I hope you have found the articles I have written about the
early days of PAM interesting, amusing and/or, perhaps, prompting
“but for the grace of God go I.”
In the 70s, Club 20 Pylon Racing became popular. However, in 1973, only one member built one a
Cotswold 20, OS powered, 3 ch, engine, elevator and ailerons. He invited any
member to partake in a competition organized by the Portsmouth Club. The course was triangular, the flyer standing
mid-point on the base line and completing 10 laps around the apex in the
fastest time. The secret was to have someone at the apex, signal when to
turn. The owner of the model volunteered
to do this. Being in the construction industry
he wore an orange hat that he raised when it was time to knife edge turn. It was hilarious, and my only claim to fame
was being presented with a certificate by Portsmouth Club, as the 2nd fastest
man in the Southern Area.
We attended several meets during the year and I would
normally take my Mardon touring caravan as the chuck wagon. Member’s wives would
dispense tea, coffee and bacon/sausage baps, much appreciated, particularly
during inclement and very cold weather.
Little things like when electric starters made an appearance,
the pressure required forced the crankpin to score the back plate, particularly
OS engines. i contacted Max Coute of Ripmax who in turn took it up with OS resulting . In a redesigned crank.
According to Ray Brown Models, I purchased the first helicopter, a helli
baby,, in the Southern Area but could
never fly the dammed thing, even tried a twist
stick, soon went back to fixed wing.
PAM had a very good social life & about every 5to 6
weeks held parties at various members’ houses and looked forward to the Annual
Xmas Dinner & Dance. This gave us
the opportunity to say thank you to the patch land owner and his wife.
On one occasion I held a Hawaiian Night party which proved
to be a disaster. The Hawaiian guitarist I had arranged couldn’t play a note;
thank the lord for the stereo. Since
this is my last submission I will leave you all with one final picture!!!
Just imagine, if you can, your illustrious President,
at the party, bare footed, grass skirt
covering his swimming trunks, two half
coconut shells strategically placed and a long flowing wig swinging
through the hall, yelling a Tarzan call
and landing in the lounge , stating ” I’ve had a terrible day in the
jungle.” We all fell about,
laughing and the wives certainly looked at him with new eyes!! Sorry Don my old friend. Best wishes to both
you and Frank and any other survivors of the original members. Miss you fellows as I relax in the sun, by
the pool with my G &T. This is Cliff Holt signing off.
Over & Out.
Footnote! I would like to take this opportunity to
thank your Pro; Steve Hastings for allowing me to ramble on, these past few
months and for the comments, good and bad, which your current membership have made. ?? I hope our early efforts went someway to
bring about the Club you are today. Happy Landings.
early days of PAM interesting, amusing and/or, perhaps, prompting
“but for the grace of God go I.”
In the 70s, Club 20 Pylon Racing became popular. However, in 1973, only one member built one a
Cotswold 20, OS powered, 3 ch, engine, elevator and ailerons. He invited any
member to partake in a competition organized by the Portsmouth Club. The course was triangular, the flyer standing
mid-point on the base line and completing 10 laps around the apex in the
fastest time. The secret was to have someone at the apex, signal when to
turn. The owner of the model volunteered
to do this. Being in the construction industry
he wore an orange hat that he raised when it was time to knife edge turn. It was hilarious, and my only claim to fame
was being presented with a certificate by Portsmouth Club, as the 2nd fastest
man in the Southern Area.
We attended several meets during the year and I would
normally take my Mardon touring caravan as the chuck wagon. Member’s wives would
dispense tea, coffee and bacon/sausage baps, much appreciated, particularly
during inclement and very cold weather.
Little things like when electric starters made an appearance,
the pressure required forced the crankpin to score the back plate, particularly
OS engines. i contacted Max Coute of Ripmax who in turn took it up with OS resulting . In a redesigned crank.
According to Ray Brown Models, I purchased the first helicopter, a helli
baby,, in the Southern Area but could
never fly the dammed thing, even tried a twist
stick, soon went back to fixed wing.
PAM had a very good social life & about every 5to 6
weeks held parties at various members’ houses and looked forward to the Annual
Xmas Dinner & Dance. This gave us
the opportunity to say thank you to the patch land owner and his wife.
On one occasion I held a Hawaiian Night party which proved
to be a disaster. The Hawaiian guitarist I had arranged couldn’t play a note;
thank the lord for the stereo. Since
this is my last submission I will leave you all with one final picture!!!
Just imagine, if you can, your illustrious President,
at the party, bare footed, grass skirt
covering his swimming trunks, two half
coconut shells strategically placed and a long flowing wig swinging
through the hall, yelling a Tarzan call
and landing in the lounge , stating ” I’ve had a terrible day in the
jungle.” We all fell about,
laughing and the wives certainly looked at him with new eyes!! Sorry Don my old friend. Best wishes to both
you and Frank and any other survivors of the original members. Miss you fellows as I relax in the sun, by
the pool with my G &T. This is Cliff Holt signing off.
Over & Out.
Footnote! I would like to take this opportunity to
thank your Pro; Steve Hastings for allowing me to ramble on, these past few
months and for the comments, good and bad, which your current membership have made. ?? I hope our early efforts went someway to
bring about the Club you are today. Happy Landings.
Excellent Cliff! The club has changed hugely over the years, probably most in the last 4 or 5, time and technology have moved on and PAM has had to adapt. But the fundamentals have stayed the same as you guys set out and no doubt that is one of the reasons the club has flourished for so many years.
Many thanks for keeping us amused 🙂