Club Day – November 3
Unlike our Tomboy event on October 20, the weather gods were favourable as it was a bright spring day with light winds prevailing. As a result, the usual stalwarts turned out to fly.
Chris Klimeck maidens his Hawker Typhoon MK I
The highlight of the day was Chris Klimeck’s Hawker Typhoon MK I which was having its maiden flight. Chris bought the model in a partially completed state from a local who was quitting all his IC gear and going all electric. Another who has seen the light – okay I can hear all the boos and hisses from here! I’ll let Chris tell the story from here.
“The model is a YT International kit that I purchased for a very reasonable price. $310 for the kit motor and retracts. The kit included an ASP 108 and retracts. However whilst putting the kit together I realised the engine would not be powerful enough because in order to balance the model I had to put 1½ kilos of lead in the front! I then decided on a 23cc Super Tigre as a replacement. This killed two birds with one stone – it gave me more power and because of the heavier gas engine, I could do away with the lead. The model is a fibreglass fuselage and cowl. The wings and tailplane are fibreglass over balsa skin with ply ribs. All the major structures were already painted so it was only a matter of assembling and gluing various structures and fit out of motor, retracts and rc gear. The model however had quite a bit of “hangar rash” as it been lying around for a while (some additional “weathering” Chris?). The 23cc was taken from the “Melody” and it was repowered with a 30cc which fixed some CofG issues the “Melody” had.”
The model ended up weighing over the 7kg limit thereby requiring “heavy model” certification. Heavy Model inspector Merv Cameron observed some of the build at Chris’ home and was now about to do the flight test before certification. The model was fired up and the skies cleared of other pilots for Chris to carry out the maiden with “Inspector” Merv alongside. Everything went smoothly although Chris reported the need for more elevator trim than he expected. This was subsequently diagnosed as a problem with a Y-lead and when reversed the trim was back to normal. A few circuits and perfect landing concluded the test flight and a successful certification. I asked Chris if the Typhoon would be replacing the Stampe and the Fly Baby at the next scaled day (where he took out 1st and 2nd)? Chris replied “Probably not. I’ll bring all three I think” I think Chris might be aiming for the trifecta with a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd!! Here are a couple more shots of Chris’ Typhoon.
Bill Hellinga gains his Bronze Wings!
This may well go down as one of the longest stints from the first lesson to Bronze Wing status (although I do know of one that was longer). Bill finally gained his wings, much to the relief of his very patient instructor, Chris Klimeck. Chris is a Gold Wing pilot and whilst not an instructor and therefor not able to award the Wings, Chris has to be commended for his dedication to assisting with the training of our new members. An early student of Chris was “Fred” Quinn, who was almost at the Bronze Wing stage when he decided to leave the hobby. He has stood by Bill for about 2½ years to enable Bill to obtain his Bronze Wings. As most would know, about 18 months ago Chris contracted a very serious disease and due to hospitalisation, out-patient treatment and general recuperation, Chris was unable to train Bill for some time and this contributed significantly to Bill’s long term training. To Chris’s credit and Bill’s benefit, Chris returned to training Bill as soon as he was well enough to do so. Max Wiggins officiated for the Bronze Wings test and Bill proudly achieved the goal he and his instructor worked so hard to achieve. Learning to fly an RC model is certainly more challenging when you get to Bill’s age (he’ll be 70 next year) so congratulations Bill!!
By the way not content to take on one trainee but Chris is also teaching another in Mike Hope. Well done Chris, you certainly deserve the accolades for supporting our new members even though you have sacrificed your own flying time to do so. I think you should be awarded an “Honorary Instructor” status. Chris has indicated Mike will be his last trainee to allow him to dedicate some more time to his personal flying and also manage his health recovery. The club is indebted to you Chris.
Fred’s Models
President Fred Willis had two models on display, the first was an Astro Hog (remember those?). This model was built by Greg R. Fred told me a bit about it. “I bought the plans from Canberra and it was scratch built by Greg R for me. It is powered by a Saito 110 FS. The model dates to about 1957 but it has less dihedral than originally specified. It was rebuilt after a crash when the aileron horns gave way”.
The history of the Astro Hog was described in the SIG manual when they resurrected a kit version.
THE ASTRO-HOG STORY
The Astro-Hog is one of modeling’s classic designs. It’s appearance on the scene in 1957 changed the course of radio control aerobatics. Up till that time, R/C pattern flying consisted mainly of clumsy looking maneuvers performed by over-stable, high wing, free-flight style models that were primarily steered by rudder alone. The Astro-Hog was the first successful low-wing aileron-controlled R/C model, designed by Fred Dunn of California. Its flight performance was revolutionary – smooth, graceful, controlled maneuvers were now possible! The Berkeley Model Company quickly came out with a kit of the Astro-Hog, and it became a common sight at flying fields everywhere. Astro-Hogs made a clean sweep of 1st, 2nd. 3rd, and 4th place at the 1958 National Championships.
Model Airplane News magazine, in its April 1958 issue, proclaimed: “An airplane to top anything so far in multi R/C. Out of this world maneuverability!” The Astro-Hog kit production came to a premature end in 1961 when the Berkeley Company went out of business. Though it had only been on the market for 3 years, the Astro-Hog had established itself as a legend against which new designs would be measured. The flight characteristics that made the Astro-Hog so popular back then are still perfect for today’s flier. A thick semi-symmetrical airfoil, large wing area, and light wing loading give it perfect stability plus great maneuverability. It will perform any maneuver in the book, yet flies slow enough to let you enjoy it. The Astro-Hog makes an ideal first low-wing trainer for learning pilots, or it can be the ultimate fun machine for experienced fliers.
Pilatus PC-6 Porter
Fred’s other model is his ARF from Seagull Models a Pilatus PC-6 Porter. I asked Fred a bit about his model and he elaborated – “It has a span of 63″ (1.6m) and is powered by an OS55.” The history of the aircraft is interesting –
The Porter P-6 was developed by Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft back in 1959.· The PC-6 is a light utility aircraft of which there are currently approximately 300 operating throughout the world.
Its STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) capability lends itself to a variety of roles including civilian (air taxi and parachuting), military observation, and law enforcement duties.· I’ve read that Pilatus test pilots can land with as little as 165 feet (50m) of runway.
The color scheme and markings of the Seagull Models Porter was inspired by Pilatus Porter PC-6 serial number 947.· PH-JFL was privately owned in the Netherlands and operated with that paint scheme from 2005 until 2009 when it was sold to Aero-Taxi of Czechoslovakia and repainted with new registration numbers.
Looking for a cheap heat gun?
Doug Colbeck’s “Sundowner”
Doug brought his usual truckload and one that caught my eye was a model that seemed to hark back to the early era of racing aircraft. Doug describes it – “The model is a Hangar 9 36 powered by an Eflite 32 with energy coming from a 4s 4000mAh Lipo.” However if that is not fast enough for you Doug suggests a 5s.
Thanks again to all those that attend Club Day and support the canteen. The canteen generates much needed funds. If you don’t attend at all – you should because this helps to keep club fees down, contribute to our relocation and buy much needed equipment. So please make an effort. The Christmas BBQ lunch (including salads, nibblies, and fruit cakes etc) for $10 you won’t get better value and you’ll be supporting the club. If the boys from HMAC can come and support us then we need to see a big turnout on December 1 – register by following the links here
November 9 – LMAC Annual Dinner
The annual dinner was held at the Queens Head Inn at Perth on Friday, November 9. We had a record turnout this year, including Tony Gray (president HMAC) and Will Deal (treasurer HMAC). They regularly make an effort to attend our events and we extend our gratitude to them. Some photos from the dinner can be found here. Given we had a Tomboy/Old Timer event the next day, Will suggested he would stay at the hotel accommodation but Kerry ensured a room would be available at our home. On the day of the dinner, Tony rang us and we were happy to have him stay if he was happy to sleep with Will as the other spare room was occupied with some of my models. There was some argument over who snored the loudest but Kerry intervened and kicked my models out and Tony had the other room (there was mutual relief from both Will and Tony).
November 10 – Tomboy & Old Timer
The day after the Annual Dinner the obligatory “Tomboy” and Old Timer event was held.Weather wise it was a much better day than the October event, it was warmer and much less wind – thermals would be plenty you would think but any thermals were at high altitude and surrounded by lots of sink as the times will reflect. Not enough Old Timer models (plenty of old timer pilots) to run a proper event so the “Tomboy’s” joined in and had a “fun fly”.
Here is CD Will Deal’s report –
The day included some sport flying and it was good to see Vince Burling and his friend Patricia attend. Vince brought out his Piper Super Cub and put on a good display with it. You’ll have to come out more often Vince!
Another sports flyer for the day was Mike Madden and his “Tiger 60” seen here in the taxi queue with Fred Willis and his Pilatus. Unfortunately for Mike his day did not end so well with the model “rekitted” after possible radio failure.
Another new model on display was Greg Robertson’s Hobbyking “Shark” Racer/Glider. Greg reported that the kit was very poorly received and it took quite a few modifications to make it into the model he presented with on the day. Unfortunately for Greg the model had way too much travel on the controls and after a wild ride for 100m or so it too bit the dust. Greg will apply his usual building skills and it will be back in the air in no time.
Merv Cameron brought out his own design he has named “Checa” – it has a chequered covering on the underside but Merv says he was never any good at spelling. The “Checa” is a 60″ span, powered by a Super Tigre 90. Here is being “coached” by son Owen.
Some will have noticed more activity around our site and the irrigator is really getting a workout with our field constantly wet. As a result the relocation will be happening sooner rather than later and it is expected that the clubhouse will be relocated before Christmas. It will take a while to reestablish the new strip. I’ll prepare a separate update on this after our next Committee meeting.
Well that about wraps up this month’s Hangar Talk. If I get a chance the next one will be written from Arizona! Whilst there I’ll be taking some time out to attend the Arizona Electric Festival details here. In the meantime, Kerry and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. I hope Santa is an aeromodel enthusiast!!
As always
Keep a spark in your life – fly electric!!
George