APRIL 2009

WESSEX AEROMODELLING NEWSLETTER
(Updated 8 March 2009)

The Aeromodelling Link for Dorset into Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon

From James Parry, Martin Burr, Nigel Bennett and Chris Hague

The original newsletter is as below however dates of events have been added and whilst the main content remains relevant and informative it has been retained.  We are pleased to say that we have given three talks now at clubs and the number of those showing interest and building/acquired models is excellent.  With regard to the 600RES class of electric gliding Puffin Models are keeping for the Wessex League a number of their 1.8m Swift models which if you contact John Emms and say it is for the League he will supply as a basic ARTF or in a package with servos, speed controller, motor, prop etc as much as you require. Contact details are  01454 228184  or http://www.puffinmodels.com   The model is an excellent starting point for those who want to have a go but don’t have a model.  Basic cost with 7.2v motor and Graupner Cam folding 8 x 4.5 prop is £89.95 + P&P.

Again with the Tomboy competitions there are several kit suppliers, James Parry can give details, and engines are now available from David Boddington £65 inc P&P for an excellent  Mills .75 replica and £75 inc P&P for a 1.3.  Peter Rose also has new .75 and 1.3 Mills.  Again if you want to contact and haven’t got a number ring James Parry or Chris Hague who will supply details and also the rules.

Within Dorset there are in the region of nine fixed wing aeromodelling clubs and three very close to the County, how many Aeromodellers I don’t know but probably several hundred.  All have their flying sites, club meetings and members participating in a wide range of aeromodelling activities ranging from indoor free flight models of a few grammes up to large multi engine scale models, some scratch build others buy ARTF, some fly where they are trimmed to fly, some are attached and controlled via wires others by wireless systems but in common all love to fly model aeroplanes.

Probably the majority have their own ways of partaking in the activity and find nothing happier than going to their “patch” for a few flights and a chat.  Others like the above but also are keen to fly elsewhere be it the Nationals, competitions around the country or others are just keen competitors.

Having spoken over the last couple of years to those Aeromodellers in the latter two categories there seems to be a common thread and that is very little competition activity takes place, beyond club level, within the Dorset area except of course ever popular gliding.

Nigel, Chris, Martin and myself are competition secretaries for our respective clubs and such a role invokes the desire to enter competitions but locally and thus negating the need to travel hundreds of miles.  To this end we are planning, as a start, several open competitions for 2009 these will take the form of OPEN pure gliding competitions, OPEN electric gliding class, Electric 600RES gliding class, and a power event using the two sizes and two engines class called Tomboy.  This is a two-model class using either the 36” Tomboy or 48” version in separate contests.

The open electric class was started by Chris and Nigel in 2008 and number of rounds will be flown this year, probably with the best 4 scores counting.  The OPEN Class utilises any model, any battery and any motor. The models are flown either at 200 watts/Kg or with an ALTITUDE LIMITER (cost approx. £70) fitted. This year it is to be set to cut out at 200m height or after 30 seconds of motor run time, whichever is the sooner. 

The 600RES class is a well established competition class started by Chris over nine years ago, for rudder/elevator/spoiler gliders however it must use a brushed 600 motor, a Graupner 8 x 4.5 Cam folding propeller and NiCad or Nimh of 7 cells. A number of rounds will be flown, probably with the best 4 scores counting.

The Wessex Tomboy event is based on the Vic Smeed free flight Tomboy.  For Wessex Tomboy the 36” version is used with 2 channel control but must be powered by a Mills 75 or derivative.  The MP Jet 040 classic .6cc can also be included but with a small handicap. The Wessex  Tomboy Senior may use up to 3 channels and a Mills 1.3cc diesel engine.  As well as the original Mills .75 and the Aurora (Indian made) Mills available secondhand (try eBay for a start!) Mills .75 and 1.3 replicas are becoming available again in small numbers so if you don’t have the engine one will be available.  This competition is very popular with exciting fly-offs being commonplace. A number of rounds will be flown, probably with the best 4 scores counting.

The Wessex Thermal event is a flat field thermal competition split into two classes, Open and 2m. Launching methods include the use of power winches and bungees.

The Open class is for any Glider using a winch launch. The 2m class is for any Glider up to 2m wingspan using a bungee launch. The planes will be launched in pairs, last man down wins. Points will be given for a win, and also for a spot landing within 10m and 5m. Launch equipment will be provided. This should make a simple and fun competition.

We hope to be able to find clubs who will host some of the events with the aim of up to a maximum of 5 competitions for each class in a year from April till October.

These events will be run alongside other club activities and we are sure will make for interesting viewing by those who wish to watch but not participate.

Should you want to join in and/or if your club is willing to host any of the events then please contact one of the names below.

We hope that as time continues to adjust the competitions run each year based on feedback.

For further details of plans, kits etc available and where they can be obtained please contact Chris, Nigel, Martin or James as below.

We are also available to attend a club meeting to give a talk of approximately 90 minutes to explain the class rules and show models, film etc.

As thing develop we will send out more information in the form of a newsletter again available to individuals and clubs.

                          

David Boddington with his Tomboy Senior at Middle Wallop 24.8.2008.

Electric Thermal Glider meeting at Cashmoor in 2008

Tomboy group photo taken at Cocklebarrow on 7 October 2007

The four of us are always pleased to give a talk regarding the league at one of your club meetings.

Dates of Open Events and Wessex League
 
Always contact before hand just in case there is a problem although that is extremely unlikely. If your club has any dates that can be included please let us know.  More dates may be added.

14 March   Saturday                 Sort your model out day & BBQ – Cashmoor

28 March Saturday                   Wessex Tomboy & Senior League – Cashmoor

4 April  Saturday                      Wessex League E-soar 600RES & open and BBQ – Cashmoor

19 April Sunday                       Open fun fly and BBQ – Cashmoor

19 April Sunday                       Practice session – Wessex Soaring Association – Chalbury

25 April Saturday                     Wessex League E-soar 600RES & open and BBQ – Rogers Hill Farm

3 May Sunday                          Thermal Comp – 2m bungee – open winch – WSA - Chalbury

9 May Saturday                        Electric flight day & BBQ – Cashmoor

17 May Sunday                        WMAC open vintage meeting at Cashmoor & BBQ
                                               
31 May Sunday                        Aero tow and bungee glider meet WMAC & BBQ – Cashmoor

12 June Friday              Grand boot sale, BBQ, If conditions allow flying as well – Cashmoor

19 June Friday                          Afternoon and evening Wessex Tomboy league & BBQ – Cashmoor

21 June Sunday                       Tomboy league – Salisbury MFC

21 June Sunday                        Thermal Comp – 2m bungee – open winch – WSA - Chalbury

27 June Saturday                      Wessex League E-soar 600RES & open and BBQ – Cashmoor

5 July Sunday                           Tomboy league & BBQ -  Cashmoor

5 July  Sunday                          Thermal Comp – 2m bungee – open winch – WSA – Chalbury

2 August  Sunday                     Rose Bowl Thermal Comp – WSA – Chalbury

15 August Saturday                  Wessex League E-soar 600RES & open and BBQ – Rogers Hill Farm
                       
26 July Sunday             Wessex Tomboy league & BBQ – Cashmoor

23 August Sunday                    Thermal Comp – 2m bungee – open winch – WSA – Chalbury

6 September  Sunday               Tomboy league & BBQ – Cashmoor

20 September Sunday              Thermal Comp – 2m bungee – open winch – WSA – Chalbury

26 September Saturday            Wessex League E-soar 600RES & open and BBQ – Rogers Hill Farm

27 September Sunday              Federation scale day & BBQ – Cashmoor TBC

4 October Sunday                    Control line day & BBQ – Cashmoor

31 October Saturday                Final Wessex Tomboy league meeting – Cashmoor

NOTE: Event dates may have to change due to circumstances beyond our control, please check before travelling.

Please contact if you are interested or require more information

If you would like to receive further newsletters as and when please email one of the following
 
James Parry Tel: 01202 625825     james.i-parry@tiscali.co.uk        (Mainly Tomboy events)

Chris Hague Tel: 07967 306201 christopher.hague@ntlworld.com   (Tomboy and electric glider)

Nigel Bennett  Tel: 01258 861863  nigelcbennett@googlemail.com  (Open glider events and WSA)

Martin Burr  Tel: 01202 773144    martin.burr1@ntlworld.com   (Gliding events at Chalbury)