What
was going on in August 1976 in the modelling world. Take a
look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era.
The
Editorial focussed again on the all electric fly-in scheduled
for October. With the impending over subscription of the
event looking likely, a £1 deposit was going to be levied to
ensure bookings were genuine. The R.M. Electric Flight Trophy
was announced with other cash prizes to be won.
Other news included the Nationals to be held at Little
Rissington in Gloucestershire on August 14th/15th and the
news back from the World Scale Championships that Britain had
won the team award. Held in Dalarna in Sweden noted places
were Brian Taylor 2nd in the individual and Mick Reeves came
6th.
Motor Miscellany with Peter
Chin covered the different types setting up of model engine
carburettors. Plenty of insight into what makes the engines
run and what to do under various circumstances. Having read
the article it seems little has changed in 20 odd years and
the basics and setting up of model carbs is just the same.
Cover
model and reviewed plan was the Vickers-Armstrongs
Supermarine Walrus. Plan design by Don Gray and included
provision for land and water take off with removable under
carriage and truly scale folding wings for storage and
transportation. 1/8th scale at 68 3/4" span, for 4
function radio and .61 size engine.
Featured
review model was the Veron's Cobra - 17. Based on the SZD 39
creation from the Sailplane Experimental Centre in Poland. A
17 metre span high performance soarer.
Verons Cobra was 122" span and very near scale. Mike
Smart reported on it being quite expensive but among the best
British kits he had seen. Not recommend as a beginners or
novice model due to the large size and relative fragility
although relatively easy to construct and finish.
This
article really caught my eye, being a keen electric flight
enthusiast. The gentleman pictured is one Sergeant Paul
Channon who was based at RAF Sealand near Chester at the
time. The twin motor plane he is holding held the unofficial
record at the time for electric powered model flight duration
at 3 hours 6 mins & 20 secs. Even today that would be
some flight duration for a powered model. Using 5 x 3v
Lithium Organic cells weighing only 3oz or 85g each (15oz or
425g in total) and rated at 10A/hr (compared to modern flight
packs that would be 15v 10000mAh) However at a cost of £45
for just one flight even today that would soon lose it's
appeal compared to rechargeable cells and packs.
New
in the shops for August 1976 has to be the first of a step
forward for 2 channel transmitter designs. New look black
fangled plastic no less. Maybe not the first but the first
one I have seen advertised so prominently. The bottom left
picture shows a rather interesting little gadget. The
Medallion 2 channel brick incorporates a receiver and 2
servos in one unit. Much like the Multiplex Pico-Line
Einstein & Brick units.
Featured
clubs this month were White Sheet RFC, Hatfield Aerodrome
MFC, Malvern Soaring Association, Waveney MFC &
Buckaneers Model Club.
A large turnout for the Crawley & District MAC. The club
had 100 members at time of printing and ranged from under 10s
to over 60s. Very busy schedule with lots of community
interest in the club at the time.
Skelmersdale New Town MAS hold a pose with some scale and
sports models at one of their weekend sessions. All in coats
and jumpers so must have been typical British weather that
day. Skelmersdale had the fortune of local council backing
with a well maintained field supplied by the local
development authority.
Recognise yourself from any of
the pictures featured, we'd love to hear from you at Bumpy
Green. chinman@bumpygreen.co.uk
 |
The next project is something
of a red letter. Over a year ago I ordered a Ripmax
Alienator from the model store local to my place of
work. They were told ( In Feb 2001) Will be May. In
May they were told October. In October they were told
not sure when but early 2002. I finally got one at
the Weston Park Model Show in June. This month coming
will see me putting it to the test to find out if it
really was worth the wait. |
A plea from your
columnist.
I have run
afoul of a small problem with my Radio Modeller magazines. It
would seem I have come up short for 1977 issues (ie next
years column material) I have March, September, October &
November.
I need to beg, borrow or steal (well pay for) Jan, Feb, Apr,
May, June, July, Aug & December issues.
If anyone can help out with this I'd be very grateful. I
would be willing to buy an entire year if I have to but they
must include all covers and be reasonable condition.
Please drop me an email if you can help. chinman@bumpygreen.co.uk
That's it for another month,
See
you in September.
Article by Chinman from Bumpy Green Model
Aerodrome
August 2002
