4-7-02 Found a cordless modelling drill kit in B & Q selling at an incredible £7.95. This included several tiny metric drills, grinding wheels and assorted tools which on their own would have cost more than the purchase price. A Dremel it isn't, but how do you begin to make something like that for the price? Looking at the quality of some of the ARTF models around, the same applies - I wonder how on earth they are able to be sold at the price charged. In some cases it would be difficult to build them from scratch for the money asked.
5-7-02 Kings park covered in travellers' caravans. Hope they don't leave too much mess when they leave. (As I edit this, the travellers are back there again. All very disruptive to our Friday evening flying sessions - Ed)
7-7-02 Woodspring Wings Model Airshow. This was a very good meeting with the emphasis on flying but with many of the usual trade stands. There was a super flying display including the half scale Grosvenor House Comet racer by Steve Holland, Ali Machinchi with his twin turbo jet F16 and many other large scale models. There were also some impressive full size demos from a limbo dancing Extra 300 (Yes, you'd better believe it! Two volunteers held up poles with a ribbon strung between them - Ed), an RAF Grob trainer and two formation flying Russian Yak trainers.
I bought an airbrush kit for £10 show price. Jim bought a large cheeseburger, Trevor bought a Graupner 600 race motor and five doughnuts which he and Jim shared. It's bad enough having to watch these proceedings under normal circumstances but when the participants have less fat between them than a half starved racing snake I wonder if there is any justice in this world!
After I got home, Neil rang to say that he had purchased a Stuka kit at the show and had consumed what sounded like half a lamb in a pub on the way home. As I didn't have to watch him, perhaps there is some justice after all.
I have just heard from Trevor that Christopher Morris has passed his B.M.F.A 'B' certificate. So, many congratulations are in order to Chris and also to his Chief Instructor / Father, Steve. This is a fillip for our club and should hopefully encourage others to try for these proficiency certificates. As we are all now aware, many event organisers are now insisting on the 'B' certificate as the minimum qualification for event flying, so if this is your ambition you would do well to consider following Christopher's example.
Congratulations are also in order to Neil Metcalfe whom I was pleased to pass for the club proficiency certificate recently. He coped very well with very blustery winds at Stanpit and, as with all of us, his flying will continue to improve at a faster pace now he is able to fly unsupervised.
My one sixth scale Sopwith Pup is nearing completion, only requiring the rigging and battery retainers to be added. The model has come out heavier than expected at eight and a half pounds and I am concerned that it will not fly well on the proposed sixteen cells. Why do models always weigh more than the original estimate? I suppose it's the eternal optimist in us opposing practical calculation, or did I use too much epoxy?
That's all for now, so happy flying to you all for the rest of the season.