Issue No.30 AUSTRALIAN MODEL NEWS

October 2014

From the Editor Contents 3. FRANK CURZON 1931 - 2014 Ill health is still dogging me and I’m now battling a bout of shingles, probably brought on by my run 4. “ALL AUSTRALIAN” DAY AT down condition from the earlier couple of months. KNOX MAC It’s a nagging complaint that has made it difficult to keep up with the preparation of this issue. 7. ALAN KING - AUSTRALIA’S FIRST WORLD CHAMPON Anyway, Spring has sprung and there has been a lot of flying taking place as the weather improves. 8. VICSCALE AT ALBURY The Australian team performed well at the World Scale Championship with David Law placing third 11. DAVID BALFOUR’S and Noel Findlay placing 8th, Noel Whitehead’s BOEING 80A 19th place was good enough to put the team into 2nd place in the Team standings. That’s the best 12. LARGE SCALE RACING AT result since the mid 1970’s and the team members BENDIGO are to be congratulated on their performance.

Free flight does not get a lot of attention these days 14. ROB ESPOSITO’S and in this issue you will find an article on the A-36 “APACHE” opening of the first privately owned free flight field at West Wyalong, the field being selected by the 16. MACROBERTSON AIR RACE NSWFFS and purchased through the extraordinary 80TH ANNIVERSARY generosity of long time free flight adherent Adrian Bryant. 18. SHEPPARTON MAMMOTH 2014 My thanks once again to those who contributed articles for this issue, without their help production of this issue of AMN would have been very difficult 21. THE ROCKY RALLY indeed. 22. WEST WYALONG John Lamont. FREE FLIGHT FIELD OPENING

26. SAM 600 AT COHUNA

28. GARY SUNDERLAND’S Australian Model News is published bi-monthly to fea- NAKAJIMA KI-27 ture model aircraft building and flying, together with other associated events, in Australia and New Zea- land.

Contributing material and requests for inclusion on the distribution list may be forwarded to — COMING EVENTS

John Lamont RINGMASTER FLY-A-THON Unit 5, 1326 Main Road, Eltham, 3095 Ph: 03 9431 0044 SUNBURY MAC E-mail: [email protected] ANNUAL AUCTION

Visit our website at - INVITATIONAL SCALE CLASSIC https://sites.google.com/site/australianmodelnews/ AT COOTAMUNDRA

TWIN CITIES MAC SEAPLANE EVENT On the Cover. VICTORIAN Rod Mitchell’s Lockheed P-2 Neptune fire bomber. FREE FLIGHT SOCIETY INDOOR SCALE EVENT

page 2 Australian Model News YÜtÇ~ VâÜéÉÇ Middlesbrough, UK, 1939.

21st April 1931 - 3rd August 2014

Born in Yorkshire in the UK, Frank was an aeromodeller at an early age and continued his interest in aircraft and modelling throughout his career in the RAF. After serving overseas with the RAF Frank eventually took up a posi- tion with the Australian Defence Forces in Melbourne and Frank, Audrey and their family settled permanently in Melbourne.

For many years a member of the VFSAA and a success- ful scale competitor Frank had, over the last few years, departed from scale competition and ceased building the large scale models with which he had been a very suc- cessful competitor, instead turning his hand to smaller electric powered scale models which he continued to fly for his own enjoyment.

A long time member of the Lilydale club and a more re- cent member of the Yarra Valley club Frank will be re- membered for his willingness to help anyone seeking assistance and for his wide knowledge of aircraft, particu- larly the designs of the early 20th century. It almost seemed that the more wires and struts on the aircraft the more Frank liked it and he produced models of many unusual and complicated aircraft. Some of these models proved difficult to fly, as probably did the full size origi- nals, but Frank was never perturbed and was always ready to move on to the next project.

Many modellers will remember Frank for his work with Radio Control Model News and the interesting and con- structive scale column that he produced for more than one hundred issues of that magazine.

I lost a good friend and aeromodelling lost a fine scale builder and enthusiastic flyer with his passing early in August after a short illness.

Australian Model News page 3 All Australian Day at Knox MAC

The Knox control line club held their annual “All Australian” Day late in July. The event is for any Australian designed model and this year brought out a fine display of replicas of the models that we flew in the 50’s and 60’s. The kit models by Hearn’s Hobbies, Aeroflyte and Montgomery Models dominated the show but there were a few individual designs by Les Heap, Les Organ, Gordon Burford and Geoff Pentland, all of whom have now passed on but are still remembered.

Bob Allison had several models, one of which was a replica of Don McLaren’s “Wildfire” that flew in 1951. Robin Hiern’s “Super Zilch”, designed by Jim Saftig, was a ring-in from the US but I included a photo of the model in memory of the many Anderson Spitfire powered Zilch’s built by Monty Tyrell and crashed regu- larly at Surrey Park in the early days of stunt flying.

Awards. 1. Doug Grinham Montgomery Models “Ramrod” Monty Tyrell in 1950 with another “Super Don McLaren with his original An- 2. Bob Allison Geoff Pentland “Tempest” Zilch” mishap. derson Spitfire powered “Wildfire” 3. Alan Mathieson-Harrison Hearn’s Hobbies “All Australian” in 1951.

Dave Lacey’s “Vulcan” designed by Les Organ and powered by a Frog 500. Another Dave Lacey model, this is a replica of Les Heap’s “Cyclone” and again is powered by a Frog 500.

page 4 Australian Model News Bob Allison’s HH “Skylark” powered by an Indian Mills 1.3cc diesel. This was one of the earliest control line kit models by HH and sold for 25/- ($2.50) in 1950. David Nobes’ pristine replica of the Montgomery Models “Ramrod”.

Peter Byrne’s replica of the HH “Super Skylark”. Designed by Jack Hearn in 1950, the kit sold for 33/6 ($3.35). Sounds cheap now, but not in those days!

A Gordon Burford designed “Wombat” by John Hallowell.

Alan Mathieson–Harrison placed third with this replica of the Hearn’s Hobbies “All Australian Mk.I” powered by a Sabre 49 for which it was originally de- Bob Allison‘s replica of Don McLaren’s Anderson Spitfire powered “Wildfire” signed. has a McCoy 35 up front.

Doug Grinham’s HH “Cadet’\”. Dave Lacey’s HH “Demon”.

Australian Model News page 5 Bob Allison placed second with this replica of Geoff Pentland’s Tempest Mk.V . David Nobes also had a nice replica of the HH “All Australian”.

KMAC President, Peter Koch, set out to build a replica of each of the Aeroflyte control line models and so far has constructed five, “Avenger”, “Valiant”, “Vulcan”, “Typhoon” and “Taipan Trainer”, none of which has yet been flown. Peter’s models were in the line-up on the day but it was not until I was reviewing my photographs for this report that I realised I had neglected to take a group shot of the five models. This photo was taken a couple of weeks later at Peter’s home, hence the tiled background instead of the grass in my other shots.

Doug Grinham’s winning “Ramrod” replica . Robin Hiern’s well worn “Super Zilch” is powered by an OK 60 sparky.

page 6 Australian Model News Alan King

Australia’s First World Champion

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Alan King winning the 1954 Wakefield Trophy.

Alan was born at Bairnsdale, Victoria in May 1928 and educated at the Bairnsdale School of Mines to become an industrial chemist. Moving to Melbourne in 1947 to live with his widowed mother Alan was within walking distance of the Hub Hall, the meeting place for the Eastern Suburbs MAC, and soon became a member of ESMAC.

Alan was a very skilled builder and flyer of free flight models and a leading competitor at rubber and power model events, winning numer- ous State and National titles and producing many high-performance models in both categories.

In 1954 Alan travelled to the USA to compete in the rubber and power sections of the World Free Flight Championships at Long Island, New York, winning the Wakefield Trophy with his rubber powered models and placing fifth in the power section with a K&B 15 powered version Alan in 1948 with an of his famous “Flying Pencil” design. earlier Wakefield design.

(Photograph from Jim Fullarton)

Alan with a larger version of his “Flying Pencil” powered by a Alan King launching his Wakefield model at Long Island to win the Trophy. Dooling 29.

Alan moved on to England, where he worked, married and started a family. It was on the boat returning to Australia in 1960 that Alan first showed signs of the lung cancer that was to take his life only six (Photograph from Jim Fullarton) months later. My thanks to Andrew Fullarton for his proposal of this article and In 1954 the Wakefield Trophy was the premier world event for rubber for providing the copy of a note from Allan Lim Joon that formed powered models, contested by individual flyers in teams from coun- the basis for the text. tries all around the globe. The Trophy is now awarded to the winner of the F1B event for rubber powered models at the FAI World Free Allan Lim Joon was a noted modeller in the 1940’s and 50’s and Flight Championships and Alan King can rightfully be acclaimed as our also participated in the 1954 Wakefield Trophy, placing third, with first Australian World Champion. his model proxy flown by leading US modeller Manny Andrade.

Australian Model News page 7 VICSCALE at ALBURY

Another great weekend at the Twin Cities field drew seventeen entries with the eight models from Melbourne matched by nine from the local club.

The weather on Saturday was perfect, with warm sunshine and a very light and variable morning breeze that vanished completely in the afternoon. Sunday started out with a light shower and overcast sky but it soon cleared and again we were flying in the sunshine, although the brisk cross wind that sprang up late in the morning made things a little more difficult.

The only incident came when Gary Sunderland collected the bound- ary fence with his Bristol Scout while trying to regain the strip after an engine failure. Unfortunately the model broke its back as the tail hit the ground but it’s repairable and I’m sure that Gary will have it back in the air in a short time. First place in Large Scale, David Balfour’s Curtiss Robin cruses by.

Roly Gaumann flew well with his Piaggio P.149 to take first place in Flying Only while David Balfour flew his old, but reliable, Curtiss Robin into first place in Large Scale.

Tony Grieger’s ARF Gee Bee about to touch down. First place in Flying Only, Roly Gaumann’s Piaggio P.149 completes a descend- ing circle.

page 8 Australian Model News Chris Henry’s ESM Austars ARF Fairey Swordfish is 2.13m wingspan and The Swordfish in flight. This was its first outing and Chris is still coming powered by a OS200 four stroke. to terms with its flight envelope.

Bob Hulett’s ARF Spacewalker II is 1/4 scale and powered by an ASP 160 The Spacewalker climbs out after take-off. twin four stroke engine.

Trevor Pugh flew this ARF Giles 202 powered by an OS 160 two stroke Ken Osborne struggled valiantly through the schedule with his Robbins engine driving an 18″ x 8″ propeller. Model spans1.8m and Porter monoplane.

Rob Dickson was a late arrival (again!) and brought a fleet of models. Early view in the pits on Saturday morning.

Australian Model News page 9 LARGE SCALE

CONTESTANT MODEL RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 TOTAL

D. BALFOUR CURTISS ROBIN 2344 2444 2359 2401.5 1

C. HENRY TUCANO 2155 2398.5 2112 2276.8 2

T. GRIEGER GEE BEE 2026.5 2403 2133 2268 3

N. GLEW SPITFIRE 2073.5 2236 1960 2154.8 4

G. LEPP CITABRIA 1895.5 2148.5 2019 2083.8 5

R. HULETT RELIANT 1946.5 2121 2003 2062 6

FLYING ONLY Bob Hulett’s Stinson Reliant is from a Top Flite kit. At 2.6m span it is pow- CONTESTANT MODEL RND 1 RND 2 RND 3 TOTAL ered by a DLE30 petrol engine driving an 18″ x 8″ propeller. Weight is 8.4kg. R. GAUMANN PIAGGIO P.149 2113 2165.5 2110 2139.3 1

R. HULETT SPACEWALKER 2196 1848 1892 2044 2

T. PUGH GILES 202 1866 2008 2001 2004.5 3

J. LAMONT YAK 54 DNF 1921.5 1966 1943.8 4

W. LEACH FAIRCHILD PT-19 1674.5 1553 1794 1734.3 5

C. HENRY SWORDFISH 1761 1684.5 1684 1722.8 6

N. SHARP PILATUS PC-6 1185.5 1380 1903 1641.5 7

J. FINOCCHIARO PIPER CUB 2136 1016.5 865 1576.3 8

K. OSBORNE R&P MONOPLANE 1425 1285 1644 1534.5 9

G. SUNDERLAND BRISTOL SCOUT 1538 1246 DNF 1392 10 Neil Sharp took the Encouragement Award with his VQ Models ARF Pilatus I. LAMONT SEAFIRE 2025 DNF DNF 1012.5 11 PC-6. Model is 2.7m span and weighs 8.3kg. Powered by an OS 160 two stroke engine driving an 18″ x 8″ propeller.

Neville Glew’s Spitfire Mk.IX is scratch built and powered by a 3W 75cc The Spitfire in its Australian markings has a realistic presence in flight. petrol engine driving a 24″ x 10″ propeller. Model weighs 12kg.

Hobbyking ARF Fairchild PT-19 by Warren Leach is 2m span and powered Warren’s PT-19 climbs after take-off. by a Turnigy 26cc petrol engine driving an 18″ x 6″ propeller. Weighs 6.5kg.

page 10 Australian Model News David Balfour’s BOEING

Model 80A

David’s model of the Boeing 80A is now complete and awaiting test flights. Teething problems with the electrical system has delayed the test- ing but David was able to put the model on display at the recent Vicscale competition at Albury, allowing me to photograph the finished aircraft.

Australian Model News page 11 LARGE SCALE RACING at BENDIGO

The Bendigo club held the second round of the Large Scale Racing Barry Townsend, a newcomer to this type of racing, only bought his Championships on the 23 - 24th of August at its Marong flying field second hand aircraft a few months ago and at the end of the day, under almost perfect conditions for this type of racing - over soft when he found out he had won the event, the smile on his face said it green grass, under blue skies, and with very little wind. all.

Four classes were set to be run, but the Reno warbird event failed to The results after seven rounds of racing were - attract more then one entry and was cancelled, the other three clas- Goodyear F1 ses, Goodyear F1, GTR Texan, and Redball 120/30, sharing the 30 1. Steve Davis Owl Racer (Fang) entries received. 2. Jeremy Randle ARF Nemesis 3. Byron Simpson ARF Cassutt Racer At the10am Saturday briefing all were welcomed to Bendigo for this race weekend, and after a quick photo session we were ready to race. GTR Texan First up was the Goodyear F1 Class, followed by the AT-6 Texan 1. Jeremy Randle Midwest kit. Class and the Redball 120/30 class. 2. Les Sawyer ARF CMPro 3. Steve Green ARF Seagull The Goodyear F1's seem to be going faster and faster, of the eight entrants that formed the two heats, Steve Davis' “Owl Racer” Redball 120/30 with a OS GT 55 and Jeremy Randle's “Nemesis” with a DLE 55 1. Barry Townsend Edge 540. 70" W/S. 20cc glo engine were the fastest all weekend. Both models were well ahead of the 2. Jeremy Randle MXS-R 66" W/S. 30cc petrol engine other Goodyear F1 racers but, in time, I'm sure the others will catch 3. Byron Simpson MXS-R 66" W/S. 30cc petrol engine up and be just as fast. Thanks to Model Engines for supporting the Large Scale Racing, by Next class to race was the AT-6 Texans. This event is known as the supplying Texan fuel and small item prizes. GTR (Great Texan Race ) and ten entries formed the three heats. The racing is wonderful to watch as the aircraft are all the same and use Thanks to the light marshals Gary Schmedje, Jack Andrews, Noel the same engines. With the top speeds very similar, one bad turn Frost and David Munday who worked for the two days so that these means that you get passed. This happens many times during the race, races could take place, the starter Graeme Beagley who did a marvel- making it very interesting to watch with many passing manoeuvres. It’s lous job, the canteen staff who keep us fed for two days and Roy But- exciting for the pilots as well. When Dave Brown's Texan was turning terfield who took some pics for us. number two pylon in round five the inside wing let go and the aircraft Les Davis did almost nine rolls before hitting the ground and exploding. The Tex- an pilot is believed to have survived although he was found some 15 metres away.

Third class to run was the Redball 120/30. This is a very mixed up class with different sizes and types of engines, different types of fuels and different size airframes. It has other names in other states where some allow built up construction while others are ARF only — what a nightmare for Contest Directors. Next year will be the last time Redball will be raced in Bendigo, the replacement will be the "Nemesis 35cc Class".

With twelve entries in three heats of Redball the four rounds that were raced on the Saturday showed very even scores right across the board but, come Sunday morning, the cooler air increased the times quite a bit, with the two top flyers Jeremy Randle and Barry Town- Barry Townsend’s Edge 540 Redball winner. send pulling away from the rest of the field.

page 12 Australian Model News Jeremy Randle’s winning Texan.

The new class Nemesis 35cc (at front), with Goodyear F1 winner Steve Davis' Owl Racer . David, Jack Gary and Noel , the pylon light marshals .

The New Class for Large Scale Racing in 2015

"Nemesis"35cc Class.

This is the new, exciting class of racing with fixed simple rules. A one design aircraft class (until manufacturers force changes upon us), using any 35cc unmodified petrol engine.

Aircraft ...... Seagull Nemesis, 2.05m wingspan (any colour scheme, your choice)

Engine ...... Petrol, unmodified engine up to 35cc (petrol / oil mix only)

Propeller … Any size, wood or composite (no glass or carbon)

Exhaust ..... In cowl muffler

Open to all L.S.R. Pilots until you become a three time winner then you'll be invited to move into Goodyear F1 class (same airframe larger engine). For the full list of rules check the RCM News web site - Large Scale Racing section.

Australian Model News page 13 Rob Esposito’s

A-36A “APACHE”

Rob’s “Apache” has featured before in the newsletter as construction progressed and as can be seen from the current pictures the model is now almost completed.

Rob presented the model at a recent meeting of the Northern Flying Group with the “Apache” requiring only cockpit glazing and final deco- ration to be applied.

Should be flying soon!

page 14 Australian Model News VICSCALE at YARRA VALLEY

The heading photograph says it all — bursts of sunshine, lots of black clouds, a sprinkle of rain and COLD — not a typical day in SCALE the Yarra Valley. CONTESTANT MODEL STATIC RND 2 RND 3 TOTAL

Noel Whitehead lost his Corsair when it spun in after the motor D. LAW PITTS S2A 2880.3 2337 2356 5226.8 1 cut, Rob Dickson’s Me 262 was brought down when the dolly N. FINDLAY DH FOXMOTH 2248 2309 2151 4478 2 bounced up and struck the tailplane on take off and Gary Sun- derland gashed his finger in the BE.2 propeller. Everyone else W. WHEELER TURBULENT 1953 1683 1848 3718.5 3 had a good day despite the weather and the club provided a N. WHITEHEAD CORSAIR 2025 2019 928 3498.5 4 welcome BBQ. R. DICKSON Me.262 1987.5 0 0 1945.5 5

Footnote: We found another option for our Devonshire after- noon tea after missing out on our last visit to Yarra Valley. LARGE SCALE CONTESTANT MODEL RND 1 RND 2 TOTAL

S. MALCMAN PIPER CUB 2282 2083 2182.5 1

R. GAUMANN WILGA 2061 2061 2061 2

D. WHEELER SUKHOI 1949 2019 1984 3

D. WHITE SPACEWALKER 1750 1552 1651 4

D. LAW DH VAMPIRE 2227 0 1113.5 5

T. GRIEGER GEE BEE 1581 0 790.5 6

David White had a novel solution to the short shower of rain. FLYING ONLY

CONTESTANT MODEL RND 1 RND 2 TOTAL

D. GOUDGE 1917 1842 1879.5 1

W. WHEELER SBACH 1838 1512 1675 2

R. DICKSON MUSTANG 1594 1698 1646 3

J. GOUDGE SPITFIRE 1582 1586 1584 4

D. WHEELER STUKA 1619 0 809.5 5

G. SUNDERLAND BE.2 1426 0 713 6 Daniel Wheeler’s Sukhoi .

Australian Model News page 15 The 80th Anniversary of the MacRobertson Trophy Air Race

The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (also known as the London to and efficient instruments. There were prizes for the outright fastest Melbourne Air Race) took place October, 1934 as part of the Mel- aircraft, and for the best performance on a handicap formula by any bourne Centenary celebrations. aircraft finishing within 16 days.

Take off date was set at dawn (6:30am), 20th October 1934. By then, the initial field of over 60 had been whittled down to 20, including the three purpose-built de Havilland DH.88 Comet racers, two of the new generation of American all-metal passenger transports, and a mixture of earlier racers, light transports and old bombers.

First off the line, watched by a crowd of 60,000, were Jim and Amy Mollison in the Comet “Black Magic”, and they were early leaders in the race until forced to retire at Allahabad with engine trouble. This left the scarlet Comet “Grosvenor House”, flown by Flight Lt. C. W. A. The idea of the race was devised by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Scott and Captain Tom Campbell-Black, well ahead of the field. This and a prize fund of $75,000 was put up by Sir Macpherson Robertson, racer went on to win in a time of less than 3 days, despite flying the a wealthy Australian confectionery manufacturer, on the conditions last stage with one engine throttled back because of an oil-pressure that the race be named after his MacRobertson confectionery compa- indicator giving a faulty low reading. It would have won the handicap ny, and that it be organised to be as safe as possible. prize as well, were it not for a race rule that no aircraft could win more than one prize.

G-ACSS landing at Flemington Racecourse, October 23rd,1934.

Perhaps more significantly in the development of popular long- MacRobertson Air Race poster, 1934. distance air travel, the second and third places were taken by passen- The race was organised by the Royal Aero Club, and would run from ger transports flying regular routes with passengers, with the KLM RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia to Flemington racecourse, Melbourne, Douglas DC-2 PH-AJU “Uiver “(Stork) gaining a narrow advantage approximately 11,300 miles. There were five compulsory stops at over Roscoe Turner's Boeing 247-D, both completing the course less Baghdad, Allahabad, Singapore, Darwin and Charleville, Queensland; than a day behind the winner. otherwise the competitors could choose their own routes. A further twenty two optional stops were provided with stocks of fuel and oil by The most dramatic part of the race was when the “Uiver”, lost after Shell and Stanavo. The Royal Aero Club put some effort into persuad- becoming caught in a thunderstorm, ended up over Albury, New South ing the countries along the route to improve the facilities at the stop- Wales. The townsfolk responded magnificently - Lyle Ferris, the chief ping points. electrical engineer of the post office, went to the power station and signalled "Albury" to the plane by turning the town lights on and off, The basic rules were: no limit to the size of aircraft or power, no limit and Arthur Newnham, the announcer on radio station 2CO Corowa, to crew size, no pilot to join an aircraft after it left England. Aircraft appealed for cars to line up on the racecourse to light up a runway for must carry three days' rations per crew member, floats, smoke signals the plane.

page 16 Australian Model News The plane landed, and next morning was pulled out of the mud by locals to fly on and win the handicap section of the race. In gratitude KLM made a large donation to Albury Hospital and Alf Waugh, the Mayor of Albury, was awarded a title in Dutch nobility.

The Dutch DC-2 “Uiver” being towed from the mud

on Albury racecourse. The MacRobertson Air Race Trophy.

The race winning DH-88 Comet “Grosvenor House” G-ACSS survived After years of speculation as to the whereabouts of the Trophy an WWII and, after several restorations, was presented to the article and photograph found in the Sydney Morning Herald of January Shuttleworth Trust where the decision was made in 1965 to return the 24, 1941 provided conclusive proof that the trophy was donated to the aircraft to flying condition. Flown again in 1987 “Grosvenor House” Red Cross by Mr. A. O. Edwards, owner of the winning DH-88 continued to fly from Hatfield until the airfield was closed in 1993, “Grosvenor House” G-ACSS, to be melted down for the war effort and when the aircraft was transported by road to the Trust at Old Warden. is therefore no longer in existence.

G-ACSS flying again, eighty years after winning the MacRobertson Trophy.

The grass field at Old Warden was extended in the early 2000’s and G-ACSS returned to the sky, until it was grounded again following a landing accident in 2002.

Over the ensuing twelve years the Shuttleworth engineers have again restored G-ACSS to airworthy condition and the aircraft flew once more on August 1st, 2014, eighty years after it completed the 18,200 km flight from England to Australia to win the MacRobertson Trophy. The Boeing 247 flown in the race by Roscoe Turner is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, USA.

Australian Model News page 17 Shepparton Mammoth Scale 2014

Having heard rumours of low entry levels for this years event I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a good presentation of models when Ian and I arrived at the field on Saturday morning. With the sun warm overhead, the new grass strips in operation and very light wind, both days provided a fine display of scale modelling.

There were a number of modellers in attendance from NSW this year, some are regulars but a few newcomers with some excellent models made a pleasant change.

My current malaise placed some restrictions in getting back and forth from the pits to the flightline so I’m a little short on flying shots and A pair of 1/4 scale Fournier RF4 models by Steven White and Peter Durkin. One for this I apologise. Should be right by next year! model is electric powered while the other uses an OS 91 four stroke.

Models lined up waiting their turn to perform. Dave Roberts stripped the covering from this Phoenix ARF and re-covered the 6m wingspan model in the colours of a UK Gliding Club aircraft. page 18 Australian Model News A 1/12 scale model of the Convair B-36 “Peacemaker”, designed by Andrew Smallridge and Kevin Chiselett and built by Ivan Chiselett. The model is 5.84m wingspan and will be powered by six electric motors driving pusher props plus four electric ducted fans in the underwing nacelles. Wings and control surfaces Scott Matthews with his private air force, Viperjet, jet powered Fox glider, DH4 are covered with thin fibreglass sheeting. and F-86 Sabre. All are ARF models

Peter Goff’s Sopwith Pup is 1/3 scale, scratch built from the Balsa USA plan, Craige Bryson’s Sopwith Triplane is scratch built from a 3-view. At 2.7m wing- and powered by a Moki 250 radial engine. At 2.74m wingspan the model weighs span the model weighs 18kg and is powered by a 260cc Evolution radial engine 17kg. of Indian origin.

Colin Mitchell’s Fokker D.VII is 1/4 scale from a Balsa USA kit and powered by a David White’s Spacewalker is from the 1/3 scale Sig kit. Model is 2.7m wingspan 30cc petrol engine. In a somewhat anachronistic accident the Fokker was and powered by a Saito 57cc twin cylinder petrol engine. Weight is 10kgs. brought down by a faster Messerschmitt Bf.109 that attacked from the rear and took off its tail.

Shane Keddie working on his Sopwith Pup, another 1/3 scale Balsa USA kit I couldn’t track down the owner of this GeeBee Model Y as it sat in line waiting model. Powered by a DLE 111cc petrol engine the model weighs 16kgs. to take to the air.

Australian Model News page 19 I missed the owner of this Stearman which was around 1/3 scale. The most interesting part of this model was the Evolution 7 cylinder 260cc radial engine on the front. The Evolution is apparently the old German designed Siedel engine now made in India.

A Tiger Moth built by Alf Williams and now flying in the hands of its new owner. Hawker Hunter flown by Neil Addicott of Model Engines.

Dave Roberts’ E-Flite ARF Blanik glider is 4.2m wingspan and weighs 10.6kg. Brian Evans relaxing in the sunshine with his Fokker Dr.1 and DH-2 Beaver.

Gary Sunderland enjoyed several successful flights with his Bristol Boxkite Scott Matthews’ Viperjet knife-edges down the runway. before retiring the model. page 20 Australian Model News THE ROCKY RALLY

Veco “Squaw” by Trevor Larsen.

(This report and photographs are from Jim Greenwood who resides in Townsville.)

The Rocky Rally is a combined control line and r/c event held annu- ally over two days and drawing modellers from Sydney in the south to Townsville in the north.

This year the control line flyers were fortunate to have good weather on the Saturday but the r/c flyers were blown away on Sunday, so no pictures of radio models. Profile model by Trevor Fenning.

“Chipmunk”by Gary de Chastel. “All American” by Peter and Matt Dennis,

Semi-scale “Sea Fury” by Reg Towell. Electric powered Yatsenko F2B model by Barry Frederickson

Australian Model News page 21 GRAND OPENING WEST WYALONG FREE FLIGHT FIELD

13 - 14 September 2014 (report and photographs by Malcolm Campbell)

Free flight flyers from Queenslanders, Victoria and New South Wales, A large portion of the field is leased to a nearby farmer to keep some plus a number of R/C and R/C flyers from various NSW clubs met at sheep on it – it – and that provides a reasonable income. It also it West Wyalong NSW to celebrate a momentous occasion for Australi- keeps the grass down! an free flight - the opening of Australia's first and only free flight field owned by the flyers. Thanks to the foresight of the NSWFFS and the A good roll up of flyers and spectators arrived early Saturday, includ- extreme generosity of Jo and Adrian Bryant, free flight modellers no ing MAAA secretary Kevin Dodd. Once the flight line was established, longer have to worry whether free flight will continue in Australia, as it stayed that way for the day. Two quad bikes joined the few electric fields become unavailable or are cut up for development. bikes of those who preferred not to walk. Saturday was a magnificent day with clear skies, good lift and minimal breeze from varying direc- The West Wyalong field is located in central west NSW 15 hours from tions. Soon there were all sorts of models in the sky - vintage, scale, Brisbane, 5 hours from Sydney and 6 hours from Melbourne. For sporties, power and rubber and a few gliders. Flyers were aged from those who have been to Narrandera, it's 2.5 hours north. It is a flat 7 to 94 years. There were several lay back competitions scheduled 700 acre field 1.9 km x 1.4 km, with short grass, is easy to walk or ride but we were all there to have fun, and the mix of models made it great on and has minimal trees - in other words, an excellent free flight field. for the spectators. A few limited function R/C models flew discretely Situated in sheep country, it is not suited to cropping, and that made it among the F/F models, including a magnificent 4 m R/C electric glider. affordable. Anyway, crops and free flight aren't a good mix.

page 22 Australian Model News

Saturday flying comps ended by 3.30 pm and we adjourned to the The R/C boys loved it and a small group flew there both days. newly placed runway and control line circles, to watch some R/C and And now the NSWFFS is getting requests from other clubs to run R/C C/L flying. The runway is behind the house and, when we got there, it events there in the future. This of course could happen in conjunction was just like discovering another flying field, in the "back paddock". with a free flight competition; there is plenty of room for R/C, C/L and This property is really big and most F/F flyers would be happy to fly 2 Free Flight. West Wyalong has REAL potential for developing into an minute events from this part of the field. aeromodelling centerpiece.

NSWFFS president Terry Bond officiated at the Grand Opening and Adrian also responded to Terry's speech and later cut the cake with the speeches were well received. Understandably, the biggest cheer his and Jo's name on it. Jo passed away recently; she was very sup- was for Adrian Bryant who will go down in Australian Free Flight histo- portive of the field purchase. ry for his extreme generosity for backing the field financially.

Australian Model News page 23 Many years ago, Adrian was treated for an infection and an overdose This was a selfless contribution on both Albert and Graham’s parts – of antibiotics left him with negligible balance. He was to be confined to and it kept Adrian involved in what he loved. a wheel chair but his perseverance saw him at flying fields, moving with the aid of a gnarly walking stick made from a tree branch. We During the evening, MAAA secretary Kevin Dodd also awarded Roy nicknamed him Gandalf, from Lord of the Rings! Summersby his Hall of Fame award for his first place in the F1C world champs in France last year. It should be known that for twelve years Graham Maynard and Albert Fathers took Adrian from Queensland south to all the major events. Saturday was perfect and Sunday was "more perfect", as the flight line Albert went one step further, regularly taking Adrian to the local remained in the middle of the paddock all day. There was virtually no Coominya FF field. Albert also helped Adrian compete and retrieved breeze all morning. The Open Rubber fly-off commenced at 7.30 am his models on the various flying fields he took him to. and the three models landed within 15 seconds of one another, and less than 300 m away.

Mid-morning we were surprised to see a Jabiru light aircraft land on By midday Sunday the contests were over and the awards were pre- the new R/C runway, proving yet again the field is of adequate size. It sented, so ending a superb weekend of flying and comradery. later successfully took off. Turns out they were friends of an R/C flyer. The West Wyalong field will evolve into a premier site for southern hemisphere free flight, radio control and control line. I’m sure of that.

page 24 Australian Model News

Australian Model News page 25

COHUNA

20th & 21st SEPTEMBER 2014

The long range forecast for the two days said it would be warm with light winds, Saturday morning arrived with a brisk wind sometimes recording higher than the 7 mps which is the cut off speed for our comps so it was agreed that we would put off starting the comp for 30 minutes, a decision well taken as at 10.30 the wind had moderated and was quite flyable.

We started with 1/2A Texaco and it seems the seven minute maximum didn't work this weekend as all flyers that finished the rounds got into the fly-off. They were all Stardusts, including electrics, except for Rog- er Mitchell's Red Ripper which came third in electric 1/2A. We then stopped to have the usual high quality Cohuna canteen lunch.

After lunch it was decided to fly duration. By this time the weather was perfect and we had a full field of twelve in I/C and five in electric that were all clawing skywards at an alarming speed with the YS6S's and the Dubjets reigning supreme. Next morning the same conditions pre- vailed and we got into it as soon as the AGM was over. Texaco was on first with thirteen I/C entries and four electric entries, its lovely to see such good numbers turn up. Rex Brown came over from Adelaide with Brian Stebbing to teach us how to fly and Rod Carrick came all the way from Port Lincoln to fly with the electric boys. It was good to see our past president coming back up to the standard we come to Rex Brown collecting his trophies. expect from him by winning Texaco by a very good margin.

The next event was ‘38 Antique with eight entries. Its a shame these old engines are not as reliable as we would like because we only had one flyer record three max’s to take first place. It was very good to see Brian Dowie on the podium of this event.

The last event was climb and glide and the maestro of the electrics, Roger Mitchell, taught the I/C flyers a good lesson by winning this event with a large margin.

Well that was the weekend that was. We had terrific weather, great food, and most of all very, very, good company. Our thanks go out to the Cohuna club, they always make us feel welcome, thank you again Cohuna boys

Brian Laughton

1/2A TEXACO

COMPETITOR MODEL ENGINE RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

1. R. BROWN STARDUST COX 388 420 420 420 746 2006

2. L. CLIFFORD STARDUST COX 420 420 L/O 420 636 1896

3. B. STEBBING STARDUST COX 420 420 420 621 1881

Rex Brown’s “Westerner” lifts off.

page 26 Australian Model News TEXACO

COMPETITOR MODEL ENGINE CC/SEC RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

ENYA 1. S. GULLOCK BOMBER 15 600 600 600 1697 3497 53

ASP 2. R. BROWN FOLLY 8 600 516 600 600 1525 3325 DIESEL

3. R. TAYLOR CUMULUS OS 61 18 600 600 600 1194 2994

DURATION

COMPETITOR MODEL ENGINE CC/SEC RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

1. R. TAYLOR CUMULUS YS 63 28 420 420 420 1478 2738

2. L. CLIFFORD RACER YS 63 28 420 420 420 1338 2598

Rob Taylor’s “Cumulus” is released for take off. DUB- 3. B. STEBBING STARDUST 25 420 420 420 1303 2563 JET 35

BURFORD COMPETITOR MODEL ENGINE CC/SEC RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

JUMPING 1. R. BROWN P/B 40 99 300 300 300 687 1587 BEAN

SWISS 2. B. STEBBING B/B 38 300 300 300 567 1467 MISS

3. L. CLIFFORD CREEP P/B 40 291 300 300 300 390 1290

‘38 ANTIQUE COMPETITOR MODEL ENGINE CC/SEC RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 TOTAL

RECORD ATWOOD 1. L. CLIFFORD 116 600 600 600 1800 BREAKER 60

CALFORNIAN ED 2. M. HEAP 180 448 561 600 600 1761 CHIEF HUNTER

OK Steve Gullock preparing his rebuilt “Poly”. 3. B. DOWIE RC 1 SUPER 96 338 600 581 L/O 1519 60

CLIMB AND GLIDE

COMPETITOR MODEL ENGINE RD. 1 RD. 2 TOTAL

1. R. MITCHELL ELECTRIC 314 649 649

2. D. SAMPSON PLAYBOY OS 40 446 562 562

3. M. HEAP BOMBER GMS 32 451 538 538

1/2A TEXACO (ELECTRIC)

COMPETITOR MODEL RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

1. L. BALDWIN STARDUST 600 600 600 2125 3925

2. S. GULLOCK STARDUST 600 600 600 2088 3888

3. R. MITCHELL RED RIPPER 600 600 600 1729 3529

TEXACO (ELECTRIC)

COMPETITOR MODEL RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

1. L. BALDWIN BOMBER 600 600 600 937 2737

2. R. MITCHELL BOMBER 600 600 600 885 2685

3. D. McCLEARY RACER 600 600 600 813 2613

DURATION (ELECTRIC)

COMPETITOR MODEL RD. 1 RD. 2 RD. 3 RD. 4 FLY-OFF TOTAL

1. L. BALDWIN PLAYBOY 420 420 420 578 1838

2. D. McCLEARY BOMBER 420 420 420 571 1831

Roger Mitchell on winning the “Climb and Glide”event. 3. M. HEAP KERSWAP 420 273 420 418 1258

Australian Model News page 27 Gary Sunderland’s

Nakajima KI-27

This project started back in 2013 when I was having many problems trying to fly an ARF Me.109. While crewing for Tony Grieger and watching his Gee Bee fly it became obvious that something along these lines might better suit my ancient eyes and reflexes. Perhaps not quite as big, but with a fixed undercar- riage to avoid the major problem of retracts.

There were only a few WWII fighters with fixed gear and I soon settled on the Nakajima Ki-27, Japanese Army type 79 and codenamed “Nate” by the USA services.

The Ki-27 was designed back in 1935 and first flew in 1936, the same year as the Spitfire. It featured a modern stressed skin alclad structure with a straight leading edge, providing a docile stall, and with large tail surfaces. With only a 700HP radial engine and with a fixed spatted undercarriage it exceeded 300mph, as fast as the early Me.109 and the Hurri- cane. It was reputed to have the best flight handling of any Japanese fighter.

An advanced feature was the “bubble” canopy, not seen on the Spitfire and Mustang until 1944. The Ki-27 had a sliding hood on external wires, a simple and light solution like most features on this aeroplane. For example, all the controls were cable driven, including the wheelbrakes. It even had a tailskid rather than a wheel!

Needless to say, like all Japanese aeroplanes of that time, it had no armour plate or self sealing fuel tanks. The guns were just two inside the nose and of rifle calibre, with a telescopic sight, just like a Camel.

The new Ki-27 soon had control of the sky over Chi- na and then took on the Russians over Manchuria in 1939, proving equal to the I-16 monoplanes and Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate” superior to the Russian I-15 biplanes.

page 28 Australian Model News My model was drawn up to 1/5th scale, with a wingspan of 2.26m (86″). The target weight was 9kg to suit an OS 200 four stroke. The fuselage and wings are all 3mm balsa planked with a covering of light glass cloth and water based EZE-KOTE resin. After years of building box fuselages I was apprehensive about converting the flat drawings into a three dimensional shape, particularly in the wing fillet area, but it all went reasonably smoothly. The nose cowl was built up from 5mm balsa sheet, covered inside and out with epoxy glass cloth, and came out nicely. The rest of the airframe was covered with lightweight glass cloth and EZE-KOTE, which is much lighter than polyester or epoxy resin in itself and is lighter again as the water base evaporates. I had a few buckles in the 1.5mm balsa sheeted fin and tailplane due to the water swelling the balsa. Next time I will pre-dope the balsa sheet with three or four coats of dope rather than just one. There were no buckles in the 3mm balsa covering but some areas of glass cloth were not completely filled with resin. Next time I will double the pre-coat and also the finishing coat. With my eyesight it was difficult to make out the ‘starved’ areas, which only became obvious on the final paint- ing. This could be overcome with the usual primer / undercoat but once again I avoided this to save weight and went straight to a final spray with epoxy paint.

The dark brown top and grey underside was Japanese Army standard in China and down to Burma. The Ki.27 had a variety of paint schemes but I chose a simple scheme and one which would be more visible in most conditions.

The landing flaps are aluminium, copying the method used by Rob Dickson. The ailerons, elevators and rudder are built up on sheet cores and covered with light tissue and silk as per my free flight practice. The rear canopy was vacuum formed by Tony Rosen and is functional, with the hood sliding aft to access the radio switch in the cockpit.

The model appears to be nice and stable in the air and the OS 200 and Bolly 19 x 10 propeller seem to be nicely matched to give plenty of urge in loops and other aerobatics.

Now all I need is to fly it properly!

Australian Model News page 29

Following discussions with regard to use of the WW field it was decided to establish a "Friends of West Wyalong" register.

If you are a member of the NSWFFS then you are automatically a "Friend" in that you can fly on WW whenever you like (with prior notification to NSWFFS).

If you have a current MAAA membership card and are not registered through the NSWFFS, you can become a "Friend" by paying $30/year (July 1 - June 30) and be issued with a card to that effect. In this way NSWFFS can defray some of the costs of operating WW and ensure that those using the field have contributed.

Money orders or Cheques made out to NSWFFS can be sent to the Treasurer: Tahn Stowe 3/152 Brook St Coogee 2034. Your numbered card will be sent to you by return post.

VICSCALE Victorian Flying Scale Aircraft Association The Special Interest Group for Scale Modelling in Victoria. General Meetings of the Association are held bi-monthly on the first Thursday of the even months at the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria, 1 Gardenia Street, Blackburn. Visitors are always welcome and a highlight of meetings is the presenta- tion of new models as they are constructed, and discussion on building techniques by members.

The VFSAA Calendar of events is available on the VFSAA website at http://vfsaa.org.au/

page 30 Australian Model News

MODEL AIRCRAFT CLUB OF SUNBURY INC.

PO BOX 271 SUNBURY 3429 www.macsunbury.asn.au

Annual Auction October 11th 2014

We plan to do it all again in October. Come along and make it our biggest auction yet! Who knows, there might be something worth buying! Time for a change – sell the old, buy another pre-loved treasure. Everything must go.

The auction is scheduled to start around 12:00 pm, but we will be registering goods for sale from 10:00 am.

DOOR PRIZES -- RAFFLE $2 entry fee

Hot dogs and refreshments will be available from 10:00 am.

St. Andrews Uniting Church Hall Barkly Street, Sunbury (Melway 382 E4)

Enquiries: John Sutherland 03 9338 4563 Bruce Palamountain 03 5428 7492