It is generally agreed that, whereas forecasting the weather is difficult, controlling it is impossible. Well, last time I wrote: "... stock up on building materials and thumb your nose when the English Summer presents you with a run of wet and windy Sundays" - and look what happened! So, if your Solarfilm all wrinkled in the sun, you know who to blame.
The extremely hot weather was also my excuse for crying off the BMFA Scale Day at Winchester early in August. Apparently I was not the only one, and attendance was somewhat down on last year. However, Steve Morris and son Christopher are made of sterner stuff and turned out to brave the heat of both the sun and the competition. They did rather well, and I hope to have a full report on their adventures next time.
This time we have features on three models, courtesy of Mike
Roach, Andrew Tubb and Clive Spencer. These are all "builder's
aeroplanes" but, in view of the ever-increasing popularity
of ARTF models, it is good to be able to include a piece on these
too, in the form of a salutary tale from Chris Bashford.
There are two internet-sourced items: The first is the an explanation
by Don Stackhouse of the leading edge stall, the second concerns
the demise of what must have been the biggest electric r/c aircraft
in the world, the solar powered Helios. Latest news is that this
magnificent craft was lost due to structural failure following
a period of control instability - sound familiar?!
Oliver Kirkwood has once again provided a report on his overseas flying activities and, back at home, Gordon Coy updates us on the progress of the Summer Thermal series and the Thermal Competition held in July at the Wessex Soaring Association's field.
September marks the start of our Winter programme, so please get out your diary and enter the dates from the updated calendar. There are some interesting meetings coming up in the early part of the season, including a talk from the makers of arguably the most innovative i.c. model engine ever, RCV. Mike Roach has devised a new competition format for the December meeting which looks set to provide a good measure of chaos and merriment - provided of course you remember to order the pizza in time...