Monday, 31 August 2020

Back to the important stuff

   The English open and racing was a lot of fun but this weekend it was time to spend time with a couple of co-pilots on the slope. 


  Luckily Emma is still happy with EPP, with a crash and a laugh every 10 seconds it's a good job!  I did get to fly the Harrier a couple of times, while she rested:-)  often after a race, models need a bit of time to tighten out some slop, the flight tech servos are still as solid as a rock. 




  A fun day and proof that the willow philosophy of maximising fun on the slope is the main aim. 

Wednesday, 26 August 2020

A fun time at the English Open

   It’s been a long time since I came away from a race so happy.  Getting back to racing after so many years and with a hardly tested new design was a recipe for thigs to go wrong and they did.  As the rounds went by and the set up of the Harrier started to get sorted, then the ballast- I started cutting!  Having said this I flew every round with a huge smile on my face.  It’s just a fun model to fly!

  I was surprised just how well the Harrier penetrated into the crosswinds, although I managed to mess up more turns than I got right, she felt well balanced and despite my harsh treatment the Harrier never bit back and was accelerating along the straights.  Lots of work to do for me to stop holding the Harrier back but I’m really looking forward to it.

  The race was really well run by the Whitesheet club did a great job of keeping things going at a good pace, well done Graeme on running a really smooth day.

  The quality of flying was noticeable by how each pilot there could make good used of any god air that they did get.  John Philips proved to best on the day- congratulations to him.

  The highlight of the day was to meet up with some old friends- a good day out!

Saturday, 22 August 2020

Ready for the English open

  After I worked out the ridiculously long time it's been since I raced, a morning trip to brush off some cob webs seemed a good plan. 


  I've been flying the Harrier prototype through the summer but the production model I maiden 2 weeks ago has been looking at me- so this was the model I took. 


  The Harrier flew so well from my hand that I was soon just screaming round having fun, rather than any real thoughts of practise. 

Whitesheet is a variable hill and really hard to compare models on. It was good to see a range of baudis models there, I do like the look of the Pitbull 2.  it's clear that given the right air any of the models can be the fastest- including the Harrier- and a lot of fun. 

  By tomorrow I'll be cursing the variability of Whitesheet, but today it was fun!


Monday, 10 August 2020

Harrier Maidened

 I always seem to be on the Whitesheet north slope to maiden models.  The Harrier was no different and so although the sun was much stronger than the breeze I hurled the Harrier off.  Launching a model for the first time is a nervous moment, but when it's the first of a model our of the molds you can multiply the feeling.

  The Harrier just sailed away and went off thermal hunting.  Like all F3F models the Harrier's efficiency means it can hunt even the lightest lift.  When I did get the Harrier away I could give it a dab of down and she was off!  The tail gives a very positive control and tight turns that never felt like letting go.  

  I just have to wait for some decent wind to really ring her out.  




the new tail and fuselage

Building is a lot easier witht he Harrier's molded servo tray.