I hAve a couple addendum to my September 2000 column on
glues.
I received a tube of G-S Hypo Cement from the Blacksheep
Squadron (http://folacksheepsquadron.com/)—a large, active model
club in Los Angeles CA.
There is a list of uses for this cement, but its principle
applications are watch crystals, hobby/craft, and industrial/optical. It
is also good for attaching windshields onto models.
The tube comes with a needlelike tip, so application is easy. G-S
Hypo Cement is available through Micro-Mark® (each modeler
should get this company’s catalog).
I received a few remarks from John Leach regarding epoxies. He
mentioned that West Systems epoxies have proven themselves in
boat-building, and can withstand exposure to saltwater.
Also, any time you buy epoxy (expensive), be sure it’s from a
source where the turnover is steady. You don’t need for an adhesive
not to set up after you apply it. And any time you blend a two-part
epoxy, mix it for at least 60 seconds.
Jon Reep shared his method for using JB Weld. He applies a
coat, carefully adds a layer of fiberglass cloth, then follows with
another coat of the Weld. This eliminates any chance of cracking.
Thanks to those who shared these hints.
I just arrived home from an outstanding trip to the UK!
I didn’t go just to see the lovely countryside, but to visit great
friends and live and breathe airplanes—models and full-scale!
Along the way, I received valuable history lessons.
My good friend Charlie Newman picked me up from Heathrow
Airport. Charlie is a professional model-maker, and the quality of
his models have to be seen to be appreciated. (I have included
photos of his magnificent S.E.5 in this column.)
My first full day there, Charlie and I headed out for Woburn—
the site of the Tiger Moth Club annual fly-in.
The setting is out of a picture book; it is a “scant” 3,000 acres,
Fernando Ramos, 19361 Mesa Dr., Villa Park CA 92861; E-mail: [email protected]
FREE FLIGHT SPORT and SCALE
Derek Knight wears his Fairchild 24’s documentation for Rubber
Scale static competition! (He had the lowest score.)
Steve Glas and his fantastic-flying F-86 Sabre jet, which flew like
it was on rails. It had a fan unit from a hair-dryer!
Adam Beales holds his winning Rubber Scale AN-2. All column
photos were taken by the author at the British Nationals.
January 2001 141
with an abundance of grass, pines, and ponds. In the middle of it all,
is a beautiful grass strip where the airplanes land.
I saw 40 or 50 Tiger Moths and Fox Moths, Puss Moths, Hornet
Moths, a Leopard Moth, a Moth Minor, and an assortment of other
fabric-covered aircraft.
Charlie brought a picnic lunch, and we sat on a slope and watched
all the flying activity. Then we meandered among the rare airplanes,
and my mouth was agape. What a picture!
After a full day at Woburn, we headed for Old Warden—the site of
the famous Shuttleworth collection of historic flying aircraft. There I
witnessed something I’ll never forget; they call it Prom Night, but it is
nothing like any prom I ever attended.
Charlie brought out food, a table, and chairs. We staked out a spot and
waited for the rest of our friends to arrive. When they did, more good food
and drink was laid out on the tables, and we all gorged ourselves.
At one end of the property, there is a large stage with an equally
large canopy, reminiscent of the Hollywood Bowl in California. A
symphony orchestra started playing at 7 p.m. At the same time, a
genuine S.E.5 took off and flew overhead, seemingly in time with the
music.
Flying continued with a Lysander, an Avro Tutor, and a few others,
then ended with chief pilot Andy Sephton wringing out a Spitfire!
When it got dark, there was an excellent fireworks show—equal to
or better than the one at Disneyland™.
I went home with Derek and Marilyn Knight, and spent a most
enjoyable week with them. I got a real taste of the history of
Portsmouth.
Derek is the Knight of Knight and Pridum Co., which manufactures
neat items for Free Flighters. The company is best known for its
electric motors and accessories, and clever propellers for electric
motors. It also has a terrific electric ducted-fan unit. (I will share more
of this in a later column.)
I stayed in Derek’s model room, surrounded by more magazines
and books than you can imagine. Derek is clever; he showed me tricks
and ideas that I will pass along. He would go up to his attic and bring
down one model after the other—each with a different innovation!
Each day was filled with adventures, including a trip to the Duxford
Museum.
Friday, Marilyn graciously drove me to Middle Wallop, where
SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) 35 was holding a four-day
contest, and we met Charlie there.
I was hoping to fly my commercial Rubber model, but it was not to
be. The winds were blowing like crazy, so we spent much of the time
talking to friends and making new ones.
The contest at Middle Wallop and the British Nationals were on the
Adam Beales’ Rubber Scale AN-2 in flight.
Barry Howtham’s beautiful Alexander Bullet and Avro 504—both
electric-powered. The British are serious about Scale.
Contestants line up, ready for a flight. World War I aircraft are
particularly popular at the British Nationals. Bill Dennis waits for lull in wind with rubber-powered Puss Moth.
142 M ODEL AVIATION
same weekend, because the military needed
the field the weekend that the Nationals was
originally scheduled. I went home with
Charlie that night.
The next morning, Charlie and I headed
for RAF Barkston Heath—the site of the
British Nationals, which was the major
contest in which I was hoping to compete.
Free Flight (FF) Scale was to be flown in
two rounds, with three Saturday and three
Sunday. However, the weather was cold,
drizzly, and windy Saturday.
The Radio Control (RC) Scale fliers did a
bang-up job of flying in the wind; I guess they
have to get used to it, or they would never fly!
I got to see the best Scale modelers in the UK
do their stuff.
This was the first time I had ever seen
genuine turbine-powered models. They have a
great sound—just like full-scale.
While the RCers flew, the Scale FF models
were judged in a large tent (with limited light).
The judging method is different from what
I have ever seen. The model is placed on a
table, and a couple judges sit roughly six feet
from it. With the documentation in hand, they
dissect the model for fidelity to scale.
A third person moves the model to
whatever angle the judges require. They
spend an average of 20 minutes per model.
I had a rude awakening when my model
had nearly the lowest score of those entered.
The judges really knock you down if your
model is not completely opaque in color.
Because of the poor light, dark-colored
models suffered because details were not
detectable.
Power Scale is divided into two groups:
Gas (all power models were diesel) and
Electric and CO2.
I will do better the next time I compete
there! The weather never let up, so flying was
out of the question.
Many of the Free Flighters stayed at the
same Pub—George, in the village of
Leadham. What a great experience! The keys
to the rooms were the old skeleton-type.
When was the last time you saw one of those?
There was an abundance of great food
and drink, and the most enjoyable evening
of friendship.
Sunday’s weather wasn’t much better
than Saturday’s; by 6 p.m., it was decided
that flying would start, and all six rounds
would be attempted.
Now comes the hard part. Your model has
to rise-off-ground (ROG); if it doesn’t—even
if you have the best Scale score—you can’t
win! You also fly over a runway—not over
the abundance of grass.
The spectators were behind a rope, and they
cheered whenever a model took off successfully.
I made my first attempt a hand launch, so I
could at least get a qualifying flight.
On my last flight, I fired up the .015 Mills
diesel and set the model on the tarmac. It took
off like it knew what it was doing. It was
gratifying to see this happen; not every model
ROGed successfully.
These models are also judged on how the
transition from power to glide, and from glide
to landing resembles the full-scale aircraft. I
was proud of my Bristol M.1.D; my overall
flight score was up with the best of them.
Rubber Scale was a bit disappointing;
there were only five entries.
The most humorous part of this event was
when Derek learned he forgot the
documentation for his lovely Fairchild 24. He
submitted a Flying Aces T-shirt with the
same-colored airplane on it, and he received
the lowest static score.
Derek had the best flight times, but
eventually lost his model in a thermal.
The RAF air base is very large, and it was
filled with modeling activity each day, in spite
of the weather. It was reminiscent of the good
old US Nationals, when it was sponsored by
the Navy.
At the end of the day, we headed back to
George for another wonderful evening of
food, drink, and much talk.
I went to the last day of competition with
Charlie, and I left there with Lindsey and
Jane Smith. Lindsey is a tough Rubber Scale
competitor.
I had a great week with them, which
included a trip to the Millennium Dome (the
world’s largest dome, in Greenwich).
Lindsey and I were also guests at the
Rolls-Royce™ engine factory, courtesy of
Andy Sephton. He is a test pilot, and he flies
each aircraft that is powered by a Rolls-
Royce™ engine. Andy is also an avid FF
Scale modeler.
Charlie and I got the opportunity to see
the evolution of Bristol engines and Rolls-
Royce™ jet engines. We were very lucky.
From there, Andy took us to a grass strip,
where he keeps his two-place Jodel; he uses
it to commute to Old Warden. A Miles
Sparrowhawk and an Aeronca C-3 were
being restored there, and I learned how
costly it is to refurbish airplanes in the UK.
The price of materials is staggering, let
alone the cost of fuel.
I spent Friday and Saturday with a
former student of mine and her husband.
They took me to London, fed me, then took
me to the Imperial War Museum.
I went home with Charlie, where I
packed my models and belongings, and
prepared for the next—and last—day of
aeroplaning.
Charlie and I headed for Old Warden
Sunday, and arrived there for the Pageant of
Flight.
Almost all the Shuttleworth collection
was out on the line, and most of them were
flown. The pre-World War I aircraft can
only be flown if there is no wind at the end
of the flying day.
What I saw was indescribable, with the
setting and the aircraft—and to see them in
flight! All airplane nuts need to experience
this at least once.
Get to the UK sometime, and savor all
that this country has to offer—not only the
airplanes, but the history, the scenery, and
above all, the warmth of the people. I am
fortunate to have so many friends there.
They made my stay memorable.
I hope I can repay them if they ever get to
California! MA
