May 30th. Managed to fly my Great Lakes scale biplane with help from Trevor. It flies very well now that I've finally managed to sort out the proper c.g. location, although it does not suffer fools lightly and will quickly bite you if you are too heavy on the controls. Having said that, so would the full size one. This then leaves me with a quandary, do I persevere with a highly manoeuvrable biplane which may improve my flying, having to be flown ultra smoothly, or do I pass it on and find something less hard on the nerves? Answers on a postcard please. I have also finished rebuilding my Xtreme so, weather allowing, I have two planes to try out.
June 28th. Visited Woodsprings Show with Trevor, Neil
and Gordon.
Fabulous flying display including Ali Machinchy,who put on a great
display flying the new Typhoon Euro Fighter, and a quarter scale
Zlin flown by Steve Holland. There were also full size displays
by an Extra doing limbo dancing under a 12 foot high tape. The
highlight of the show was an aerobatic display by a Mk 5 Spitfire
of the Queen's flight. The sound of the Merlin engine at such
close quarters, 100 metres from the flight line, was awesome.
After watching the Spit's aerobatic capabilities it was hard to
accept this aeroplane was designed in 1938. On top of all this
there were many trade stands to relieve you of your spare loot.
All in all this was the best show I have attended, and the likes of Sandown had better look to their laurels if they want to maintain their pre-eminence within the modelling trade. Gee'd on by Neil, I was persuaded to buy a new model flight simulator. I finally chose the new G2 Real Flight Simulator, which includes the transmitter and USB cable. Initial impressions are very favourable with incredible scenery, but I haven't had time to completely evaluate it yet.
The club was asked again this year, to organise a model exhibition at Somerford Scouts fair on the 19th July. Neil Longman, Andy Tubb and I duly obliged with a number of different models ranging from Neil's all moulded carbon/graphite gliders to my uncovered 'Bird of Time' at the opposite end of the spectrum. Andy weighed in with a variety of models including a beautifully made park flyer. (See elsewhere in this issue for more on both Clive's and Andy's models - Ed). It was very sunny and the three of us spent a pleasant day answering questions from the general public and sunbathing in the quiet periods. Having said that, I don't think these type of events really do much for us in the way of new members, but they do make the local community aware of our presence.
Talking of the local community, one of our members recently had an altercation with a rather irate lady (I use the term advisedly) whilst flying quite legally at Kings Park. She seemed to think that model flying was banned there. Since the football stadium has been completed, the signs informing the general public that this is a designated flying site for gliders and electric powered models have disappeared. In view of this we are writing to the council to request that the signs are replaced. If any of you have a similar problem whilst flying at our public sites, please inform a committee member as soon as possible so we can take appropriate action if required. Please do not get in touch with the local council directly, let your committee do it, that's what we are here for. That's all for now, so good flying and see you at the AGM. You are coming aren't you?