Season Opener

We were back in the gym last Sunday for our first meeting of 2011. Around 12 people were on hand, not a bad turnout considering it was Easter. Some of the regulars did not make it and were missed.




In this video: (1) Paul's modified Peck Polymers Bostonian Pup. (2) Mike's peanut scale Broussard MH1521, just built and making its maiden flight on Sunday. (3) Todd's Big Pussycat. Will it end up in the lights?

Dave K Wins Another One

Winners of the 2010 "G" Challenge were announced yesterday. In the words of contest director Howard Littman, "Dave Krinard flew away with the flying prize" with his Guillows 500 Series FW-190. This was Dave's first entry in the annual postal contest since 2007, when he won first prize overall with his 500 Series Hellcat.



If you're not familiar with the "G" Challenge, the object is to build a Guillows model from a designated series of kits. Builders are required to use kit wood, but pieces may be cut or sanded to save weight, provided the outlines remain intact. This year, prizes were given for flying, speed dash, and appearance. For more information see the Guillows "G" Challenge Yahoo Group.

Field Trip

Sunday was mostly a bust because of the wind, but we did manage a few flights. There's a picture below of Jerry & Phobi with Heinkel and Jimmie Allen yellowjacket, and of a beautiful bi-plane that someone is sure to identify.

Some of us headed over to Schellville to enjoy the open day and an opportunity to browse the hangar - pics below.

The military plane at the bottom is a Broussard MH 1521. We agreed that it would make a great build. George has subsequently obtained a plan for a peanut version from Bill Hannan, and we think it would make the perfect scale contest build to kick off the 2011 season.

Copies will be available soon - please let us know if you'd like a copy.

What's new?

You never know what you'll see at MAC, but there's always a good chance to see some new models, gadgets, plans, and maybe a new face or two. Seen at our last indoor meeting:

Tom brought a new model for the Bostonian contest. The all-red pusher prop driven Bostonian is one of Tom's own designs. The color is hot, but I think this plane is really cool.

One of our friends from SAM 27 attended his first MAC meeting last month. He flew this micro R/C Prairie Bird and I think he learned some things about free flight, too. Welcome!

Not your average Prairie Bird.

A work in progress. Haoyang has covered all of this biplane except the fuselage. The parts are not attached yet, just set up temporarily for this picture.

Mike showed us the fuselage of a Grumman F7F Tigercat he is building.

Haoyang and Daniel studied a plan.

When you build from plans, there aren't always a lot of instructions. Figuring out what the designer intended may be part of the fun, but I'm grateful for other modelers who are ready to help -- at club meetings, online, or via email. Thanks, guys!

Late Summer at Lakeville

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the Bay Area, an example of the great weather we usually get in September and October. If we had any control over the conditions, we would've turned down the wind a few notches, but it wasn't too bad. Models filled the air and we witnessed some impressive flights. Also new models on display, discussion of plans and building techniques, a trivia quiz, two dogs, a new car, and some R/C planes thrown into the mix.


Jim lets one fly.


Mike's FROG Delta 16 is one of my favorite models. I remember seeing it fly at my first outdoor MAC meeting in 2006.


This is Mike's newest model, a scale-ish looking Bostonian. Tom said something about flying ROW (rise off water) but in reality that seems unlikely, to say the least.


Ed had the runway all to himself until late in the morning when a few more R/C guys showed up. Here is Ed, starting the engine on his Tutor.


Daniel brought a couple of new planes: a Skokie and this nicely detailed Junkers D.I built from the Rocky Top kit.


Tom also has a new Skokie. This plane shows a lot of potential, possibly owing to the all-red tissue covering.


Expect to see more Skokies at the Jimmie Allen contest rescheduled for Saturday, September 25.

Fahrvergnugen

Vanquishing volks vie for volksplane victory at St Vincents

We finally held our peanut Volksplane contest!
Amid a swirl of media attention and hounded by hordes of paparazzi, five contestants faced off before a small but fanatical group of spectators on Sunday July 25, 2010. When the props stopped and the dust settled one man emerged to bask in the glow of victory.

Mike L, with his exquisite model - decorated to perfectly mimic a real Volkspane - emerged head and shoulders above the rest, and not just because he is a lot taller.

Mike won all 4 categories as follows

BEST THREE TIMES OUT OF FIVE

Mike L 169.5 secs
Ed S 112.6
Tom W 80
George B 72.1

LONGEST SINGLE FLIGHT

MIKE 1 minute 02 secs
Ed 40.4 secs
Tom 28 secs
George 24.1 secs

CONCOURS (a totally subjective scoring method by myself)

Mike 85 points
George 84
Jim 77
Ed 76
Tom 65

MASS LAUNCH (IF YOU CAN CALL FIVE MODELS A MASS)

Mike (still going after the rest of us had gone home)

So first prize of a Gizmo Geezer went to Mike, and Ed as the runner up received a packet of rubber bands - both provided by George.

Jim broke his prop during a final trimming session and was unable to compete in the main section)

Models from top right clockwise - Ed, Mike, George, Tom and Jim.



Thanks to everyone for a great session and lots of laughs. We invite anyone to email us with times and photos of their peanut Volkspanes.

Summer Time

Part of a mural painted by students outside the St. Vincent's gym


One of several models competing in the Volksplane contest on Sunday. I will leave the reporting of that event to others who took better notes and more pictures. Hope to see a report here.


An example of the Easy Built Models variation of the Little Richard design. Distinguishing features include polyhedral breaks near the wing tips and tail feathers extending aft of the fuselage.


Ed shows his finely crafted mini-square.


At his first St. Vincent's session, Haoyang flew a Phantom Flash and then this GM Aero-Bat.


Thanks to those who brought cookies.


Dave K just built this immaculate dime scale D.VII from the Skylake Models kit. This one flies really well both indoors and out, and of course it looks fantastic.

Wassup?

The wind was up yesterday. No problem when you've got a trusty hound to track lost models.

Ding and Ray assess the wind conditions.

Does size really matter?

Brian had some long flights with his Flying Aces Moth, which handles the wind pretty well.

I think this is the first time I've flown my Born Loser embryo outdoors. This model seems to like the calm air inside the gym better. But it was a nice Sunday to be outside, windy or not.

Photos by my cousin Mark, visiting from Berlin