A feast of PSS flying at The Great Orme!

The weekend of 16th/17th May saw us stage our second PSSA Fly-In of the year at Llandudno – and for the first time in a long time we were treated to 2 days with good strength South Westerly winds, putting us firmly on the most favoured slope by the car park.

Saturday started overcast and dry and with winds initially measured at just 10-15mph, meaning sports and light PSS models were in action prior to the safety brief taking place at 10:30am.  Attendance was a little down on expectations, upto 15 pilots on day 1 – I think the forecast for a series of rain showers meant some were keeping their powder dry until the Sunday – and they were wise to do so!  Although the winds slowly picked up to a user-friendly 22-25mph, the rain started late morning and was from then on persistent throughout the day meaning those willing to fly got wet.  It wasn’t heavy rain by any means, just constant light rain which over time dampened everything and everyone out on the hill.

Models of note on the Saturday included Andy Meade’s brand new B-24D Liberator (left) built to 1:12th scale and at 110″ span, this impressive O/D model is conventionally built up with balsa and ply and uses white foam veneered wings.  Finished in the famous pink scheme of ‘Strawberry Bitch’ the model flew well from the off and looked most realistic in flight with a sedate flying speed akin to the full-size bomber.

Phil Stone also maidened another new model in the rain, this time in the shape of a Lockheed U-2 built from the G&M Models kit which is now in full production.  Phil had finished his example in a blue and white camouflage scheme and had adorned the airframe with a number of cleverly crafted 3D printed parts which really helped elevate this small model.  The little air intakes with scale splitter fairings just offset from the fuselage were most impressive.  Phil is making the 3D print files available to all who want to build the U-2 from this G&M Models kit, I’m sure it will be popular based on its performance and handy scale.

By mid afternoon despite the winds still enabling good PSS flying the constant rain was drowning our spirits, and we pulled stumps a little earlier than usual to get dry before heading into town for some pre-meal drinks.  14 of us dined at The Cottage Loaf with a few more beers where the Saturdays damp activities and plans for the following day were discussed.  On forecast at least, Sunday looked like it was possibly going to be a day to remember!

Day 2 actually started out quite wet too with a couple of heavy showers despite the sunshine, but once they had passed we were left with 25-3omph SW winds and clear sunny skies.  As expected there were a few more flyers present for the morning brief – 22 pilots I think at our peak – and with the conditions so well suited all types of models were being rigged and presented over in the pits.

Rich Henderson had brought with him his new 1/5th scale Spitfire Mk1A (above) and having tested the air with his well proven A-6 Zero, he readied the large Spitfire for its maiden flight.  Andy Meade provided the launch and the model climbed away steady and needing very little trim.  Rich went on to fly the model with confidence, clearly enjoying himself on the sticks and the Spitfire looked wonderful in the bright morning sunshine we were enjoying.  At this size it had such a great scale speed and the ‘sit’ was just right too.  A number of spirited passes were performed for the cameras before Rich brought the model in for a well controlled landing to conclude this successful maiden flight!

Another superb new model on site was the Handley Page Victor bomber built with modification from the Jim Strain plans by Phil Stone.  This model was beautifully finished and bristled with scale details, many features magnetised onto the airframe but really enhancing the scale finish – it even has a 3D printed Blue Steel stand off bomb with a folded tailfin for correct stowage under the Victors belly.  Phil got some stick time in on his correx Aermacchi Impala before introducing the Victor to the edge after we took some static photos. (right)  Bob Jennings provided a perfect hand launch into the strong lift but the model very quickly dived away, clearly nose heavy beyond what could be managed via trim and the model landed out quickly on the lower shelf.  A little damage was incurred to the tail in the arrival but I know Phil will have this model fixed up and slope ready with a revised balance point very shortly, and I look forward to seeing this magnificent model in the air!

With conditions so good there was always a sky full of models throughout the day – the pilot box marshall working hard at times to pause launches as we maxed out at the ‘6 models airborne’ limit.  I enjoyed seeing Jez Billington flying his large Folland Gnat successfully after numerous attempts at various sites over the last couple of seasons.  I helped Phil Beard test fly his stunning new BAe Hawk crafted wonderfully from the Andy Conway plans and glass finished in the 100Sqn Anniversary Special scheme – which flew superbly.  Bob Jennings was evidently pushing the envelope with his superb Nimrod MRA4 (title image) much further than we’d previously seen, and Steve Kemp was enjoying flying his heavier WW2 warbirds in the shape of the Hawker Sea Fury and the Vought Corsair.

Andy Meade had some good flights with his Messerschmitt Me-262 and his F-100 Super Sabre, the second flight with which he added large wing tanks for the first time on the F-100 which enhanced the models scale look effectively.  Pete Jennison flew his recently acquired NA P-51D Mustang in its high chrome finish, and later Jez Billington flew his Aermacchi 339 and his new F-86 Sabre converted to PSS from the old BVM turbine model.   All our models were excelling with energy and pace in the perfect flying conditions.  The Orme was as good as ever with just a perfect combination of wind strength, direction and sunlight.

At 1pm we paused play for a few moments and grabbed the all important group photograph, and at around 3:30pm – with a few folks already starting to think about the long drive home – we presented some prizes including a kindly donated G&M Models Halifax kit and the Alan Hulme Memorial Trophy to the winner of ‘Model of the Event’.  The results were as follows;

Best Flown Prop – Steve Kemp – Vought F4U Corsair

Best Flown Jet – Jez Billington – North American F-86 Sabre

Model of the Event – Rich Henderson – Supermarine Spitfire Mk1A

For those that could stay on, flying continued for another hour or two, but as the day went on the winds continued to grow in strength, well over 40mph by 5pm and causing a little turbulance in the landing zone which was (as I found with my little A-4) challenging so late in the day!  But all in all we’d enjoyed a superb, memorable days flying on our most favoured slope.  More photos from this event can be seen HERE and HERE.  Congratulations once again to the winners, and a big thanks to everyone who travelled and took part.

The next time we are at the Orme will be in September when we will be running our Mass Build Event with the NA Harvards, but of course there’s much more flying to be had at other sites before then!