Helping set new records at the Bwlch!

Al Gorham reports from the Bwlch as the PSSA enjoy the annual trip to fly with the SWSA – 14/15th May 2022.

The promise of some good flying weather, along with the chance to help set a new world record was sufficient to motivate a good few PSSA members to travel down to South Wales for a weekend on the slopes around the Bwlch mountain near Treorchy.

Saturday saw warm temperatures but low wind speeds which found us on “Mickeys” slope.  Lightly loaded PSS models did get away in periods of lift that proved to be strong thermals – followed by equally strong sink!  However, it was possible to make a reasonably long flight if you timed your launch to miss all the sinking air.  The first PSS model that I spotted in the air was the Avro Vulcan of local flyer Clive Jones.  Painted in the 1970s RAF camouflage scheme of Dark green/Dark Sea grey above and Light Aircraft grey below, she looked very realistic gently cruising along the slope.

Bob Jennings P51B Mustang has been featured before in PSSA event reports and was certainly shown off to great effect this time round.  The model, which is carved from foam, has a distinctive natural metal finish with red and white Swiss national markings.  This scheme looked great in the sunny conditions as the model banked around the sky.

Another model I saw from a distance was an attempted test flight of an unusual, but very promising PSS subject: namely the Dornier Seastar of Scott Wallis.  Several flying boats have been seen turning in good performances at PSSA events in the past and the built-up, film covered model also looked a good prospect.  Saturday was not an ideal day to go for a maiden flight as the lift was just too fickle.  The model was launched and immediately began sinking, ending up landing further down the slope with slight damage.  If Scott could have made it along on the Sunday, then things could have gone much better!

After a pleasant day in the sun, some hungry and thirsty pilots retired to the Bunch of Grapes in Pontypridd for refreshment.

After heavy overnight rain, Sunday dawned a little cooler and cloudier, but the wind was dead on the “Crest” slope as per the forecast.  By 10am cars were lined up along the road as modellers busily readied aircraft so that the PSSA could do their bit to contribute to the BMFA Centenary world record attempt.

A total of 13 models were readied and the launching zone became a flurry of activity as each model got airborne.  Sadly, Steve McLaren discovered a radio problem on his A4 Skyhawk which left him unable to join in.

At 11.57am, the sky was layered with 10 PSS models and a couple of Phase 6 sport gliders zipping around. Adrenaline and concentration were in plentiful supply as pilots looked for some empty airspace!  Agonisingly, just before the noon deadline for the record attempt Jez Billington’s Fouga Magister and Bob Jennings’s A4 Skyhawk had a mid-air collision which meant a quick precautionary landing for Jez, while the A4 dropped vertically out of the sky.  That meant that we were finally able to contribute 10 models to the record attempt.  As the on-site record co-ordinator, a personal thanks from me for everyone’s effort and participation and commiserations to those who just didn’t make it into the air at noon.

Later in the day, without the time pressures and crowded skies of the record attempt, some other notable models were seen.

Andy Meade had a large DH Vampire from the DB Sport & Scale kit.  This 63” span all wooden model represents an earlier fighter mark (F Mk.1 I think…).  The model soared away effortlessly on its maiden flight and looked very striking in the air.

A Golden Oldie in the form of an English Electric Lightning built from a Flair kit was shown by Jez Billington.  The model has been recently refurbished and the 1980’s RAF Lo-Viz scheme made for a very good-looking model.  We were unable to enjoy the sight of the model in the air as Jez discovered a radio problem just before launch.  Hope to see this model flying later in the year Jez!

Certainly, an eventful and entertaining weekend, especially with the novel challenge of getting as many PSS models in the air at one time.  It is interesting to note that the most popular choice of PSS model for the record attempt was the 2-seat trainer, represented by five different trainer types: BAe Hawk, Tucano, T-33, Fouga Magister and Jet Provost.

Thanks to the South Wales Soaring Association for hosting us and especially Steve Houghton for organising access.

More photographs from this 2-day event can be seen HERE.