March 2008

Sunday 30th afternoon. The clocks changed overnight to give an extra hour of flying in the evening. Quite a good day, relatively warm sunny with a light southerly breeze. All the usual faces were out, Mark Burnham had a new IC fun fly model but I failed to get details (must get that note book). The control line circle was busy again with young David and dad circulating all afternoon.

Mark's Funfly	CB's Blade "side slips" past
Ken's "Flair" Magnatilla a very consistent performer and much photographed model. This model has quite a history and very interesting provenance having passed through quite a few members workshops. It is sometimes fitted with floats and has been flown of a flooded "Plock Court" if anybody as the video of this please let me know and I will put it on the site.

Ken's M	Stan launching for Paul

David and Paul control line flying
Saturday 29th evening at Bentham. No reports of flying during the day, but with a very blustery wind and heavy showers it was not surprising. The last indoor flying session of the 07/08 season was a great success with twenty flying although Steve from Chepstow arrived late just as we were packing up do to getting his times mixed up, anyway he still got three flights in and in a quite unusual fit of generosity I didn't charge him. Didn't seem to be so many models in the air and both helicopters and fixed wing managed to fly happily together. I don't think there were any major mid airs. There was certainly a good crowd in the pits with many very interested spectators. Departure was delayed do more persistent heavy rain, models and equipment were placed in the foyer while a small group gathered in the bar for a final drink. I think most would agree that the move to Bentham has been a great success, and we will be returning in the autumn. As news spreads of this venue I think we can be in for a good turnout next season. Thank you all for your support over the last six months.

Phil's Flyingwing's Bee	Brian's Wing

Steve's Ikarus Extra	Bi-plane prop hanging

Protech	Paul flying Phil's shockie

Sunday 23rd March afternoon. A cold northerly wind and a few showers put most people off. Adrian had a good afternoon flying his high wing trainer, "Fun Fly" and two of Phil's helicopters. The two Raptors, an electric and IC models flew well leaning slightly in to the stiff breeze. Phil

Clive heaves his "PRAT" aloft.	Adrian's Fun Fly landing.

George Ford's "Zurro"

	Paul and David still flew controline despite cold windy conditions. Not sure if Paul has just launched this model our if his practice his falconry skills to extract membership fee for membership sec. from local buzzard. I'm informed he still hasn't paid up!
	Adrian, short of one helicopter willing volunteers to undertake testing of a couple of models for Phil? Didn't try any aerobaticals! I/C Raptor bottom left, electric version below.

Saturday 22nd evening Bentham Country Club. Great turnout, many arrived early to see the girls playing netball, disappointed that they hadn't turned up had to satisfy themselves by flying model aeroplanes. Great evening was had by nearly all, a few staying for a pint in the bar. Next Saturday 29th will be the last night for this winter. So your last chance or just come and watch and have a beer.

Great pit area table and chairs provided.	Even better flying area.

The lighting is superb for flying if not quite so good for photography.	Phil actual caught on camera flying a helicopter. Pete Wolfendon Blade Pete's first time indoors.

Steve Parker's errant IFO.	Phil's "Pogo" lost in the space.

Part of Brian Rawlings "airforce" above and below Kavan Sopwith Camel,


and a Fieseler Storch from a unknown German kit., plus his GWS Piper Cub below.



Chairman's Spitfire flew well in the extra space.	Steve Whithead's shocky races round.

Pete Wolfendon's E.flite Blade XL.

Stuart Green flew his Twister R/C Skylift and his Kyosho Minium Citabria.

Adrian's Align T.rex before, during and after! Adrian put on a very spirited display, considering he only started flying heli's when we started the indoor sessions he has progressed very well. There are as far as I know only two other club members who regularly fly inverted.

Quote from earlier in month "Adrian’s getting pretty good at this inverted stuff. He asked the other day what model he should get next? Answer, another T.rex 450 to replace this one when he breaks it." I rest my case?



*I-wanna-bee-PhilKen flying his Heli*	*CB flying Heli*
Saturday 8th at Chosen Hill A good turnout at the last but one indoor session at this venue. Lots of helicopters again, CB flew Dave's new model. Mike progressed a little at aerobatics with his home brew Extra, but was still hitting the floor. CB hit the floor hard with my Yak after failing to make the large aileron correction needed for inverted flight. Steve had radio problems with his home brew 3D and his heavy flying wing. Paul had mixed success with his control line models. Ken's heli came to grief after flying too high and hitting a roof beam. I flew my Bee shaped model and made two Pogo vertical landings, I find this hard as I have not mastered a solid prop hang yet. Phil Thursday March 6th Needed some more up to date pictures of models flying in Bentham Dome. Phil came along with his new “Bee” complained “he would have to get some new glasses as he wasn’t used to flying models so far away from himself”. Flew my T.rex and actually enjoyed flying it indoors at last. The "Divo" performs very well in a space this size, still didn't stop me breaking it as the floor is still hard. No comment on the other model flown only to say "it just had to be done"! No it won't be repeated by me or anybody else.



	Wednesday 5^th March. “The Membership Sec. agrees he's under 18 but he still has to fill in a membership form and pay his joining fee before he flies again. Would any member catching up with him please ask him to conform to the club rules.

Mike Bonds Seagull Models electric Piper Cub prior to maiden flight.

Sunday 2^nd March Adrian’s getting pretty good at this inverted stuff. He asked the other day what model he should get next? Answer, another T.rex 450 to replace this one when he breaks it.

The “Chuckle Brothers” help to extricate Chairman’s new Bristol Fighter from car, should have been video for best effect.



Bristol Fighter departs for a quick sortie

Bristol Fighter returns from it’s sortie to a bit of an undignified end.



The 'Chuckle Brothers' in matching hats get out there control line model, this would also make an amusing video. However 'brother' Paul may well be thinking otherwise!

	Saturday 1st March. Four Heli’s in one picture! The white shape is Richard Cockram’s (not in picture) miniscule Walkera Dragonfly, so close to the camera that the return from the flash has overpowered the camera, next is Chris Ashwood with the red Blade XL, then Clive with his Eco and right in the corner Stan Lane, his model (type not known) hovering in front of the goal. This has to break Phils record for the most models in one shot.

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Gloucester Model Flying Club


	A good turnout, 8 helicopters 5 fixed wing and few Palm Zs. Adrian inverted his helicopter twice, a brave feat indoors, see the You Tube video You Tube inverted helicopter flight. One of the Palm Zs met Clive's helicopter shredding it. Steve's shocky took a chunk out of my Bee. I hooked my shocky undercarriage in the roof heater while trying to fly over the roof beam, Clive freed it with his pole.
Adrian rescued Brian's Bendy with a ladder, after it got tangled in the netting. Mike is still using up while inverted, but his model survived hitting the floor. A video has been posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOK4-YXbtxI mostly filmed by Derrick Phil, (photos to follow shortly)

March Blog

Sunday 30th afternoon.

Saturday 29th evening at Bentham.