Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
Sloping Off - our newsletter

Diary of  Flyer by B Leonard Wise

He is at a competition as ground crew and the last round is about to start.

We were at last handed out the flying schedule for the final round. We had 15 minutes to learn it and all three of us, Karen, Ken and myself put our heads together and studied it. It looked alright to us except for a knife edge and a slow extended roll right across the front   of the judges.

Our turn came to fly and I placed the plane on the runway. I quickly returned to be able to act as the caller. Karen had the stop watch on a cord round her neck and was ready to time us. Ken took off with his usual aplomb and I started calling.  We had hardly got started when he started sneezing one sneeze after another. Karen seized the transmitter handed it to me and said take over,. It all happened too quickly for me to be nervous.  She said, he gets hay fever it will stop soon. Fly right to left, keep it level. Then pull up vertically, NOW. Halfway up a roll NOW. At the top fly back inverted NOW. She was good, in the middle another roll NOW. Ready to dive NOW another roll NOW. Pull out NOW up at 45degreees to the top of the flying oblong. I was aware that Ken had stopped sneezing, and also that the slow roll was soon needed and I could not do it well enough. Suddenly the Tranny was snatched from my hand by Ken, much to my relief.Karen kept calling. Get the watch she said. I realised that it was in front of her on a cord and would be nestling, well you know where. Hurry she snapped. So I grabbed it. I read out the time and she called and Ken flew.  His roll was perfect and the Knife edge perfect as well. I counted down the seconds and he landed again within one second. I expected to be disqualified but Karen told me Ken was known for Hay Fever and a sub was allowed as a concession. It certainly was not to his advantage. But Pete sometimes had to take over and it was allowed.

The last to go was the Spitfire. I thought we were in with a good chance and so it proved to be. He could not hold the knife edge and the slow roll looked like one of mine nearly but not quite. Ken was bound to be in the first three and I drifted away from them I did not want to butt into his victory. The third place was announced and all three of their team went out. I saw Karen was frantically signaling me to join them. I shook my head but Karen is not someone you disagree with lightly and she made a strong gesture so over I went As I expected the Spit came second.  Then in our matching overalls all three of us went up to receive the trophy. Ken was actually presented with it and we were all photographed. Then it was taken away and we were presented with individual smaller versions one each.  There were many photos taken several with Karen's camera held by a friend

Ken shook my hand and Karen gave me a hug and they both thanked me for my speed of reaction and my flying. Karen kissed my cheek and called my hero.  What  about me? protested Ken. You did the easy bit Len and I did all the hard work she said with a smile.

We all went and bought some bits and pieces from traders. Then we set off towards home, we were a merry band, not forgetting the meal I had promised us all. When I got home I thought I would keep it all to myself, but no chance. Karen had texted Pete, who had told Walter who had told Crispin, my son, who now knew all about my flying exploit and was  a bit jealous  that he had not gone. My trophy was examined and instead of putting it on the shelf in my study Clarissa insisted in putting it in a prominent place in the china cabinet. Such is the price of fame I suppose. I now  have one of Karen's photos of the three of us. Ken holding the trophy and Karen and I  each side with our arms around   Ken   and each other. When Clarissa saw it and saw I had my arm around Karen she lifted her eyebrows and asked who was the   lucky girl?

I know you will want to know how they got on. Karen came round to see me with a pile of papers and we put them in order for the solicitor. While she was there Crispin came home. He discovered girls last year and does not know what to make of them. He was jealous of my friendship with Karen but did not know what to do or say. Clarissa brought in a cup of tea for us all Karen told Clarissa that I was their hero and asked if she could kiss me on the cheek. Clarissa raised her eyebrows and said 'My dear it will make his week'. Crispin went out of the room.  I got my kiss,  they got their money I am pleased to say. When I speak to Ken Wood at the airfield I am still careful not to go around the wrong side of the van I do not want to end a beautiful friendship.

To be concluded?

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