Early Aeromodelling -- Fritz Johl

Fritz sent in this info on aeromodelling in the nineteen thirties:

Dear John
I have read with interest your organisation’s activities and association with AeSSA in the AeSAA news letter and am wondering whether you are aware that SAMAA has its origin in about 1937 and that in 1938 the first radio controlled model aircraft was flown here at Hout Bay. Perhaps you know this already. I believe that at that time I was one of the first members.

The photos show the SAMAA buttonhole badge at that time, The actual radio controlled flight, and the glider fuselage under construction.



W.A.T. "Fritz" Johl (FRAeS)

I asked Bob if he couls add any more to this. Here's his reply:


Dear John, Fritz

Here is some info from my archives:

In 1934, Mr Lilly flew a 5-ft span balsa and tissue model aircraft, "Albatross" for nearly 5-minutes. Movement to establish a club at Cape Town Technical College.

(1 August 1937) Four Wakefield model aircraft from South Africa were sent to compete by proxy in the Wakefield Cup in England (Fairey's Aerodrome at Hayes, in Middlesex). USA and GB domination was broken by a French win.

In August 1937, The South African Model Aeronautic Association was formed on initiation of Viv Gracie of Cape Town, Phil Dalgety of Durban, and Alf Yardley of Johannesburg.

In June of 1939, Viv Gracie and Henry Rieder flew the first radio-controlled glider (14' span) in South Africa, on the beach at Hout Bay. They were also building a powered model aircraft, that flew successfully some time later (date unknown to me).

The documentation is vague, but to my knowledge, the first powered R/C flight was made at Leach's Bay (East London), with 9-foot single-channel model, V3, powered by Forster 99 with hand-carved 18" propeller. Pilots were probably Bob Masters and Viv Andrews. This was late in 1946. Control line flying took place at East London airport. Gerry Masters was first C/L flier with Jim Walker Fireball.

In 1948 in Cape Town, Con Wallis and Mr Gemeken flew a radio-control model with Lorenz Airtrol and E.D equipment. Chips Wannenburg flew a Good Brothers Rudderbug with their (Good Brothers) R/C equipment.

Fritz, I would be very happy if you could forward any information on the early years of South African aeromodelling.

Best regards
Bob Skinner

Fun Fly scores for 2008 -- Andrew Hirst

Herewith the final series scores for Fun Fly 2008 for the SAMAA website. The top 12 from each class qualify of the Masters event to be held in Welkom on 8th and 9th November. If any of the top 12 cannot make it then the selection moves down the list.
Last years Champion, Christopher Harris qualifies automatically.
Regards,
Andrew Hirst

New world Record -- Dave Armitage

Just to whet your appetites guys and to keep the electric fundies happy - New world record claim for electric flight with rechargeable batteries by Stefan Penz of Germany
394.3 Km/h
Regards
Dave Armitage

Rosendal 2008

I'd like to say that we spent many hours soaring on the Rosendal cliffs this weekend. I'd like to say it but I can't.
We drove down to Rosendal on Thursday. If you want a good place for food, OJs at the Total Petrol Station in Heilbron is worth a visit.
On Friday morning we made our way to the flying site. Kobus and his wife Charlene had been there the whole week getting things ready. Kobus had already flown every day.
On Friday though the wind blew obstinately from the north. Not good.
On saturday morning the wind was still from the north, and it was cold and overcast. We took the chicken run back to Jozi.
Let's hope next year will be better.

SAMAA PROCEDURE & GUIDELINES ON PARK FLYERS -- Keith Nicolls

Here's the proposed guideline for Park Flyers. Your comments are important. Please send them either to Keith Nicolls of Bob Skinner.

Keith --    keith@woodlandscollege.co.za

Bob  --     samaa-gm@mweb.co.za

Keith says, "...Please feel free to post the write-up, whether the comments come now or later does not matter, often the ideas put forward are useful and add value to the document.

Re the handling of, and setting up of park flying groups, it is a problem and right now I am in negotiations with two groups of park flyers and the local Municipality,to lease a site,and allow flying at certain times so as to fit in with other sporting groups.

Presently it seems as if it will work. Once this deal is complete,it could possibly be used by other groups trying to find a suitable site to fly. 

Will keep you informed.

Regards,

Keith

Helicopter Judges clinic (NERF) -- Johan Sieling

We will be having a judges clinic for Class 1, 2 and 3 and will be held at NERF ( North Eastern Radio Flyers ) midrand on the 14th September ( Sunday ), as from 11:00 - 13:00. We will follow the same procedure as at the previous F3C clinic. I would like to encourage that all pilots and judges join us so that we can clear up any questions and learn from one-another.
 
If you have any queries please feel free to contact me.
 

Deon Smit
Mobile: +27 82 924 2095

A simple aircraft stand -- Danie de Beer

Hi All,

I had a need for a stand to help me when buildign my Yak. I build this little correx stand, cost less than R20-00 and 30min to build. Hope someone find it usefull.

I believe with the attached pics you can makeout how it all fits together.

Cheers
Danie