The Lleyn MAC PSSA Fly-In – 30th June / 1st July 2018

Report and photos by Phil Cooke

Our annual visit to the Lleyn sees us flying overlooking Hells Mouth Bay

Our annual Lleyn MAC PSS event, held upon the magnificent coastal slopes around Abersoch, was timed this year during a sustained period of glorious High Pressure conditions – ideal for domestic holiday makers but not so great when you’ve planned a slope soaring meet!  The forecast showed clear blue skies and light, variable winds throughout the weekend.  Despite this, the event attracted a good crowd of folk travelling from all over the UK – even as far afield as Belgium – in the attempt to fly their PSS models from some of the most picturesque slopes in the UK.

Saturday dawned with light North Easterly winds scheduled to swing through and settle as North Westerlies from lunchtime.  A decision was taken to head for the NW slope overlooking Hells Mouth Bay from the outset, on the understanding that there would be no slope flying until later on, once the direction had altered.  Wind strength was also going to limit slope flying anyway, initially at least – but we had all come pre-prepared with electric, DLG and light slope models should we not be able to fly PSS.  Having carved our way through Abersoch (and the associated complications of the Triathlon event taking place that morning!) we arrived and settled at the flying site just before 10:30am.  As predicted, the winds were light and we spent the morning enjoying the sunshine, the fantastic views and fun-flying electric models from the fields behind the slope.

Lunchtime came and went, and in the end it was 2pm before the winds swung round to the NW.  It was still just a gentle breeze allowing only the lightest of soarers to fly without the occasional burst of electric assist as their altitude slowly decayed below the launch point.  This was the format until around 5pm when suddenly the winds picked up in strength, still only reaching 8-10mph but enough for sustained slope flight with more conventional sports slopers.  Harry Twist and I both enjoyed some lovely air time with our diminutive FMS Alpha Jets, but this was the only PSS flying which was achieved on the Saturday, constrained by the light winds.  At 7:30pm we retired from the slope and headed out to The Sun Inn, Llanengan – where as a group we enjoyed a lovely meal at the end of a tiring day bathed in relentless sunshine.

Sundays forecast was a little more in our favour and although the morning session was similar to Saturday – flying electric models in calm conditions over the NW slopes landing zone – by midday the NW winds had finally arrived and at last we were able to fly our PSS models!

With the wind building gradually we saw a spectrum of models in action, increasing in loading as time went on.  Alan Gorham had a brand new German Airforce FMS Alpha Jet (left) in need of a test flight and this was one of the first PSS models seen flying in winds of 10-12mph.  Alan soon had the model handling well despite a slightly rearward CoG.

Harry Twist and I launched our models too and we enjoyed a lengthy flight with the 3 foam jets together made more memorable by the pair of Ravens which took a great interest in our models – at times a little too much interest!!

Alan had travelled all the way from the North East, bringing with him a range of models including an 79” span Handley Page Halifax bomber – a new type on UK slopes – which naturally generated a lot of interest!  The well finished model has some history, 20 years old and originally ‘robustly’ built for I/C power, the model has more recently been significantly weight reduced and converted successfully for electric power.   Now at just 6lbs AUW the reformed model has been flown in this guise for some time by Alan, so trims and balance were all known and proven.  Simply by removing the 3 bladed props Alan converted the model for its first ever slope outing, and after a little encouragement he found himself at the launch point with the model ready to be pushed out into the 15-20mph NW breeze.  Of course – he had nothing to fear – the model climbed away rock steady and immediately showed itself to be completely at home on the slope.

Alan quickly got into the groove with the model and began a series of passes for the camera, presenting the models top side nicely in the stunning light.  The Halifax had real presence in the air (right) and looked superb sedately cruising around particularly in the low level circuit passes round the back.  Alans’ landing was controlled and smooth into the field behind the slope and he returned the model to the pits with a huge grin on his face – I think amazed at just how well the model performed as a soarer.  After the flight we were staggered to realise Alan owns other large scale electric WW2 bombers which may now also find their way to the slope at future meets – we look forward to that with keen interest!

Rich Henderson had joined us from the Clwyd SA club and had brought with him a number of models including a large O/D Hawker Hurricane (below right), finished superbly in a weathered Battle of Britain scheme.

This new model was still awaiting its maiden flight (which sadly did not take place over the Lleyn weekend, with the wind speed being deemed not quite sufficient) and like his large Mitsubishi Zero before it, the Hurricane will no doubt fly with great authority at this size and weight.  Rich confirmed it was of all built up construction very similar to the Nihuis Zero.  It uses a hybrid Clark-Y section, spans 67″ and has an AUW of 8lb.  The model is covered in Solartex with aluminium covered card panels under the paint, effectively weathered to create the illusion of a well utilised airframe during the battle.  We look forward to seeing this large Hurricane flying at the next outing!

Tim Mackey had his first flight with a recently acquired Airbus A380 (right) originally built and expertly finished by the late Steve Dorling in early Airbus house colours.  This all foam model (from the Windrider stable) had been covered in brown paper and PVA prior to its Solarfilm top skin, giving it a more robust, scale look.  Andy Meade provided the launch and the model soared very nicely in conditions just ideal for this type and weight of model – Tim enjoyed a lengthy flight prior to a smooth landing – the magnetically attached engine pods falling away as the model touched down as per the design intent.  Good to see another A380 on the UK PSS circuit!

Dirk Tinck had travelled all the way from Belgium and arrived late on Friday night after a mammoth 14hr journey – his van fully loaded with models to suit all conditions, ranging from small electric models right upto his impressive O/D 1/4 scale Fouga Magister!

Now a UK PSSA regular(!) this was Dirk’s first trip to the Lleyn, and with such a level of commitment to our event I was very relieved to see him rigging and flying his new PSS Jet Provost following the calm conditions dictating a ‘no fly’ on Saturday.

Dirk’s JP (left) represents an aircraft of the New Zealand airforce and has been expertly finished in glass and paint.  This was the models first outing and following lengthy pre-flight discussions considering control throws and expo, upon launch the model was proven to need a little adjustment on the balance point.  Thankfully Dirk was able to land the model into soft heather and bracken just below the launch point with only a broken wing dowel in need of attention before its next outing.

There were many other JP’s flown successfully on the Sunday afternoon, the model still proving highly popular following their introduction as the chosen subject for our 2014 Mass Build event.  Pete Garsden, Tom Cooke, Neville Payne, John Hey, Steve McLaren, Bob Jennings and myself all had good slope time with our own renditions of the type.

Andy Meade flew his BAe Hawk, built by Matt Jones from a modified Andy Conway plan and recently repainted in a 208(R) Sqn special scheme commemorating the squadrons 100 year history.  Hawks are still very popular on UK slopes too and other examples were flown on Sunday by Warren Phillips and Tom Cooke.  Andy also had some good airtime with his Island Models Fouga Magister which once again went really well in the medium strength, smooth coastal lift.    Neville Payne had a good flight with his BAC Canberra, recently completed from the Andy Blackburn PSS plans which looked to go very well indeed.  He was also seen flying a very nicely modelled P-51 Mustang (below right) finished in a Reno type scheme with US Red, White and Blue.

As the afternoon went on the wind swung slightly from NW to NNW and increased in strength to perhaps a steady 20mph, despite being slightly off the face the lift still proved to work well enough and we continued to fly in good conditions under relentless sunny skies until around 6pm.  With no PSS flying on the Saturday and conditions not quite suiting all models on the Sunday I elected not to run any form of competition – so sadly no awards or trophies were issued at this event, but plently of flying was achieved on the Sunday – a selection of photos from the days activity can be viewed HERE

My thanks as always go to the Lleyn MAC committee members – without their help and support our annual PSS event would not take place – and to those who made the effort to travel to this beautiful part of the UK in the face of a less than ideal flying forecast.

Our next event sees us return to the Great Orme in early August, with any luck the High Pressure conditions will be slightly less dominant and we will enjoy sufficient winds to enable us to operate all model types.  See you there!!