Report and
photos by Phil Cooke
Following the success of the first Peak
District event run in May 03, a repeat arrangement was set
up at short notice, using our website and magazine as media
to advertise our plans. As before, we met up for
breakfast at McDonalds in Congleton, on the edge of the Peak
District, where we decided upon where to travel, based on
the conditions for our days entertainment. (Looking
back, we may make alternative arrangements next year and
coordinate arrivals to the chosen site by phone, as many of
the modellers who had travelled to the meet point only then
had to ‘back peddle’ by 20 miles to the flying site!) –
Sorry lads! With a light ESE wind, conditions were far
from ideal for PSS flying, but with 10 or so modellers in
attendance we set off towards Mam Tor near Castleton.
Upon arriving at Mam Tor approx 11am, the
increase in altitude had brought with it poor visibility and
(initially anyway) even calmer air. A decision was
made not to climb Mam Tor, as the tops were in mist, but
instead to fly a lower edge just ¼ mile way. This was
‘Treake Cliff’ and, much to the delight of many a modeller –
was an easy 5 minute walk from the car park.
Although PSS flying was not possible at
first due to the low wind, in true event fashion all the
models were rigged and carried over to the site. In
total there were 14 modellers and 22 models. A good
attendance, considering the forecast. The wind on the
edge was varying between 5 and 8mph ESE, but despite this
some PSS flying did take place.
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Andy Blackburn led the way with his
lightweight BAe Hawk T1. This model is well
proven in light lift, but the conditions on the day
proved a little too light even for Andy, although he did
skilfully make a flight last a few minutes scratching up
and down the edge.
Not to be outdone, Steve Griffiths
and Mike Briggs also flew their Embraer Tucano
and L-39 Albatross respectively.
Again, short, scratchy flights were achieved before the
models returned safely to earth. |
|
Andy
Blackburns' lightweight BAe Hawk T.1 built from
the
ever popular Conway/Griffiths plans
|
In light of the lack of PSS flying, the
slope was opened up to non PSS models, and we were kept
entertained by numerous floaters and even electric models
from time to time.
Looking around the pits area there
were a number of models worth noting. Stuart Redfern
joined us from Chester and brought with him his well-known
Supermarine Attacker, and also a lovely P-47
Thunderbolt, built from the Clive Smalley plan at just
38” span. This model was finished in the RAF Burma
SEAC scheme which made a nice change from the usual USAF
silver schemes.
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Andy Blackburns' OD Mikoyan MiG 19 |
As well as
flying his Hawk, Andy Blackburn displayed his
beautiful Mikoyan MiG 19.
Steve Davis
from Vortex-Vacforms in Leicester joined us and
brought with him a squadron of models, including his
cool new Me-262, an A-10 Thunderbolt II
and a MB339 Aermacchi – all EPP models but
finished to Steve’s usual high standard using the
brown paper method.
Simon Cocker
brought along his impressive NASA test plane the
AD-1, with its asymmetric wing design.
|
|
Peter Hitchborne brought along a fine
example of the Supermarine Spitfire and NA Mustang.
The Spit – a Mk 9 - is built from the Balsacraft kit, whilst
the P-51 is from the ModelTech stable. Both models were
nicely finished.
Finally Tim Beeston test flew his new
Shorts Tucano for PSS/Electric from the Eric Ledley
plan. Designed for speed 400 motors and 7 cells, this
is yet another good example of the increasing design trend
towards ‘dual purpose’ models, which, as proven here, can be
so valuable when the conditions are not suited to PSS.
|
EPP A-10 Thunderbolt II from the
Vortex Vacform (Steve Davis) stable |
|
Very stylish Me-262 - again all EPP and finished in
brown paper and PVA by Steve Davis |
By 3pm, or there abouts, mist and
drizzle brought our proceedings to a close, and although
little or no flying was done the attendance and good spirits
of those who made it to the site was rewarding enough.
I look forward to the coming season for more events in the
Peak District where hopefully (as in May this year) the
weather will be kinder and allow us to fly some of the
magnificent sites in this area of the country.
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