[Summer 2022 is here - who's been flying?]

12 hours ago, GrumpyGnome said:

Kwiksilver?  That's a proper blast from the past.... you don't have a Suzie Q and a Soarcerer as well do you?

 

No, although I seem to be accumulating older gliders at a frightening rate. Just added a part-built Phase 6 to next winter's project pile. 

[Summer 2022 is here - who's been flying?]

I popped up to the north Kent coast slope this morning, but the wind wasn’t as strong as predicted. Still, got an hour’s soaring in with the Quicksilver and very pleasant it was. 
 

[Damage to models]

Hmm, I've done that too. About 20 years ago I was in the car, motor running ready to leave and leaning out of the window chatting to someone, as I did that a chap came up and deposited his model in front of my car where it was invisible, completely obscured by my bonnet. I think he assumed I would reverse but I went forward. I noticed guys waving as I was moving and waved back, then noticed they seemed a bit frantic so stopped. The Flair Magnatilla in question was a write off and I felt awful but the chap conceded that he shouldn't have left it there. He admitted he didn't like flying it but I gave him a model I had recently decommissioned and he appreciated the gesture. Recently, at my other club, someone reversed over an Arrow's EDF Hawk. 

 

All you can do is laugh and move on. Folks just need to appreciate that these things just happen from time to time. Perhaps in your case John each party has things going on in their lives that aren't helping their temperament? 

[Summer 2022 is here - who's been flying?]

My club (Maidstone), christened its new field on Thursday with a pilot briefing and noise testing, a little flying too. ?

 

 

[Favourite ESCs]

Overlander, Beatles, Pichler, plus some older e-flite units, all with no problems. 

[BMFA 100th anniversary world record attempt]

We had to cajole a few members, there were several emails and messenger group reminders in the days running up to the event but, importantly, it got a group of us together on a wet, overcast day when few would have ordinarily made the effort. That everyone enjoyed themselves, saw people they’d not seen for a while and flew hopefully reminded them of the social and community benefits being a club member brings. Understandably some seem to have forgotten about this over the last few years. 
 

It’s the kind of activity the BMFA should really focus on in the coming years. 
 

Here’s a thought. Off topic I know but why can’t my club form a team for the Payload Challenge this year? Ok, I know it’s only for university teams but why isn’t there a club Payload competition? ?
 

 

[RCM&E has new owners….]

8 hours ago, MattyB said:

 

David, do you know if the new owners intend to pride any kind of printed back issue supply? My local stockists sold out of the recent edition with the Gyroo plan very quickly, and I'd like to pick up a copy if possible...

ah, yes, they’re a little behind apparently but back issues should be available next week I’m told. 

[RCM&E has new owners….]

Sorry Matty, I don't. Might be worth dropping the editor a line perhaps? 

[Dane RC]

Great news. I use Leeds shop these days and am always impressed, particularly as they take the effort to list items you can't get elsewhere in the UK. 

[Summer 2022 is here - who's been flying?]

4 hours ago, GrumpyGnome said:

I was always nervous that I'd end up watching a bag of bits being dragged down the field as the wings collapsed.......... or a lovely unplanned wing-over resulting in said bag of bits. 

 

Never happened, but the thoughts were always at the back of my mind!

 

Lovely way to spend a warm summer day.

 

Yep, seen it happen. Back in the 80s. One wing folded on the way up and the rest of the model trimmed the grass. When we examined the bits we realised that he'd just butt-joined the wing after a previous break, no joiners or reinforcement at all.  ?

[Sign of the times - funnies * Remember this is a family friendly forum and inappropriate postings will be removed without warning.]

My wife told me she could think of 14 reasons why she wanted a divorce, plus my stupid obsession with tennis! 
 

I said “that’s 15 love”.  
 

Moderator jokes dept. ?

[Summer 2022 is here - who's been flying?]

1 hour ago, Andy Gates said:

Nice one David.

 

Been a while since I bungee'd anything, sadly my bungee elastic was old and failing but it was 25 years old.

New elastic purchased, just got to try it now.

Yes, it made me go home and re-read all my old 1970s and 80s soarer manuals on the subject! ?

[Spring is here again - who's been flying?]

Sure, the new thread is here. 

[The 'share your photos' thread (not model flying)]

Garden visitor. 

 

 

[Summer 2022 is here - who's been flying?]

Decided to try my new bungee yesterday. It's years and years since I last got a glider up this way so I was a little nervous and mindful that it might be a very easy and convenient way of trashing my Elan 100 ?.  All went pretty smoothly though after a few modest launches, found some height and thermals, which was very satisfying. 

 

[Vintage Glider Meet]

Much as I’d like, I can’t make it Steve, but look forward to the video report ??

[Glider ID please…ah! it's a Centiphase]

She’s flown. Gusting 15mph but the model felt comfortable after a little trimming and acclimatisation. I may move the C of G forward a little but I’ll fly it on a gentler day first before doing anything. 
 

As you said Gary, landing needed some care, but our slope has a large landing area that gave time and space to lose height in a less turbulent space. Other flyers loved the groovy wing decoration ?

[BMFA 100th anniversary world record attempt]

Great fun, thanks Simon, an inspired idea. 

 

At Maidstone MFC the rain stopped just in time, so we managed 12 in the air, with flyers ranging from 15 to 85 in age. 

 

[Is there a Balsa shortage 2022?]

From what I've heard Steve, Yes. It's still a problem as you've discovered. 

[Can anyone put a name to this one please? - Halcyon]

Thanks Pat, that looks pretty darn spot on to me. ??

[Can anyone put a name to this one please? - Halcyon]

Sorry folks, me again. 

 

I succumbed to temptation and bought another glider from the same estate sale I picked up the Centiphase. 

 

Couldn't resist it; tissue covered as you can see, 113" span, 2-channel, and with a distinctively undercambered wing. Very light. A lovely sculptured nose too. All-moving fin. But can anyone pout a name to it? 

 

 

[What are these things called?]

Thanks Max and Simon. I'll check those out too. 

 

 

[What are these things called?]

Thanks guys, as you say Nick they're pretty difficult to find separately. 

 

Fab, thanks Jon, I'll give Justin at Rapid a call. 

 

I'll go for ball links if they don't fit. ?

[subscriptions]

Ernie, Beth is on leave this week but said that the change of the magazine's ownership means there's nothing she can do to help unfortunately as she's not employed by Mortons. 

 

The new subscription contact email address is - [email protected]. 

[What are these things called?]

Probably daft question time but I'm hooking up a v-tail on a glider and (you know how it is) I've loads of these 'barrel-type/cylinder horns' but none that fit the 2mm threaded shafts on the v-tail. 

 

In searching for some new ones I'm struggling to find them at retailers and wondered if I'm putting the right words in the search box?