June 03
Well, Where Do I Start?
By Steve Watkins
I have been a devoted modeller of the land and water type for some time now and have always wanted to get in to flying models but didn't know where to start. I couldn't fly at the time and it's a bit different to the land and water type as it makes a louder bang when something goes wrong.
Should I buy a plane, build it, fly it, and crash it - ouch!? I don't think so (to damn expensive like that), so I started looking on the net for some ideas and I found so much information (input overload) and still too dear if you make a mistake, so what was the answer? I thought I would do a search for model flying insurance; my logic was if I could find the details of the cover for beginners, I would get more info on the type of aircraft I should build. This search was worth its weight in gold, because I found the BMFA web site. Well, this paid dividends to me because I wanted to do it right for safety's sake.
Anyway there I was with my new found knowledge and cash, I was now a model shops dream. A 40 year old let loose in a toy shop and a shop keeper just waiting to take my readies. So many trainers, so little time, too much money burning a hole in my pocket. I felt like Homer Simpson in his watering hole DOH!!!! It's funny how shop assistants get itchy fingers when they see a newbie come into their shop, I'll have to stop wearing that damn beacon on my head. This was no good, I was getting nowhere, and there must be an easier way of spending my money. I then had an idea; the WEB. I ran home not spending a penny, (good eh??) Chased my daughter off the PC and logged on to search for model shops and somewhere to fly in my area. The list of planes was endless so I decided to do it on cost. Two shops came up trumps for that. I think we all know Inwoods and SMC, I also found Flairs site and some write ups on the Flair Cub, a 73 inch beast, and it needed a max of a .40 motor and min 4ch radio.
So I ordered it over the net in November and couldn't wait for delivery, so while I was waiting, I started to read up on the type of colour schemes that the Cub came in, and couldn't believe my eyes, it even served in the USAF in military colours, or should I say colors. Anyway, getting back to when I've built it, where do I fly?
I logged back onto the BMFA website and searched for flying clubs in my area and found two. One in Northampton which was too far away and one in Rugby - that's where you lot come in - THE FENNIS FLYERS.
Now that sounds like the place for me I thought. The web site looks good as well, so I sent in an e-mail to make first contact, and an e-mail came back from a guy called Jez. He said to just turn up at the field, or the club, and ask some questions and see if I liked it. I thought I would wait until the club meeting on the first Tuesday of each month to see the regulars and get more info one on one. Which mode? Weight? Size? Tests, 'A' and 'B'? Confused!!!! I was. Anyway, where's my bloody model?
It turned up. I unpacked it, excitement took over, and I started building. As I was used to building boats, I used the same modelling glues - big mistake!!!! And thanks to Flair, for making the Cub so robust, and being able to take the extra weight by a pound from 4 ½ to 5 ½ pounds. I'm glad I bought the bigger size of power plant so it should cope (I hoped!). You see, for those of you that don't know, boats get a lot of banging about in the water, you have to use much stronger glues and you need the extra weight for ballast. Well, for me using two small bottles of speed epoxy each weighing in at 8oz... well, the thought didn't go though my head. Again thank God for Flair and that big wing. I wish I had asked Jez that question the first time I met him and I might have been able to save a pound in weight by using cyano'. Anyway, the Cub is finished. Covered in Cub yellow, a childhood dream of mine. Now off to the flying field.
It was a cold Sunday afternoon in February and I had arranged to meet James Hunt at the field for its maiden flight. I still remember it now. It was very windy and muddy at the field. We checked the Cub over together so I could learn what to look for in the pre-flight checks. I was as nervous as hell, well; we have all been there at some time or another. This was my babies first day out and boy was it cold. Pre-flight checks done, and James decided to use his own TX to fly it.
He programmed in my plane and did a range check, he asked me to start it up making sure she was well chocked. She fired up first time, we let her warm up for a bit then James taxied her out on to the field. No one else was there, he did a ground circuit to make sure nothing came loose and brought her back so we could check her over again, all OK, thumbs up. This time was for real, I was shaking like a leaf, my legs felt weak and my heart was pumping like mad. James asked me to lift her up and point the nose to the sky; she revved up and held her revs. I then lined her up into the wind, James opened up the throttle to full power and all 12,000rpm on a 10x6 prop let loose as tyres broke free and moved off. Her speed increased and the tail came up, then in no more the 15 feet she was airborne!
What a feeling from November to February and she's flying. The first aircraft I have ever built. Land and water haven't got a patch on this. I was like a boy again, great feeling. James did one circuit with her, and then had to make her fight her way back against the wind for her first landing. I was very apprehensive about it, but James did a great job and brought her down safely. He asked me to check the throws as she needed more elevator and rudder. This gave me something to do during the week. We arranged to meet up again the following week. This gave me time for my nerves to settle down and my blood pressure to drop, it
also let me make a buddy lead for our next visit. I was determined to go for my 'A' cert.
Above all, it's a challenge, it's fun and it's free, I love it. Its now May and I have passed my 'A', it was the first certificate I have ever enjoyed doing. The buzz is addictive. Thanks James I enjoyed every minute of it. The buddy link worked well, didn't it? That's the way to teach.
Anyway, got myself another plane now, a low wing (Texan ll T6A). I'm going for my 'B' now, and then one day, who knows, I might be teaching some newbie. I look forward to that day.
Happy Flying to you all,
Steve (HAWKEYE) Watkins.
Shows in June
Telford Int' Model Air Show
Jun 14 - 15
Weston Park
Weston Under Lizard
Staffordshire.
LMA Duxford Show
Jun 21 - 22
Imperial War Museum
Duxford, Cambs.
Wings & Wheels Spectacular
Jun 28 - 29
North Weald Airfield,
Nr Epping, Essex.
Ray Tilley
We were shocked to learn of the sudden and totally unexpected passing of Ray Tilley, who died peacefully in hospital on May 5th. Following on so soon after the news of Alan Boneham's passing made the tidings even more poignant.
Ray and his wife Ivy came to live in Lutterworth many moons ago from the Luton/Dunstable area, where both had been employees of Vauxhall Motors. Ray used to fly gliders at Warwick Racecourse, but joined with a small group of Lutterworth flyers - notably Bill Sewell and Chris Sanders - in being founder members of the Fennis club back in 1980/81.
A very active modeller, always having a building project on the go in his well equipped garage workshop, Ray was a fine builder and his finishing technique was beyond reproach. A master of film covering, he was equally adept at glass cloth skinning and traditional dope and tissue. So much so that the Concours d'Elegance events held by the club from time to time became something of a “Ray's Benefit”!
Ray had aquired an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the whereabouts, opening hours and stock carried of (it seemed) every model shop of note in the country. This knowledge had been gleaned during his time as a travelling representative for a firm producing industrial pneumatic components. He could usually be relied upon to tell you where to get some component or other missing from your next model!
Always ready to help, always with a joke to tell, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Ray leaves a wife, Ivy, and sons and grandchildren, to all of whom we offer our sincere condolences.
Club Meetings
The May chuck glider competition was won by John Andrews closely followed by Charles Aitkenhead. The best flights were in the order of five seconds and some interesting designs were seen.
The June 3rd club meeting will be a social evening with a background video of the development history of the Fairey Rotodyne. See you there!
Quote:
In soloing -- as in other activities -- it is far easier to start something than it is to finish it.
Amelia Earhart, '20 Hours: 40 minutes,' 1928. G :-)
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