The weekend had finally arrived and the forecast for East Anglia is a showery Saturday (it was bright and sunny), and a dry bright Sunday with some cloud. The Sunday turned out to be a little overcast but warm and bright with light southerly winds straight down the strip ....excellent!

I was a bit late turning up (due to the damned night shift on the Saturday) but there were plenty of people meandering about and an assortment of interesting and unusual models scattered around the pits....... and I could smell the delicious aromas of the Bar-B-Que wafting across the field, this left me two choices......

A. Have a look around at the visiting models and their pilots ....... or

B. Get a burger, and have a look around at the visiting models and their pilots ........... 'nuff said!

 

With a Cheeseburger in one hand and my digital camera in the other, off I trekked.

 

The first thing to catch my eye was this beautiful scale Ryan NYP "Spirit Of St Louis" owned and flown by BEFA chairman Robert Mahoney. The model is scaled from the 1927 Ryan NYP (New York-Paris) of Charles Lindbergh that was the first plane to fly from New York to Paris. Research by Robert discovered that the plane's builders Ryan Airways Inc was owned by  B.F. Mahoney .... nothing like having a family link!!!. Built from the K&W kit and converted to electric power by Robert. The Kit has a 112" (9feet 4inch) wingspan and is 64 inches long. Power comes from an Aveox 1415 2Y motor and Aveox controller running on 21 Sanyo 2400 cells + an 1800mah receiver pack driving a Robbe Wood 17x8 prop through a Robbe Planeta 3.77 to 1 gearbox. Servo's are Multiplex Profi 3 BB FET with a Futaba dual conversion receiver. Covering is silver Solartex. All up weight (inc. batteries) comes out at 26lb 9oz ...... and she flies with grace and presence!

 

There were some sleek looking electric gliders to be seen including this striking red and white "Sonata E"

 

and also this sleek model

 

Also giving a good display was our own Norman Seal with his Consolidated B-24D Liberator.

Norman's B-24D is scratch built from the Robin Fowler plan and has a span of 60" (5 feet). The model is based on KG928, 'M' for Mother of RAF 178 Squadron,  which flew from Amendola in Italy 1943/44. Power is delivered by 7cell Sanyo scr1700's through a Ripmax Xtra 50amp ESC to 4 standard Graupner Speed 400 6v motors wired in parallel driving Cox 5x3.5 3-bladers. 2 standard servo power ailerons and elevators with a GWS 8 channel mini receiver. Undercarriage is "plug in" for static use only. It is beautifully covered in Solartex and the decals are home made using a PC and the JetCal system. All up weight is 3lb 4oz inc batteries. It did fly well and the sound of those four 400's spinning adds an airborne aura to the flight! All too soon it was time to bring her in before the batteries let go, and she gently eased herself onto the smooth Phoenix grass. Awesome!

 

Norman and his B-24D came a respected 2nd in the scale competition, pipped to the post (or should that be trophy) by Robert with his Ryan NYP.

Thanks to the BEFA for the donation of the competition trophies.

 

An interesting and unusual addition to the day was an F-18 Hornet powered by a 480 Electric ducted fan.

Built and flown by Graham Chilvers of GCM Designs Norwich. Graham say's that as the electric motors and ducted fans get more efficient the F-18 just keeps getting better. Launched from a bungee and ramp set up the take off is pretty impressive with a steady climb out and an "electric roar" (if that's the best way to describe it). Low passes and basic aerobatics are no problem and the 30" span F-18 puts in a good turn of speed to boot. Powered by 10 cells flight time is just about 4½ minutes, but it is an exciting 4½ minutes that captures everybody's attention. The 'all moving' elevon' tailplanes are a nice touch keeping moving parts to a minimum and the airframe aerodynamically clean.

Graham also had a nice DH88 Comet powered by 2 400 motors. With a span of 42" and a traditional balsa/ply construction it was very light at about 30oz all up.

Geoffrey de Havilland built the DH88 Comet in 1934 to enter the England-Australia air race for the MacRobertson Trophy. This Red Comet named "Grosvenor House", won it.

It's just a shame that Graham hadn't put any decals on his planes, don't get me wrong, they were finished to a high standard and well covered, but decals would have shown them off just that bit better.

 

Robert Mahoney's Glider on finals.......

...... and being recovered ....... after winning the AULD (All Up, Last Down) competition!

Talking of the AULD Duration competition there were even a couple of Twin Jets mixing it with the electric-gliders, all in the name of fun!

 

Well, time was ticking away and I felt the need for a second burger and a cuppa. At £1.50 for a burger and 30p for a cup of tea could you blame me. Service with a smile at the burger stall, Jaqui, Theresa and Lesley doing a fine job of keeping all refreshed, who say's 'her indoors' can't get involved.

 

 

Some of the guy's taking it easy between flights (waiting for someone to assemble the Red Barons)

 

All in all, a good day was had by all. This is the first Electric Event the Phoenix have held, and as they say "from many a small acorn a mighty oak will grow". Next year should be bigger and better. Watch this space.

 

Review by Andy McQuat.

 

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