Hangar Talk – Christmas 2010

What a fun FAMILY day we all had! Weather was good, food was good and the cameraderie the best of all. If you missed it, you missed a great day that hopefully introduced some of the young ones to the pleasures of aeromodelling. The good weather brought families together and it was great to see the friendly interaction that this brought about.

Best of all, the “Tomboy” event attracted a lot of interest and allowed the younger members to get close to the action. No need for high powered, expensive models – these “Tomboys”  of a bygone era demonstrated why most of us entered into this hobby in the first place; small, scratch built and inexpensive to build and fly models that a child can pick up and learn from. Add to that the enhancement of being radio controlled (remember “Tomboy’s” “Cardinals” and the like were originally free flight) and it’s a recipe for a lot of fun. Many thanks to Tony Gray for introducing the concept to the State and again for making the long trek North to participate!

There were eight entrants in the Tomboy event –

The day commenced with what looked like being an early casualty. Peter Allen was trying to copy Tony Gray’s recent form and saw his model drifting further and further east with no control! “I forgot to switch the model on!” was the cry. All eyes to the east to see where it was likely to end up. “It’s going over the river” some were heard to say as the model floated on thermals and a westerly breeze. Soon Peter was loaded into Tony Gray’s car and they both headed off in the general direction of where the model was heading. Before long the distance and the pine trees had obscured the model. A while later, the car was returning, minus Peter. Tony had left him to make the long trek back on foot in the hope of spotting the model or someone who had seen it. There was a harvester in operation and the driver, high in the cab, said he’d keep a look out for it – hopefully before it was turned in to crumbs in someone’s cereal! Meanwhile the “Tomboy’s” were being readied again. Tony Gray launched his model and again a lack of control was evident as the model circled akwardly in the distance. It was losing height quickly and spiralling at the same time. Not the usual procedure for finding thermals Tony. What’s happening – the wrong model was loaded in the Tx! Were we going to see another model disappear? Fortunately not, the model landed ingloriously but safely  in a nearby paddock. Another lesson learnt. It was not long and from behind the pine trees emerged Peter Allen with Tomboy in hand. The model was unscathed – testament to the benefits of a model built originally for free flight!

In the meantime, Kevin Hay and his crew had readied the T240 for the traditional “lolly drop”. Loaded up, the T240 took to the skies and the enthusiasm and anticipation on the kids faces told it all. A safe drop away from the flightline and the frenzied clamour for the lollies was on – adults included! “Do it again” was the cry from the kids and so another load and off went the T240 much to the delight of the younger participants.

All models were now back at the pits – pilots a little wiser and time to get the day’s events underway. In keeping with the theme of the day, the event was run rather informally but this did not lessen the enthusiasm of the competitors! The scramble start ensured a flurry of activity and it was amazing to see the models all take to the air almost in a synchronized launch yet not one mid air resulted! This goes to show the placid nature of his type of event – or maybe just good luck! The little diesels, Mills, MP Jet’s, Merlin’s and the like had these litlle models climbing slowly but steadily upwards. Greg R’s electric blitzed the diesels in climb rate but once the diesels ran out of fuel, after about 2 minutes, their lighter weight over the electric came to the fore and thermals pushed them higher and higher. There was a danger of losing them in the clouds! No single winner in the “Tomboy” class on the day as everyone was having too much fun. However the big winner by a clear margin was the family orientated social gathering of like minded friends! Birthday wishes to for Merv Cameron who turned 70 and Kevin Hay who wouldn’t reveal his age but we’re guessing it’s not 70! Well done to all the food providers and Fred and Gloria Willis for the cake for Merv and to Fred for emceeing the birthday celebrations.