Model Aeroplane Notes

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 471, 4 June 1932, Page 18 (Supplement)

Model Aeroplane Notes

A few members made many good flights at the last Friday evening meeting of the “ Star ” Model Aero Club. G. Wakeham, who had achieved his A and pilot’s grades at the previous meeting, went consistently on to reach a minute and become an ace. Congratulations! He was using a ’plane entirely of his own design, the wing being an especially beautiful piece of work. The whole machine was stable as could be wished, getting the same steady climb and glide as Ralph Cashmore’s record breaker. Wakeham’s early times were: 21, 20, 212-5, 14, 20, 23, 25, 32, 31. He then put the rear hook further back on the motor-stick and, using new rubber, went on to record 28 3-5, 40, 45 2-5, 48, 57, 60 and 51. His ’plane had to be made to fly in narrow circles in Cranmer Square, losing altitude by side-slipping at the turns. It would have done better in wider circles and drier air. Norman Williams, after a spell from competition, produced a good stick model. He made twenty-five timed flights, consistently about 24 seconds. His best were 27 and 31. Another member who returned to the spar design with success was A. Jones. He made the second best flight of the evening—one of 40 seconds. The ’plane went out over the road and, after turning the corner of the Square neatly, finished up almost under a passing

motor-car. Other good flights of were 26, 25 and 27. The only fuselage model produi was that of B. Wisely, which had g< stability and spectacular speed. r : best flight was 142-5 seconds. For the first Sunday morning m< ing there was a gusty and uncert sou’wester bad for flying. R. C£ more did best with a light spar enc ance model, reaching 66 seconds. T. flight was made in a favourable current at an average speed of at le thirty miles an hour. B. Wisely rn; a number of very fast flights wit! fuselage model, the best timed ] formances being 15 and 17. A 1 Stace’s Pelly-Fry performed meteo ally without getting much *enduran and the air conditions were no g< for Jones’s ’plane. The management of New Zeal* Newspapers has provided an excell meeting room for the boys on Fru nights and there will be a large che fire, where round-table i mutual help can be given. The c is now well into its second ye*u* s has reached a stabilising point. r . committee stands solidly behind club, doing much useful and const tive work. Flying will not be v spectacular over the next month two, but the time will be devoted study. New members will be welec at any time. The secretary is "Norn Williams, care of “ Star ” Office: .