2009 Archive
I’ll try to get the images sorted asap.
(The 2008 archive is available for those blessed with a slightly longer term memory.)
Sunday October 18
Rory’s chums from Bowerhill Cub Scouts came to visit!
A wonderful day in many respects: sunshine, little to no wind, a visit from an enthusiastic Cub Scout pack (and their parents), a good flying display, and some much appreciated input from our colleagues from Bannerdown Gliding club. (Not to mention some hard work by Andy Morse and others!)
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This is about as many as could be kept still in one place at a time, and I suspect that’s only because their leader Chris was on hand!
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Andy and Bob conducting a naming of parts exercise before Bob goes on to demo the technique of flying a radio controlled aircraft.
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Pat Cuss goes back to basics and demo’s one of the twenty or so BMFA Darts that he Tony and Vic had put together for the occasion.
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And one of the many mass launches that took place during the afternoon.
And general flying took place around the Cub activities. Here are a couple of flying shots of Vic’s P47 that were missing from the last time it came out!
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And Garth turned up with his Trislander, and after a bit of engine tweaking had it airborne and looking as good in the air as it does on the ground.
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-= October 11 =-
Not something you see everyday, but Tony and Brian were on hand to take the evidence!
‘Had a Sukhoi SU26 drop into Keevil this afternoon, ran low on fuel and taxied over to us enquiring about Avgas, luck was with him as the Gliding club was still there and sold him 60 ltrs. He had been doing a display at Weston S M and was heading home to a strip near Stanstead, but ran low after trying to avoid the bad weather.’
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Taxing over to ask where he can top up!!
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Big smiles! Lucky so and so’s. (Hey, this guy must have the same problem with spats as we do and left them off. He must be rubbish at landing too.) And we’d decided that it was a building day rather than a flying day. That’ll teach us. Anyway, anyone else think that these two look like those guys that were in that ‘Top Gun’ movie about fighter pilots? What were their names – ‘Maverick Phillips’ and his arch rival ‘Ice Box’???
Post script: A bit of Internet research later by Tony and it turns out that the pilot was non other than Paul Bonhomme, winner of this year’s Red Bull races. (I withdraw the comment about his landings!)
Early October
Have you noticed how the nights are drawing in? (Don’t get me started!)
Tony Box was happily on hand this Sunday to see the maiden flight of Vic Ford’s latest project, a Top Flite (yes, check the spelling please!!) P47 Thunderbolt. He reports ‘Vic test flew his P47 “Jug” on Sunday 4th Oct. It was an uneventful flight! It flew as though it was on rails and the 50cc engine sounded very realistic.’
Wish I’d seen it and we all look forward to some flying shots soon.
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Not sure if this is ‘before’ or ‘after’, but either way Vic is rightly looking pleased with himself!
Late September
John Bishop has sent in some pictures of Pat’s magnificent Albatross, on the ground and in the air (those are the tricky ones!) taken recently at Keevil. Much appreciated, and if anyone has anything to air (!) on this website, please send it to me.
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August 2009
A few pictures sent in by members -
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Carlos solves a tricky transport problem by thinking ‘outside the box’.
(Thanks to Tony Box for the evidence)
And a few from our trip to Germany by Andy Johnston -
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Pat Cuss in Dawn Patrol mode, leading from the front.
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An 80% Bristol by a Belgian team with an 800cc (yes, 800cc) radial engine. The show stopper, particularly when it taxied out of control towards the flightline (so that’s what the nets are for).
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Andy reckons someone’s looking for their lunch, but I reckon it’s more like Ian Redshaw chucking up in the cockpit whilst other Dawn Patrol members distract the Belgians.
June 2009
Missed the opportunity to quiz Ray Litten on the DC3 he displayed at the Family Day, but he has kindly updated me with the following:
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‘I purchased the plans directly from Tony Nijhuis who had made a feature of them in the Jan/Feb 2004 magazine ‘RCM & E’. Tony also gave me the phone number of Sarik Vacforms and a word with Roly, secured me the engine narcelles and cockpit.
All the balsa and lite ply was sourced from SLEC, in Norfolk.
The air up/air down under carriage I made from Aluminium which I machined on my lathe and milling machines. The only parts I didn’t buy were the two air cylinders which were needed to operate the under carriage.(?)
I reckon I spent as much time building this part as I did on the rest of the aircraft.
Covering it proved no mean task as although the wings were relatively easy the fuselage was not. All those compound curves were a nightmare to cover with film and in desperation I resorted to spraying it with plasticote.
The wing span is 72 inches.
The power plant consists of two ‘axi’ 2820/10 motors which are rated at up to 4s with a maximum current of 42amps. Each motor is supplied from a 3s lipo rated at 4300 @ 20C using a 40Amp ESC
I calculate that at full bore, these motors will draw about 35amp off of each battery. With a supply voltage of arount 10 volts this should give an overall wattage of about 700 watts. The plane weighs just over 8lbs so that gives about 85wt/lb. I’m hoping this will be sufficient to move the plane quite speedily.’
I gather there’s just the small detail of sorting out the C of G and then it’s ready to go. Flying shots to follow!
And Tony Box has provided some coverage on our presence at the ATC Fete at Bowerhill on 20th June:
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It looks like a bit of covered Meccano is defeating the finest minds currently active in the Club. How frightening is that?!!
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The Melksham Town Crier was there taking an interest in the models – it turned out he was once a designer for Airfix Kits!
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Thanks once again to Tony for keeping us up to date with Club activities.
7 June 2009 Family Day
A good day out with a fair amount of sun, and only the one shower to move everyone briefly into the marquee. Not a bad result considering the forecast! Just the one photo for now, with more to follow (and if anyone’s got any they would care to share, please send them over).
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Us lot!
May 2009
Blimey! Where did that one go?
Lots of flying and some fabulous weather at the moment. And long may it last too.
Time for a bit of a catch up…..
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Andy Hill turned up on Sunday (31st May) with his new Elan jet. Didn’t quite get it going – a couple of ‘Flamey’ moments that had us worried until he demonstrated a remarkable amount of puff and actually blew the flames out! (A good sort to have by you in a crisis, I thought, after watching his performance from a safe distance.)
And then there was Garth’s Islander, last seen at the indoor meeting last winter in basic airframe state…
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Moments before the first flight.
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Running up the engines.
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And back down safely after an impressive flight into on of those ‘in your face’ winds that mean you can enjoy the flying bit but eventually you’ve got to come in to land over your shoulder either by getting close to the windsock or coming in between the Control Tower and the radio mast. Not easy!
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It’s official. Rory Harris gets the ‘A’ Certificate from Club Secretary Vic Ford
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New member, 10 year old (just!) Kieran Holloway with his Wot Trainer. Two good sessions on the Buddy Box under his belt, both in difficult wind conditions, and on his way… Hopefully he’ll turn up next time and the wind will be across the patch and he’ll wonder what all the fuss was about! (Haven’t seen dad Darren fly yet – not another indulgent father and anyway how would I know how that feels?!!)
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Brian Phillips sneaked this undercover shot of Dave Evans making his way back to the pits with an electrificated Tommy Boy. Not sure at this range but it looks like he might even be smiling. Whatever next?
19 April 2009
Some great weather even though the wind wasn’t too helpful (again).
Rory Harris achieved his BMFA A certificate in conditions where others were happier to sit and watch so congratulations to him. Not half bad for someone who only joined the club in January with an electric RTF and is only nine year’s old! And just in case there’s any doubt, he took his test with his Wot 4 which he started, taxied out, took off, flew to the required standard, landed (engine still going!) and taxied back without assistance (as is required for the BMFA test). Andy Morse, his mentor, didn’t seem at all surprised (nor did the rest of us who have been watching his progress these last few months). Congratulations again and ‘Well done’ from all of us. Who’s next? It can be done!
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Rory taking a breather with mentor Andy Morse. (Not quite sure how Andy’s new Panic crept in there – perhaps Rory’s got his eyes on it for his ‘B’?)
And another thing…
Chairman Al has managed to source Club polo shirts and baseball caps at very reasonable prices (I’ve even ordered one for Junior) so contact Vic Ford our Club Secretary to place your order ASAP and be the envy of all your chums who don’t have a proper hobby!
Easter Weekend April 2009
Couldn’t get out today (Sunday). ‘Family commitments’ I think is how she put it. It looked like great flying weather, though. If anyone’s got any pictures, send them over!
Did manage a few hours on Saturday and had a great time flying the Cub with Michael. Will Harley turned up later on with his re-engined and tweaked electric Dornier, which Michael test flew for him, very successfully. A few pictures below to give the general idea..
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Before!
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During. Looks like a case of ‘It’s going to fly whether it wants to or not’!
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Up and away! And into the ‘out of focus’ bit of sky that is my speciality.
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And the happy/relieved walk back to the pits after a smooth landing back on the patch. Looked great and flew well. Will declared himself ‘well pleased’.
Early April 2009
A well timed ‘window’ in this funny weather of ours brought the crowds out on Sunday 5th with a huge variety of planes (and ages). Low wind, even though what there was was ‘in your face’ or ‘right to left’ which didn’t help with the landings. (Having written that I realise it will make no sense at all to anyone who doesn’t fly at Keevil. And probably a few of our members as well, thinking about it. You’ll have to join to find out!)
Anyway, lots to report on and more to follow when I’ve got some time (ie when it’s not my turn to cook tea), but a couple of highlights:
Mike B was trusted to go solo wth Pat Cuss’ WW1 Bristol Fighter and did a reasonable job, even after going deadstick after a roll (are they meant to do that?). I say that as his father – he may describe the experience differently. Pat was cool, calm and collected throughout the whole thing and seemed satisfied with the standard of flying. My turn next? No pressure then!
And Tony Box writes:
‘9 year old Rory Harris flew solo today, without the constraints of a buddy box and lead. Andy Hill kept a watchful eye on proceedings. Rory practises Sunday morning on a flight simulator, before “Real” flying in the afternoon. He hopes to take his BMFA “A” test soon.’
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I’m sure he will. A definite ‘when’ rather than an ‘if’!
And Andy Johnston has sent some pictures in of a quiet day’s aeromodelling at the patch:
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Andy’s current line up. And is he going to prop hang his new Maule (?) like they do on the ))YouTube(( video?
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And I guess here’s a typical one of the hardships we all have to endure of a weekend in a good cause instead of staying at home and having our roast lunches. (Don’t often see him smile like that though – it must have been the mustard!)
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And here’s one of Pat clearly getting some good advice on something or other…
Late March 2009
Well what a mix it’s been! Some fantastic flying opportunities and a brief return of Winter (hopefully the last we’ll see of that). Been battling with a sick PC (and the quest for a second-hand caravan – as yet unsuccessful, anyone out there got anything?) so apologies for the lack of updates – Tony Box has come to the rescue with some photos, so here we go..
Pat Cuss’s 1/3 scale Albatross has flown (last seen in a skeletal state at the Club meeting in November – scroll down for a reminder). Pat reported that apart from slight adjustment to the rigging, it flew “off the board”
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And just to confirm the size to anyone who’s not seen it yet..
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And Chairman Al succesfully flew his electric twin. (Sounded great – even though it doesn’t have ‘proper’ engines.)
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Do you think he looks nervous? Or are those just baggy trousers?
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I think this was the end of the first ground run (at least that’s what Al said – it looked like it just wouldn’t take off to the rest of us).
Only kidding – here it goes on a perfect proving flight…
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And apologies to Will Harley who had a very successful maiden flight with his electric Dornier (again, as seen somewhere below). I had him lined up for ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos and managed to press the wrong button on the camera on both occassions. Well it does fly, and very well too – I’ve seen it!
And strangely at the bottom of this lot, but the most up-to-date, is one from today (29th March) that Tony took of the pits area which nicely demonstrates something of the variety of aircraft that Club members fly.
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March 2009
Early days and some rubbish flying weather so far (at least at the weekends which is when the majority of us get let out) but the monthly club meeting at the cricket club happened to be a ‘Bring and Buy’ which was well attended and some amazing bargains were to be had. Tony Box happily took some shots whilst the rest of us were haggling away (and no – I shouldn’t have walked away from a kit of the very model I first flew in the New Forest with chum Pete and my Stavely ))Tone-Lock(( single channel radio kit all those years ago – so if DE would like to contact NB I am sure there is a deal to be done!!).
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February 2009 – Spring has sprung!
Or at least it’s started springing a bit more now that the snows have melted. A few good flying sessions were to be enjoyed this month, with hopefully many more on the way. Chairman Al demonstrated the ultimate in downsizing, Tony Box’s Piper Pawnee flew successfully and is now a regular sight, and Andy Morse and Andy Hill have been training a couple of youngsters with the buddy box. Good to see some new faces and don’t these young’uns ever pick it up quickly?!!
Hopefully I’ll get the camera out a bit more now that it’s warming up and post more pictures showing the real variety of aircraft that are flown by members. Watch this space!
Al P shows off his little red thing…
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And here’s how it all starts!
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Rory Harris, (aged 8 at the time of this photo but now 9 – Happy Birthday!) walking out to the patch with a couple of instructors, dad Steve and younger brother Archie.
Rory’s training is now well underway and he’ll be showing us all up pretty soon at the rate he’s going!
And Will (Rocketman) Harley has not been spending all his time on things that go straight up and straight back down again – he has produced this amazing Dornier twin engined electric marvel. Watch out Bernie!!
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Will writes:
At the time of writing everything works properly and the C of G is just about correct. So here’s hoping for a fine, calm day when we area able to get to Keevil to try it! seems to have a vast amount of power with the two motors. I suppose the main potential problem is if the battery runs so low that the motors cut out. There could be a disaster if one speed controller cuts out one motor before the other!
January 2009
Not many flying opportunities so far this year (and blizzards forecast for the first few days in February), but members have been out there braving the elements and you’ll generally find a presence most weekends. A great deal of discussion and not much actual flying so far, it has to be said, but we’re ever hopeful!
Tony Box has sent in a couple of shots of his Piper Pawnee (last seen at November’s meeting in basic airfarme state) and reports that it is ready for it’s maiden flight. Any day now!
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In fact, it should have flown by now but a coming together of a fragile, cold, numb digit and a rapidly turning, hard, sharp propellor resulted in a cracked bone and a trip to Casualty for Tony. A lesson for us all, methinks…
Points Mean Prizes
Finally found my notes from the AGM with details of who won what. So, apologies for the delay and in no particular order…
The Brian Chandler Cup for the Best Engineered Model of 2009 was awarded to John Bishop for his autogyro.
Ken Simpkins took the Freelance Cup for Aerobatics, whilst Dave Tallen got the Vic Burton Memorial Trophy for being the Most Improved Flier.
The Best Model of The Year went to Garth Pearce for his Waco, and against stiff competition Andy Johnston got suitable recognition for producing the Best Crash of the Year with his Tiger Moth.
Tony Woodhouse was deemed to be the Best Engine Twiddler, and finally Vic Ford was voted Club Member of the Year in recognition and appreciation of the way he took on the job of Club Secretary, (learning about computers and emails as he went along just for the job) and very quickly showed himself to be as an enthusiastic and effective Secretary as we could have hoped for.
Congratulations to one and all.