TOPIC: Ferry Meadows Oxford Sat July13 2024

Part 1

It was lovely to revisit Oxford club's flying site on Saturday after a long break (like maybe 10 years) to do some sport flying alongside the scale competitors. These guys are the cream at the top and I watched many superb flights from equally superb models. The meet has changed somewhat though over the years as I was the only non competitor present who was flying models for fun.
All my models were Rapier powered as I managed to leave the TSP motors at home (duh) but before I started flying, I took a pic of the two other jet models there. Simon Milan’s profile model of the spectacular Convair B58 Hustler which although slightly under powered by a 140 mN Rapier looked great in the air. Simon was very brave leaving the profile engines in place for flight!


A somewhat larger and very impressive model was Ivan Taylor’s beautiful EDF Chance Vought Crusader. Although not one of ‘our’ jets, I was eager to see it fly and we were rewarded by a wide, flight which circled right round all us in an extended low pass, absolutely stunning.


I flew several models that had been left in boxes since last July at Old Warden but the trim had changed on all of them. Each model required a little more nose weight to stop from spinning down on the glide and other inappropriate behaviours. I can only assume that during storage the models have absorbed moisture which made them slightly tail heavy?

The Gnat and Harrier gave me the most problems with duff launches and spinning in but eventually they put in some good flights. On Simon’s advice, I launched the Gnat underhand which showed promise.



The slightly bigger Valiant, Comet and the B47 Stratojet, once rebalanced gave lovely high cruises looking quite stately and imperious.

Part 2

Chris Brainwood took a couple of photos of my models, which I've added below as I didn’t take any pics of my models on the day. The first pic shows the litter generated by my struggle with the ignitors, there were two others out of shot. The old fuses proved useless so I had to make one of them work! Thanks Chris.

Good job Howard glad to see your out and about flying once more.

Lighting up Simon Milan's B58 Hustler pic by Chris Brainwood



Roger adds:
below is another photo of Simon's unique Rapier L-2 powered B-58 Hustler:



Simon comments, "My B-58 is now very tired! Its outer engines (plus wing tips) have broken off more than once and you can see the reinforcing strips where the fuselage broke in half a couple of years ago. I will re-fit the broken-off engine and give it another go, but I think it’s long overdue for retirement."

Howard and I think the hustler is really rather splendid and we shall bully Simon for a copy of his plan. Below is an earlier photo of the Hustler in its prime from 2020:



Howard opines that the Hustler appears underpowered with Simon's Rapier L-2s and thinks the 11" span delta it will go better - at least into the stratosphere - with a TSP L-2 HP. Or four TSP L-1s of course ! Now there's a thought ......