The Lleyn MAC PSSA Fly-In – 1st / 2nd July 2017

‘Anne’s place’ sets the scene for a fantastic weekends soaring on the Lleyn Peninsula.

Report by Andy Meade – Photos by Phil Cooke

The lead up to this event produced the usual roller coaster of emotions linked to the changing forecast, but I thought I’d make the most of what ever flying time we were blessed with by getting to the area on Thursday morning and getting some cheeky early flights in. Alas, it rained solidly (but with good wind!) for all of Thursday and most of Friday, clearing to a wonderful sunset on Friday evening and a swing of the wind from NE to NW.  What would tomorrow bring?  Fingers desperately tapped away on our smart(ish) devices, pulling in weather reports and pressure charts, messages pinging away into the night on intended slopes and conditions.

Saturday brought us a bright, cloudless sky with wind in the right direction, if lacking a little in speed.  A great turnout of pilots and models (maybe not as much as an Orme event?) set the day up, so we made camp at “Anne’s Place” – just South of the great bay of Hell’s Mouth.

The early flying in an 8 to 12mph wind consisted of lightweight models – some sport, some PSS – as we waited for the breeze to stiffen to something a bit more robust for the bigger models. The three diminutive EPP Alpha Jets of Harry Twist, Chris Barlow and Phil Cooke plied their trade well in these winds – fantastic R/C conversions from the FMS free flight chuck glider. The lightly loaded Vulcan of Pete Garsden also managed to get away well, but it soon became apparent that even with the wind blowing – the lift seemed to not really be there.  There is a lovely steep SW bowl a bit further round the coast from Anne’s farm, so a few of us decided to get out there and give it a go.

I took the big U-2 over, and met up with Harry and Chris who were finding the wind coming straight in, and the lift abundant with a 22 to 25mph SWerly.  Gradually, more pilots and spectators meandered over from the farm as they saw we were getting height and able to perform aerobatics in the clean lift, and so the skies filled up.  Tim Mackey impressed us again with his large Jamara converted Spitfire and its sound system, surprising pilots and passers-by with the authentic Merlin growl and strafing .303 machine gun fire!

Matty Jones and Rich Henderson were flying their Fouga Magisters in formation, having a ball with these manoeuvrable aircraft.  As I had just brought my own Fouga across from the other pits area, I thought it would be rude to not join in, and we soon had some close 3-ship formation flying across the slope, and even from behind where the lower land lies.  I’d never been over to this slope before, but it does give the pilot some amazing opportunities for low-level approaches that result in a zoom out over the sea.

Rich Henderson had built up a lovely Mitsubishi A-6 Zero from the Tony Nijhuis plan, with a slightly stretched wing which is actually representative of an earlier variant of the type. The aircraft is finished with spraypaint over film to create a great weathered look, and Rich was very keen to get it off into the lift. With a good push from Matty, the model tracked straight and true, quickly picking up speed and seemed more nimble that it’s weight would suggest.  Just a few mods from the original RCM&E free plan were required (the aforementioned wing stretch, and a sharper LE) to make this model a beauty on the slopes, and a rare sight to be sure.

The ubiquitous Jet Provosts of Phil Cooke, John Hey and Chris Barlow were also put to work in the fantastic conditions, with the usual hi-jinks of tail chasing and formation aeros. Just after 1pm some drizzle swept in over us, and a few models were put away for the duration, whilst others went back to the cars for a spot of lunch.  It didn’t take long to blow through though, and within the hour most of us were back out into the plentiful lift flying in a slightly more overcast sky.

My SAAB Viggen (Right) built from the Jim Fox DF kit eventually got the heave-ho into the wind, and I’m happy to say that at last she flies well, if not that convincingly, as I think some balance tweaks are still required.

Sunday’s weather was much the same as Saturday from the word go in the morning – blue skies, and a light wind from the West.  Again, EPP Alpha Jets and electric models were pushed out into the light lift, but it gave everyone time to have a chat about models and late stragglers to get their kit out to the slope in a leisurely fashion.  By mid-morning, the breeze came up a bit more, and heavier models were called into action – notably the EPP Me109 of John Hey, and the orange Jet Provost of Phil Cooke.  These two enjoyed the usual spirited close formation flying, with perhaps the slightest of touches every now and then, but no paint was traded and lots of fun was had.  Steve McLaren entertained onlookers with his Cloud Models Mosquito that was built for PSS from the EP kit, and what a great machine she is in the air.  The wind speed increased yet more, and I nervously decided to try the Fouga on this slope, but needn’t have worried.  She is reasonably lightly loaded, and grooved around effortlessly in the 15-18mph sea lift.

Harry Twist, Chris Barlow, and Tim Mackey put on a nice tail-less display with formation flying of two Vulcans and the correx Horten Ho-229, with lovely close passes and gentle aeros as they pushed through from behind and out to sea.  Around lunch time, the wind once more seemed to favour the SW direction, and again we de-camped and moved all of our gear round the coast line.  Here, the wind speed seemed stronger, and the lift was abundant.  I tried my big SHM Vulcan off of this slope, and try as I might to feel at home again with this aircraft, there just seems to be something a little ‘off’, and she never felt truly at home in the air.  I think I will tweak the C of G a little more rearwards for the next event.

Later on in the afternoon, Bob Jennings put in an appearance after being delayed from his liquid consumption antics the previous night, and flew one (yes he’s greedy!) of his Skyhawk pair from the SW slope.  There looked to be some tweaking needed in the setup of this aircraft, as Bob landed out with minimal damage – she lives to fly again at least.  Unperturbed, Bob flew his white correx MiG-3 around instead – a great performer despite it’s cheapness of build.  Bob has done a lovely job finishing the MiG, and she really does look the part strafing through from behind the slope.

Steve McLaren and Chris Barlow got airborne with their Jet Provosts from this slope, and both could be seen pumping the aircraft through chandelles and stall turns, quickly followed by some rapid out-front aerobatics.  Phil Cooke, Harry Twist (Left) and John Hey decided this was the right time and right slope to get their A-4 Skyhawks away, and again they performed flawlessly in the plentiful lift, proving to be steady, solid performers.

Not long after this, I decided to knock it on the head, as it’s a fairly long drive back home for me.  I understand that flying continued on through to late afternoon – the sun glistening silver then gold off of the sea, relaxing the soul, but maximising the slope pilot’s enjoyment.  Indeed, many said that this was one of the most enjoyable flying sessions of the year – perhaps ever!  Who can blame them?  “The Lleyn” is a very special place for the PSSA, and with such different conditions over two days, there was something always there to keep the pilots entertained, not just the breathtaking vistas of this glorious corner of Wales.  More photos from this memorable event can be viewed HERE

So, it’s back to the Great Orme in Llandudno next, for the penultimate event of the 2017 season.  See you all in August!