Welsh day out

Sunday’s race on the Crest was a bit of the throwback and for all the right reasons.  Perhaps it was the small number of us or the fact that it seems a relatively long time since many of us had met up but as we headed off to the Crest the atmosphere was more like a stress free day’s sport flying.

  The wind wasn’t exactly ripping up trees, there’s be no risk of your wing blowing passed you after a slope side crash.  But this was the crest and there was enough wind to have the laminated ballast cards being thumbed through various types of metal being inserted into models.

  I’ve been loving my Merlin lately, a lack of flying time just hasn’t let me set up the willow 2 properly but the Merlin’s solid feel meant I was very comfortable to be putting 800g of lead in.  Once the clag had cleared the breaze dropped off to around 7-10mph and pretty well stayed there all day.  Normally this would make ballasting easy, 500g (1/3) and off we go, but the wind swinging to the south meant that the lift could pretty well stop.

  It was clear that the conditions could quickly change from low 40s good to mid 70s bad and back again.  The Merlin’s short boom and forgiving nature managed to compensate for my poor thumbs.  With a little look from the conditions everyone knew they could take a round but bad luck and you were gone.  I had a bit of both, including a top 3 round finish.

  With laminated ballast cards being sacrificed in the hope of wind those who like a good blow were starting to get twitchy, Whilst the Lord Dakin just needed some dark magic cantations.

  Thanks to Skip for making sure the day went so well.

Finishing off the southern winter league

  There always seems to have been a reason why I haven’t been able to make any races or even sports fly this winter.  But Sunday’s southern winter league gave me a chance I wasn’t going to miss.  I decided to fly my Merlin in the first few rounds, partly because it was the new version with the half yard joiner but because I just love flying it.  My Patched up Willow 2 was waiting in the wings for it’s call.

  As the brisk wind settled down to the forecast NNW, flying on Whitesheets’ WNW slope was always going to be a challenge as my comeback race.  The extra ballast capacity of the Merlin wasn’t used, mainly because of my lack of practise with 4.5kg models but plenty of other pilots were starting off the day at that weight.  I was soon wearing a wide grin, whatever model I chose, they’re just good to fly but I feel like I’m letting them down.

It’s on crossed days like these which show the improving standards of F3F pilots and the whole southern league.  This isn’t a soft option league any more.  A variety of styles and techniques were tried during the day as conditions changed.  When the air did occasionally square up and the times come down the good old reversals still seems to be the default setting of most pilots as things get fast.

  Although there were plenty of Needles, Baudis assemblies and Freestylers I think that Mark Treble and his Toxic deserve a mention.  When it comes to knowing the model and getting the most from it Mark has put the time in and is getting the rewards.

  Well done to Grommit for running the league in his uniquely relaxed- Baffled dad at his daughter's wedding style- an excellent day for everyone.

Now if I can just get the pictures to up load....

A winters day out

  After numerous missed chances I have finally managed to get out and headed off to Whitesheet’s famous NW slope for a winters day’s soaring.  Between the club AGM and the F3F race on Sunday, Saturday was a busy hill and a fantastic chance to do some catching up.

  I was flying the new bullet proof Merlin, a half yard long joiner and fantastic surface finish, she really does feel like a solid and purposeful  beast.  The Merlin flew so well I forgot the get the Willow 2 out of the car for some race practise- I was enjoying myself too much.

  The slope had some interesting models, of course a Willow 1 but on the bigger end, Andy B brought along his 4m DG scalie.  I loved the way it seemed to take off by itself as I gave it a running launch and then to see the big old loops, fast passes and some fun flying, she looked a lovely bit of kit.

  At the opposite end of the size spectrum (not often said) was Bear and hit 2.2m Drops.  It’s the nicest bit of mouldied kit I’ve seen for a while and looked good fun to fly.  Balanced in the air but it’s has to be tempting to just hang it up on the mantelpiece.

  A good day’s flying in some great company!

Willow 2's hit T9

I am still here, quietely getting on with things and a little frustrated with my lack of flying, but the great nes is that willow 2s are at T9.

so for the Uk there is simply no better F3F model for the price!

A little bit of unwrapping

If Christmas is a time for unwrapping then the latest pictures of the Willow and Merlin Builds are quite appropriate.   I’ve already written about the improved spars but here arre a few pictures of the lay up inside the wings before joining.

  I’ve always enjoyed seeing these shots ever since I’ve been flying- there’s a lot of carbon for a standard model in there!

  See you all in 2015!

Antidote to Christmas shopping

  Blue skies, a light breeze and my repaired Willow 2 remaidened- sometimes the enjoyment of simply flying is fantastic.  Meeting up with some flying mates just topped things off- thanks for the pictures guys!

  The Willow2 fuselage took a beating at the Welsh open, 2 re-flights and 3 nights out the cause.  My repair is by no means invisible but she did fly off straight and that’ll do for me!  It’s the first time in a long time I’ve flown with no ballast, the W2 still covered the sky really nicely and made spotting what lift there was easy.

  Flying the Merlin Back to back with the W2 was an interesting comparison. I’ve always loved my Wizard Compacts, the Merlin is reminding me more and more of the Wiz as I slowly tweak the set up.  I really love the look of the top of the wing now the horns are at skin level.  But for easy responsive flying and putting a smile on my face- love it

  The problem is that the new Merlin at home is calling me.  I’m not sure if the new lengthened Joiner and bagged spars are calling or just because it looks gorgeous.  Anyone want a Merlin and I build this oneJ

Getter better and better

  It’s great to here that the Willow 2 flight reports are going so well in the US.  Shows just how tough our models are! http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2161038&page=4

  It looks like the latest batch of models is being slowed by the Christmas post.  The new Merlin development with longer joiner as well as the wrapped spars could be the strongest model yet.  Ready to be hurled off a slope in just about any conditions I can handle standing there myself!

  I'l take some more pictures when the box finally lands