The forecast looked marginal for the Saturday with XC Weather showing Westerly winds of only 5 to 7mph.  Sunday looked improved, with stronger winds on the most favoured SW slope and with no rain forecast either day we loaded up and headed off to Llandudno.  Following a number of pre-event discussions online our hopes were high for a good turnout on the 'Big Rock', and upon arrival at 10am we had already amassed an impressive group of flyers and rigged models.

Unfortunately the forecast held true, and we spent the majority of the first day grounded, enjoying the sunshine and calm conditions overlooking the Irish sea.  Flying was achieved throughout the day with lightweight slope soarers and electric powered models, but only the lightest of PSS models were ventured to the slope edge.

Nigel Moule bravely flew his Gates Learjet 35 for a short period of time and Andy Conway got airborne with a very neat little L-39 Albatross, but both models struggled with the lack of lift and eventually landed out on the ledge below, despite their light wing loadings.  Nigel tested the slope frequently with his EPP 'bounceable'  Mustang, and at one point felt he had discovered a better zone of lift as the wind swung slightly more to the North.  Rez Manzoori launched his all foam Airbus A380 into this and enjoyed a 15 minute flight (albeit without the engine pods to reduce the effect of drag in the marginal conditions) before landing out at his feet.

Group shot taken late on Saturday showing the good mix of PSS models on site

The majority of PSS models remained confined to the pit area, which was a shame as we had grouped well over 30 models including a number of new or untested types.  Matt Jones, Martin Middleton and Simon Cocker kept us entertained late in the afternoon with a superb dogfight demo between their electric Ripmax Spitfire and Me-109 duo and the well overpowered Multiplex Twin Star II!  Simon also put on an impressive display with his electric Bobcat twin-boomed pusher and used an enormous amount of blue sky in doing so!

By 6pm we all de-rigged and left the Orme with high hopes for a better day on the Sunday.  With a group of us staying over locally on Saturday night, we enjoyed a few pints, a good meal and the Llandudno nightlife before retiring back at the hostel with our Tx batteries all on charge.

Sunday dawned and thankfully brought with it improved conditions for PSS flying with a 12 to 15mph Westerly wind from the outset.  Keen to get going, and having had breakfast at the foot of the Great Orme in Llandudno, we were back on the slope and flying successfully by 9:15am... this was more like it!

Initial flights immediately proved the SW slope to be working well, and flying off the peg commenced and continued throughout the day.  Again, by 11am as more pilots arrived we had amassed well over 30 models and as the lift only improved throughout the morning the vast majority of these were successfully flown in near perfect slope conditions.

There were a number of flights and events worthy of note.  Nigel again flew his Learjet 35 and with the conditions far better suited than the previous day this graceful biz-jet grooved up and down the slope with authority.  Amazing to think this airframe is over 20 years old!  Rez also flew his Virgin Atlantic A380, this time laden with its 4 Trent 900 engines, and the model looked superb flying out over the Conwy estuary and Irish Sea.  Martin Middleton put in a number of good flights with his Lockheed U-2 and EPP P-51 Reno Racer 'Strega' with its flashing wingtip lights.  And Simon Cocker flew his far from conventional 'pivot wing' NASA experimental AD-1 and impressed onlookers with its variable geometry!

Ever popular, there was a squadron of 5 BAe Hawks present, all finished in different schemes and at one point 4 of these were flown simultaneously to great effect by Tim Mackey, Rez Manzoori, Phil Cooke and Matt Jones.  Matt's example is modified from the well proven Andy Conway plan, built light from reduced stock (with an AUW of just 1.25lbs!) and fitted with a true scale wing planform.  This was one of 3 maiden flights for Matt this day, the Hawk flew great and looked totally realistic in the air with its scale wing and working nose light!

A 'Hawk-fest' on the Great Orme! (L to R) - Tim Mackey, Rez Manzoori, Phil Pearson, Phil Cooke & Matt Jones

As well as the BAe Hawk, Matt Jones also successfully maidened his large F-18 Hornet, built for PSS from the Haoye white foam EDF kit but for me, his most impressive achievement of the day was with his Avro Vulcan, which we finally got to see grace the skies after a lengthy wait!

In ideal conditions Martin Middleton launched the mighty Vulcan (see title image) and Matt enjoyed a graceful 30 minute maiden flight, all captured on cameras and video by those who witnessed it!  Built from the South Herts Models plans the 72" span model required very little trim or balance adjustment and performed beautifully from the launch.  It looked stunning and totally realistic from every angle - this really is an impressive PSS model. Matt's confidence with the model's feel was such that he was soon demonstrating it close in for the camera with overshoot circuits and even formation flights with other models, including a memorable series of flypasts with Simon Cocker's  108" B-52! It was truly impressive to see these cold war jets flying closely together and for me this was the highlight of the weekends event.  Well done lads! See the Vulcan video at the foot of this report!

There was an array of other PSS bomber aircraft on show, including Lancasters and Victors.  In fact a pair of Victors were flown successfully on the Sunday by Nigel Moule and Simon Cocker.  Simons machine, only recently acquired is finished as an RAF tanker variant and is fitted with the refuelling drogue fairings and booster tanks on the wings.

PSS V-Force!  Matt Jones with Vulcan, flanked by Victors of Nigel Moule (L) and Simon Cocker

Andy Conway flew his unusual O/D Boulton Paul P.111A on numerous occasions as well as his small span L-39 Albatross, finished in the colours of the Czech airforce.  Not satisfied with 3 successful maiden flights in a day, Matt Jones also flew his Lockheed Tristar model for the first time with the wing mounted engines fitted.  I had not seen this model fly before (it was only its second flight!) but again the model went very well in the lift generated on the Westerly slope of the Orme.  This is a relatively small model, with a 44" span foam wing and a 'lost foam' moulded fuselage.

At 3:30pm, recognising that some attendees had a long journey home ahead of them, all pilots were asked to land briefly for a short award presentation.  Scott Collins, in memory of his father Ron, a founder member of the PSSA, has recently presented the Association with a magnificent new trophy, to be awarded on an annual basis in recognition of modelling craftsmanship or design.

Rez Manzoori has produced a picture gallery which holds many more photos taken at this event over the weekend. See the gallery HERE.

Rez has also edited a number of videos (below) which demonstrate the diversity of models seen at this event!

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