Sunshine and Rain at the Lleyn MAC PSSA Fly-In
The weekend of 11th/12th of July 2021 saw the PSSA make its annual pilgrimage to the beautiful coastal soaring sites of the Lleyn peninsula in North Wales as guests of the Lleyn MAC. The following report covering the 2 day event has been compiled by Al Gorham and Harry Twist.
Saturday, by Alan Gorham
I will confine my words to models that caught my eye during the Saturday, which was a warm, sunny day with blue skies and light cloud.
We were flying from Anne’s Farm site on a Westerly, the lift was variable at times, so some thermal soarers were used during the lulls, but a good array of lighter PSS models successfully made it into the air too. Indeed, the relative emptiness of the sky at times led to some entertaining and adventurous flying.
First up, I spotted the L-39 Albatros of Martin Pope, who had travelled all the way up from Petworth, East Sussex. 
Neatly built from the Cyril Carr plan, Martin had achieved a very smooth brush painted finish on this model using Humbrol enamels and standard modelling type brushes which impressed us greatly. Finished in a Czech military scheme, the decals came from Callie Graphics in the USA.
Martin enjoyed a lengthy, drama-free maiden with the model and it certainly looked smooth in flight, this being a well proven design from the slope and one that lends itself very well to a first time PSS build.
Next up was a model which has been seen before, but always impresses me with its flying abilities.
Chris Barlow’s PBY Catalina (pictured right – Dave Gilder photo) from the old HVP Modell kit intended for twin Speed 400 electric motors. Chris has completed a full conversion to PSS with no motors fitted and has airbrushed a very realistic US Navy finish. Despite the model being a mere 54” wingspan, it flies with presence and given the opportunity her pilot put her through some daring low passes that clipped the long slope-side grass.
Egged-on by such exploits, we watched Martin Gay flying his MiG-15. This foam model was an ex-EDF kit (possibly from FlyFly) with the fan unit removed. Martin told me that he acquired the model to examine the shape and flying qualities ahead of designing his own built-up MiG-15 in conjunction with Gordon Studley as a follow-up to their successful F86 “Mass-build” design. Martin was soon joining Chris Barlow in beating up the slope in an exuberant manner with the little MiG fighter!
Bob Jennings had worked hard to rebuild his Heinkel 162 Volksjäger (built from the plan by Neil McHardy) after an unlucky landing incident to end the maiden flight at the May meeting upon the Orme.
The model was back to its best, looking very distinctive as it soared effortlessly in the light lift and warm air.
Sunday, by Harry Twist
A shift in wind direction and an increase in wind strength took us to the Southerly facing Cim Farm site. The forecast of rain by mid afternoon had pilots hastily rigging models after the morning briefing was complete.
Here are some highlights from the day:
Bob Jennings flew his Island Models Fouga Magister, its graceful shape and stunning colour scheme contrasted greatly with the grey sky behind. In his own words after landing out in the generous landing zone offered to us by this site, a smiling and happy Bob said
“Absolutely loved it and greased the landing!”
Steve McLaren flew his Folland Gnat and later his BAe Hawk T1, both RAF trainers looked completely at home and flew comfortably in good lift as they beat up the coastal slope. The Hawk flying looking particularly impressive at low level – very reminiscent of the full size against the North Wales coast!
Having flown his Hawker Tempest earlier in the day, Andy Meade flew later his own design 1/7th scale Gloster Meteor MK3. Andy showed off the graceful lines of this impressive model with some smooth flying before performing a very smart circuit and landing into the field behind the launch point. An excellent flight considering this was only the models second outing.
Lots of other models populated the sky throughout a hectic 2 hours of flying before the rain. Martin Gay and Gordon Studley flew their Tony Nijhuis plan built, small scale Me-109 to great effect and Phil Cooke flew his 2018 Mass Build Hawker Sea Hurricane, looking just like the real thing as it transited against the grey sea backdrop. Despite some efforts by a search party Phil did lose one of his magnetically attached wing cannons in the grass after an otherwise uneventful landing.
Chris and Josh Osborn successfully maidened their new Leading Edge Gliders MiG-3, the striking white and red color scheme helped to bring out the curvy lines of this all EPP model against a darkening, rain laden sky.
The 60″ span models performance was most impressive as it cut a groove up and down the Cim Farm slopes, it had a real turn of speed when the nose was dropped!
Bob Jennings and I flew our German aircraft together as a duo, his lovely He-162 Salamander and my Blohm and Voss 215 made a most unusual pairing flying up and down the slope together!
As on the Saturday Alan Gorham flew his tidy Hawker Henley numerous times, even braving the rain, as it began to blow through!
This has to be the most flown model throughout the weekend, the EPSS nature enabling Alan the confidence to fly in any conditions even when the winds are too low for conventional PSS. Alan put on a number of lovely aerobatic displays over the two days with this unusual model.
By mid afternoon the forecast rain arrived and it was soon clear that our flying was done for the day. At least we had the football to look forward to in the evening!?
Summary
Thanks to all pilots who attended the event, it shows great commitment and support when PSS fliers are prepared to travel from all parts of the country to participate and enjoy the weekend, particularly on a less than perfect weather forecast. A number of members flew both before and after the weekend making the most of the slopes over a longer break.
Special thanks must be offered to the Lleyn MAC for having us as guests on their wonderful slopes in Wales, in particular to club members Austin Massey and Brian Gowland for all their help and guidance both before and during the event.
Final thanks must go to Phil Cooke, for organising and coordinating the group, for obtaining access permissions to the slopes and for leading the event over the weekend. Another memorable trip!
More photos from the Lleyn MAC event can be viewed HERE.