Hi guys,
A pretty blustery weekend with Saturday better than Sunday. Wind from the SW steady at around 10 knots gusting up to 16-18 knots. Sunday was if anything windier and more turbulent.
But we (myself, Andy Blackwell, John and Mark Digby, Howard Metcalfe, Chris Richards
et al) managed to make some excellent flights. My Lansen, Veron Sea Hawk and semi profile Draken went well. My only disappointment was the Jetex Wren which got blown into the ground several times and needed gluing back together twice.
John Digby's tailless DF128 for L-1 made a couple of spectacular sorties (I think he cleverly launched into lift on both occasions).
Howard's new F-4 Phantom for L-2X/L-2HP flew as steady as a rock into the wind, really looking the part. Very impressive.
Above: John and Mark Digby with Howard.
Mark had brought his new SAAB Grippen:
But it was too blustery for any test flying. This model is paper over balsa and I've asked Mark for the templates. Mark's model should go well with an L-1.
The indomitable Chris Richards had some good flights - even managing a very nice one with his Jetex Wren on the Sunday (something I failed to do).
Above: Chris's MiG 29 and Hunter. The Hunter needed a powerful L-2 but flew very steadily into the wind.
Not Jetex, but EDF: Anthony Druce's OD 30" span 230g KP 32mm fan powerd Saro A1 flew impessively in the conditions and stayed in the field (though only just on several occasions). On one heart-stopping flight we thought it was headed for the trees, but it fortunately just landed in the gap!
All in all we had a good time though the wind was pretty tiring. We spread the 'Jetex/Rapier rocketeering gospel' so we may see more jet jockeys at the next meeting in July. I hope it's calmer!