And what about the weather? Rubbish weather on Saturday, and rubbish weather on Monday, but just this once, just this very special once, someone, somewhere in the Club must be doing something right (almost certainly not me), because conditions were perfect for a barbecue and a good day’s flying.

Many thanks to Andy Johnston and Tony Box for sending over these photos:

Waiting to be fed, or too full to move?

A hot day, and some shade to be found.

Chris Kirk and Chris Brack without whom and a few others it would not have happened…

All sorts in the Pits

Vic having a tinker with one of his many warbirds.

Andy and Tony helping out.

Vic’s fabulous electric Lancaster. Tony Box reports:
‘Vic had at had his electric powered  Lancaster up for its second test flight, unfortunately, one engine cut and test pilot Andy Hill had to make an emergency landing, which damaged the undercarriage. Initial inspection suggests one motor seized up.’

Pat Cuss’s magnificent WW1 Line up with Andy Hill’s Boomerang jet waiting for things to get up to date.

And a spot of dogfighting!

And this is what Brode Junior was up to and why we weren’t there (many, many apologies). Fully electrificated 30cc equivalent MXS. You can’t quite see the scrapes on the back of the rudder from getting too close to the tarmac, but they’re there, believe me!

Here’s a couple of Garth’s scratch built Foster Wickner ‘Wicko’.

I happened across this excellent article on the Wicko when I was checking the spelling:
http://www.wicko.com/wickohistory.htm
Worth a browse if you’ve got a moment, and testimony to the accuracy of Garth’s building.

Roy Packer gave his GeeBee racer an airing

Ian Andrews flew his Stentorian

Built from plans, this is a Phil Smith design which was originally available as Veron kit (remember him/them?)

John Thomas had his YT Sea Fury

Powered by a Laser 200 twin. Sounded lovely, but quite thirsty John says.

And it was great to see Andrew Sims and his mum Noreen. Andrew is learning to fly with his dad Alan’s Keil Kraft Falcon. Murco 61 powered. Tony Box related the story of how Alan acquired the model in 1953 when he was doing his National Service down in Newqay. Not having a car, the plane was brought all the way back to Wiltshire on the back of Alan’s motorbike! It seemed to fly beautifully (could have been the Tony/Alan combination) and give ideal trainer type performance. Worth a closer look if you come across it.

‘I thought i would send you a couple of pics of my  new model - it’s a GeeBee  “Y”, 84 inch span,  powered by a DLE 30cc  petrol engine.  First flight was last Friday, 23 -7-10. Flies lovely, very forgiving,  makes me look like I’m in control !!!!!’

Here’s a selection of photos of the day’s activities:

Vic welcoming the Cub Pack to Keevil.

Time for some fun

Andy instructing on the simulator

Tony Woodhouse gives the introduction to radio controlled model aircraft.

Bannerdown instructor getting involved.

And later on, I guess when everyone had gone, the Stig relaxes!

Thanks to everyone who helped out once again – there is a great ‘Thank You’ note from the Cub Pack on the notice board.

Andy has asked me to pass on his personal thanks as well:

‘Can you please extend my thanks to everyone that helped make the scouts visit a outstanding success. We had nothing but praise from everyone involved with the scouts. The gliding club were very pleased with the amount of flights they gave the visitors and the food and drink they provided was first class.

The event sadly clashed with the Woodspring Wings show again this year, but it looks as if it might become a regular invitation for us in future. One to keep an eye out for next year and a good incentive to get that ‘B’ certificate! Thanks to all who made it along to represent the Club – Vic, Norman, Bob, Andy Hill, Andy Morse,  Adrian and Kevin (sorry if I’ve missed anyone.)

Andy Hill and Vic braved the high winds and put on some flights – Andy tells me that with the sole exception of a poorly placed tree it’s an excellent setting and an eminently flyable site, and had the weather been kinder he would have been happy to put his Boomerang jet  up.

He writes:
‘Myself, Al,  Jim, and not forgetting  Bob,  have just arrived back from la-ferte, had a terrific  time, 4 days of blistering hot sunshine, and some remarkable models to watch.’

Looks like Al and Bob having to pace themselves!

‘The photo of the full-size corsair.  It’s undergoing  a full restoration in the hangars at la-ferte. They dragged it out to show it off - there were also some full size take-offs-  a Douglas Skyraider, and a JU 52  tri-motor.’

Chris (Wakely) did the biz with the supplies and sorting out the barbeque (and this is where I may lose it), Chris (Kirk) showed an admirable level of leadership (must be his Forces background) and organised the dithering Masses into a working party to get the marquee erected, and Chris (Brack) took charge of all the other bits that needed taking charge of. Thank you! And thanks of course to Andy Morse for remembering which bits went where, and in what order!

Loads of photos – thanks to Tony Box, Chris Brack and Brode Junior, so here’s a selection:

Marquee’s up, and meat’s on the barby!

Dave Evans making a point whilst Chris tries to distract Andy with his nipple tweakers.

Dave a few seconds later, having successfully avoided the diet option.

And Garth and Richard negotiate all the healthy stuff and come away with some man food!

Steve and Dave discussing matters of great import whilst Pat and Chris clearly can’t believe the language they’ve just heard.

Elder Statesmen?? Or just too full to move for a while?

And meanwhile, back on the patch…

A selection of planes from the line up, including  a couple of Multiplex foam electric things (the Blizzard and Xeno) which Michael had great  fun with, zipping through the skies and skillfully (apparently) not crashing.

Garth’s new vintage effort, the details about which I shall post here as soon as I remember where I wrote them!

Vic turned up with this selection from his WWII collection.

And after much testing he discovered that his transmitter wasn’t exactly transmitting as it should, so wisely postponed the test flight of his electric Lancaster.

And finally in this item, a brief no fly interlude in the middle of the afternoon whilst our boys (and girls?) practise what they need to practise. How many clubs get this sort of show in the middle of an event? Bless them anyway and hats off to them all.

Andy Johnston brought out his fabulous Tiger Moth and this Venom ‘Chuckie’ from a Westfield kit. Ample power from an OS 25LA and what an ideal shape for a hand launch. Andy demonstrated the left hand launch technique (right hand being required for the transmitter)  – quite a difference from those awkward fun fighter types that sometimes just go all wrong as soon as you lob them into the air. 

A shot of a launch would have been good now that I think of it, but here it is resting between flights.

Andy also invited Michael to have a go with his Tiger Moth and there was some experimentation with side slip techniques. Not at all easy with this model, I understand.

Pat Cuss treated us all to the wafting aroma of a Fish and Chip lunch (why does he always do that when I’m hungry?) before rigging up his venerable Regal Eagle for an afternoon’s flying.

He was innocently asked what engine was in it, and pouncing on the opportunity he replied:
‘A Zenoah 38.  That’s why it says Zenoah on the wings and 38 on the fuselage.’
Enough said!

Tony Box brought along this line up for his day’s flying. Most things covered there then!

And between flights he spent some time with Chris Brack on the buddy box. Despite the fact that Chris is doing it all by the book just as he should he doesn’t seem to have much luck at the moment and ended up with a repair job to do on his Wot Trainer. The engine seems to be sorted now though – that’s one less thing to worry about.

Andy Johnston test flew Chris’s Hangar 9 Pulse for him and it’s ready to go when Chris is ready. Chris’s collection:

Richard Holloway brought along his OS48 powered Great Planes Escapade which Brian Philips took up for him.

And Norman Hart had fun with his 3D Prangster. OS 46 powered with a super efficient silencer – sounded lovely.

I managed to fit both the Wot4 AND my RV-8 into the new transportation so both got flown during the day.

Almost as pretty as my Kwik Fly. Which I still miss!

Phil Parmiter sends his apologies but this event has had to be cancelled. He does extend an invitation to his club’s fun fly day on the 14th of August. Contact Phil as below for details.

pparmiter@btinternet.com
or
01308 458389 (evenings) if you’d like to go along.

A few of us went last year and were made very welcome.

The Russian K7

Built in Russia during the 1930s, the K7. flew 11 times before crashing and killing 15 people.  The designer, Konstantin Kalinin, wanted to build two more planes but the project was scrapped.
Later, Stalin had Kalinin executed.  Evidently, it was not good to fail on an expensive project under Stalin.  It’s got propellers on the back of the wings, too. You can count 12 engines facing front.  With the cannons, the size would be equivalent to the Empire State Building on its side.
In the 1930s the Russian army was obsessed by the idea of creating huge planes.  At that time they had as many propellers as possible to help get these huge flying fortresses into the air – jet propulsion came later. Not many photos were saved from those times because of the high secrecy levels of such projects.
Can you imagine what it would be like sitting in this thing when those cannons went off?
Looks like something out of a Jules Verne novel.

I checked the date, and April 1 has been and gone, but you make up your own minds!