Writing this as we enter the last week of February, just a few weeks after Clive penned his 'Chairman's Chatter', the sun is shining, the rain has stopped and it really does look as if Spring is well on the way - I have even had my first outing to Howard's field to celebrate its re-emergence from the Winter floods. If you need reminding of what Summer is, this edition of Sloping Off includes two reports on last Summer's thermal soaring events by Comp. Sec. Gordon Coy and also the revised rules for this year's Stanpit series competition which, for the first time, will include electric gliders.
As the new season gets underway, we have a wide selection of models for your perusal. Andy Tubb has provided reports on the two models he brought along to the Construction & Finish evening last Autumn, which were pictured in December's newsletter. Both are electric ducted fan (EDF), and both are built from plans. However, there the similarity ends! Whilst Andy enjoys taking on challenging building projects, my main strain on the brain at the moment comes from getting to grips with my Logo 10 helicopter. After six months, progress seems pretty slow, but it is still in one piece - famous last words!
Glenn Bradshaw sent me pictures and some notes on two Ben Buckle vintage designs which he has been enjoying wafting around Kings Park. Glenn recently passed his aileron test, so I am sure there will be more projects emerging from the board pretty soon. Oliver Kirkwood has provided a second report on his modelling adventures in Chile. If you can avert your eyes from Oliver in his shorts and sunglasses, take a close look at that sun-drenched background in the photos - it might seem rather more familiar than you thought!
Those of you who have seen some of Mike Roach's little foam models will have seen that he has become quite adept at painting these to look like fabric covered aeroplanes. Turn to the centre spread to read how he does it.
If you didn't come to the December meeting, you missed the chance for some great prizes from the free raffle. Doug and Rob Saddler walked away with the star prize, but not before I got them to promise me a photograph of the finished product.
There is a short review of the new Lithium Ion batteries for smaller planes and a story off the web about a 1:1 scale electric job so, one way or another, I hope there is something to stimulate your interest - at least enough for you to renew your subscription for another year.