Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
Sloping Off - our newsletter

Diary of a Flyer by B Leonard Wise.

B Leonard Wise has been shot down by a large F W  190.  However he has agreed to help as ground crew at the competition where the F W is competing.

I told Clarissa my wife where I was going . Crispin my son was off for the weekend .

I was picked up about three o clock by Ken and Karen in their van.  Karen was driving and it was a bit of a squash in the front. They were a bit subdued I noticed and not much was said. We were heading for the West Country and they wanted to get there and settled before dark. We stopped for a rest and a coffee and Ken I could see was to take over the driving which meant that I would be squashed up against the delicious Karen. I did not want to embarrass her, or me and suggested that Isit somewhere in the back of the Van.

Karen said she knew why I had suggested that. Most men make passes at her and she appreciated that I did not. Could she be like a niece to me she asked. She had several uncles and they teased and joked and were fun without her having to be ready to slap their faces. I agreed and said if I did or said anything to upset her for her to tell me. I am not used to mixing with nubile young women.(This is the first we have heard of young women in the Diary - Ed)

So we proceeded eventually we reached the site. It was a general fly in with this competition as the highlight. There were already tents for the retailers and a camp site. Are we staying in a B and B I asked. They looked a bit sheepish and explained that they could not afford it. They would sleep in the van and would have the tent usually used by Pete. Karen said she had her sleeping bag especially cleaned and I could use that.   By the time the tent was up it was getting towards early evening and I was hungry. Lets have a meal and I will treat you I suggested . They looked worried.

Nothing posh a Harvester or a Toby I suggested after all you paid for the petrol. They agreed and we found a Toby Inn with all the lovely meat and loaded our plates up.

Stop me if I am nosing into your business I said but you complain of being short of money. Is that due to lack of work or not getting paid, Not getting paid said Karen. Especially by Jimmy Newel Builder Ltd added Ken.  Then the sorry tale came out. Newel who I knew as a bad payer had received invoices from Ken and four of his pals totalling £20,000  He was contesting the invoices and claimed he would bring  in cheaper Polish workers.  Ken was owed £5000. We do not know how to get at him said Karen. They then enquired what I did. I am credit controller I told them.   Just the person we need said Karen  if we could afford to pay you. We discussed the matter for some time. Then I suggested that all the lads get together get copies of their invoices  get Karen to list them  then take them to a Solicitor I would recommend.  He will present Jim.my Newel with a petition to wind up the Company fore non payment of debt.  If only, said Ken we cannot afford a Solicitor. Leave it to me I will speak to him he does a lot of work for my company. He will claim his costs from Newel.

You should get your money back but Newel will not employ you again. We will not work for him again anyway. said Ken.

We returned to our sleeping quarters. Them to the Van and me to the tent and Karen’s sleeping bag. I was awakened by the zip being opened light pouring in and Karen now dressed in jeans and a sober top offering me a cup of tea.  Breakfast in ten minutes she said. So it was get up and go. Karen was frying up a large breakfast for us all on a small camping stove. We ate then I helped Ken get the plane out of the van. I though we would have to put the wings on and do all the connections but being  a large van he had fittings on the wall and the plane was in one piece.

We carried it to the flight line checked it over which took some time  and sat down to await the judges for the static judging.

Then Karen still soberly dressed came out from the van with our matching team overalls. I thought I must be going up in the world put, on my overalls and felt very smart.

What can go wrong at the competition .? Can you wait.? You have to,..

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