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Last Sunday Ray Foot and I went to the
SAM35 ( Society of Antique Modellers) Octoberfest at Cocklebarrow Farm,
Aldsworth near Burford.
The models have to be pre 1951, which
means that for many of us it's a real nostalgia fix and we can build and fly
the models that we couldn't afford in our youth. Ray at 75 years old was
amazed and delighted to see that there were as many older people older than
him as younger and it put a real spring into his step! The weather was
(mainly) calm and dry and the feeling was very much like it was when we were
kids - including walls and fences to scramble over if the models did a long
flight and trees for them to alight in. However unlike some of the days of
our youth this time the farmer had given permission.
Although there was Radio Control activity
with models in the air all day long - Junior 60, Radio Queen, Lanzo Record
Breaker, Quaker Flash, etc etc it was the opportunity to get get involved
with Free Flight Modelling once in a while that appealed to me as much as
anything.
I found a 40 inch wingspan "Airflow Baby"
model in the loft together with its "Mills" 1.3cc Diesel Engine. The model
was built about 5 years ago from a recent kit and the engine is a modern
replica but overall they are very vintage like spoiled only by the sturdier
FibaFilm covering.
This design dates from about 1948 and was
designed by Ron Warring one of the pundits of the period. It has a (very)
high mounted polyhedral wing to give it stability and a clockwork timer to
squeeze the fuel tube to stop the engine after about 20 seconds. For the
first time in my life I managed to get a free flight power duration model
trimmed for climb and glide without breaking it and took it home in one
piece! Whereas I was flying for fun, about half the people were competing
and there was activity in all classes Rubber, Glider and Power, there were
for a change of pace O can certainly recommend vintage modelling - also with
RC many of the power models make excellent trainers.
Thomas M
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