Old Warden Schools 2001

Wednesday the 4th of july dawned bright and still. a perfect day to take the Bumpy bus to Old warden. Choddy arrived at 10.00am looking decidedly the worse for wear (I decided not to ask why). We had our customary morning coffee and left for Old warden.

By the time we arrived it was really getting quite hot and a beautiful day was going to be had by all. The first person we came acroos was Niel Tidy of Lazer engines. Niel has done great things for us with his positive approach to Bumpy Green, we owe him our thanks. SO, "THANKS NIEL". Also he's a nice guy generally and spent many enjoyable hours of the day showing the children how model aircraft work and with the aid of a buddy box giving them some stick timeas well.

Niel can be seen here showing the children around his Lazer powered extra-wot.

The childrens day at old warden is organized by both The Shuttleworth Collection and the BMFA to promote air mindedness to the children of today. And also to give them an insight into the great history of aviation and the the enourmous lengths to which early pioneers went to achieve thier goal. The children really got visible pleasure from thier day out and where fascinated by the full sized display of flying put on by the shuttleworth collection.

Also on hand were The Chesham Model Flying Club headedby Al Spicer, who freely gave of thier time for this event putting on demonstrations of thier aircraft and and flying skills. not to mention bringing along the clubs aircraft and buddy lead systems so that the children could queue up to have a go. After first bieng briefed by Niel Tidy about the various functions of aircraft and radio. And queue they did. Each recieving a certificate after they had flown to take home.

WE HAVENT FORGOTTEN...

Brian Cooper always deserves a mention as he has over the years done more for getting youngsters involved in modelling than most.In previous years he has been at Olympia with his powered versions of the delta dart and allowing the children to have a go.(no buddy leads then eh Brian :-). We at bumpy Green have also been on the receiving end of Brians expertise. As he was the designer of the illustrious Mini-Whizz. Of which we have built three.I now understand that he has an outdoor version of the delta dart sounds like fun.Brian is also a regular at the childrens day and can be seen helping out every year.

The full Sized flying display kicked off with a spirited display by A tiger moth in camoflage livery. This was followed by perhaps my biggest treat of the day, which was the Arrow-Active seen Above. To see this aircraft fly is a rare priveledge and one made possible by the Shuttleworth Collection, Who put on many displays during the flying season of aircraft that cannot be seen anywhere else.If you can please make the effort to go.You wont be sorry you did.

Next up was the Hawker cygnet. A beautiful light bi-plane and very marginally powered.As it took off in the strong breeze the cygnet completed a full circuit before clearing tree hieght. What a brave man that pilot is. As this flight continue the RCAF Chipmunk taxied for take off. and all the time a parade of vintage cars and motorcycles came by followed by Henrie Mignets famous Pou De Ciel.(The Flying Flea).

	Henrie Mignets flying flea. I helped in the full sized construction of one of these. Fascinating.
The Hawker Cygnet as it should be - Just look at that sky....	Arrow Active and Hawker Tomtit

To the young lads and lasses in Year 5 at Eddlesborough School. And also thier teacher and guardian for the day. The charming Vicky Erricson (In the hat at the rear) who is on a Teaching exchange from the U.S.A.

Neil Tidey and Year 5 from Eddlesborough School

A little competition.. E-Mail : grot@bumpygreen.co.uk What is the name of the collection of aircraft at old warden? The first person from the school to mail me the correct answer will win a prize. GOOD LUCK!!!

Next Week: Read about the model flying that took place at this event, kindly put on by the Chesham Model Flying Club. Aso how the children got on flying RC using a buddy lead and some excellent guidence from Brian Cooper, Neil Tidey and the members of Chesham Model Flying Club

Article by Grot from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
7th July 2001