Oudtshoorn update -- Hekkie Fourie

Trophy Winners CFC Scale 2007:

Best  Pre WW1  Model:      Werner Mayer           Bleriot
  "               "        Marcus Weitzman        Sopwith
  "            WW11   "    Alex Kieczynski        F W 190
  "       Civilian Model   Juan Fourie            Cessna
  "       Multi       "    Greg Donaldson         Dakota
  "       Bi-plane         Marcus Weitzman        Stearman
  "       Lrg Scale Model  Gerrit Swanepoel       Cub
  "       Helicopter       Michael Camons         NH 90
  "       Glider           Steve Filby            K6
  "       Electric Powered:Marc Wolffe            DH Comet
Most realistic Flight     :Neville Wright         Cessna 421
Realistic Turbine Flight   Neville Wright         L39 Albatros
Most enjoyable flying      Marcus Weitzman
Most unusual model         Mervyn Pannel          Cessna 152 T/D
Best technical Achievement Ross  Holing           Harvard
Hard Luck Trophy           Terry Hamilton
Pilots' Choice             Neville Wright         Cessna 421
Best Spirited Club         BOMAC
Best Owner Builder Model   Ross Holing            Harvard
   "    ARF                Wynand Swart           CAP 232
Furthest Travelled Pilot   Paul Botha             Lydenburg

                INDOOR       EVENT
Best indoor electric flyer Ashley Ruth            Rainbow E 3D
Winner indoor event        Johan Van Zyl
Best Rubber Powered Model  Garth Anderson         Slow Flyer


We had a record number of entries this year =  147
and also a record number of scale models    =   297
The Guinness record was broken and now is =  49 models
flying together for one minute.
At one stage we had 19 Cubs flying together. This may
also be a record.

Some Info gathered from the entry forms. Unfortunately
not all of the entry forms were completed properly.
Arfs                      160
Built up models            92
Owner Builders             55
!.C.    Models            139 
Electric Models            31
Turbines                    8

List of Models at Scale 2007

Cubs                32
Extras              17
Cessnas             17
Edges                9
Yaks                 9
Ultimates            8
Caps                 7
Tiger Moths          7
Spitfires            7
Mustangs             6
Thunderbolts         5
Fly Baby             5
Beavers              4
Tucanos              4
Dakotas              4
Sukois               4
Warhawks             4
Harvards             4
3 and less
various other models
too many to list here.

Regards,
Hekkie.
 

The story of an Acrobits -- Sinjun Weston

This story unfolded 27 years ago at the original NERF fly site in Midrand

It all started when my dad decided to build what looked like a very nice and stable biplane. The plan was originally seen in a UK based modeling magazine. I think it might have been Radio Modeler

In any case, the plan was purchased and we showed much excitement when it arrived by post. Hours were spent pouring over the technical drawing, which consisted of 2 sheets, one for the fuselage and one for the wings. Dad had built a few models in his time but I don't think he realized the complexity of this project. The plan was structurally fairly straight forward (if you build from a plan on a regular basis) but lacked any form of building booklet.
The modeler was left in the dark in such areas as choice of wood for the various components as well as useful tips for the construction of the model
I for one was new to the modeling scene, so was of little help



In any case, Dad proceeded to build "Acrobits".
The name by the way was from the designer who had if I remember correctly, had built several Biplanes, Crashed several Biplanes and found he had several Biplane components left over. So was born "Acrobits "

Well after some months of part time building, the basic fuselage was completed as well as two wings.
Covering was done in of all things, silk and then a layer or two of paint was sprayed over this (I'm not sure what dad was smoking, Solarfilm would have been just as good).
Acrobits was rolled off the bench with a Webra 60 upfront and I still remember thinking this model feels heavy. Well I did not want to upset my dad and the model did look good in yellow and red - didn't it!!

Dave Jenkins from Redleys (remember the Calton Center corner hookie) very kindly offered to test fly Acrobits (the poor Man) for us and so one winter's day found us at NERF with nerves slightly shot with the anticipated waiting.
After engine checks and radio checks were completed, Acrobits was sent down the runway at full throttle.
The picture of Acrobits lifting off, going into a steady climb, completing a full loop and a bone charring nose first smash into the concrete runway wont be forgotten in a long time
The CG, is that important ?? asked my dad. But its not shown on the plan !!

Hmm...


Well after some weeks of pondering over the wreckage and almost a kg of lead on the nose, Acrobits was ready again to "grace" the skies
This time all went well and although we were flying a kg of parasitic lead up front, the biplane flew fairly well but was a bit sluggish at the controls
(something about wing loading was mentioned... )

Some months after the maiden flight, again a sight I'll never forget.
While Acrobits was at an altitude of +- 200m, the top wing decided to part from the fuselage. The (bi)- plane rolled over onto its back and after exceeding VNE twice, completed a almost perfect pull out above terra firma

If only the donga had not got in the way .....

† In memorian Johan Fraser -- Bob Skinner

Long-time SAARF and SAMAA member, Johan Fraser, died on 27th September 2007, after a period of illness. Johan was the first owner of Frasers Hobbies, now owned and managed by his son Allen. Johan had a life-long relationship with Silverton Model Aircraft Club. He will be sorely missed by the Fraser family and all his friends and associates.

SAMAA News September 2007

You can get hold of a pre-release copy here.

2008 F3J Senior team chosen

More info on the MGA BLOG.

2007 Helicopter Masters Tournament entry form

The entry form is here.
More info here.

2,4 Ghz -- revision of the SAMAA advice on operation.

Since the first introduction of 2,4 Ghz equipment the technology has moved forward. Some SAMAA members now operate outside the scope of the advice given on the SAMAA web site --
Dave Greer asked questions about this on the MGSA list. I spoke to Joe Coetzer about revising the advice. Here is his response;

..........I agree with you, we need to revise our interim arrangement immediately.We are having our first Regional Workshop (Nortern Gauteng) tomorrow. I will feed it into the system and have it ratified by the Management Committee on 3rd October........

This is good news.

Update from Fanie on the Oudtshoorn Guinness World Record Attempt

After the overwhelming support for our attempt at the Guinness record we would like to bring the following to your attention.

Many pilots expressed concern for the safety of their scale planes during the record attempt. We have planned it very carefully in typical Oudshoorn Scale fashion to ensure the safety of all the planes, pilots and spectators. We will have 4 flight lines with 4 separate circuits which will host 15 planes each. This may sound like a lot but many of you will remember 2 years ago we had 17 Piper Cubs in one circuit so it can be done. There is a circuit for electric's as well.

After all the request the club decided last night that we are willing to make an exception to allow non scale planes to for the record attempt only. This was done for those who are afraid they might damage their scale planes and to ensure the maximum amount of entries seeing as everybody does'nt have a suitable scale plane. If you want to use a non scale plane in the Guinness attempt it may not be displayed during the course of the weekend or flown. As per tradition only scale planes will be displayed during the day and general flying.

Remember this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and each entrant will receive an official Guinness World Record Certificate so don't loose out.

Please forward this message to all interested parties that might be interested in the new developments as soon as possible as to enable us to allocate them their respective frequency spots. Spectrums welcome :-)

See you all in Oudtshoorn.

Fanie

Invitations to 2007 Aerobatic Masters Tournament

Gliding Postals August -- John Lightfoot

Comments and Scores.