From very lightweight aircraft capable of indoor flying to large models which carry similar licensing regulations as our full size aircraft. Anyone who visited the Vintage Aircraft Fly In recently held at Henstridge would have been treated to a very impressive display given by Steve Holland. Acknowledged as one of the best display pilots in the world, flying his half size De Havilland Comet, Grosvenor House. Doing circuits, at times it was very difficult not to believe it was the real thing. When you consider that this model has overall dimensions larger than a Turbi, I hope you can understand the impressive nature of this display and the marvellous "sit" of the aircraft in the air. At the other end of the scale tiny lightweight aircraft resembling butterflys on speed, darted this way and that, fully aerobatic aircraft careened around the sky pulling manoeuvres we can only dream of, and helicopters hovered and danced around. All in all an impressive display.
So well appreciated by everyone present, (a round of applause greeted each landing of the Comet) that Will Gillam, President of the Wincanton Falcons and organiser of this display was asked to give a talk at our October meeting on the Construction and Operation of Radio Controlled Aircraft.
A group of 11 Wessex Strut Members and 4 guests attended.
Will Gillam opened by explaining his early involvement with the sport and the way things have progressed in the operation and building of the Aircraft. This was enhanced by having radio transmitter control units and models of a helicopter and fully aerobatic trainer on hand to demonstrate. The evening quickly developed into a questions and answers situation which roamed the whole subject delving quite deeply into the intricacies of helicopter rotor operation and configuration. All too soon the evening was closed with a round of thanks to Will Gillam. Will responded by offering any member of the Wessex Strut a "go" on the trainers they have with full supervision. Also every Tuesday evening from 7:30 on the Wincanton Falcons hold indoor Radio Controlled Flying in one of the buildings at the Royal Bath and West Show ground, Wessex Strut Members are welcome to attend and perhaps participate. Any one interested can contact the Falcons through myself or Monty.
I am pleased to say that Dave Stokes. Monty Eddington and myself attended their first meeting and very entertaining it was too! We did however restrict ourselves to ground bound cars!
John Porter