Bumpy Green
Bus Stop
Epping & North Weald Model Flying Club
Into the bus..
It was one cold February morning when we (grot and choddy) jumped into the Bumpy Green Bus and "headed east", this time to the Epping & North Weald Model Flying Club. We had been invited to visit the site by Mike Savage who is the Club Secretary. Although not members and so unable to fly, we were able to take a model for the guys there to have a little fly with, we chose the latest favourite of mine, the Multiplex TwinJet.
The Site
The club are located within North Weald Airfield (an airstrip
used during the second world war and still in service today). This is the same
location as the annual Wings and Wheels Model Show, amongst many other full
sized flying displays as well.
The first thing about the club which i found exciting was the fact that they fly from a working airfield (complete with thier own club bar) so there is always the hussle and busstle of full size aircraft, as well as many older historical planes scattered around the place including some derilict jets just begging to be restored which is a great shame.
The club bar..
The North weald club has some excellent facilities on hand. There is a resteraunt for small meals and snacks which is shared with the full sized club, and a really nice bar where everybody meets for sunday lunch/pint or two and provides an atmosphere that many clubs would die for. After lunch its off to their own section of tarmac for an afternoon flying session.
On the safe side..
Owing to the location of the club, it is essential that members have an A certificate at least and must work towards the B certificate as soon as possible so we were unable to fly there ourselves (shame) as we dont use such things at Bumpy Green, but we do consider safety of upmost importance.
The People..
What a nice bunch!. Actually there werent that many there when we went so i cant speak for everyone, but the few that we met were very friendly and welcoming. What more can I say. Give them a call and go see for yourself. I'm sure that you will have a great day out. Bumpy Green is hosted By "angry rhino" which is run by Gary, one of the members and the service, cost and size of the webspace are brilliant. Go have a look.
The Models..
There were only a few present on our visit but this was made up for by a spectacular display by Gary, showed us how to land a 200% scale wot4 on a muddy patch without getting the wheels dirty. A stunning achievement I think that you will agree (see pictures). Also there, Was a Limbo Dancer put through its paces, and a nice Cap232.
Gary's big monster in all its glory
Nice TwinStar touch n go on the tarmac
Low pass by the TwinStar
The Days Events
After everyone had had a go with the twin jet and decided to buy one tomorrow (try it you'll buy one too), the twin star was launched and put through its paces. I have to admit that it was very entertaining for such a hideous looking aircraft and looped, rolled,and even did a nice touch and go (with no undercart either).
Next up was gary's scaled up Wot4 with a large petrol engine (zenoa 23cc I believe.). This model put on a great show of agility and flew very well indeed. Until for some reason it turned tail up and proved the theory that for a short time that petrol engines can turn a prop in soil. Showing the awesome power of these machines:-) (sorry).
It was all taken in good spirit and every body posed around the wreckage for a club picture though and the model lived to do it again later. Oops There I go again. But generally , a good (and cold) day was had by all. We plan to visit again on a warmer day.
If you would like us to visit your club then send us a mail. We now have the capability to produce movies of the trip for download and set to music. The results usually cause even the most serious modellers to crack a smile. Go to our cinema page and download a few, the bigger the better by the way.
Conclusion
There were many things about this club we found excellent, (especially the bar), so if you live in the vacinity of North Weald Airfield, have an A certificate and are looking for an excellent club to join, i have no doubts this is the one for you. So go along to their homepage check them out!
