SUCCESSFUL P.F.A. RALLY AT S\X/ANSEA

Norman Jones awarded New Royal Aero Club Trophy: Strong French Contingent

LANS for this year's Rally began early in the and were nearing finality when for a variety succession from Cranfield to Shoreham and then became apparent that Fairwood Common would

The one doubt in everyone's mind was whether the distance would prove to be too far both for our French friends and some of our more distant U.K. members. However, almost before the last entry-forms had gone out, the first applications came in and continued to do so in good numbers up to the deadline.

Saturday, September 9th was ushered in with a little early morning mist and the promise of a good day's flying. Two members of the M.P.M. group went down to Kidlingtod to keep an eye on the A.W.A. and McAully group Tigers and those members of the committee who had not gone down on the Friday set off.

Conditions at Fairwood were excellent and by the time we arrived some 22, inchtding the French contingent were parked in dispersal. In all there were 30 entries for the Rally.

A.W.A. and McAully Arrive.

Just before 2.30 p.m. a Tiger flew over the Tower to cornplete a faultless circuit and landing. The flrst of the two Masefield Trophy contestants had arrived. A.W.A'.s ww taxied in with text-book precision. Almost on the half hour the pale blue Tiger of the McAully Group gave an identical performance, only to bounce and have to go round again, this time to make a perfect landing.

While the Masefleld contestants were being debriefed Neil Harrison and Bob Pooley were organising a landing competition in which

New Year under Neil Harrison's chairmanship of reasons the venue had to be changed in rapid to Swansea. With Peter Roberts' help it soon be ideal.

Tim Vigors in the Apache was soon seen trying to out-do the Turbulents of Colin Rogers and Margo McKellar in putting the machine on the white line.

A coach party of swimmers went off with Teddy Davis to one of the bays. Chuck Mange and Jack Reed of the Mill Hill Group and Bill Hall settled down to sorting out the Concours.

Jimmy Hunter gave demonstrations and several wives were busy selling magazines. Other members just wandered along the line of parked aircraft to find old friends and take photos.

Meanwhile Simon Ames of the R.Ae.C. was trying unsuccessfully to clear up a misunderstanding between Monsieur Barritault and the Customs at Rhoose, which culminated in Barritault having to leave his machine at Rhoose. I can only wonder at what the French contingent thought of this particular piece of English bureaucracy!

By this time the Masefield Trophy had become neck and neck with only the landing competition outstanding. A.W.A. taxied in having completed their landings, but McAully's Tiger refused to start. All the usual procedures and blasphemy failed to bring it to life. So it was decided to complete the Trophy the following morning, together with the treasure hunt.

Gradually people drifted over to the clubhouse and then by coach to the Dragon Hotel. This was truly on the Deauville style with central heating and air conditioning, with each

P.F.A. RALLY I

person having his own private bathroom . express lifts and deep plush carpets. The cocktail bar soon filled and hummed with aviators' language. Some 90 members and guests sat down to an excellent dinner.

Speeches were of the usual briefness with H.B-D. expertly translating for the French lads. Arthur Ord-Elume became a one man Pathe Pictorial and added to the bonhomie. New Trophy.

T-*;J"nes, who had arrived in a prototype Condor, was awarded the new Royal Aero Club Diamond Jubilee Trophy presented to the P.F.A. for annual award to the individual making the greatest contribution to light aviation during the year. Unfortunately Norman had had to return to Farnborough to keep an eye on things for the following day's flying at the S.B.A.C. Show and the Trophy was received on his behalf by Simon Ames.

The Concours d'illbgance went to M. Marcel Beraud, brother of the President of the Rbseau du Sport de l'Air, for his Jodel D.199. The P.F.A. Trophy for the best constructed ultra-ight aircraft at the Rally went to Colin Rogers, of the Hertfordshire Experimental GrouP.

At the presentation of the trophies Mr. David Armstrong, Chairman of the P.F.A., said that over 90 members from all parts of the country had joined in the Rally and their support was indicative of the growing strength of the Association. Over 100 affirmative replies had been received following the Association's referendum on the possibility of a P.F.A.-organised charter flight across the Atlantic to link up with the E.A.A.

The following morning rain lashed down, with the tops of the mountains hidden in grey cloud. Breakfast was, however, cheerful and we set off for the aerodrome, which was in complete contrast to the previotis day's summer. A weather forecast was obtained froq ,Rhqose which only made things look Popular Flying November-December, 1961.

blacker. News also came of three aircraft trying to get to the Rally. Joe Taylor was coming from White Waltham and two of the Groups from Rhoose were due. Just before noon we heard that all three aircraft had returned to their home stations.

Meanwhile a local clearance had encouraged some of the rallyists to take the morning air. The Masefleld Trophy teams got together and decided to use WW for the fly off. A Maggie also decided to go for a quick look round and so it was that two airuaft, a car load of spectators from A.W.A. and the judges, set off up the peritrack to the far end of the runway. Just as the proceedings were about to begin low clouds swept inagain and it rained more than ever. A flashing red convinced everybody to take cover under the aircraft while a scheduled Dakota service came in. Fifteen minutes in the rain had cured everyone's enthusiasm and the aircraft returned to dispersal, with the Magister being reported in the Movements book as returning backwards under man-power! Back in the clubhouse a picnic lunch was well under way.

A series of route forecasts were as vague as earlier met. reports and many people began to make arrangements to return home by train. The Masefleld teams decided to re-run the landing competition at a later date at Svwel1.

About 15.00 hours the weather showed signs of clearing and Best-Devereux and Jimmy Hunter took off to investigate conditions. A few minutes later they returned to say that in the Bristol Channel the weather was quite good. The Stinson Reliant from the Hampshire Aeroplane Club and the Armada Group's Prentice were flrst to leave. The rush that followed would have done justice to any 'o scramble " and within 15 minutes only one Jodel and half a dozen British machines were left.

The 1961 Rally was over. A good Rally despite the weather and the Welsh Customs Officers. R.M.

SEE CENTRE PAGES FOR RALIY PICTURES, 3