The new van man

Following a certain amount of piss taking at Wigan, I am pleased to report the Ian now appreciates the positive side of my van design!

I had a cracking day at Greenacres, pissed down with rain until about 2.00pm and nearly everyone had gone home. Then the sun came out and we had two maiden flights !
Ian Redshaw with his 1/3 scale Sopwith Camel and Chris Powyser with his 1/3 Scale Pup. Both machines still have a little more work before being fully complete, but even at this stage in the game both are built to a very high standard.
Two very happy chaps after two very successful flights, ( Hope mine flies as good!)


Camel on slow low pass

And the Pup just as she lifts off for the first time.

Bugger and Bugger it

I had planned to fly all week and take my BMFA A and B certificates, but as we know all great plans can go pear shaped and this one did !
I was trying to get some stick time on my Filton Inspire. Having not flown for some considerable time , I though it best to get up to speed before starting the process of the certificates. Unfortunately somewhere along the route I seem to have forgotten how easy a good flying Aerobatic aircraft can make you look. Thinking I was well in control of the situation I simply pushed my comfort zone a little bit to far ! flying two consecutive rolls down wind, I pulled up elevator when the aircraft was inverted, the result was a very high speed impact resulting in a total write off of the airframe, Totaly my fault, I am now busy trying to get something flyable together so I can at least fly my A certificate before the end of the week. What a Bugger !!!
I will try to find some Pre crash photo's and post them later.
So here finally are the photo's, Oh yes I can hear you say it flies like a dream !!


And yes after a couple of good flights the "fat lad " was well happy
SO ! why did I crash it ??? to be honest I have'nt got a bloody clue ! Good News is that I have now passed my A certificate, I am now going to move on to the LMA Proficiency and then do the BMFA B

I have been having a bit of trouble with Blog link of late, hopefuly it is now resolved. Here are a few photo's from Rougham and RAF Barkston Heath.

its one of those "magnificent men" in his flying machine,,,,, think he was French,,

I think this is when you say " Oh Bugger !"

Very nice model, and with 4 Zenoahs on song


Now this model is ABSOLUTELY HOOOOGE

But at 1/3 scale this Albatross takes a lot of beating


This little sweetie is owned by the "Jolly Greyflyer"


And this one is Mine ,,waiting for the off at Barkston Heath

VAN UPDATE

Following a weekend of graft the van is almost there ! I have built a false floor into the rear of the van, this contains a pull out work table,, I still have to work 0ut a support leg, but I pretty much have this sorted, the leg will store on clips to the inside of the rear door.

So the idea is fold the doors all the way back, pull out the build table, The fusalage then runs out to the pullout handles which act as wheel chocks. Then I can stick the wings on and "Bobs your uncle" we are ready to fly. Trouble is I need to find a way to hold the doors back in case of wind.

The van succsfully completed its first show run, going to the LMA Wigan Synopsis, returning a good 38MPG which was around what I was aiming for. I think sleeping in the van is going to be a half way house, If I can I will try to convince the better half to let me invest in a used caravan !