed by all who took part. Except, I should imagine, our chairman who suffered an elevator servo failure during a typically spirited flight with his fabulous Tiger Moth, resulting in a huge impact and what looked like a total loss. Andy has since examined the damage and has decided that enough has survived to warrant a rebuild (which is already well underway). We look forward to seeing it fly again before too long.


Andy Johnston and Tiger Moth


Tiger Moth climb out


Fun Run Static Display May 2008


Andy Hill, his Boomerang, and a couple of Hangers On (whose job it is to put it down, then hang on to it for dear life until Andy tells them to let it go!)


Looking for the patch


Andy Hill's latest project. I want one!



Founder member of the Warminster Radio Control Flying Club, Alan Sims, passed away on April 26th.
I first came into contact with Alan in the mid 1950’s, when as a Boy, I flew free flight models at Keevil Airfield. Alan in those days was flying early multi channel “Reeds”and it was all transported in his Motor Cycle and side car.
Alan has been a consistent flyer in the Wessex Scale league for the Warminster club, since the league was started and also competed in vintage and old timer events, he also still had his original “Radio Queen”.
The West Country has lost one of its most consistent flyers.
Alan leaves his Wife Noreen, Andrew and Julie and condolences must go to them.

Tony Box
Lifetime friend
Vice President, Warminster RCFC


Alan starting his Tiger Moth, helped by his Son Andrew, May 2007








Andy brought the engine up to Keevil earlier this year and started it up. Thanks to Richard Holloway for remembering to take some pictures whilst the rest of us were just gawping! The engine is a 1/4 scale Bentley BR2 four-stroke rotary engine of 1918.
Andy has provided more pictures and comprehensive details which appear in the 'Articles' menu item, or just click here for a fascinating read!.



The Mobile Phone and Email information appears to be working with no complaints; please let me know otherwise. Brian has agreed to carry on his weekly phone call to Lyneham and will update the message if any changes to non-access days.


Please remember we are an active site, with air activity at any time, so please be aware! We still have members over flying the main runway; this is dangerous and against our Club Rules. We do share with the Gliding Club and it is so easy to lose a very good flying site!

• Thanks to Brian for his hard work on the patch, the flying on the patch this early has been exceptional. Also thanks for the members who helped to repair it on the 9th March 2008.

• Tony Box would like it known he is not going ‘Electric’.

• Club Membership – If you are not renewing this year and have a gate key, will you please return the key to me for security reasons. All key holders have to be members and listed with Lyneham.

FLY SAFE AND WE HOPE FOR BETTER WEATHER!!!

Vic Ford, Club Secretary



Derek decides to phone for advice on siting the new clubhouse
(and anyway is yellow the right colour?).


Bob Rudland showing Socks (Dave Evans) how to mix fuel.
(Note John Armstrong's Tango drink in the foreground.
If Bob sees this it will go in the mix as well..)


Socks ready to return home after putting his plane to bed
under the camouflage netting.









Photographed at Keevil at its first run out on one of the good days in February!



First Aid Kits reminder – please carry a First Aid Kit in the car you never know when you may need it!!!


Model flying can be dangerous with most accidents caused by loss of concentration, please check and double check that your plane is tethered; your peg is on the board; and no one is in line with your prop. If you need help you only need to ask. This is even more important if you are on site on your own!



Guest Speakers
If any member knows anyone that would be willing to give a talk at our General Meetings this could be anything to do with modelling to include showcasing a model etc, please contact Vic.


I will notify you of any events on the airfield or club related as I am informed.


FLY SAFE AND WE HOPE FOR BETTER WEATHER!!


Vic Ford
Club Secretary