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| JAN - JUNE |
Most recent event will always be at the top
Probably The last outdoor event for the year was the heli flyin at Ballymoney.
It was'nt all Heli's a few fixed wing models flew as well, having the benifit of ballymoneys two runways and no wind meant there were two flight lines all day. LMFC heli experts out on the flightline The last Floatplane flyin of the year took place at Eskragh on Saturday.
Conditions were fairly good as can be seen from the sky in this shot and the water was fairly smooth most of the day, wind direction was not ideal but you cant have everything! First time off the water for my New Seamaster after I test flown last week with the wheels on.
Stanley had his Ripmax Trainer which has flown a few times off water already and looks very good, fitted with an OS55AX and has bags of power. Lots of other nice models on floats, this one was seen before at the last flyin and looks like an acro wot with a very nice colour scheme.
Gerry had his Skeadu on an action man Dingy! there were a few other helis also on floats If you look close you can see there are two men on board hanging on for all there worth in the Dingy The rescue boat was kept going as usual, there were also a half dozen or so model boats as well, stanley had his big 26cc petrol racing boat and dick had a nice very well detailed battle ship shown below. Dungannon was blessed with superb weather and flying was from early morning till dark.
A very large turnout of models and eleven full size aircraft came in during the day.
Dungannon has definatly became the main model fly-in of the calendar and it is great to have an event which is well attended, if only like many to just come along and watch. Mathew once again put on a superb display with his big DA150 powered Carden Extra 260.
There were a number of different Turbine Jets that flew, this end of the hobby is starting to build in N.Ireland with 5 different ones flying during the day. Ian Robb brought along a very big C47 Dakota which looked great in the air as it did on the ground. Along with the C47 there were some other nice models there, Sean Scullions big Yak 54 and Kees had his smaller variant shown below David McClean of Daves RC models in Enniskillen set up a stand selling model bits. A very useful addition to the fly-ins, not just for a new kit or Radio but for much needed consumables like fuel, props and plugs or that clevis you broke on the last flight ! There was plenty of helicopter flying and models, David Nolan put on his usual mind blowing 3D display along with Alwyn Clarke and our own Shane McGirr.
Up and coming 3D heli pilot Christopher Kilpatrick assisted by Shane from LMFC out on the strip Eleven Full size aircraft came in during the lunch time break, this is Shaun McHugh arriving from Letterkenny in his Jabiru powered Xair co-piloted by John Luke from the model club.
A very nice Piper Super Cub came in as well, along with more Xairs, C42's, Eurostar and a skyranger. Great day was had by all, and many were there till dark, shane and christopher having a much needed rest.
some more general views taken below. Great turnout again for the Autumn Fly-In & BBQ, weather could not have been better, the morning was a bit grey but the afternoon was superb with totally calm conditions.
All types of models were flown, Jets, 3d Helis, wings and even shockies as the conditions were so good.
Some very nice models arrived, this is Cliffords Superb petrol powered 1/4 scale Fokker D.VII Mathew and the Nolans (that sounds like a 70's showband) We always put Gordon in a special Danger area before he flys :-)
Getting the Turbine L39 Albatros ready for its first flight in which he enjoyed himself so much he ran out of fuel, and had to make a landing in the next field ! All was ok and flew it again later on. This is the result of a Mid Air with a Weston Cougar Both models managed to land ok, Robert even managed a circuit with one aileron !
The two Ballymoney culprits in question. Stanley, Phelim and Myself Travelled to the LMA's Big event at RAF Cosford near Telford.
Although the weather could have been kinder on the Saturday there was some really impressive models and flying.
This year seemed to be the year of the big Jets, Dave Johnson put on a great display with the big Vulcan, it really sounded the part in the air. Some of the flying shots you could not tell it from the full size.
This model has been around for a long time now and was origonaly flown with props on the front of the wings, then was fitted with Ducted fans until recently being redone with Gas Turbines The other big Jet was Colin Mitchels big 1/3rd scale Hawker Hunter.
Their were lots of big bombers, lancasters and wellingtons and flew on numerous occasions depite the wind. This Harvard was the most real sounding Piston model ever it had that real rasp you get off the full size. Emily Hooper flew this Big Evans VP1 Volksplane Father and Son Steve and Matt Bishop put on a superb formation display with two turbine powered 1/5th scale Airworld Hawks. Cosford also has a very good museum, which along with Duxford has one of the only two TSR2's in existance. The museum also has all three V bombers, the Vulcan, Victor and Valliant.
On the Sunday afternoon we were treated to a full size display of a silver mk9 Spitfire and a DakotaHelicopter Fly In Ballymoney 2nd November 2008
Weather stayed dry and no wind all day, about 25 helis turned up, dont remember seeing much scale types everyone seems to have gone 3D.
A few crashes were seen plus a spectaclular mid air with two helis, took about ten guys in the next field to find all the bits.
* * * * * * Eskragh Lough Splash In 11th October 2008
There was a good crowd of modellers and about 20 or so aircraft with a few helis and boats.
Went very well and plenty of power with the SC46, take offs were short with the 11x5apc. Definatly a very good model for the water.
Below is one of the many ARC cessena's and Ready2 type models and Dicks ARC Beaver which has been converted to electric and flys very well.
* * * * * * Dungannon Model & Microlight Fly-In 20th Sept 2008
Hovering in the smoke it dissapeared completely at one stage.
Gordon McCrea also flew his turbine powered Heli, which is crying out for a scale body but he wont listen !
* * * * * * LMFC Autumn Fly-In & BBQ 31st Aug 2008
There was a great wing battle which the spectators really enjoyed and at the end there were wings lying everywhere
* * * * * * Large Model Show Cosford 19/20th July 2008
We arrived on Friday morning and first stop was Als Hobbies and Jet Centre in Milton Keynes which was well worth a visit, very well stocked shop, with a vast selection of bits for the Jet Flyer.
In the shop was a large glass cabinet filled with Ali's cups and awards he has won over the years.
We called into Cosford on the Friday night and watch Ali and the team put some of the models together.
The Big Syraider below is 180" wing span (30%) weighs 190lbs (86kg) and is powered by a Moki 400cc 5 cylinder radial.
Star of the show was Ali Machinchy with the Huge C17 Globemaster. This was the model that was built for the SKY Supermodels Series and is really impressive in size and sound, especially the way it was flown by Ali.
To see this model being flown flat out 2ft above the runway then being pulled up vertical nearlly going over the top was awsome!
The C17 is powered by two AMT Olympus Turbines and take of weight is 265lbs (120kg) with 13 litres of fuel.
This model is still in earlly flight test stages only flew once but was great to see, despite the hairy take off.
The Yellow Auster on ski's caught my eye.
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