Hi Steve
In part 2, I mentioned that PAM were popular with the locals and we carried out several static and flying demos throughout the year. Bob Pethybridge was always keen on 60″ 60 powered pattern ships. He flew, for a long time, a “Chevron”, OS 60 powered. A design by Ray Brown of Portsmouth. His aerobatic schedule was always applauded but I don’t remember him ever entering a competition.
Frank Buckland and I flew 2 semi scale 60″ 2 seater low wing monoplanes based upon the Miles Magister trainer. Franks was finished with RAF roundels and mine in German Crosses and fitted with a smoke canister operated off the 5th ch. To the music of the Dam Busters and appropriate flack and machine gun noise, we chased each other around the sky. The only anxious moment came when, pouring smoke, I had to land, blind, behind the hedge of the adjoining field.
Don Eades normally flew his Mirakardo, impressing the crowd with his prowess on the sticks. 8 point rolls, loops, inside and out, low inverts, knife edges but to name a few. Most of the members brought along static models. Dick Hall with a Cotteswold 20 Club Racer, Ken Boucher with his SE 5A, well finished with lozenge finished wings, Tony Beckett with his 50″ bi-plane and Corgi Decals, (he was a plumber) and more, but memory fails me.
Frank Buckland and I flew 2 semi scale 60″ 2 seater low wing monoplanes based upon the Miles Magister trainer. Franks was finished with RAF roundels and mine in German Crosses and fitted with a smoke canister operated off the 5th ch. To the music of the Dam Busters and appropriate flack and machine gun noise, we chased each other around the sky. The only anxious moment came when, pouring smoke, I had to land, blind, behind the hedge of the adjoining field.
Don Eades normally flew his Mirakardo, impressing the crowd with his prowess on the sticks. 8 point rolls, loops, inside and out, low inverts, knife edges but to name a few. Most of the members brought along static models. Dick Hall with a Cotteswold 20 Club Racer, Ken Boucher with his SE 5A, well finished with lozenge finished wings, Tony Beckett with his 50″ bi-plane and Corgi Decals, (he was a plumber) and more, but memory fails me.
As well as the above, the Club were enthusiastic and keen to follow the theme, attending Sandown, Sywell, Odiham, Southern Area Galas and AGMs of the SMAE.
The Southern Area was in decline in the early 70’s, as a result Don became Chairman and guess who got landed with the Sec’s job? no prizes. In the first 2 years I fought for the Winchester Hill glider brigade and when Portsmouth Club put a plane through the roof of Marconi Space and Defense Factory, I persuaded them not to close the airport to model flyers. I met many nice people, Eric Coates, Manx Kelly, Jim Davis (Battle of Britain models) 7 Max Coute of Ripmax.
Pressure of work and a relocation to Herts forced me to leave it all behind.
Next time “the not so nice things”
Cliff Holt
The Southern Area was in decline in the early 70’s, as a result Don became Chairman and guess who got landed with the Sec’s job? no prizes. In the first 2 years I fought for the Winchester Hill glider brigade and when Portsmouth Club put a plane through the roof of Marconi Space and Defense Factory, I persuaded them not to close the airport to model flyers. I met many nice people, Eric Coates, Manx Kelly, Jim Davis (Battle of Britain models) 7 Max Coute of Ripmax.
Pressure of work and a relocation to Herts forced me to leave it all behind.
Next time “the not so nice things”
Cliff Holt
