Greetings all,
While not expecting the doldrums, we were given to expect mildly better then we got. Oh that stiff nagging breeze across the Trossachs!
Did we get the hump? nah, defiance kicks in and off we go.
Saturday started with a hint of drizzle but breezy or not I was dying to try the new flying coffin (F-104).
I know it's impossible but there lies the attraction. Out of the flying case it exhibited a vicious snap roll to the right. Blu-tac turbulator on left wing trailing edge evened things up but all was still chaos at launch. Nose weight, then more and more in small increments. Breeze didn't help me one bit but it's ready for power.
An L-2X hung in the belly pod and lighting up brought complete anarchy to the skies. It's as impossible as it's big brother, however, I found a gentler launch brought dividends to around 50 feet where all hell broke loose in a totally unpredictable fashion. I must confess I flew it more on Sunday when I bought more motors. Entertaining, you bet, it can do more aerobatics in 20 seconds than the red arrows can do in a half hour. It glides like........ a shovel, no that's too harsh, it's not vertical but steep.
Sunday was the better of the two days and in a calm spell I even flew the beautiful DH 108 but due to the perceived extra thrust -L2LT's, I added some extra nose weight and it was a joy to behold.
Above: AB's squadron - note DH108. His Ewd Arrows Hawk flew well. Pity about the Delta Dart!
Roger, Chris, Andy Sephton, John Emmet, David Potts and Tony Butter worth were all producing smoke and the family Digby joined in the fun on Sunday for a R apier fest. Andy's DH110 Sea Vixen had the flight of the weekend when it did a "deck landing" on one of the stalls in the ca rpark, funny but not on video.
John and Mark Digby did quite a bit of filming which should be killer. I must confess I've had a sore throat, aching bones and muscles and have felt rather ill all weekend but I hope I disguised it well enough to not spoil anyone's enjoyment.
Yours,
Andy. [Prime Pilot
]
RJS comments:
Many thanks Andy. We had a great time and your Red Arrow's Hawk flew a treat.
Some photos:
Above: Chris with rescued-from trees Rocket Boy and 'Something Else'. Flew well.
Above: CR, RJS and AB on the blustery Saturday.
Above: my F-100 flew splendidly after some trimming.
Above: John Emmet with Vipers. They flew well (Tony Butterworth had one slso) in the unpredictable conditions.
Above: Alan Price with is lovely L-1 powered F-4 Phantom.
Above: Alan's F-4 in Flight.
I (Roger) will long remember Andy's F-104. Mark Digby's Gripen, the Viper's, my F-100s, the Draken, launched into sink (stupid boy!) cruising around at 19 ft or so without crashing, Andy's DH 108.
So, to sum up: we had a good time despite the conditions - wind, gusts, lift, sink, errant motors, dead igniters ... Andy's dad (90+) said he'd 'had a lovely time'
and went home well content.
I'm looking forward to the video!