propwash

The News Letter Of
The Bury Metro Model Flying Club

Edited by Warren Sherman & William McElroy
Photos by Various People

April/May 2009

Spring is in the air!

As the better weather has rolled in so we have had a better attendance down at the field. New models and members abound and hopefully we will see this continue throughout the rest of the summer. Below are just a handful of piccies to illustrate what a variety of models are available and with the field looking good we should be grateful for the excellent facilities we have at our disposal.

First is Dave Wilson’s Texan which although originally intended for IC has been converted to electric and despite the pain of having to remove the prop and cowl after every flight to replace the flight pack, flies like a good ‘un (as long as anyone but Dave is flying it ). It certainly proves that ‘leccy power is as good as IC, although it don’t sound quite as authentic!

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Next up Rob Tomlin’s beautiful Gilmour 1930’s Racer.

Slightly underpowered initially and Rob intends to up-rate to a bigger motor and sort out the spindly undercarriage but its caused a lot of head scratching. Which is shame as it’s a “beaut” of a model.
See his cry for help on our club forum and a prize to the first person to solve his problem; that is the one with the undercart not his many other obvious problems!!

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See all issues of Propwash in full colour on our website www.bmmfc.com

Another real stunner is the E-flite Electric Ducted Fan BAe Hawk owned by Fred Graham.

Fred asked me to fly its maiden for him as he was a little nervous. So was I!! Nevertheless after failing to get airborne at the first attempt due to long grass and small wheels we tried again from way back at one end of the runway.

This time after a longer ground run, we were up and away with gusto. A couple of clicks to aileron and elevator trim and it was soon screaming around like the real thing.

As I approached a cautious landing the thermal cut-out on the ESC cut in and I ended up putting it down safely but Fred did have a long walk to get it.

The post-mortem decided that the overheat was due in part to mounting the ESC on Velcro and part to flying at very low throttle for too long and thus the airflow over the controller was somewhat reduced.

A second flight by Ray Stewart proved that re-mounting the ESC with cable ties and keeping the throttle up made the difference and that this model is a great flyer!

As soon as Fred picks up the courage I’m sure he’ll really enjoy flying it.

Andy Watsons Black Horse Travel Air is another example of the yellow perils prowess at producing great models at low cost; despite the ‘orrible dollar to sterling rate.

Andy was delighted when he realised that all the gear in his Jumper 25 trainer were perfect for this model and therefore for the first time ever, only paid out what it said on the box!

It flies like its on rails and really is a looker. A perfect follow on from the Jumper.

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Eb Swarbrick’s PC9 from JR Perkins is powered by a Thumper 35- 42 and 3s Lipos. As a move to a low wing model it is nigh on perfect and Eb has been flying it virtually non-stop for the last few weeks.

It gave him so much confidence that his next model, a 30” span EP Pitts special was in the wings and raring to go!

Unfortunately confidence without experience proved that this model really is a handful and I think Eb has shelved it pending another season of solid improvement in his flying abilities.

Don’t we all love a tryer

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Abrupt Flight Terminations

Occasionally flights terminate somewhat earlier than the pilot originally intended.
Two examples recently have been Rob Tomlin's Harmon Rocket.

According to Rob, the tree which a couple of years ago reached skyward and grabbed Mehrdad Bahktiari’s model out of the sky, has committed the same offence again.

Now whilst we have complained bitterly to the R.S.P.C.A.R.F (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aircraft by Renegade Foliage) apparently they believe this to be pilot error; Go Figure!!

Its not often we see seaplanes down at the field but even rarer are those with the ability to convert themselves into rotary wing seaplanes whilst in flight.

The photo attached shows the effect in all its glory. I have yet to establish the owner/pilot of this unusual craft but I have my suspicions!

Visit our website at www.bmmfc.com

Some Committee News.

Sadly Andy Monks has decided to offer his resignation as a committee member for personal reasons, BOO! In his place Rob Tomlin has offered his service HURRAY (I think!) and in making his first faltering steps to an OBE he is organising the Summer Open Day/Funfly more of which you will see below. Good luck Rob.

Plaudits!

Well done to Gerry Black and Leland Chen for organising a demonstration of fixed and rotary wing modelling to one of Gerry’s Cub Scout groups. All present were well impressed by the demonstration and a little less so by the sight of Gerry in shorts and a woggle!

A clutch of certificates were awarded recently by our examiner Richard Budd with “B”’s going to Andy and Austin and an “A” to Stevie.
Pictured here after the event were from left Stevie, Richard and Andy all looking suitable self-conscious. Obviously Austin was elsewhere flying and too busy to be photographed.

Well done boys and about time too!!

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Forthcoming Events

Blackpool Electric Fly-in Sunday 17th May. Fylde Club Weeton field.

Doncaster Spring Fly-in Sunday 17th May Carcroft Doncaster

Blackburn Summer Fly-in 12th to 14th June

Chester Electric Fly-in 19th July Roodee Racecourse Chester

All above are Fly-ins and the organizers encourage participation rather than just spectators.

None require more than BMFA Insurance and with the exception of Doncaster all are within one hours drive.
If we support these events maybe they will support our Funday details of which follow.

B.M.M.F.C FUNDAY SUNDAY

Over the last few months the committee has been planning a Funday fly-in and have provisionally pencilled in Sunday 1st August as the date.

The final details have yet to be worked out but just as a taster we can expect a selection of fun competitions including limbo, bomb dropping, spot landing, concourse and speed contests all with prizes.

Please Click Here To Get More Information

The prizes will be super as we have five or six sponsors including Just Engines,

Blackburn Models, Revolution Models and Leeds Model Shop who will all be vying for your custom.

A bar-b-que is naturally on the agenda and as we expect media coverage, best behaviour and full dinner dress is expected of all members.

There will be loads of time to fly as well as the aim of the day is to show off to Joe Public our sensational skills in building and flying RC aircraft.

We will need all hands on deck and need a number of volunteers to assist in various capacities from Safety Marshals through to Competition Judges and anyone interested should get in touch with the committee via Rob Tomlin as soon as possible.
Please Click Here For More Information

The poster advertising the event is shown to the Right and anyone who would like full size copies to post in suitable sites, local shops or the like obtain them by contacting Rob or if you have the technology printing them from a PDF file available from the website.

Rob also is desperate for any one with a megaphone or loudspeaker system and being such a shy retiring type he also needs someone to act as MC as he will be busy bossing everyone about!

For lots more photos visit the website gallery.