Bumpy Green visits Chesham Electric Evening

Tonight Bumpy Green visited CMFC for an electric flying evening. A large turnout with a broad variety of models ranging from vintage style scale models to the latest foam high performance ARTFs.
Choddy and Chinman attended the evening on invitation. BMFA insurance required to fly which we all have at Bumpy Green. The wind was moderate when we arrived so we unloaded the Bumpy Bus and found Dave the chairman to organise what we should do about frequency pegs. I spotted that 62 was not taken so made the executive decision to grab the remaining guest peg and shove it on 62 so Choddy and I could share this. I brought along my ever faithful Pico-Jet Combat and my T33, Choddy has his Twin-Jet and Star-Jet but didn't get to fly as he was talking with many of the people there and filming a great deal.

The turn out was more than I expected and the variety of models was astounding. The light was not so good and some of the pictures taken of the models didn't come out so well.

A nice strip with plenty of room around the pit area to work.

Lots of room for all the models and people. Good to see so many people with electric models. We were worried there would be little to report on from an electric event, I was gladly proved wrong. I flew my Pico-Jet Combat 4 times and my T33 once. The T33 will need it's wing mount re-epoxied as a slightly harder than desired landing (plus a few false start launches) weakend the front anchor point. My first launch had sailed down to the floor, a helping hand from a club member was not much more succesful. A third person had a look inside and asked if the battery was too far forward. I said that I had found it flew much better this way but was obviously giving problems with the launch. He then hurled it into the air and it powered away without a hitch. Thank you both.
My Pico-Jet Combat flew very well and I managed a quick game of chase with another Mk I Pico-Jet as well as trying to catch an exceedingly fast Star-Jet (of which I had little hope as it had twin 480s) Some very low passes by the Star-Jet urged me to get among the weeds but the slope at the rear of the strip is quite offputing when you are used to a very flat field. It took some time to get used to it. I'm not sure how many times I thought I was going to ground it as I came down the slope at full chat.

A flurry or activity in the pit area as the wind dropped.

Paul Baker with his IFO about to take a flight once the wind settled.

Geoff Walker returning from a succesful flight with his Kyosho F16 and another pilot collecting his Graupner Terry. This F16 performed beautifully and Choddy and I were suprised to learn it was all stock running gear. Using only 2 servos for elevon mixing on the tail with increased size elevators. I had a chance to chat to Geoff who we first met at the Talk given by Neil Tidey of Laser Engines and he was the first to talk to me about Bumpy Green. I also chatted with Mike Martin who's messages can be seen in the Pico-Jet forum.

Below are some of the great flying shots we got during the evening from the flightline, the pits and the slope opposite the strip. Sorry to those who planes were not captured and to those who planes are here but not very good quality. The poor light at times played havoc with the photgraphic equipment.

Electric Zaggi flew well, always impresive. Graupner Terry, going swiftly by.

Unknown electric glider on full power. Stunning F16, flew very well.

Pico Jet Time

Nice trim job on this original Pico-Jet, and another in standard Livery on a fast flyby.

Low pass by one of the Pico-Jets. Close encounters of the PJ kind. They weren't that close, just in shot at the same time. I also met Mike who has mailed me and allowed me to post his comments in the Pico-Jet forum. Hope you find some yellow FK props. Mail me if you are having trouble getting them I will get a bunch in and meet up for a fly-in at some point.

Ripmax Alliance, geared 400/480 pattern ship going through the motions.
Designed by Paysant La Roux.

Eventually the light failed us entirely and the last die hards (who must eat lots of carrots to be able to see) began to pack away.

We would like to once again extend our thanks to the Chesham Model Flying Club who have been very supportive to Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome, they really are a great bunch of guys and demonstrate a very well run club in all aspects of our well enjoyed hobby. We give them a big Bumpy Thumbs Up!!!!

We hope to get to meet more of the Chesham club members as we attend the talks and fly-ins they hold.

Article by Chinman from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
22nd June 2001