What was going on in February 1978 in the modelling
world. Take a look back at some snippets from a magazine of the era. Other news was the formation of a new group called the Royal Navy Model Aircraft Association. The main aim of the association was to promote all forms of model aircraft flying within the Royal Navy. Looking to take part in competitions on both national and international level as well as sponsoring events, joint meetings and even championships at home. Membership was split into Full for active service personnel and Associate for other members. |
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Outlined in three sections Schedule A and B for the first and second round respectively and a Fly-Off section. Radio Modeller planned
to review the manoeuvre description and appraise the implications
for both flying and model design points of view. |
More pictures from the Las Vegas Tournament of Champions and and interesting look at creating covered spoked wheels with lots of tips to help you make them look just like the real thing. |
Schnuerle porting and ABC design were main features and the first to use a pressure die casting assembly rather than sand or gravity casting The first of the smaller range of engines the model number was RCA. With the addition of a cylinder head with larger cooling fins it could be used in R/C Cars and with the addition of a water cooled head and flywheel was able to power boats too. |
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Phil Kendon was the winner flying a standard Cirrus glider. |
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Recognise yourself in any of these pictures, we'd love to hear from you at Bumpy Green. Email chinman |
The
main editorial for this months Radio Modeller focused on the Department
Of the Environment's Code of practice for Model Aircraft Noise. Released
as a final draft to the SMAE and all affiliated clubs however there
was still confusion about the Code itself. Some had mistakenly thought
that the Code was already in effect. his wasn't the case and both the
SMAE and Radio Modeller pledged to make sure everybody concerned would
be made aware when the Code was finalised and put into force.
Tin Goose designed by Dennis Tapsfield was a nostalgic replica
of the 1926 Ford Tri-Motor. Using 3 electric motor power which was
configured and switched in an unusual but effective way. Using a series-parallel
switching mode for the motors the main motor could be set for full
power while the outer motors are run in series. This enables longer
battery duration while still affording enough power to maintain flight.
When switched the outer motors are then wired to run in parallel,
providing an additional power boost for take off. 
The
new F.A.I. Aerobatic Schedule was released for the 1979 World Aerobatic
Championships but was earmarked for use during SMAE championships during
1978.
Scale
Topics with Roy Yates opens with a remembrance
of Neil Williams who had corresponded with Roy about an article series
on aerobatics, however just days after receiving the letter Neil was
killed in a flying accident in Spain whilst transporting a WW2 Heinkel
bomber back to England for display in a museum. 
Peter Chinn was looking at the OPS 3.5 Speed engine in Motor
Miscellany. A new engine from the Italian company and a new approach
having been previously involved in larger engines including a 20cc
in-line twin. 
Grimsby & District
Model Aircraft Club feature first this month with a quartet of WW2
demo pilots and their fighters. Brian Fearnley and Alan Willey in
the front row with Spitfires while Chairman Dave Goose back row left
and his Hurricane and Eric Fearnely with his Grumman FM2. It was
hoped at the time a number of new aircraft would be joining the
demo dog fighting including a Zero and Me-109. 
Fairlop
MFC from Essex was a gliders only club and had recently run their first
competition. This involved four flights of 2, 4, 5 and 6 minutes duration.
Time of current flight had to be called within 1 minute of launch. 
West Cumberland
Radio Modellers had been busy in recent months with a membership
now of 30 held a Class-2 scale fly-in and Pylon event which also
attracted visitors from Kendal and Carlisle. Also good news was
abound that the club, which caters for aeroplane, boat and
car enthusiasts had been granted permission for a grass airstrip
to be laid and an adjacent building converted into a club house. 
Finally
an octet of smiles as the eight winners from Eastcote Club
pose after the prize giving at a recent event. One unusual
trophy, replacing the standard cup or shield was the Concorde
trophy presented to the winning amateur aerobatic pilot of
the event. 