The weather on the run-up to this event had been mixed to say the least.  Even the forecast had varied grossly from Easterly to South Westerly winds over just a few days.  This event was a re-run, put back from September when a poor forecast had forced the SSA committee to call it off then.  Was this event to be at all??  Thankfully, on the day itself, it appeared as though the gods were finally with us…a steady SSW wind was rustling the trees at home in Derbyshire, and no rain was forecast all day.  Decision made! - I was on my way…It was bitterly cold though, and I threw an extra jacket and hat in the boot as I left the house…

The Sheffield site, set in the hills above Hathersage is less than an hours drive from home, and I was one of the first to arrive before 10 o’clock.  It was fine on top of the hills, although the wind wasn’t as strong as I would have liked…it was still early though and it was bound to develop.  Wasn’t it?? 

Event organiser Peter Hitchborne was already on site and had meandered down to the SW slope to investigate with a few other SSA club members.  They seemed quite happy flying their sports machines so with evidence of a working slope I set about rigging the lighter of my two PSS models.  Before I had finished a number of other PSSA members had also arrived, and the banter soon got underway prior to us reaching the slope and setting up camp.

Gladly, the turnout was a little stronger than at other recent meets, with a collection of 20 or so PSS models, and 8 PSSA members in attendance.  This was then boosted further by SSA members who had been encouraged to build PSS models by their club for this years events (perhaps this will also lead to new PSSA members??)  They operated a simple peg-on system and, although there was a relaxed ‘pilots vote’ competition to be decided over the day the event ran very much as a ‘fly-for-fun’ meet.

The wind had indeed developed a little in the time it took us to rig and get to the hill, I guess it was between 10 and 15 mph but its direction had us flying in a narrow corridor of air on a less favoured site.  Sink was evident both left and right of a narrow band of lift, and even the lightest of models at times flew awkwardly.  As we were limited to a small area of sky the air soon got crowded even with only 3 or 4 models in flight.  These factors put a few modellers off launching, and resulted in the flying being a little ‘stop-start’ prior to lunch.  Not all bad though - it gave me a chance to have a look at some of the newer models on the ground.

Other models new to me and worthy of mention were those of Jean Luc Belon – he had brought with him an immaculate N.A. Texan, a Me-110 and an impressive N.A. XB-70 Valkyrie.  All these models were flown on numerous occasions during the day, particularly in the afternoon once the conditions improved.  I was particularly impressed with the Valkyrie with its drooping wing-tips and detailed cockpit!! (approx 1/40 scale) It flew very well and didn’t seem to suffer with drag in the turns like other big deltas I’ve seen.

Steve Buckley flew his PSS converted Ripmax Spitfire to good effect – I have always been impressed with this models glide in ground effect when flying from the flat field as an electric model - but this was proof it was equally at home on the slope!  For £60 ready covered straight from the box we should all have one! – they would certainly make a good introduction to PSS for any modeller, and require only minimal conversion from electric!

Steve Griffiths and Mike Briggs were in attendance with their usual squadron of models, as ever all well flown to good effect on the day, and Martin Middleton (above) joined us with his newly finished T-33, in Thunderbird colours just like my airframe!  Martin bravely test flew this model at the event and it was well behaved from launch – we were soon flying close formation, lacking only the 3rd machine of Simon Cocker who was not able to make the meet through car trouble!!  We can’t wait to fly all 3 T-33s together though and Martin took to the formation flying like a duck to water!

Peter Hitchborne (above left) flew his T-45 Goshawk, still new with only 4 flights on the clock and it went very well in the lift, which had improved significantly after lunch.  Andy Shaw (above right) flew his L-39 Albatross, built from the Andy Conway plan to good effect. I was asked to launch it, and felt it was surprisingly weighty, but this mattered not – it only increased its flying speed up and down the slope. With such energy Andy was even able to demonstrate some neat 4-point rolls!

Having each been asked earlier to fill out a form for best prop, best jet and best flight, we flew on (the lift improving all the time) until 3pm when Peter called a mass landing for the prize giving.  Each winner received a very handsome pewter cup, engraved to mark the occasion. The winners were;

Best Jet - Andy Blackburn – BAE Jet Provost

Best Prop - Jean Luc Belon – Messerschmitt Me-110

Best Flight - Phil Cooke – Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star

The Nexus RCM&E PSS Trophy was also awarded, with Mike Briggs doing the honours and taking Steve Griffiths quite by surprise in announcing him as the winner!  It was worthily awarded to recognise Steve’s efforts in editing the PSSA Magazine and his success in the development of small scale and dual purpose PSS/EPSS designs.  Well done Steve - is greatly deserved!!!

Things closed down soon after the awards were given out, and people headed back to their cars, happy with the days flying, particularly in the afternoon.  I flew on for a while, it being my last flying session for a few months as I’m about move house and put the models into storage!!

I would like to thank Peter Hitchborne and all the SSA members for putting on such a good informal competition, and for their determination in re-running the event after the initial cancellation in September!

Well done lads – keep up the good work!! - we look forward to joining you again for your PSS comps in 2006!

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