TOPIC: Mayfly - Old Warden 2023

Rather unexpectedly, we were blessed with near perfect weather - sometimes a little overcast, some sunshine and what little breeze there was tended to be 'thermal generated' and of variable direction. Lots of guys - flyers and onlookers - arrived in the afternoon and it was great to meet up with not a few old friends, like Lee Richardson, who we hadn't seen for a good few years. A day to remember!

Our small but stalwart band of regular rocketeers included Andy Blackwell, Daniel Rackstraw, Chris Richards, Howard Metcalfe and John Emmet. Together, we ensured there were smoke trails in the air pretty much continuously. Daniel and Andy in particular were indefatigable and I was pleased Andy was able to trim out Chris's unique Mig 15 and Lavochkin La-17 models:



Above: both Chris Richards' models feature an internal L-2 firing into an augmenter tube. Andy (on the right) spent much time trimming them and was rewarded with some wonderful flights. They look, and sound, great in the air.

Daniel flew many models many times. Here he is with his ever-reliable Flitzer (1&2) a Space Jet (3) (which, on several occasions, he was lucky he didn't lose in one of the rgular thermals. The T-38 (4) also flew well. Hint: if you want a spectaculr flight, launch your model into lift, not sink!



It was great to see Howard there. His Harrier, Gnat, B-47 and, in particular, Valiant, flew splendidly with his stash of vintage Rapier L-2 motors. His Concorde, too, was great fun:



Above: this is the first time I've seen Howard's new Concorde (left). Daniel helped him with a catapult launch (right, top and bottom)). Howard pulled way back on the elastic, PING! and nd away it went, fortunatly missing Daniels ear. It (Howard's Concorde, not Daniels ear) still needs a little more trimming ( I opined the drinks trolley needed, perhaps to be moded a little forward ) but it looked splendid in the air.

My first flight of the day was one of the best: The Venerable Viper went spetacularly well with a 320 mN TSP L-2:



Above: the Viper on its way to the stratosphere and I was lucky Andy was on retrieval duties. Rob Smith sent me this Facebook photo (thank you, Rob!)

The MiG 15 is a lovely model and Howard, Daniel and I tried to get all three in the air at the same time:



Above: 1, Bill Dean's ever-popular MiG 15. 2, me with my 'standard' MiG 15 and Daniel's two-seat trainer. 3. Howard's model, built from a later 'Easybuilt' (not KK) kit, is a tad larger. 4. a nice action shot!



Above: a medley of models seen at a truly memorable Mayfly. 1, Howard's little profile Gnat made a spectacular flight with an old 140 mN Rapier L-2 . It climbed to a great height, did some high speed aerobatics that would have had the pilot reaching for his ejector handle and - unexpectedly - it had a great glide. Howard was lucky it landed just this side of the hedge! 2&3, new rocketeer Rodger Reese flew a couple of very nice sport models suceesfully. He tells me he has Scale MiG-17 which he will bring next time. 4, veternan Jetex campaigner John Emmet with his Fizzlquick. 5, Lee Richardson with the oldest design on the field - a Zephyr. This is model which really need an L-2LT. 56 My Jetex Wren used up a lot of TSP L-1 motors.

So many folk were on the field, and so variable was the 'breeze' it was sometimes difficult to know which way to launch and the Wren did hit somebody on its final flight with a TSP L-1. Fortunately without damage to either party!



Above: still in recovery from a wretched Covid-19 secondary infection, I was under strict instructions to 'relax and just take it easy' Difficult, give the near-perfect conditions. I didn't feel well enough to trim out my newly-finished Aermacchi M-346 (top right). I should have let Andy have a go) but the T-38 and F-15 (soon to be an 'Aeromodeller' plan) both for TSP L-2, 170 mN, flew well. As did the Viper, which the estimable Andy retrieved from a hedge on the otherside of the road next to the aerodrome (Thank you again, Andy!) .

So, we put on a good show: I demonstrated how to trim the TSP Gripen to Chris Grant (a fellow Peterboro club member) who seys he will definitely bring it next time after he's added some lead to its nose) and Daniel surprised himself with the performance of his Skyrocket.



And Howard impressed us all with his profile B-47 and Valiant:



and his Harrier, which, he says, flies even better now it's been painted. There's a messge there somewhere ...



We all went home very happy bunnies indeed. Except .... I'm not the only one who now needs to stock up on motors

Wow, what great pictures. Well done everyone. I wish I'd been there.

cheers
Terry

A few pics of the wonderful event, what a fantastic day we had


The pic of the Migs is my only contribution the others below were taken by my brother Clive

Chris Richards, Roger on the right and me in the middle ponder our next sortie, while Andy Blackwell assists Chris and John Emmett
and Tony Butterworth look on.

Roger fettles his F15 for the next flight as Daniel Rackstraw admires Roger's Aermacchi


Some of my jets lay waiting an outing while Clive's models KP01 and 02 prop model also take a rest


Roger and I confer before launching my Gnat on its spectacular Mach 2 maiden flight


Roger launches his F15 while I duck out of the hot exhaust


There were just a few other flyers with non jet models!


Tony Butterworth shares a laugh with me as I prep the Gnat for its maiden, while Daniel continues to peruse the Aermacchi

The Gnat gets launched into its hot flight

There was a rather good report about this meeting in the latest 'AeroModeller'.
It included the photo below:



Fame at last!