Popular Flying Sept/Oct 1976

Popular Flying 4A

FROMTHEP.F.A.OFFICE

TERMINALBUILDING,SHOREHAMAIRPORT,SHOREHAM-BY-SEA,SUSSEX,BN45FT

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HomeConstructorsSLINGSBY'S

STOCKTHEBESTINAIRCRAFTMATERIALS:

SitkaSpruceforspars;FinnishBirchPlyforleading edges;Ashforenginebearersandfaideads;GaboonPly forfuselageplanking;MultiLaminatedBeechforpropellorblanks;GlassCloth;EpoxyResin,Polyester Resin,GelCoatandFlameResistantResinforcowlings andfairings;Perspexforcanopiesandwindscreens;Steel Tube,SteelSheet,AlloyTube,AlloySheet,AlloyBar andSectionsforallmetalparts;StreamlineSteelTube forStruts;MadapolamFahiie,TauteningDope,AluminiumDope,FinishingDopeforcoveringplusallthe accessoriesyouneedincludingWheels,Shackles,Pins, Nuts,Bolts,Tyres,Tubes,DiscBrakes,Parachutes,etc. WeSTOCKtheASH360,360-channelV.H.FRadio,1 microvoltsensitivity,2wattsR.M.S.output,lowpower consumption,willworkfromadrybatteryforaircraft withoutelectrics.PYEVANGUARDSon129.9and 130-4megacycles.AircraftAerials;CarAerialsfor V.H.F.Magneticbasejustclampsonyourroof.Microphones;Headsets:Plugs,etc.

InstrumentsinstockincludeBendixJ.8.Horizons; F.A.A.-approvedwithlowconsumptiontransistorinverters;A.S.I.s;Altimeters;Turn&Slipswithrelease notes;V.S.I.s;Clocks;OxygenSystems.

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Popular Flying

EditorialConinnilee: ALANDUNN MIKEGRIGSON

JOHNHAFFENDEN LAURIEMANSFIELD

EditorialAddress:

Terminal Building, ShorehamAirport, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex,BN4 5FF

Telephone: Shoreham-by-Sea61616

PFAEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Precedent:

AjOuok,G.J.C.PALA.,C.B..D.F.C.. M.A..C.Eng.,F.R.Ae.S.

Cimirnian:

D.F.I-AI'LKNERBRYANT

Treaseavr:

L.Slimy.D.AG. M.R.Ae.S..

Engineering01

F.1.V.NVALKIR,CEng..E.R.Ae.S.

CommitteeA-feathers:

Douc.BIANCHI EDWARDDAAIS DION' JOENDUNHAM!) ALANDUNN

Miss13AFOOLAILS

ERNIEDOISSFALL MIKEJOSEPH

LAURIEMANSHELD

ROBINOWEN JOHNPoTHECA TomREAGAN

MIKEVAINLY 1311.1-WILKS BILLWOODFIANIS

SemGeneral:

J. S. J. LAUDER

Founded1946

Individualmembership:£7.30 p.a.

TheMaulingandrepresenralirebodyinthe fnfiedKingdomofanuaeurconsfruclors andopermarsofultra-lightandGroup operatedaircraft.

P.F.A.(UI„AIIR)Ltd

CoyERCOMMEN

AirSquadronTrophy WinnersJohn& TonyWhiting%kithTailwindG-BDAP at SyweIL

PopularFlying.September-October.1976

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER1976

24ENJOYTHESKY—PART9

5SOULIIFRNSTRLITRAELY

6-8 PROJECTS

9 PERMISSIONTOFLYOVERSEAS

10-11VINTAGENEWS

12-13PROGRESSREPORTON0-APOD

I4-I 6 LI: [MRS

17 - WHAT'S INANAME-COMPEHTION

F.G. MILES

19HAMPSHIRERALLY1976

20-21STRUTNEWS

22AIRCRAFTEORFillHOMEBUILDER

23 LU-IONMINOR'SEAA."TEST

The lieu's expressedinPOPULARFLYINGarethoseofthe contrthutorsandnotnecessarilythoseoftheP.T.A.ThePublishers retaintheriglatorefitseorwithdrawcubertisementsattheirdiscretionanddomaaccept!MMHG fordelay inpublicationorfor ekricalorprinter'serrorsalthough el'ery careistakentoalwid iStakcs.

EDITORIAL

ThisistheissueinwhichwenormallywriteaboutSywell, butthisyearisanexceptionalyearinmorewaysthanone andtraditionmustbelaidasideforthetrulyepicflightmade byCliveCanning,whoflewhishomebuiltThorpfrom AustraliatobepresentatSywell.In98hoursflyingtime, spreadoversomefourteendays,Clivepickedupsomeseven poilit-to-pointrecordsinaflightwhichwasnotwithout incident.Frombattlingwiththeworstofweatherthetropics canthrowup,tomoresinister&Tortsofmanwho,whilst hewasflyingoverSyria,forcedhimdowntospendtwodays inaSyrianjail.Asifbeingshotatwasn'tenough.onemust admirethesheerdeterminationofClivetopresson.When IwelcomedCliveonhisarrivalatShoreham(lasthopdirect fromMarseille)Iwasamazedtogreetanunruffledpilotwho hadjuststeppedoutfromanimmaculateaircraft,asfresh asifhehadjustdoneaSundayMorningCircuit!Agreat flight,whichreallyshowsthathomebuiltsarethoroughly soundaircraft,whichdonotdeservetherestrictionssooften placedonthem.

SoontoSywellwhichwasyetagainavintageyear.The weatheronceagainwasperfectandtheturnoutwasasgood asever.Infact,thisyearthesignsofmorenoveltechnical innovationwasveryevident,withtheWhittakerExcalibur andLockspeiser'sLDA-1puttinginappearances.Flownice soseesomanyvisitorsfromabroad,withourfriendsfrom theR.S.A.comingacrossthewater,notjustsinglybutby formations.

DespiteallthisthemanofthehourwasCliveCanning, who,afterbeingpresentedwiththecupforthemost meritoriousflightintoSywell,receivedthemostspontaneous applausefromthoseatthePFAdinner,whobrokeintoa rousingchorusofWaltzingMatilda.towindupavery happyday.

Goodluck,Clive,foryourreturnflight.

Marriednienshouldtakealotofcarefulthough beforetheyembarkuponthebuildingofanaeroplaneAssoonasthereissomethinginthegarage whichISrecognisablyafuselageonebecomes,in one's wifc'seyes,anexpertineverything.Nolongercan yousendfortheplumbertochangeawasherona tap.Youcanhuildanaeroplane.ipsofacto,thereis nothingyoucannotdoaswell,ifnotbetterthan. anyoneelse.Thoughyouspeakwiththetonguesof menandofangels,allyoureloquencewillnotgetyou offthehook.YourwifewillpointtotheThinginthe garageandasfarassheisconcernedresipsisloquitur —theThingspeaksforitself

Ishouldhaveknownbetter.TwentyyearsagoI builtaboatandittookmeagestoliveitdown.but sincestartingtobuildaV.PI,Ihavehadtomend leakingball-cocks,hanganewdoor,installaloft ladderand,mostgallingofall,loseafortnightofgood dopingweatherpaintingtheoutsideofthehouse. Buildingaeroplanesisstrictlyforbachelors,or indeedspinsters,sinceinthisageofwoman'slibthere isnoreasonwhyagirlshouldnotdoiteverybitas wellasaman.Wereachedanadirofabsurditywhen mywife,afteradmiringmystitchingalongthetrailing edgeofonewing.thoughtfullysuggestedthatImight considermakingdressesforher.Ipointedoutthatat mystageoftheartIwouldhavetostapletheclothto herfuselagebeforemarkingandcutting.

WiththeonsetofwinterIhadstowed007inthe garagewithherskeletalwingshunginthe"towing configuration".Ihadmanoeuvredherintothecentral position,withhernosedirectlyunderthesteelbeam carryingtheHatroof,andasneartothesupporting buttressesaspossible,sothatIcouldrigatacklefront thebeamforinstallingtheengine.Somehowwe managedtogettwocars, lwobicycles, ourdaughter's motorbikeandthemotormowerintothegarageas wellastheaeroplane.Thewinterisnotaseasonconducivetoworkinginacoldgarage,soIdevotedthe timetoorderingtheCeconiteforcoveringthewings and.togettingsomeenginepartsmadeuptoPeacock's drawings.

WhentheCeconitearrivedIspentachillyweekend inthegaragelayingtheclothoutonthewingsand cuttingandmarkingitforseaming..Ithentalkedmy women-folkintomachiningtheseamsforme.Ihad actuallymanoeuvredawingintothedining-room whenmyfatherwasstrickenwithtlu'andcametoLis toconvalescesothatthewinghadtogobacktothe garageandIhadtocontentmyselfwithcoveringthe ailerons.

Myfather,incidentally,claimstohavebeenthefirst maninEngland,ifnotintheworld,toascendina helicopter.HewasanapprenticeattheA.I.Stevens worksandthedatewas1908.Theyhadbuiltthis helicopterwithtwinrotorsdrisenbychainsfroma singleengine,tothedesignsofanamateurenthusiast whoinsistedthatitbetestGownbeforehewouldtake delivery.Atthistheworksmanagerlookedatthe foreman.theforemanlookedatthefitter,wholooked atmyfather,whohadnoonetolookatandsohadto getintothemachine.Theenginewasstartedup,my papaclutchedintherotors.openeduptofullthrottle andthecontraptionsailedmagnificentlyacrossthe yardanddisintegratedagainstabrickwall.Fatherhas hadapooropinionofhelicopterse‘ersince

AlltheliteraturethatIhadaccumulatedonCeconite, andthepeopleIhadtatkedtoaboutit,ledmeto believethatonecouldsimplystickthematerialto(he framewithadhesive.thussavingmdes or stitching, butwhenIputthistoMike,myinspector,hewasnot enthusiastic.Mike.asbehovesagoodinspector,is markedlyconservative,totheextentthatanything donebyDeHavilland'scanheapprovedofasgood practice.butthesenew-fanaledAmericanideasare necessarilysuspect.EventuallyIwrungagreatconcessionoutofhim.O.K..Icoulduseadhesive—just as longasIseweditaswell.

Ian)remindedofalittleversethatappearedin 'Thowli, concerning theissuetosomebattalionsofour army,oftheF.N.280semi-automaticrifleforevaluationinservice.Itwasentitled"TheConservative"and went:—

"AprivatesoldierthatIknow Waspullingthroughhis280 Withcopper-wiregauzeandsand. Iremonstratedwithhinand Hedroppedacurseandsaidtome 'I'llmakethisB -401'"

DearMike,he'snotreallyashideboundasallthat andI'vegivenuparguingwithhimasheinvariably turnsouttoberight.SoIsettleddowntomysewing; eightstitchestotheinchandalockstitchevery-three inches.Therearemorethanseventhousandstitchesin aV.P.'swings.However,it is notasdifficultasitseems Mprospect.IfoundthatIcouldsewupanaileronin twoeveningsandawinginaweek-end.Ihadcompletedonewingandanaileronandwascongratulating myselfondiscoveringthatCeconiteiseasiertosew thancottonfabric,whentheMarch-April'76copyof PopularFlying arrived,withChrisMorris'sexcellent articleOnAircraftCoveringMaterials,inwhichhe statesthatCeconite"cannotbereadilysewn".Iant gladthatIdidnotseethatbeforeIstarted.Itcould havebeenverydemoralising.Ithinkitprobablyderives troill thefactthatthereisfarlessstretchin Ceconitethanincottonfabric,sothatonemuststaple theedgestohesewnverymuchclosertogether-–an eighthofaninchapartisquiteenoughandlessatthe seallls.

IncidentallyIfoundthat,inspiteofwhatIhadbeen toldand.Ibelieve,readsomewhere,itisjustas essentialtowaxnylonthreadasitusedtohewith linenthread.Afteracoupleofmythreadshadparted throughchafewhensewingroundthetrailingedge,I turnedthehouseupside downina vainefforttofind thelumpofbeeswaxth.athadoncebeenpartofmysail repairkit.WhenItriedtobuysome,Ifounditimpossibletoobtain.Irangupmyoldsailmaker,who

OnewingcoveredwithCeennitecnrailhigshrinkhig

livesnearme.andaskedhertobringmesomehome fromherloft."Beeswax'',shesaid,"wehaven'tused anysincewelastmadeasailforyou-.IntheendIaot apiecefromourneighbourlydoctor,andwonder hetherheuseditforsewinguphispatients.Iwas gladtoseesomewherethatDacronismuchlessinflammablethancottonorlinenasIoncehadarather uncomfortableexperienceofthisinaHurricane.

TheHurricanelIc'sthatIHewhadtinwings,rudder andelevator,butthefuselageaftofthecockpitand thefinandtoil-planewerefabriccovered.Onthis occasionIwaspullingoutfromarocketattackwhen theaircraftbegantowobblealloverthesky.WhenI gotthingssortedout.Ifoundthatthoughtheaircraft wasjustcontrollable,itwasunbelievablysensitivein pitchandyow.Iflewithomeverycarefullyandafter asomewhatspectaculararrival,Itaxieditintodispersal.Whenmyriggerclimbeduponthewingto helpmeoutItorehintoffamonumentalstripfor sendingmeoutinanaircraftsobadlyoutoftrim.He, goodsoul,stoodthereinsilencetillIfinishedandthen said"Wouldyoumindstandingupandlookingback, Sir?".WhenIdid soI sawthattherewasnotasquare inchoffabricremaininaaftofthecockpit.Isuppose thatanincendiarybulletmusthavepassedthroughthe fuselageandthewholelotevaporatedinapuffof smoke.

Idonotexpecttobeshotatanymorebutpeople, myselfincluded,canbedreadfullycarelesswith cigaretteends,especiallyatplaceslikeSvwell,anditis easiertopatchalittleholethantorebuildacomplete winv. Thereisquitealotof‘Nritteninformationabout Ceconite,especiallytheheatshrinkingprocess,butit wasonlybytalkingtopeoplewhohaduseditthatI wasabletoworkoutasequenceofoperationsfor coveringawing.Icanfindnoformalauthorityforit, butforbetterorforworsethisiswhatIdidandit seemstowork.BeforestartinatocoverIpaintedthe contactsurfaces of theribsandtheleadingand trailinaedgeswithonecoatofAdhesive"A-thinned 50/50andonecoatatfullstrengthInwayofthe torsionboxIpointedovertheplyonthelinesofthe ribsunderneathandfalsopaintedaroundfittings, suchasthejurystrutanchorageandtheaileronhinges andholesforcontrols.Oncethecoverhadbeensewn onandbeforeattemptingtheshrinkingprocessI rubbedovertheribs,theleadingandtrailingedges andotherpre-treatedareastopandbottom,witho raawellsoakedinthinners,tosoftentheadhesive underneathanddrawitupthroughthefabricI followedthisupwithtwocoatsofAdhesive'A' thinned50/50brushedonoverthesamelines.This dividedthecoverintopanelsreadyforshrinking.

TheshrinkingwasmucheasierthanIhadexpected. Ifoundthattheironbegantotakeeffectwiththe settingonsilkandthiswasfineforthennsupported areas.IhadtomoveituptoWoolovertheply coveredtorsionboxandthealloyupperleodingedge asthesesupportingmaterialsseemedtoactasaheatsinkandthelowersettinghadlittleornoeffect.One shouldstartironingatthepointsofmaximum curvature.andworkintotheflatterareas.Thisissaid tominimisethebonyappearance.Smallwrinklescan hetakenoutbyrubbinggentlywiththepointofthe iron.Evenbigwrinklescanbegraduallyreducedto nothingwithalittlepersistence.ChrisMorrisoffersa goodruleofthumbtestforthecorrecttautnessbeing achievedwhenapennyjustbounces.

WhenIcompletedthestructuresofmyrudderand stabilatorIhadnot,atthattime,discoveredthe sourceofsupplyintheU.K.forCeconite,ifindeedit wasthenavailable,sofortheempennageIsettledfor EgyptiancottontoD.T.D.575.

PopularFlying,Septernher-Oclober,1976

G-BDAI-Ianwitingengineinul11111g-coveringniaierial

1didthisinthehopethotwhenIcametocoverthe wings—theloadbearingsurfacesCeconitemightbe available,andinthemeantimeIcouldgainexperience ofthetraditionalmaterials.Bythetimethewings werereadyforcoveringIhadfoundthatCeconite couldhehadfromR.FSaywellofShoreham,avery friendly.helpfulandreasonablefirm,soIorderedup sufficientCeconite101.selfadhesivestrip,finishing tape,etc.,tocompletethejob.Havinunowworked klithbothmaterialsIcancomedownfirmlyinfavour ofCeconite.Ifoundit.withreservations,justaseasy tosewascotton:theheatshrinkingprocess,if approachedwithreasonablecautionissimpleand positiveand,aboveall,itdoesnotgolimpandflabby whenyouapplythedope.

Dopingcottonisamostdiscouraaingoperation. Eachcoatseemstoundoallthegoodworkofthe previouscoatsuntilitdriesoutandtightensup.The silverdopeseemstotakemuchlongertodrythanthe printingdope,aboutthreedays.duringwhichone wonderswhetheritwillevercometautagain,or whetheronewillhavetostripthelotandhaveanother go.Iantstillnotclearwhy,ifoneusesAdhesive'A'to sticktheCeconitefabrictotheframe,oneshouldalso havetorib-stitch,butalltheauthorities,startingwith 'EvanstheAerodynamics',insistuponit.IthinkI detectedinMikeanairofreliefwhenIdidnotargue aboutit,butmerelygotoutmycleopatricneedle— courtesyofSaywelfs--andgotonwiththejob.This needleistenincheslongwithapointateachendand theholeabouttwoinchesdownfrontoneend.With thewinaontrestles,theribscoveredwithself-adhesive stripandthestitchingpositionsmarkedoutoneshoves theshortendoftheneedledownthroughthetop fabriccloseuptoaribuntiltheeyeappearsunderneath,thenonethreadstheneedleunderneathan.d drawsituponlytoplungeitdowntheothersideof therib,longendfirst.Atthispointoneunthreadsthe needle,tiesaknotinthethreadontheundersideof thewingandrepeatstheprocessatthenextstitch position.

Whenonegetstothemiddleoftheribonefinds oneselfcrouchingunderthewingtryingtothreadthe needleatarm'slengthinthedark.Ofcourse,one couldalwaystrainasmallboytodotheunderwing work.AsagrandfatherofthreeIantallinfavourof puttingchildrentowork,butmywifesaysthatthis wouldbeequivalenttosendingthelittledarlingsup chimneysordownthemines.Isuspectthatthis solicitudeisonlytoprevent,theirenthusiasmsbeing divertedfromassistingwiththewashingup.Apity,as theyarejusttherightsizeforthejob.

DopingisajobIwouldgladlygetsomeoneelseto do,butvolunteersarefewandfarbetween.None

BobLowespendhigahappyweekendsewingawing together

turnedupexceptthesmallestgrandsonwhomIwould nottrustwithamagiccolouringbook,letalonea brushfullofdope.Itseemsverydifficulttogetaprecise dopingspecification,sothatonecanworkoutexactly howmuchdopeoneneedstobuy.Themanualsare curiouslynon-specificandIcanonlysupposethat muchdependsuponthedutyforwhichtheaircraftis intendedtobeused,andnowhere,sofarasIcan discover,isonetoldjusthowmuchareaoffabricwill becoveredby,say,onelitreofdope.IstucktoEvans' specificationoffourcoats orprimingdope,twocoats ofsilverandonecoatofautoenamel.Iactuallyused approximately12litresofprimingdope,6litresof silverand2litresofautoenamel.Ialsousedlitres ofAdhesive'A'and8litresofthinners.Asthedope, adhesiveandthinnersaresoldin5litrecansoneis boundtofinishupwithuniteabittospare.Thetotal areatobedopedwas237squarefeetfromwhichitis easilyseenthatonelitreofdopewillcoverapproximately80squarefeetoffabricpercoat.

Igottotalkingtoachapwhoisapainterbytrade andspentmostofhiswardopingandcamouflaging

aeroplanesabouttherelativemeritsofbrushingor sprayingdopeandpaint.Hisadvicewasthatif I intendedtosprayitwasessentialtoeettheproper equipment.Hepouredscornuponthedo-it-yourself equipmentthatmostofuscouldaffordtobuy,and wentontosaythatamateursseemedtothinkthatthe spraygunwasasubstituteforskillinobtainin,a professionalfinish.Infactitrequiresasmuchskilland practiceasthebrush.Headvisedmetosticktoa brushthroughout:astiffishbristlebrushfordopeand averysoftbrushfortheenamelfinish.Ihadalready triedsprayingafinishonmyrudderandstabilatorand theresultsboreouthisremarks.Theylookeddistinctly mottled. I brushedadecentfinishontothestabilator butIamstuckwiththerudder,as I hadalready sprayedonthedecorativeembellishments.The problemofmaskingfortheVPinsigniaonasurface thatcurvesirregularlyinbothdirectionshadme worried. I cutoutapaperstencilbuthowcould I make itstickcloselytothesurfaceandyetpeeloffeasily aftertheoperation?Aladytracerinmyoffice suegestedegg-white—anditworksperfectly—just don'tleaveit OR toolong.

Theplasticringsforinspectionandaccessholes weredopedonafterthesecondcoatofprimingdope aswerethesoftalloyringsroundtheholesforthe flyingstruts.Thecoverplatesforthestrutswere cutoutfromthelightalloyspringcoverplates,a materialthatdoesnotworkeasilysothat I brokeone. Ihadtocutoutthefabricinthecentresoftheinspectionandstrutholesinordertofitthestrutstotry onthecoverplatesformarkinganddrillingforthe self-tappingscrewsthatholdthemdown.AsIstood withmyStanleyknifepoisedoverthefirstone I felt likeasurgeon'sapprenticeonhisfirstsolo.Just supposeitwasinthewrongplaceaftergettingsofar towardscompletion.Fortunatelyitallworkedout beautifully.IhadnoticedthatalltheotherV.P.Fs flyinginBritaintodatehaveatrimmingtabonthe portaileron. I hadphotographedtwoexamplesand thereforeattachedasimilartabtomyportaileron bentupataboutthesameangle.Now,witheverything paintedIcouldmateuppermanentlytheaileronsto theirwingsandthetrimmingtabtotheelevatorall readyfortheBigRig.

ListofTrophiesandAwards

SouthernStrutRally Report by

PatHolmes

TheSouthernStrutplayedhoststolightaviatorsin generalandPFAMembersinparticularatourannual dayofdayson13thJunelast.ShorehamMrportisa delightfulgrassairlield On theSouthCoast.whichover theyearshasseenmanyairdisplaysandrallies,alas thevisitorsarenowratherscarcerthaninformeryears. Airfieldpriceshaverisensteeply,astheOwners,inthe shapeofBrighton.HoveandWorthingMunicipal Authoritiesdon'tlookatlittleaeroplanesinquitethe samewayaswedo,however,adealwasdoneandthe localStrutwereabletoofferthefirsttwenty-five landingsforfreeandthereafterPilotswereaskedto payElfortheday.Thiswasstilllessthantheregular landingfeeandwasachievedbySouthernStrutters rallyingaround(pardonthepun)andstumpingupthe difference.

ThefirstarrivalwasBrianDunlopinSuperCub G-AZRLfromWestfieldFarm,andby12.30thefirst twenty-fivehadarrivedfollowedbyasteadytrickle until43visitingaircraftwereassembled.TheNavigationcontestgototTtoanearlystartandwasset roundapproximately50milestakinginArundel Park,aratherobscurecarparkadjacenttoHickstead ShowJumpingGround,KneppCastleatWest Grinstead,aFollyTowernearWiston,andthree farmsatthebackofDevil'sDyke.Alas--myruler didn'tseemtobecallibratedinquitethesamescaleas thetasksettersKenBrowneandMauriceWhiteand attheendoftheday,yourstrulyjoinedtheranksof themasseswhohadanenjoyablefly-roundwithout identifyinganythingcorrectly.Afterallthis,John PothecaryofthehomeStrut,RedwingandComper

Swiftowner,leaptintohiswife'sPiperCubandshot roundthetasktoidentifyallturningpointscorrectly andtocarryoffthcNickydeBruinetrophy.atleast keepingitinthehometeam'scamp.

Duringthecourseoftheafternoon,thebenign, sometimeslessthanlive-knotwind,pickedupto20kts plus,whichplayedhavocwithspotlanding COMpetitionbeingheldonrunway25.Theapproachover theriveralwayshasaclutchinghand—inconsequence nine-tenthsofthefieldfailedtoscore,alltouching downbeforetheline.Thewinner,PeterLowndesin AeroncaSedanG-AREX.showedusallhowitwas doneandneatlycrossedthelinebeforetouchingdown intheapprovedmanner.

At1600hrs.theentirefieldofvisitorsandStrut hostsassembledfortheprizegiving,F.1.V.Walker fromPFAHeadofficehavingjudgedthebesthomebuilt.JimScott,lastyear'swinnerofthebesthomebuilt,judgedtheconcours.Curiously,workingquite independently,theybothcameupwiththesame answer,sotheIsaacsFury,builtbyTonyFrancis, wonbothcups.

Then,asthevisitorsdeparted.theSouthern Struttersturnedtoanddismantledthetentsand tables,thePITAbustrundledoffwithoutcrushing anyone'spicnicbasket,unlikeaformeryear,and thoseofusthatwereleftrepairedtothebarwhere planswerelaidforthe1977Rally.Thesun,whichhad shoneunfailingly,wasallowedtogotobedandwe departedtoo,agreeingthatithadbeenabeautiful rallyunmarredbyaccidentsorthesillyflyingwhich oftenspoilstheday.

JohnPothtu'aryironthe-Nicl<s.de navigationtrophyinhiswife Je11171.S ./-3e-90 CubG-BDJP (Photo.:UV4-1.Cro)

Tons.Francis'IsaacsFury G-A YJY 'vasawardedtheprizelorbothBest HontehtOltandConcours"elegance competitions(Phow.: 4/ Cm)

Projects

Quitealotofnewsthistime—mainlyasaresultof someverywelcomelettersincludinglargecontributions frontKenEllisandM.S."Dicky"Bird.Withthe "RallySeason"inlullswingasthesewordsarewritten, itmustbeevenmoredifficulttoputpentopaper,but keepwriting—yourcontributionsarewellreceived! FollowingonfromthelastProjectNews,wenowhave afulllistoftypeprefixesofexistingPFA-approved typesnowincludedinthenewseries,replacingthe existingbatchallocations.Theseare:--48/Turbulent, 49/Condor,50/Emeraude,51/LutonMinor,52/Jodel 0.11,53/LutonMajor,54/Jodel13.9,55/TaylorMonoplane,56/Minicab,57/Tempete,58/CurrieWot,59/ Sirocco,60/TaylorTitch,62/VP-1,and63/VP-2.

IANBURNETT

PFA/23I,3,4, 5—Startingonahistoricalnote.all theseTurbiprojectswereabandoned.

532 -WeunderstandthisTurbulentwasinfact completedbutneverflownatSion,Switzerland. Apparentlyitwasstillstoredinabarntherelastyear —acandidatefor rescue, perhaps?

557-560—These fourallocationswereforFalconar. Canada.

802—We wereverypleasedtoseetheLutonMinor G-ASMLmakeanappearanceatSywell—formuchof itslifeithadbeencloisteredawayilltheWestCountry atRoboroughandBodmin.

1305—The CorvexRavenwasbuiltatHatfieldby J. ShandoftheCorvexGroup.Constructionstartedin theearly1960'sbutthecompletedmachineprovedto beoverweight,sotheprojectwasabandoned.What happenedtoitwewonder—doesitstillexist?

I319—The FAABiplaneG-AYFYwhichappeared inanunfinishedstateatSywellsomeyearsago,but hasneveractuallyflown,wasrecentlyofferedforsale. OurspiesreportanEAABiplane"road-running"in Gloucestershirelastmonth—soperhapswemightsee itinthe Llif soon?

1323—Dicky BirdreportsthathisWoodyPusher G-AWWPisnow90"„completeathisnewHQin Caine,Wilts.Healsoremindedusofthesadnews thatHarris"Woody"WoodswaskilledlastSeptemberinthecourseofthefirstflightofhis17thhomebuilt,theAerosportCondor.ThepreliminaryFAA reportexoneratestheaircraft,andpointstoapush-rod failureasthemostlikelycause.HappilyWoodsAirplanescontinueundertheguidinghandofWoody's wifeEva.

1331- -DickyBirdalsoinformsusthatthisDyke DeltaprojectistheJ-2version,andliketheTurbulent PEA/532,isunderwayatSion,Switzerland.Constructionwasalmostfinishedlastyear,andamongst otherthingsthemachinefeaturesa2201-IPContinentalfromaReimsRocket (Thinks—should go well...!).

1332—Yet anotherprojecttotakeadvantageofthe UKregistrationsystemtosnatchownersinitialsis DavidFvernden'sFlaglorAirscooteiwhichwas registeredG-BDWEon12-4-76.

1360—The CrosbyBA-4BG-AYEWisnowinfull Super13A-413configurationwithfullyenclosedcanopy.

I363—An unfortunateabsenteefromSywellwas thePerkinsdevelopmentTailwindG-AYDU,whichis nowflyinginanewyellowc/swithatricycleu/cand VPprop.

1365—Second Cavaliertoleapintotheluftwill probablybeG-BBUWwhichappearedrecentlyat Panshanger.Weawaitdevelopmentswithinterest.

1366—The BurrillSpriteG-BDDI3mayhavetaken thehonoursofthelirsttoflyandappearatSywell, butthefirst"publicappearance"ofthetypemustgo toBarryParkinsonandRoyTasker'smachine G-BCWFI which appearednearlycompleteatthe BlackpoolAU'PageantinJune.Asreadersof"Flight International"willreadilyappreciate.thereare significantexternaldifferencesbetweenthismachine andG-BDDB.

PFA/1378—TheNipperIll_G-AXZM whichhasbeen inbuildingforsometimeatDoncaster,andlatterly'at Usworth.hasatlastflown,andwasrecentlyadvertised forsalewith6hourstotaltime.

1373—Tony Francis'lovelyIsaacsFuryG-AYJY isalreadywellknownontherallyanddisplaycircuit eventhoughithasonlybeenflyingforacouple of months.HekeepsitonastripatPampisfordjust downtheroadfromDuxford.

1391- WinnerofthePractivia£100prizcforthe firstofitsbreedtoIlywastheSpriteG-BDDB,which madeitsfirstappearanceatSywellmuchtoeveryone's delight.FinalassemblyandtestflyinghavebeenproceedingatSherburn

1401—This TaylorMonoplaneprojectwasapparentlyburntbytheRAFwhentheconstructorwas onoverseasposting.Suchabaldstatementobviously needsexplanation,andwewonderifitperishedinthe lireatUpavonin1965whichdestroyedtheMiles SparrowjetG-ADNLamongstotherirreplaceable tems.

1427—We weregladtohearthatE.Willis'Taylor Mono G-BC12,1hadflownfromSturgate,butits absencefromSywellwasunfortunatelytheresultofan accidentduringlestflying.Wehopeitwon'tbelong beforeitisintheairagain.

1459-SurpriseofSywellwasundoubtedlythe arrivalbyroadofthenewly-finishedMonoG-BDRF winch hails fromThornaby.

1500—The wingsand fuselageoftheMaranda LoisirsRA.14werecompletedatSt.Albansin1968-sincewhenwehaveheardnothingoftheprojectatall. Hasanyoneanynewsofitscurrentwhereabouts?

1504—PeterMines'TaylorTitchG-13C'SYwasof courseatSywell,butpreferredtohideitslightunder abusheloutsidethehangars—whichwasapity,as manymembersprobablymissedthechanceofaclose look.

1513—JimBradshawkindlysentusaprogress reportonhisLederlin380LLadybugprojectGAYMR,whichisprogressinginMarkington,near Harrogate,Yorks.Atmid-I976,thefrontandrear wingswerecompletelessfabric,aswellastherudder, flaps,andseveralmetalfittings.The90HPContinentalisreadytoinstallinthefuselage,construction ofwhichisjustcommencing.Jimmakesthecomment (likeDavidBuckle)thattimeflies,andhopestocompleteitbeforehegetstoooldtoflyit!Togetherwith hissontheycurrentlyflyJodel117G-AZIffromthe Markingtonstrip(andindeedtheycametoSywellin it—nodoubttodrooloverLederlin'sownF-PMET!). JimalsotellsusthathisMinicabG-AWWMis currentlyawaitingfitmentofnewu/clegs.

1516—KenEllisreportsthatactualinformationhas comeoutofStrandRoadPrestononthecomplex stateofaffairssurroundingtheprototypePetrel G-AXSFandtheBACApprenticemachineG-BACA. ApparentlywhilstG-AXSFwaswithYorkshireSailplanesin1973/4severalBACemployeeswerehelping thefirmwiththedevelopmentoftheBG.135glider. Whilsttheywerethere,itoccurredtothemthatthe PetrelmightbeasuitableprojectfortheBACApprenticesatPreston—thustheytooktheidea(notthe actualhardware)toPreston.TheApprenticeSchool atPrestonrejectedtheoriginalPetreldesignasbeing impracticableandsetaboutanewdesignonlyloosely basedonthePetrel—registeredG-BACAquite properlyasaBACPetrel.Currentlyconstructionis wellunderwayandthemachinewasenginerunning latelastyear.Meanwhiletheoriginalmachine,GAXSF,isbelievedtohavemovedtoClevelandSailplanes,andispresumedtobeabandoned.

1530—TheKestrelFlyingGroupwasformedin 1967inCardifftobuildaCurrieWot.Accordingly theGroupstartedbuilding,andfinishedthewingsand tail.Atthisstagearethinkwasundertakenandthe groupcameupwithastretchedWot—theresultwas theKestrelSport.Unfortunatelylittleprogresswas made,andtheoriginalwingsarenowstoredwith GlynWilliams.

1584—SidMileshassoldhisStolpStarletG-AZTV toPeterRussell,towhomitwasregisteredon1-4-76, andinwhosehandsitvisitedSywellontheSunday fromitsnewbaseatSturgate.

3507—JohnWhiting'sTailwindG-BDAPmadeits firstpublicappearanceattheEastMislandsStrut RallyatHucknellinMay,beforestealingthehonours atSywell.Ofsuchasuperbpieceofworkwhatmore canonesay!

7007—We'vereadsomuchaboutitelsewhereover thepastcoupleofyearsinPF,itwasveryniceindeed toactuallyseetherealthingliveandinthefleshasit were!RobertLowetrailedhisVP-IG-BDAHupto Sywell,andsoweunderstand,itwasfullysignedup thepreviousday—soweawaitnewsofitsmaiden flightwithinterest.Incidentally,thePFAconstructors numberisactuallypaintedontherearfuselage"ala Frog"as7-007—shadesofJamesBond,perhaps!

1610—WewereverypleasedtohearofthereappearanceatBartonrecentlyoftheRollason-built TurbulentG-ASHT.OnceafamiliarpartoftheTiger ClubTurbTeam,itcrashednearFlarrogateon1-5-71. It hasnowbeencompletelyrebuilt,andshouldhave flownbythetimethesewordsappearinprint.

1629—ThisTurbprojectwasinfactallottedtoa Mr.J.vanDoreninSouthAfrica,butwehaveno knowledgeofwhetheritwascompleted.

1639-40—Thesetwoprojectnumberswere,we understand,allocatedtoFalconarsales.

3504—Tailwindsareappearingthickandfastthese days,andthelatesttoappearistheAJEP-built specimenG-BALRofR.L.Hughes—reportedat KidlingtoninApril,anddeliveredtoSouthendduring May.

13-10020—TheBarraclough/Storeyrebuildofthe MewGullG-AEXFisproceedingverywellindeed, andsoweunderstandiswellaheadofschedule.

01-10024—Previouslyunallocated,wearenowinformedthatthisprojectisaCavalier—constructor unknown.

08-10030—ConfirmationfromDickyBirdthatthis isinfactanAerosportQuailproject—hencethetype prefixis08.

20-10034—MikeBeachhasnowregisteredhisSE5A ReplicaprojectasG-BDWJ.

21-10035—Wehavemoreinformationtohandon JohnPenny'slatestcreation—hisPennyTriplane Replica.Thewingsandfuselagearecurrentlynearly complete,andJohnintendsgivingittheappropriate nameof"PennyBlack".Itisinfactaside-by-side2seaterandwillapparentlybestressedfor-19/-3g. Johnispresentlylookingforasuitableradialengine.

32-10066—ApparentlyDickyBirdsuppliedMr.W. WilliamswithasetofAerosportScampdrawings, afterMr.Williamshadregisteredhisprojectasa FalconarF-11—thustheprojectshouldbeamended.

33-10070—OriginallythoughttobeaChasle Tourbillon,andsinceregisteredasFalconarF-I1GBDPL,wecannowconfirmthatthisisdefinitelya FalconarF-11(andthusshouldcarrythetypeprefix 32/..).Itiscurrentlyatanadvancedstageandis coveredandpainted.

27-10055—Thoseofyouwhowonderedwhythe IsaacsSpitfireG-BB.11wasnotatSywellwerenot alone!Theanswerisquitesimple—ithasbeendismantledforshipmenttotheUSAinordertoappear atthe1976OshkoshRally—averylaudablething, butwedohopeitcomesback

14-10059—WiththeunfortunatedemiseofSportair lastWinter,thefutureofthisBedeBD-5projectmust beinsomedoubt.

41-10106—Alongwithmanyofyou,nodoubt,Iwas fullofadmirationfortheWhittakerMW-2G-BDDX, whichcametoSywellonanartic.andtaxyedaround

G-BDAPIfullysignedoutatSrivell

theairfield.Evenmorepleasedperhapstohearthatit hadmadeitsfirstflighttheverydaybeforeSywell1-7-76,atSt.Mawgan.WewishMessrs.Whittaker andRobertsonalltheverybestforthetestprogramme.

29-10141—RonYates'FredG-BDSAistaking shapeatBoston—itfeaturesamongstotherthingsa roundedfinandrudder.

42-10163--Theproblemsurroundingtheexacttype ofG-BDUXhasbeenpartlysolvedbytherevelation thatthePFAprojectislistedasaMotor-Tutor--thus itisalmostcertainlyaT-3IBconversion.

64-10171—FirstglimpseofaSteenSkyboltfor manyofuswasthefuselagewhichappearedonexhibitionatSywell.

OtherProjects

G-ASAALutonMinor--Weweredelighted sosee theArthurOrd-FlumemadeLutonG-ASAAmake whatmusthavebeenitsfirstappearanceataPFA Rally,sincethatvintagedoatRochesterin1963,when itturnedupatSywell.Aftermanyyearsinstorageat Ancaster,Lincs.,ithasrecentlybeenrevivedat Boston.

G-BDWMMustang—Registered on3-5-76toD.C. BonsallofSutton-in-Ashfield,Notts.wasG-BDWM —aMustangReplica.Whetherthisisagenuinescale MustangorjustanotherMidgetMustangisnotyet known.

G-BAPCLutonMinor—We hearfromKenEllis thattheMinorG-BAPCisreputedtohavethewings fromG-AEPD,whichisaveryhistoricanimal-morenewsisawaited!

El-AVYEvansVP-I—Following onfromthe mentionofIrishprojectsinRobinOwedsStrutNews intheJuly-AugustPF,somemoreIrishnewshascome tolight.Startingoffwearepleasedtoreportthefirst flightofMickDonohue'sVolksplaneEI-AYY—the eventtookplaceatKilkenny/Castlebridgeon19-4-76. SecondVP-ItoflywillbeEI-BBDwhichisnow complete,andshouldhaveflowninAugustor September.AsmentionedbyRobinthesecond BrendonFeeleyprojectEl-BREisinfactanEAAP-2 BiplaneratherthananotherVP-1.Earlierthisyearthe wingswerereadyforcoveringandthefuselageandtail wereallweldedup.

Gyros

G-AXRCCricket—Sold toK.W.HayratBinbrook on27-2-76.

G-AIRDCricket—One ofthemoreinteresting thingstocomeoutofIanCallier'sepictripsto MoroccotorescuetheVagabondCN-TVY,wasthe factthattheCampbellCricketG-AYRDwhichwas soldtoMoroccosometimeavoisstillinexistence.It iscurrentlyhanvaredwiththeMoroccanAirForceat RabatandisstillinBritishmarks.

G-ASEALutonMinor—Whot mustbeoneofthe amusingstoriesforsometimeconcernsLaurieMansfield'sMinorG-ASEA—afewweeksbackMikeStapp sufferedanenginefailure,whichresultedinaforced landinginshallowwateroffShorehambeach.The sightofthea/csittinginsuchanundignifiedapose withsuchanappropriateregistration(!)mustsurely beacandidatefor"UncleRoger's"page—ifindeeda photographexists.Theoutcomeofthisfishytaleis evenmoreremarkableinthattheMinorwasflying againwithin11days--makesyouthink,don'tit...!

G-AYKBBedeBD 4—ThelastweheardoftheBede G-AYKBwaswhenitwasstoredatSouthallCollege ofTechnology.Wewerethusrathersurprisedtohear thataBedeBD-4hadappearedatShobdonrecently. InfactthisisindeedG-AYKBwhichfirstwentto Brookemore-BedeatBrierlyHill,andhassince appearedatShobdoninprimerfinish,withvirtually completefuselage--instrumentsalreadyinstalled. IncidentallytalkingofBedeaircraftweheardrecently ofaBedeBD-5whichwasbeingbuiltbyaUSoil-rig manatHalfpennyGreen—ithasnowbeenshippedto theStates.Doesanyoneknowanyfurtherdetails?

G-BBBUPittsS-1D- -Anotherlirst-timevisitorto Sywell76wastheHarnessPittsSpecialG-BBBU— yetanotherhomebuilttoemergefromBoston,which israpidlybecomingthecentreofsuchactivity in that partoftheworld.

New Projects

62-10182EvansVP1—L Collins,34ClevelandSt., Taunton,Somerset.

62-10183EvansVP1—R. F.Shingler,ForestFarm, Westbury,Nr.Shrewsbury,Salop,SY59RP.

55-10184TaylorMonoplane—K. K.Scott,5Orchard Estate,Lr.Downharn,Ely,Cambridgeshire.

55-10185TaylorMonoplane—D. Barber,4WorcesterAvenue,Leyland,Lancs.

67-10186SopwithTabloidSS1—D. Cashmore,32 ReginaCrescent,Ravenhead,Notts.

14-10187BedeBDS—A. Nowicki,TheOldVicarage. Wysall,Nottingham.

51-10188LutonMinor—T. J.Ostley,Flat1,Warden Mount,WesthillRoad,Ryde,IsleofWight.

55-10189TaylorMonoplane—K. Wigglesworth,5 Meadway,Flighburton,Huddersfield.

68-10190MASChargerSports—R. G.Maidment, Needeep,RickmansLane,Plaistow,Sussex.

60-10191TaylorTitch--R. S.Travis,5Somerton Drive,Hatfield,Woodhouse,Nr.Doncaster.

69-10192PazmanyP12—P. H.Chamberlain,14 MoatLane,Wickersley,Rotherham.

70-10193Osprey-—1. Zwetsloot,GreatNorthRoad. Sandy,Beds.

10-10194BabyGreatLakes —B.Parkinson,16 FlardhornRoad,Poulton-le-Fyide,Lancashire.

09-10195PittsSpecial—R. M.Wilson,49Croft Road,Cosby,Leicester.

71-10196VickersFB-5Gunbus(Rep.)--Early ConstructionGroup,D.Deadman,8OnslowClose, ThamesDitton.

72-10197EAAAcroSport—G. McKee,41SunningdaleAvenue,Leeds17.

15-10198Sonerai—B. Chapman,14Churchill Road,Kilmacolm,Renfrewshire.

58-10199CurrieWot—A. G.Branch8.:P.Samuel, KitesNestFlouse,Bourton,Gillingham,Dorset.

73-10200BonsallMustang—D. Bonsai!,20SpringwoodViewClose,Sutton-in-Ashfield,Notts.

PopularFlying,September-October.197a

PermissiontoFlyOverseas byGeoffFarr

OurfriendsinCopenhagendidn'texactlysay "chicken",butitwasfairlystronglyimplied.Afterall, theyhaveflownOY-DAWtwicetoourfarmstripin CheshireandG-ASPFhasnotevenbeentoFrance withus.So,forthemomentweshoulderedasidethe problemofwhattodowiththreekids,andweset aboutmakingaplanforatripduring1976.Wedug outtheschoolatlasandrealisedthatinordertogetto CopenhagenwehavetooverflyliveCountries(orthe NorthSea).

ItwasatthispointthatIrememberedhavingreada hitaboutthisontheCofA.Itreadsasfollows:"TheaircraftshallnotbeflownoutsidetheUnited Kingdomunlessspecialpermissionhasbeenobtainedfromforeigncountriesforflightovertheir territories".

Straightforwardenough,youmightbeforgivenfor thinking,anditmusthavebeendonemanytimes beforebythepeopleIoncehearddescribedas"You intrepidaviation(1aappies".Wheredoyouobtain suchpermissionandtowhomdoyouapply?Thegood oldPFAwillknow,soonthe13thFebruaryIwrote toaskthem.Theysoonrepliedthattherespective LondonEmbassieswouldoblige.

Onthe2ndMarchIwrotetoeachEmbassythe sameletter.Notwanting tone usdowntoaspecific date,IaskedforthepermissiontocoverSpringand Summerof1976.TheletteralsogaveourCofA Number,aircrafttypeanddetailsofradioequipment carried.Thegistoftherepliesisasfollows:WestGermany: Wedonotknowanythingaboutthis. Weadviseyouwriteto:

Luftlahrt-Bundesamt, 3300Braunschweig, Flughafen. W.Germany.

Denniark: Youneednospecialpermissiontoovertly Denmark.sinceyourcountryisapartytotheChicago Convention.Ifyoudonotbelieveus,writetoThe BritishEmbassyinCopenhagen.

France: Pleasewritetothefollowingaddress: "Servicedelaformationaeronautique", Sectionlicenceetregistres. 246rueLecourhe, 75732Paris,Cedex15.

Belgium:You neednospecialpermissionhutplease carryyourCofA.landataCustomsairport and file anadvanceBightplan.

Holland- Pleasewriteto:-HoofdLuchvaartinspectie. Postbus7555, Schiphol-Oost. Amsterda

Sothewritingbitstarted again andbynowitwas theendofMarchIwrotetoalltheaddressesgiven above.InthecaseofDenmarkIaddressedmyletter simply.andinEnglish:

TheCivilAviationAuthority. Copenhagen, Denmark. TobelgiumIaddressedmyletterto:— Administrationde1Aeronautique. AerodromeDeHaren, Bruxelles13.

Thisisanaddressgiventomesomeyearsagoandin theabsenceofallyotherImightaswelluseit.You mightthinkthatIshouldhavebeensatisfiedwithmy repliesfromtheEmbassiesofDenmarkandBelgium. butattinsstageIwasstillkeentodothejobabsolutelycorrectly.Weallliveandlearn.Myfirstreply camefrom Copenhagen. AelmrmingletterinEnglish givingmeallIcouldwish.Thepermissionwasgiven tocoverSpringandSummer1976withthevery reasonableconditions:

I.Athirdpartyliabilityinsurancemustbein force.

2.TheconditionslaiddownbyourownCAAin respectoftheaircraftmustbeadheredtowhilst flyinginDenmark. ThencamethereplyfromHolland.Iwon'tgointo details,butIhaveneverbeentoldtohugger-offquite sonicely,orinsuchimpeccableEnglish.Ourentire householdhasgonerightoffDutchCheese.

I.inmynaiveway.thoughtthisCommonMarket businesswasgoingtomakeallsortsoftrafficeasier. IthasbeensuggestedtomethattheDutchhavehada sickenerofwoodenaeroplanesfromtheUK.since severalfieldswerefilledwiththemataplacecalled ARNHEMandtheyarehavingnomoreatanyprice Theplanhasnowbeenrevised.Weshallnowbe obligedtoflyfromBelgiumtoGermanyandalongthe German/DutchBorder,alternatelyblowingraspberriesandshouting"LOCKHEED".WestGermany's replycameand,cifcourse,itwaswritteninGermanas youmightexpect.Sincewehavetostrugglewiththe English.westoodnochancewiththeGermanuntilwe rememberedthatourvillagehadretainedoneofthem fromtherecentunpleasantness.forjustsuchan occasion.Sonowweknowthatwecangothrough Germany.

Therewereafewmoreconditionsbutnoneofthem irksome.Francerepliedintheaffirmative,butin Frenchofcourse,sothekidstookthatonetoschool 'ortranslation.Moreconditions,butagainnotirkome,thoughtheydoaskthatthisofficialpermitbe returnedtothemwhenitexpireson15thSeptember, 976.FromBelgiumwehavehadasyetnoreplyand intheabsenceofonewillusetheearlierEmbassy letterandactabitcountrified.Bytheway,doesanyone want3extrakidsforthelastweekinJune?

JohnBeeswax's id efiteC VINTAGE NEWS

RescueofanAvian

Aftermanyyearsofstorageunderlayersofguano andcementdust,acornpleteAvroAvian.builtin1928 andstillwithmostofitsoriginalfabricstillintact,has atlonglastbeenrescuedbyVintageAircraftClub memberMauriceRockclifEmanagingdirector of YorkshireLightAircraftLtdatYeadon.Duringthe lightaeroplaneboominthetwenties.theA.V.Roe companyproducedthetwoseaterAvianbiplaneto competewiththealreadyestablishedDeHavilland GipsyMothandpilotsweresponsored,tocarryout recordbreakingflights.topublicisethenewmachine. Notableamongstthesewasthegreatlongdistance flierBertHinklet,whoflewhisAviantoAustraliaand backinrecordtime,toprovethereliabilityofAvro1s product.DespitethefactthatmanyAviansweremade andsold,veryfewexisttodayandtherearenonein flyingconditionintheU.K.,hencethenewsofMr Rockclinprojectisextremelyexcitinginvintage aircraftcircles.

OriginallyregisteredEl-AAB,theaircraftwas numbertwoonthecivilIrishregisterbeforebeing re-importedintotheU.K.afewyearslaterand assignedtheregistrationG-ACGT.Althoughcomplete,apartfromamissingmagnetoandcarburettor, theairframeandenginehaveonlyjustbeenrescuedin timefromasituationwherefurtherdeteriorationin unsatisfactorystorageconditionswouldhavemade restorationtoflyingconditionsimpossible.Asitis. thejobwillbeanextremelylongone.

Resistingalltemptationtostriptheentirestructure fordetailinspection,theworkisbeingcarriedout componentbycomponentinaworkshopsetup withinthehangaratLeeds.Thisstagebystagetechniqueisvital,elseamountingjigsawofpartspileup andessentialstructuralreferenceislost,therebeing noplansavailable.Fortunatelythcsprucestructure isstillquitesoundandcanbemainlyrenovated,but mostoftheplywoodhasde-laminatedandmustbe replaced.Manyofthemetalfittingswillhavetobe renewed,binevenwhena part isscrappeditisstill essentialforreference.Muchoftheworkatthe momentismeasuringandsketchingeverythingfor thefutureassemblystage.ThefivecylinderGenet MajorIengine,despitehavinglaininapoolofwater withitsplugsremovedisinremarkablygoodinternal conditionandisobviouslyverylowhoured,makingit worthyofcompleteoverhaul.Thisfactalone.saysMr. Rockeliff,makestherestorationtoflyingconditiona practicalproposition.ALthepresenttimethefin, rudder,elevators,tailplaneanduppercentresection havebeenstripped,rebuiltandre-covered.Workis nowproceedingonthefuselagefromthedamaged sternsectionworkingforward.AtipoftheBeeswax hatandcongratulationsforcarryingoutsuchatough butworthwhilejob.

Thoughtfortheday

Thepresenationgentlemanwhopanickedand sawedthewingsoffMewGullG-AEXFshouldhave beenhungupbyhiscablesandhadhispulleys choppedoff

Oldworkhorses

Surprisingasitmayseem,therearestillafewaircraftbuiltinthethirtieshardatworkfortheirliving--moredetailsinthenextissueplusnewsofavintage aircraftradiowithatwovalvetransmitter—stay tuned.

FLYINGFORFUNfromAtoZ

Altimeters,ASK,AGS,Adhesives,Alternators. Betas,Brakes,Bolts,Batteries,Baffles,Brackets,Bushes. Condors,Carburettors,Cables,CylinderTempKits,Controls. Crankshafts,Canopies,Cotvlings,Cylinders,Compasses. Dope,Drives,Ducting.DrainValves.

Engines(Continental,Gipsy,Lycoming,Ardent).Extinguishers,ExhaustPipes.

Filters,FuelCocks,FuelPumps,Fittings,FlyingWires,Fabric,Fork Ends,Fasteners, Generators.0Meters,Gyros,Glue.Grommets,Gaskets,Gauges. arness,Ilinges.HompbuildersService

Instruments,InvertedSystems,InformationPackages,Inspection Panels, dodels,JubileeClips,Jets.

KitsCorVWconversionsantlCylinderTemperature. Leads,LogBooks,LandingLights. Magnetos,Manuals,MasterCylinders.MixtureControls. NavigationTights,Nameplates.Notices,Nuts.Needles. ORPressure,OilTemperatureGauges.0Rings.

Plans.Propellers,Plugs,Plywood,Pins,PitotIleads,Plexiglass. PulRys,Pistons_ QuickReleaseFasteners.

RevCounters.RateofClimbIndicators,RodEnds,Rings,Racmg specialists. tampes,SmoteSystems,Starters,Shackles.Spruce,Spinners, Switches,Spats,Screws.

Tigers,Turbulents,Tyres,Tubes.Turnbuckles,Tailwheels,Tanks, Tape.TowingFlooks.

Undercarriages.

VoltageRegulators,Venidamrs,VacuumPurnpt,Valves, Wheels,Wires,Windscreens.

XeroxCopyingService. OurellqUiriesarealwaysss&come. Zeroengineoverhauls.

writs,callorvisit

ROLLASONAIRCRAFTANDENGINESLIMITED BRIGHTON,HOVE&WORMINGJOINTMUNIC.AIRPORT, SHOREHAM-BY-SEA,SUSSEX,BN45E1

Telephone,Shoreham-by-Sea(Sussex)62680

Thestableone—thepeoplemover

Despiteanearlymorninghaze,thepromiseof anotherwarm,sunnydayhungintheairoverBoston likethescentofhawthornblossomasLeasedmyself intoarearseatoftheThruxtonJackerooG-A01R behindMauriceBrett.Thiswasmyintroductiontothe fourseatervariantoftheD.1-1.TigerMothandIwas eagertoseehowsheperformedwithafullcomplement offouradults.Whilefasteningthelapstrapsonecould nothelpbutnoticetheampleamountofroominthe cockpitandthesuperball-roundvisibilityasthe canopywassecured.Mauricetaxiedouttothecorner ofBostonairfield'sgreenswardandopenedupthe GipsyMajortofullpowerforthetake-olT.Despite thesixinchgrasswewereairborneandclimbingaway at60kts.,within300yard*-andthiswithalmostcalm conditions—clearproofofbi-planeefficiencyatlow speed.weight

G-A01RhadbeenbuiltatThruxtonin1957from wartimeTigerMothparts.TheTigerfuselageand centresectionwerewidenedandlengthenedtoaccommodatetheextratwoseatsandawelldesigned. glazedcockpitcanopysmoothedtheairflowaround theresultingbulge.Wingsandempennageareall standardTigerMothparts.Aftermanyyearsatthe flyingschoolatThruxtonand3300hourslaterthe aircraftwassoldtoMauriceBrettin1968.Fiveyears latertheJackeroowasdismantledandcompletely overhauledandre-covered.Thecolourschemeof silverwithredandwhitetrimgivesheradistinctive appearance.sofamiliaratourVintageAircraftClub meetings.

Whenwehadlevelledoutinthecruiseat65kts.. MauriceBrettallowedmetosamplethecontrolsand IcanhonestlysaythatIhaven.everflownamorestable

aircraft.NowaTigerMothisacomparitavelystable machine,buttheextralengthoffuselageinthe Jackerooproducesafeelthatoneassociatedwith muchlargeraircraftandshereallystaysinthe attitudeinwhichsheisput,makingheranidealcrosscountryplatformforfourpeopleinalmostfeet-up comfort.ReturningtotheairfieldwithBoston's Stumpaconspicuouslandmarkonthehorizon. Mauriceturnedontotheapproachat65kts.andsat theoldbirdgentlybackonthegrassrunway.Without brakes,wingtipshadtobemanhandledtoswingthe machinearoundinconfinedparkingspaces,thiswork providingawelcomediversiontoClubmemberswho arealerttothepeculiaritiesofolderaircraft.Aswe vacatedourcomfortableseatsMauricesmilingly agreedthattheJackeroofeelsalotbiggerthanher 38ft.wingspan.

MauriceBrettgivestheMonthsuppriortoanother flightinG-AOIR.AsGutheseenthereispieta)ofroom inthecockpit.

(Photo:A.Chalkley)

lliravtonlatk000aircraliciiLinrotethelengthenedfuselagewelwell.latredcockpit

(Photo:A.Chalkier)

ProgressReportonTipsyBe!fairG-APOD

byRonMiller

If youhaveafriendwhoshowssignsofhavingthese symptoms.Iwouldsuggestthatthemostkindlything youcoulddoforhimwouldbetogivehimaheavy sedativeandsendforthelittlemenwithwhitecoats, orphonethelocalPoliceandsuggestthatyourfriend isthespittingimageoftheIdentikitphotoonlast night'sPoliceFive.

Aeroplanes!Whydowegetinvolvedwith them?Sometimesthatisaratherdifficultquestionto answer.Ofcourse.theeasywayistosimplysaythat itisthesheerenjoymentofflyingthem,orperhapsthe prideofbeingabletotakepartinasportwhichis, tothegeneralpublic,stillregardedwithawe.Butwhen someofusreallystoptothinkaboutitandconsider theamount or time.effort,concentration,etc.(tosay nothingofmoney)whichwedevotetothishobby,the reasonsarenotreallyallthatclear.

Ithinkthisparticularlyappliestothosewho,like me,getinvolvedwithbuildingorre-buildingAircraft. Ifweonlywantedtoenjoytheactualflying,thenin spiteofthepresentdaycostofhiringclubaircraft,it wouldbefarsimplertodojustthatanddevotea minuteproportionofthetimeandeffortwhichone putsintotheirproject,intakingonapart-timejobin ordertoearnthemoneyrequired.Iestimatean approximatesaving of efforttobeintheregionof 95%.

Justthinkofit....timetodevotetolong-suffering wivesorgirlfriends,timetobeabletorelax,timeto beabletothingofotherthings time

Aaghh!!!

Yetno,inspiteofallthis,someofusdogetinvolvedwithaircraft.Wespendhours,weeks,months andyears,buriedawayinthebasement,tuckedaway intheloft,orhibernatingoutsideinthegarage,often workinginconditionsandcertainlyworkingsuch unsociablehours,thatnoonewouldeverworkforan employer(andIdon'tknowofanyemployerwho woulddaretoaskonetoworklikethis).

ButWEdoit.Don'taskmewhy.butwedoit! Evenmoreamazingly WEE/VJO Y IT!!!

Let'stakethecaseofG-APOD.InMarch1974,I wasmindingmyownbusinessandidlingawaythe time,thinkingabouttheoldTiger-MothIusedtoown manyyearsago, lookingoutofthewindow bluesky etc.,etc Likeahrst classbloodyfool.Ididn'trealisethattheinfectionwas beginningtognawatmeagain.Ireachedforthe telephone madeafewenquiries located theP.F.A.office,nowatShoreham.

Onetelephonecall.That'sallittook,acharming femininevoiceatthefarend.."Lookingforatwoseater?Well,let'ssee....Oh,yes.Youcouldtry Mr.*****hewastalkingaboutsellinghis....or there'sMr.***",Ithinkthatitisstillavailable.... etc.".

Thatwasit.Theinfectionhadnowgotagrip.I didn'tknowtheAntidote,soIgavein.Itelephoned Mr****andarrangedtogodowntoShorehamand lookattheTipsyBelfairG-APOD.

hadnosuchhelp,soIarrivedatShoreham,and therewastheBelfair.Lookedlinefrom a distance, didn'tlooktoobadwhencloseupeither,thepaintworkwasalmost Hew (theinfection,ofcourse,does tendto(lullone'ssensestoafewminorpoints,like thepaintjobbeingalmostthickandlookedlikeit hadbeenappliedbythelocalCorporation'sroadresurfacingcrew).Inspectionpointswerenon-existent andtheenginewouldnotstart,hutthatdidnotmatter becauseitwasfartoogustytoflyanyway(nearlylOkts.) butminorthingslikethatdon'tmatter,dothey? Almostonehourlater,theenginediddecidetocough intolifeanddemonstrateditsabilitytorunonthree, twoandfourcylindersbeforegoingbacktosleep.By thistimethephotographshadbeentaken,themental imagesofflyingintheblueyonderformed,andthe oneremainingmedicationforthesufferingpatient,is forthetwopartiestoagreeuponapurchasingprice. This was soondoneandthesellerevenofferedto delivertheaircrafttoBigginHill....BYAIR. UNDERITSOWNPOWER.Tosomeonesuffering fromthisstrangemaladyofwantingtoacquire, anotherairplane.thiswasthelastrights,theendto theimmediateagony

Laterthesamemonth,theBelfairarrivedatBiggin Hillasarranged,andfortunatelyalittlebitofcommon sensehadbeguntoseepthrough.Ihadbeenableto studythepaperworkalittlemorecloselyandfound thatthefabrichasbeenonforovertenyears,thatthe listofworkdonetotheenginewhenitwaslastoverhauledwasunsigned.Theadditionalweightofallthat pidnt,althoughprobablyahelpinkeepinghersteady whentethereddowninaforcetengale,wasnotlikely tobeofmuchassistanceingettingherairborne.Soit wasdecidedthatinspiteofhavinganotherthree monthstogoonthe"Permit"theBelfairwouldbe strippedandre-coveredbeforebeingflownagainthat summer.(Afterall,threemonthsshouldbeplentyof timetojuststickabitofnewfabricoveritand alve ita quickscheme"Z").

THATWASOVERTWOYEARSAGO!And she'snotfinishedyet.Atthisstage,ImustsaythatI wasfortunateatthattime,insomuchasCharles Lock,whoistheManagingDirectorofaB.M.W dealershipinChiswickandiswellknowninthe CompetitionWorldofCars&Motorcycling.He happenedtobemyemployeratthetime,andhas alwaysbeenveryinterestedinaeroplanes.Charles firstsuggestedthat,it-Iwantedtostriptheaircraft downsomewhere,thenwecouldprobablyfindroom foritinourplayshop(notworkshop),behindour showroomsinChiswick.Thisisanareareservedfor therenovationofCharles'manyvintageB.M.W. motorcars.

Justtoshowhowcontagioustheaforementioned infectionreallyis,thebugbegannowtonibbleaway atCharles Hebecameapartnerintheproject forthwith

Fuselagehoistedtothe roof outoftheway,and mainplan.esnicelysettleduponpaddedtrestles, we startedtoremovethefabric.

f!useloge (if1PODundergoing recOliclowlioli

(Photo.: RonMiller)

Tenyearsoldornot,itwasthetoughestbitof fabricI'veseenyet.Byandlarge,itwasjustaswell, becauseitwasthefabricthatwasholdingeverything elsetogether.Nodrainageholes.Notone,soevery trailingedgeplywoodfillethadtobereplaced.They didnotfalloff,theypracticallyjumpedoff,andthose thatdidn'tpreferredtoremainattachedtothefabric, nomatterhowcarefullyitwasremoved.

NOTE Toallbuilders,ofcoursewedon'twanttoget dampnessinsideastructure,butforPete'ssakegive itachancetogetoutwhenitdoesgetin.Draineyeletsgiveitachancetobreathe.

Aboutthistime,Ihadanothersliceofgoodfortune intheshapeofArthurOrd-Hume,whomtheP.F.A. informedmelivedalsointheChiswickarea.Ithink ArthurwillforgivemeifIsaythatlieisoneofthe "Originals"ofthePopularFlyingAssociation,andI hadnothadthepleasureofseeinghimformanya year(notsincethedaysofmyoldTigerMothinfact). Arthurhadnotchanged,neitherhadhissenseofGood Humour,inspiteofbeingverybadlyinflictedbythis dreadedinfection.Hepromptlyofferedtoactasmy inspector.Funnyhowsomepeoplehaveahabitof makingworksoundeasy "Ithink WE should justtakethisoffhereand hmmm-ni...yes,I thinkthiswillhavetobereplaced andthis, andthis",etc.,etc.Afteranhourorsoofthis Iwouldthenhaveaprogrammeofworktokeepme busyforafurtherlongspellofunsocialhours.With someonethathastheexperienceofoldaircraftthat Arthurhas,youdon'targue.Youjustgetonanddoit, andtherehasnotbeenonesingleinstance,sofar, whenanythinghehassuggestedbedone,has.not provedtobenecessary.

Necessary—nowthatisthekeyword.Necessaryfor what?Necessaryforsafecontinuationofflying operations?Well,yes,buttosomeonelikemyself,who hasbeenbadlybittenbytheaeroplanebug,youdonot simplystopatthat.Whilstitisperfectlysafetoleave aninspectedandpassedsection,suchasaply-covered finforexample,thereisaverystrongtendencyto removetheskinanyway,becauseitispantingalittle, andNOTtodoitinviewofalltheotherworkalready beingdone,doesseemalittlebitlikespoilingtheship foraha'pothoftar.And,sotheamountofworkwhich isactuallydone,farexceedstheamountwhichis necessary.

Now,havingdonethattothefinarea,wenexttake alookattheplyonthetailplane."Well,yes the timberappearstobeOK",andaftermuchprobing withverywickedlookingtools,whichnoonewould everseeexceptinthehandsofanaircraftinspector, andalotofpeeringinto'impossibletoseecorners' withaningeniousvarietyoflittlemirrors,theinspector thensays"GluelooksOK,too,probablyperfectly safe pityyoucan'tgetintheretogiveita furthercoatingofprotectivevarnish,withouttaking theplyoff....".Youthenlookatyournewly coveredand"Aerolited"finwhichhasalsogota beautifulprotectivecoatofpolyurethaneonallthe jointsinside andoffcomestheplyskinonthe tailplane

Bythetimeyouhavefinished,youhavejustabout rebuilttheentireaeroplane,andastherewereno drawingstogoby,therewastheaddedworkofcarefullyremovingeachpiece,cleaningupthesurfaces andusingitasapatternformakingthenewpart. Havingbeenconcernedinthepastwiththebuilding ofaTaylorMonoplaneandaCurrieWot,Icanassure youthatitisfarlessworktobuildanewaircraftthan torebuildanoldone.

Afewmonthsago,onaquietSundayafternoon,1 wasworkingontheairframeinChiswick,justputting afewbitsandpiecesonthebulkhead,whenIthought "WhatshallIdonext?"andwhen1lookedaround,1

PopularFlying,September-October,1976

couldnotfindanything!Slowly,veryslowly,it dawnedonmethattheairframewasmoreorless finished.Ofcourse,theWingshavetobefittedtothe fuselage,butthatcannotbedonehere,finallythat mustbedoneattheairfield.Idonotwanttoreplace thewindscreenjustyet.whichhasbeenrepairedand repolished,asthatwillonlygetmarkedbeforethe machineisreadytofly.Soatlastitistimetoturnto theEngine:—aWalterMicronMk.II.

Wellnow,itwouldbeasimplemattertobolton theenginebearers,hoistuptheengineandbeginto coupleeverythingup,afterall,itstillhasover300hrs. lefttogo,accordingtothelogbook.Butnoone afflictedwiththedreadedaircraftlergycouldrid themselvesoftheirproblemaseasilyasthis.Theaircrafthasbeenrebuiltandisalmostaspernew, thereforetheengine...etc.,etc.

Withoutmakingtoomuchofanissueofit,Iam verygladindeedthatthispolicywasadopted.Charles hadalreadyconstructedanenginestandwhichallows fortheenginetobeworkedon,inavarietyofpositions.WhenIcametodismantletheengine,Iwas ratherhorrifiedtofindanalmosttotallackoflocking wire,splitpinsortabsontab-washers,etc.Thetwo fuelpumpsalmostfelloff,infacttheWEIGHTofa spannerwassufficienttoremovethesecuringnuts. Threeassortedtypesofsparkplugshadbeenfitted. ValveguidesweresosloppythatIamsurprisedthat thevalvesfoundtheirwaybackontotheirownseats. Pistonringshadgapsrangingupto76Thou.,(six timesmorethannormal)andthetopcompression ringswereworntooftheirnormalthickness.

WhentheCrankcasecoverwasremoved,the interiorwasreallybeautiful,everythinglockedupand splitpinned,justasitshouldbe,buthavinggotsofar welllet'shavealookatthebigendandmain bearings,andwhileweareaboutit,let'sgetthe crankshaftcracktested andsoitgoeson! MagnetoessentbacktoBosch,andtheyhavedonea magnificentjobonthem.Theyevenlocatedapairof screeneddistributorcovers,sonowthatmeansthat screened12mmplugs,plugcoversandleadsmustnow befound...hohum...hohum!!

Thistime,theenginere-assemblyworkisbeing carriedoutunderthewatchfuleyeofDougBianchiof PersonalPlaneServicesatBooker,whosehelpand advicethroughouthasbeeninvaluable.Howhefinds timetoassistonprojectslikethis,andstillruna successfulanduniquebusinessisamazing.Ofcourse, Dougdoesnotsimplysufferfrombeingbittenbythe AircraftBug heisprobablyoneofthesources ofitsorigination.

Thereisstillalottobedone.Pistonringstobe found,coppercylinder-headgasketstobemade,oil tank,pipes,cables,clips,engineinstallation,wing assembly,groundtesting,etc.,etc.Tosaynothingof thepaperwork,butIfeelsomehowthatIamslowly

MikeHallamthingG-APODwhenitwasownedbythe SouthernStrutFlyinggroup.

(Photo.:MikeGrigson)

MORE"POWERTOTHEPEOPLE" DearSir,

Yourcontributor,DavidGroom,inhisarticle "PowerforthePeople"willprobablyhavestirredupa lotofcorrespondence.Therewillneverbethecompleteanswertothisquestfortheidealsmallengine, butthesearchiscertainlyinteresting!1havebeen engagedinthesearchsincebeforeWorldWar[I, havingbeenflyingonamotorcycleengineinthose days.Irecallthefirst"LutonMinor",withitsinverted"V"twinAnzaniengine,anenginesellingfor airuseat£45.Ithinkitwasrathervibratory,dueto thenatureof"V"twins.Iexperimentedwitha980cc JAPtwin.

In1947myexperimentswenttoverysmallsizes. Usingthelittletwo-cylindertwo-strokeenginethat washousedinthenoseoftheGermanjetenginesas thebasis,Imadeasortof"outboardengine"fora glider.Thetotalweightoftheunit,includingfuelfor tenminutes,was24Ibs.Thismustsurelybetheonly timeanaircrafthasbeenflownonastartermotor! Whydiditnotgofurther?Atthattimetherewasconsiderableantagonismtotheideaofauxiliarypowerin gliders,bythe"purists".Timeshavechanged;perhaps onedayIwillresusticatemyplansforthisminimal installation,withre-startfacility,foldingpropellor, etc.

However,todayIamcertainlynotinclinedtowards motor-cycleengines,andIfeelthenoiseoftwo-strokes isalwayslikelytobeagainstthem.Thisisnotnecessarilybecausetheyactuallymakemorenoise,but becauseitisdifferent.Certainly,theMcCulloch& Meteor-AlfaenginesthatIoccasionallyusearequite unacceptableforregularuse,andtheycannotreadily besilenced.Ofcourse,inconsiderationofanyengine, onehastoensureareallyadequatecrankshaft strength,ifadirect-drivepropelleristobeused.The gyroscopicfOrcesinvolvedcaneasilyleadtofailure, andlossofthepropeller,onaninadequateshaft.Also, propellernoisefromahigh-revving,directdriveengine, canequalthatofatwo-strokeexhaust,asIfound 011 theotherwiseverysatisfactoryWallis"Aero-Imp" enginesofthelate"sixties-.Whilethereisobviously acasetobemadeforalow-revvingpropeller,bysome formofreductiongear,thereisincreasedweight (includingthatofthepropeller)andcomplication.A furtherfactor,whichcanbequiteseriousbutthat seldomseemstobeconsideredindiscussions,isthe increasedtorquereactionofthelarge,lowRPM system.

Mr.Groomfinallygivesconsiderationtotheconventionalaero-engine,butreducedtotwin-cylinder orm.Here,Ithinkthereisagoodanswer:suchau engine,intheformofthefully-certifiedFanklin 2A-120(60hp,at3200rpm,for1261hs.weight)was availableintheU.K.for£400.Ihavebeenoperating theseenginessince1971.Withafewmodificationsto suitthemfortheautogyrorole,Ihavefoundthem smoothandquietonlongflights.Buthowmany amateurconstructorsboughttheseengines?Were Franklinjustifiedinprovidingsuchanengineforthe amateur,onlytofindtheydidnotsell?

Certainly,Mr.Groomcanbeassuredthatthe thoughtofa"half-0-240"Rolls-Royceenginehas beenunderdiscussionbetweenmyselfandCrewe's "AeroWizards–foroverfouryears.1wouldvery muchhavelikedtousesuchanengine,whichwould betheBritishequivalentoftheFranklin,formy

recordattempts.Theideawasalsosupportedby DavidAntill,asapossibleengineforthe"Nipper". However,onecanhardlyexpecteventhesimpledevelopment,toolingandCertificationofsuchan enginetobeundertakenbyanybusiness-likecompany unlesstheywerelikelytobeassuredofreasonable sales.Asitis,Rolls-RoyceMotors,Ltd.,supportthe amateurmovementbyprovidingtheircurrentlight aircraftenginesonfavourableterms.Atwo-cylinder versionwillnecessarilycostmorethanhalfofthefourcylinder,sowecannotexpectanymajor"breakthrough"there.Nodoubt,ifthereweresignsofa worthwhilemarketfortheengineitislikelywewould seeoneproduced.1haveexpressedmywillingnessto assistinanywaypossible.Thereappeartobenomajor technicalproblemsto"halving–an0-200oran0-240. 1favourthelatter,becauseofthemoremodern cylinderheaddesign,andthebetterpower/weight ratiolikelytobeachieved.Further,quitealotofthe technicalworkonthisenginehasalreadybeendone.

So,Ithinkitislargelyuptopotentialuserstolet theirinterestbeknown.Ishallcertainlybepleasedto takethematterfurther,havinghadsomemost promisinglylowfuelconsumptionfiguresfrommy present0-240enginedautogyro,andsomeexperience ofthe"big,flat,twins"!

Yourssincerely, Wg.Cdr.K.H.WALLIS,

C.Eng.,M.R.Ae.S.,R.A.F.,Ret'd. REYMERSTONHALL, NORFOLK,NR94QY

PIETENPOLAIRCAMPERDRAWINGS

DearSirs,

Asyouareaware,theaboveaircraftismyproject (1506).Overthelastcoupleofyears,considerable interestinthistypehasbeenshownbyseveralwouldbebuilders.Amongstmypapers,Ihaveaplanslist, admittedlyaboutthreeyearsold,whichlistsAirCamperGW1plansasavailablefromJ.W.Grega.

YoumayalreadyknowthattheseplansfromGrega containalargenumberof'Cubparts,readilyobtainableinthe'States',butscarceashen'steethoverhere. Thismakestheconstructionofthisprojectamuch morecostlyaffairthanexpectedbyapotentialbuilder.

Pleasenotethatforanyonewishingtobuilda PIETENPOLAirCamper—theOriginal,theaddress fromwhichplanscanbesuppliedis:

13.H.PIETENPOL,

CherryGrove,SpringValley,Minnesota,55975. Ifyouwouldpleasemakethisknowninthefuture youwouldbedoingBernardFLPietenpolaservice forwhichhedeserves.I'msurethisomissionfromthe planslistisaccidentalonthepartofP.F.A.,B.H. Pietenpol,beingthemodestpersonthatheis,doesnot runanyformofadvertisingcampaigntosellhisplans, butinstead,reliesontheaircraft'sreputationover manyyearsofflyingintheU.S.A.,togetherwith word-of-mouthforsales.

Inlookingforwardtoyouramendedentryon futureplanslists,Itakethisopportunityofthanking allofyoufortheexcellentworkdoneonbehalfofour association.

YoursfaithfuIly, JIMWILLS

IHUMBERROAD, BLACKFIFAIII, S.F.37LT

DearSir,

ThedeHavillandMothClubwasestablishedatthe endof1975,the50thAnniversaryofthemaidenflight oftheprototypeDH60MothfromStagLaneAerodrome.

MembershipoftheDHMCisopentoallDHenthusiastsonaworld-widebasis,andtheprincipalaim oftheClubistoprovideapoolofinformationregardingtheavailabilityortherequirementofspare engineandairframeparts,aswellastechnicaldiscussionandalegislativemonitoringservicetoallDI-1 owners.

THEDHMCnewsletter "Enterprise- isissuedona regularbasistomembers,andcarriesnewsofall activitiessurroundingDHaircrafttypeseligiblefor MothClubmembership:--

DH51

DH53HummingBird

DH60Moth

DH80PussMoth

DH82TigerMoth (alsoJackarooandQueenBee)

DH83FoxMoth

DH84Dragon

DH85LeopardMoth

DH87HornetMoth

DH88Comet

DH89DragonRapide

DH90Dragonfly

DH94MothMinor

Wedonotconfinemembershiptoaircraftowners. Anyonewithaninterestinmaintainingthegeniusof GeoffreydeHavillandandhisfamilyoflightaeroplane designsaliveintheformofairworthyaeroplanes,is welcome.MembersalreadyincludeformerDHemployeesandthecurrentHawkerSiddeleyApprentice Association,pre-war,wartimeandcurrentflying instructorsonDEItypes,museumswithDHexhibits, authorsandjournalists.

DHMCwouldhegratefulifprospectivemembers wouldindicatewhethertheyownaDHMCType, wereapreviousowner,haveflownMothsorwhether theyhaveworkedforthedeHavillandAircraftCo.or anyotherCompanyorForce(e.g.RAF)involved withmanufacture,maintenanceoroperationofany DFIMClistedtype.

ThemembershipfeeisaminimumofEl.00.

Yourssincerely,

DHMC, TANGMERE, 16 THATCHF,RSDRIVE, MAIDENHEAD, BERKSHIRE, SL63PW ***

PIZMANYPL-4A

STUARTMCKAY

DearSirs,

AnotherSywellhasgoneby,againaterrificsuccess, thelocationisrightandtheweatherthisyearwaskind tous,apartfromtheoddspotofthunder.Theturnout ofvisitorsthisyearwasgood,especiallyfromthe Continent,withoverfiftyforeignaircraft,makinga trueInternationalRally.

However,thisyear'sRallyseemedmarredbythe completefailureofthecampingandcateringfacilities.

Onthecampingside,thesiteiswelllocated,butcan youjustify70penceanightwithonlyonetapandan openfield?Onecannotexpecthundredsofpeopleto arrivefromallpartsofthecountryandthcContinent andhavenowheretowashatall.OurContinental friendswereparticularlyupsetatthecompletelackof facilities.Surelysomethingcouldhavebeendone, howevercrude,eventhetoiletsintheMotelwere locked.Wherewerepeoplesupposedtowash?The sightofsomeFrenchfriendswashingbyanoutside tapintheMotelwallwasonethatgavememuch embarrassment.

Theothermysterytomewas,whycamperswere beingturnedawayonSaturdaynightwith"Campsite Full-noticeswhentherewasroomfor hundreds of tents.

ThecateringhasalwaysbeenfirstclassatSywell, firstclassfoodatreasonableprices.Withthisinmind, nofoodwasbroughtbyus.Thisyear,however,there wereproblensandthecateringwaslefttooutside contractorswhofailedmiserablytosupplythegoods.

ThescenesintheMotelwereparticularlyunpleasant;asContinentalvisitorstriedtoobtainbreakfastandwererudelyejectedonSaturdayandSunday morningbecausetheywerenotresidents!Manyof thosewillnotreturn.Badhospitalitymakesamore lastingimpressionthanalltheflying.

Ontheairfieldside,thingswentreallywell.The organisationwasexcellent,buttheSywellCommittee mustcomedowntograssrootslevelfornextyear's Rally—theMotelisnotbigenoughforall—facilities havetobemadetocaterforeveryone.

Lookingforwardtonextyear'sRally.

Yoursfaithfully,

C. C.LOVELL IVY LODGE, IVYLANE,WESTEND, SOUTHAMPTON,HANTS.

REJULY-AUGUSTEDITION

DearSir,

DearSirs.

WhilereadingthearticleonthePazmanyPL-4AI noticedthatitstatesthatithasfoldingwingswhich enableyoutotowtheaircraftbehindyourcarand keepitathome.

ThatmaybesointheU.S.A.BUTintheU.K. 8footisoverthelegalmaximumwidthforatrailer whichistowedbehindaprivatecar.Themaximum permittedwidthofatrailerbeingtowedbehinda vehicleofwhichtheunladenweightislessthan2Tons is7ft.6ins.

Yourssincerely, JoliN DUNFORD

2 CAMDENAVENUE, FETTHAM, MIDDx,TWI35AZ

PopularFlying,September-October,1976

Iwasintriguedtoseetheself-righteousbutnonethe-lessjustifiedcomplaintonPage24oftheJulyAugusteditionregardinginnacurateinformationgiven byRallyOrganiserstotheEditorialStaff.Thisfault isnotonlyaStrutproblemhowever,aslastyear's Sywell75Internationalshowed.ThenoticeIreceived statedthattheGatechargewasEl.50inc.programme, andyettheprogrammesellerswereapparentlyunawareofthis!

WhenItackledthemIwastoldtherewereabout threedifferent'Official'piecesofpaperbeingwaved atthembyiratemembers.Now,/don'tmindputting anextra25pintothecoffersofanAssociationthatI believein,butIdoobjecttohavingtoexplainthe situationtoahostoffriends,Ipersuadedtogounder theirownsteam.

ItisapityweallpaylipservicetoPublicity,and yetcontinuetoalienatethepeopleweneed,the public.

AndwhatdoyoumakeoftheStrutco-ordinator thatrefusesoffersofcopyingfacilitiesashefeelshis 15

scruffyofferingservesadmirablyasaNewsletter,as - ifwegettooprofessionalwebegin 10loose thegrass rootsandforgetwhatitisallabout".

Idon'tgetthisimpressionwhenIlookatcopiesof theFAA'smagazine SPORTAVIATION.

Ihastentoaddthattheco-ordinatorconcerned appearstometobeafantasticallycommittedand thrustingorganiser,BUThowaboutsomeacceptance byallofficersinthePFAthatatthemomentwe STILLlooktothepubliclikeabunchofamateurs, anduntilwegetsomeslickness(Iknow,another Colonialexpressionwecandowithout)inour presentation,thatishow Wewill remain.

Yourssincerely,

thosewhovolunteered—almosthalfdidn'tappearto dotheir2hourstint.Wedidmanagetocovermost jobsby"pullingpeopleinoffthestreet",althoughby Sundaythingsweregettingoutofhand.

Fornextyearwewillhavetore-thinkthelabour system.Thecommitteeforthe1977rallywillsoonbe formed,andtheywouldliketohearyourideasfor organisingthework,and,ofcourse,yourofferof helpfor1977.Anycooksamongyou???Iwould liketoseemembers'cateringhackinmembers'hands, offeringgoodfoodatfairprices.

Yourideasandsuggestionstomeattheaddress beloworthroughthePFAoffice.

Yourssincerely.

SYWELLVOLUNTEERS

DearSirs, AsthesunsetsonSywell76,webegintothinkof Sywell77.

ThePFAhashaditsannualrallyatSywellforthe past 7years,eachyeartherallyhasbecomemore successfulandenjoyedbymoremembers.

Thesuccessisduetothehardworkofafewmembers.Eachyearyouseethesameoldfaces,puttingup thefences,diggingtheloos,cookingthe"Nosh'',etc. Thisyearafewofthehardcoreworkersdecidedto takeabackseat.Withoutthem,wewerehardpushed tokeepthingsgoingItwashopedthattheStruts wouldplayalargerpartintherunningoftherally,as theyusedtointhepast.Unfortunatelytheyfailedto replytorequestsforhelp.

Astherallydrewnear,withstillnooffersofhelp, ourChairmanhadtheideaofofferingfreeentrytothe rally,forthehrst60whovolunteeredtheirservices for2hoursovertheweek-end.Theresultwas70 volunteers(allofwhomreceivedfreeentry).Thisdid easetheheadache,butwithregret.Ihavetosay,of

CONSTRUCTIONALPROJECTPEA1516

DearSirs,

Thefollowingiswritteninreplytotheconfused commentsinapastissueof"PopularFlying-.

Theoneandonly"Petrel"aircraftcurrentlyunder constructionisG-BACA.Itisbeingbuiltbysecond yearCraftandTechnicianapprentices,inthetraining schoolatBritishAircraftCorporation,Preston.

Astheenclosedphotographshows,itis95",completeasanairframe,withengineandundercarriage installed.Workisatpresentunderwayonflyingcontrolruns,canopyandequipmentinstallation.

Theprojectisconsideredprimarilyasatraining exercise,butitisexpectedthatconstructionshouldbe completedshortly.ascanbeseeninthephotobelow. Whentheprototype"bugs-aresortedout,Iwill sendyoumoredetailedinformationoftheconstructionandmethods,whichmaybeofinterestto otherconstructors.

Yoursfaithfully,

GRAHAME..W1GGIN TILSIST, 17 BARNSWOODCLOSI, CANNOCK, STAFFS.WS11IQQ

tolIN DUNHAM (IJirectmof NIanpoweratSywell) Ed. 2 CAMDENAVENUE, FELTHAM, Missx, TW3SAZ

"WHAT'SINANAME" COMPETITION

Fromthcabovecompetition,suggestedinthelast magazine,theEditorsarepleasedtohaveconfirmed thatsomemembersdoREADtheeditorialpage.The inWrestgeneratedhassurprisedusandonlygoesto showthatwearenotaloneinthinkingthatanew nameisrequiredtodescribeourhome-builtaircraft. MostentriesdidnotarriveintimeforSywell,butwe havereceivedatrickleofsuggestionseversinceand havethereforedecidedtokeeptheentriesopenuntil November30thTheTrophyandAwardsCommitteecanthenannouncethewinneratthePFA ChristmasParty.Don'tforget,thereisa£25Cheque forthebestsuggestion.

Hereuretheentriessofar:-

I.Flipper-fromDanBarker,Shoreham.

Harp(standingforHomebuiltAeronautical RecreationProjecn-fromJimWillsofBlackheath.

Flyabout-fromIanScott-Hill,Surrey, SmallflyfromlunScott-Hill.Surrey.

Sportplane-fromCWilkinsonofColchester.

SportsplanesEromDr.J.P.Crawford.Ide Hill.

MiniplanesfromJackDilkes.Leicester.

8Featherites-fromJackDilkes,Leicester.

9.Diyplanes-fromJackDilkes,Leicester

10Pfadys-fromJackDilkes,Leicester.

II.Tyro--fromJ.R.Urquhart,Elgin. P.Flipper-fromMr.Ward.Newcastle.

13.Minifoil-fromFTellingofEsher.

Severalofthenameswereaccompaniedbyexplanatoryletters,someveryamusing.Forexample. JimWillssays"Tothegeneralpublic,theharpis synonymouswiththesweet,soothingchordsofa musicalinstrument.pictoriallyrepresentedascelestiallypropelledbyonecherubpower.Apersonproclaiming'I'mgoingtoplayonmyharp'would receivethoughtsofadmiration-AndofFlipper,the proposersays"Apleasantname.alreadygiventoa creaturewhichenjoysitsenvironment....Flipper keepstoitsownareaanddoesnotmakeanuisanceof itself,likesomecreatures(likeonly some pilots)-. And.1.R.Urquhartwrites"Thenametyroisusedby radiocontrolmodellerstodescribeaverysmall, compactaircraft,thatischeap Lo build,easyto Iansportandeasytofly-.

NOTEFROMTHEPEAOFFICE

WouldallmemberswhopaytheirannualsubscriptionbyBankersOrdercheckthatnewinstructionshavebeengiventotheirBankstoincrease theamountpayableto£7.50.TheOfficeisstillreceivingalargenumbero:paymentsthroughBanks attheoldsubscriptionl'ateof£5.50.Ine‘erycase thisnecessitateswritingtothememberconcerned requestingthebalance,andofcourseincreasesthe postaloverheads,apartfromincreasingtheworkof the001cestalk

Atthesametime,attentionofmembersisdrawn tothefactthattheC.A.A.haveincreasedtheir chargesforCertificatesofAirworthinessto£24-00 per500kgs.orpartthereof,allupweight.Again,if memberswillsendthecorrectfees.itwillsaveonnecessaiycorrespondence.Pleasenotethatthisisa statutoryC.A.A. Fee andisoutsidethePEA's jurisdiction.

LONDON SAILPLANES LTD.

TRINGROAD,DUNSTABLE BEDS.

Tel.-Dunstable62068

OPENMONDAYTOSATURDAY-9A.M.TO6P.M.

StocksofmostmaterialsfortheHomeBuilder

Fabric,343,575,Linen7E1/5CandDacron Dope(ClearandColour),PinchinJohnson' TitanineandRhodius

Spruce,PolishPineandAsh

ControlCablesmadeuptoorder

Adhesives,AeroliteandAerodux

Fibreglass,ResinandMicroballoons

SteelTube,SheetandRod

CLIAircraftPlyfront0.8mm.to3.0mm.thick Widerangeofinstrumentsinstock

C.A.A.welding.Machiningandre-sprays

Sends.a.e,forpricelist

TOTHERALLYTEAMOF'76

AndsoanotherSywellisover.Aswerelive memoriesofthedaysofsunandsmallaeroplanesthroughtheSywellSupplement,Iwould takethisopportunitytosayThankYoutothe manywhomadeitallpossible.

Tonameallthosewhohelpedisanimpossible task.Sonicpeoplemerelysawajobthatneeded doinganddidit.Sonieoftheteamworked throughpracticallytwelvemonthsforasuccessfulSywell,checkingaccommodation,planning thelayout,improvinghereorsimplifyingthere. OneaspectofSywellthisyear,wastheamountof planningforemergencies,acrisiswhich fortunately didnothappen.Whetheryouwere justthereincase,orwhetherthereweretimes youdidn'tthinkyouwouldcope,ThankYcu.

Lookingfromtheinsidetherearethingsabout Sywellthatwewillwanttochangefornext time-thatmustbeahealthysign.Onethingwe wanttokeepisthespiritofSywell-That"large internationalgatheringoflittleaeroplanes-as thedictionarywillonedaysay.EvenasIwrite thispeoplearethinkingaboutSywell'77,Ihope thatwemayallmeetonthegreenswardof Northaniptonnext.1uly.

UntilthefirstaCrOplanearrivesfrontAustraliaorthefirstbicyclefromHollandisalong time.Untilthen,thankvou,Teamof'76.

BILLWOODIIAMS, DirectorqfOperations

F.G. MILES—Aircraft DesignerExtraordinary

Mr.FrederickGeorgeMiles,F.R.Ae.S.,NI.S.Ae.,whosebrillianceinthedesignandproductionoflightaircraftiswellknown toallfollowersofsportingaviation.diedonAugust15.Hewas73.

_AlthoughhewasprobablymostfamoustotheaviationworldastheproduceroftheMagisterandMasteraircraftatthe outbreakofthesecondworldwar,heproducedaremarkablerangeoflightaircraftintheinter-warandpost-waryears.

Bornin1903,itwasnotuntilhewastwenty-twothathewentfuralive-shillingjoyrideanddecidedthataviationwastobe hiscareer.WiththehelpofafriendheevolvedthedesignofasmallbiplanecalledtheGnat,usingaslongeronsthechassisofasmall sportscarwhichhehadbeenbuilding.Itwaspoweredbyatwo-cylinder698ccengine.whichdroveapropellertakenfromoneofthe aeroplanesbuiltMrthe1923lightplanetrialsatLympne.AboutthistimeMilesrealizedthatheneededtolearntofly.Having learnedfromafriend,fimttherewasamannamedPasnleywhohadsometimerunaHyingschool,hesetouttomakecontactwith hisfutureinstructor.Aftersomepersuasionandthepromiseofmoney(borrowedfromhisfather).Pashleyagreedtobringoutan Avro504K.whichhehadinstoreatCroydon,andformapartnershipwithMiles.ThenearestfieldtoNliles'homewasatSouthwickandtheplanewaslandedtheretobedismantledandremovedtohishither'slaundry,whereitwasoverhauled.Thiswassoon accomplishedwithhiseverlastingenthusiasmandtheGnatAeroCompanywasformed,withitsaerodromeonafieldSouthofthe presentShorehamAerodrome.liteschoolstartedworkwithMilesandfourotherpupils.Progresswasslow-tooslowforNlileswho eventuallytookmattersintohisownhandsand.beforethe"official"instructorwasoutandaboutonemorning,pushedoutthe504 andwentsoloonhisownaccord!Nextdayhewasabletohelpwithtneinstructionoftheotherpupilsandspeedupmatterssomewhat!Theschoolprosperedoverthenextlewyearsandanumberofsurplusaircraftwereacquired,includinganAltoBAby.This aircraftwasextensivelymodifiedandbecametheSouthernNtartlet.Sixofthemv,erebuilt,plusoneallmetalversion.In1931the firstaircraftentirelydesignedlwMilesandhiswife,calledtheSatyr,appeared.Thisveryattractive,diminuthebiplanewiththe performanceofmanycontemporarymilitaryaircraft.wasaforerunnertoadesignwhichinmanywayschangedthefaceoflight aviationintheU.K.ForsometimeN-lileshadhadtheideaofacheap.lowwingmonoplaneandamovetoReadinghelpedtosee theculminationofInsideas,inaveryattractiveaeroplanecalledMeHawk,whichsoldforthesumof£395.Some55Itankswere builtandmanyrecordswerebrokeninthem.iheHawkreallyopenedthefloodgatesofaseriesofdesigns- the HawkMafiir.the SpeedSix.Falcon,Merlin,Sparrowhawk,Hawcon,Nighthawk,Pert/grin.WhitneyStraight.andtheNlohawkbuiltforCharles Lindberg.AllofffieseaircraftwerebuiltfortourhigandinmanycaseswereracedinsucheventsasMeKings(hpAirRace,which inpre-warNearswasamuchlargereventthanitistoday.ProbablyhisfavouriteaircraftwastheSparrowhawkwhichwasdesigned byInswifeandracedlw-Mileswit•greatsuccess.ThefierceduelswinchwerefoughtinracesbetweenMmandtheotherdesignerpilot,EdgarPetcival,madeexcitingracesinthosepre-waryears.

Withwarcloudsloomingnotlaraway.NIilesturnedhishandtohigherperformanceaircraftandproducedoneofthebest lookingaircraftever.intneshapeoffheKestrelwhich.)(nensubmittedtotheAirNlinistryasanadvancedtrainer,wasturneddown bythemasbeingtoopremature.EventuailyhispersistancewonthroughandtheNiasterwasborn,tobeorderedinquantity.During thewaryears,NinesAircraftproducednolessthan7000NiastersandNlagisters,aswellasmanydesignswhichwereproducedwith greatrapidityinsuitthecurrentemergencyofthehour.NIileswasalwaysonewhohadtheCountry'sspiritforemostinhismind and wasale'a)saheadoftheestablishmentofcivilservantswhichrunacountry.'thisforwardlookingattitudemadehimmany enemiesaswellasfriendsandhewasinvariablyaheadofhiscontemporariesinworkingoutasolution.Hissolutionswerealways followedupwiththehardwarewhichhecouldproducewithextraordinaryrapidity.Allthiswasduetotheenthusiasmwhichspread toothersandenablednearmiraclestobeachievedsuchastheNI20fighterwhichwasproducedfromscratchinonly117days.

Towards the endofthewar herealisedtheneedtodiversiGintootherfieldsandturnedhishandtoelectricautopilotsandactuators, tothefirstelecimstaticcopyingmachineandtheBiroPen.Heboughttherightforthispen—thelirstballpointpen,andmadeOw ideawork.Inthosedayshehadtogetgovernmentpermissiontouselabouronsuchaproject.SirStaffordCrippsgavethisreluctantlywiththestatementtlmtithadnocommercialvaluebutitmighthelpinrebabilatingthewartimeforceintootherwork!

Attheendofthewarhewastoembarkonwhatmighthavebeenhisgreatestprojectever.IhiswastohetheWorld'sfirst supersonicaircraft.[hismachinewas90",,completewhenitwascancelled.Theofficialreasongivenwasthatitwasnotconsidered safetoriskmanflyingfasterthansound.ThedatawashandedovertotheBellCompanyintheUSAwhoseNIAHewsomefour yearslater.SomeyearsafterwardsNlilesreceivedaletterfromBellsayingthatinthelight or theresultstakenfromtheX1A.they hadworkedthroughtheNfilesdesignandhadfoundthatitwouldhaveperformedaspredicted.Itwasonlyinlateryearsthatthe MinisterofSupply.ReginaldNlaudling,in1956said"WelostyearsofprogresswhentheGmernmentofthedaydecidednottogo forwardwithmannedsupersonicHight.Itisverydifficulttocatchuponceyouhaveslippedback".

AfterthewarheproducedanumberofequallyfascinatingaircraftincludingtheMessenger,Gemini.andAerovan.Some170 Geminiswereknit,togetherwithovereightyNlessengers.Inaneraofheavycapitalrequirements,financialdisasterstruckandthe CompanywentintoliquidationandwaseventuallytakenoverbyHandleyPageLtd.,whomanyyearslatersufferedasimilarfate.

'HiecharacterofF.G.Mileswassuchthathewasnotdeterredandhesetupagainonaircraftsub-contractworkandlater produceddieStudentjettrainer.WhenBeagleaircraftwasformedhesawtffisasagreatopportunityforBritishlightaircraft,only topull-outlater,knowingthatlargeoverheadsantllittleproduction(10notmakeasuccessfullightaircraftbusiness.HeretainedIns interestshowever,inbuildingHightsimulators(latertobecomelAnk-Nliles)andinprecisionengineering.

F.G.Mileswasamanofgreattalentwhichwasanamalgumofenthusiasm.energyandimagination.Hewasalwaysready tohelpyoungpeoplewithideasandtheurgetoputthoseideasintopractice.HisfactoriesalwayshadaverYhighproportlimof youngpersonsonthepay-rollandintheprimeyearsofNlilesAircrafthewasoneofthefirsttoopenatrainingschoolforthe youngtotrainforacareerinaviation.Healwaysbelieved ill beingabletodothing,;himselfandiftherewereproblemsandin aviationtherealwaysare--youwouldtindMIDattheendoftheday,helpingouton the shopflooruntiltheproblentwassolved.He earnedtherespectofallwhoworkedforhimbysuenactions.HeearnedrespectinhigherplacesandwasaFellowoftheRoyal AeronauticalSociety-andaFreemanoftheGuildofAirlinePilots&Navigators.Hedidnotreceivehigherrecognition,probably becausestomeofhisideasweresobrilliantandyetsosimple,thatthoseinhighplacesdidnotreadily-acceptthemuntilhehad provedhispointthehardway.TheWorldsvillbealesserplacewithouthim.

HampshireRally1976

by PopularFlying's Reporter

'You mustpopintoPopham'',theysaid,sopop alongwedid.Byroad,ontheSaturdayafternoon,we foundthisnewstrip.rightbangalongsidetheA.30 dualcarriageway.It'scertainlythemostpublicprivate stripwehaveyetseen!Perhapsitwasintendedthat wayAnewly-growngrassstripof750yards.aligned 05/26.itisincredibletorealisethatinjustISmonths JimEspinandMsbandofworkershavehackedthis clearstretchoutof20acresofwoodlandandcoppice Forproofofthisonehasonlytolookatthepilesof timberstackedaroundtherearboundaryfenceand Jimisdoingaslicktradeintnersthingfrombeanpoles tolirewoodlogs.

WhenwearrivedduringSaturdayafternoon.thePFA marqueewasalreadyupandworkwasunderwaywith thebarbecueparaphanalia(nolackoffuelhere?)and thatmostimportantjobOfall—settingupthebeer. Comeeight-thirtythelbodwassizzling,thebeer flowingandtheeveningbeingenjoyedhyabout40 worker;andvisitors.Agoodwaytostartoftally rally.

Sundaymorningdawnedfineand,asthefirst arrivalsflewintoclaimtheirbreakfast,itwasclearly evidentthattheSolentandAndoverStrutMembers wereintheirusualorganisedstate.Marshallersall readyfromthewordgo,programmesellers/gatecollectors,parking,andrunwaycontrol,allhadtheir jobsandwouldputmostStrutstoshameintheway theycarriedthemOut.Thepublicaddresssystem.now partoftheStrutequipment,wasexpertlyinstalledand workedallday,aflowingandsometimesaccurate commentarybeingheardfromafar.

Thestripitselfisnotoneforanewly-qualified novice,theapproachbeing'hockeystick'fashionto avoidatillingstation OP risingground,justbefore thecommencementoftherunway.Soyoucome round.doingaSpitfiretypeofcurvingapproach,but hereit'sthroughagapinthetreesandyoudon'tsee therunwayuntilyou'rethere.Still,ifyoufollowthe expert'sadviceandalwayslookatastripfromthe groundbeforeattemptingitfromtheair,thenyou shouldn'thaveanytrouble.Wecouldn'thelpraising aquizzicaleyebrowattheadvisabilityofhavingcars, thepublicandaeroplanes.allparkedalongtherunwayedge,butwehearthatJimishopingtoexpand Mtoafurtherareainduecourseandsoperhapsthis willnotarisenexttime.

Thedaypassedquickly,aircraftarrivingandalmost asquicklytakingoffagainontheusualaeronautical 'organisedgames'.Forthesecondtime,theHampshire Rallyheldaquietestaircraftcompetition.Only,this yeartheydispensedwithalltheelectronicgadgetryand askedthepublictovoteforthequietest,whichquicky broughtadecision.

Theprizeswerepresented,timetogohome.Aswe leftthecornfieldsofHampshire.wecouldn'thelp reflectingonwhathasbeenaccomplishedbythedrive andenergyofoneman—JimEspin.Plus,ofcourse,a lotofmusclepowerandenthusiasmfromourMembersatSolentandAndover.

PRIZE'WINNERS:

PrecisionTimedCircuit:

I.JollyYoung,Ilust

2.AlikeCarmenis,irisMinor(1-13CI5.

spotIending: DaleWise.CessnaF.15OL.G-AZJW. MikeCarrier,LutonMinor0-11C1-1

Concoursiftlegence: Mai Irma/mu/ I.MiketLase,-TelhasMinorG-ANK1-1. 2.Bob0i:den.SpM9036-1/11110.

nal All I1rankCos.RallyeClub0-AVIN.

2.RonAlong.CessnaF.172CiCa-AMTh

IC)MAIL,'I.MartinHollossies.SISCANSyncG-BAKN.

2.TonyHaronl.linerMoth(a-AM:NI id) 1boric/mil(

1.TonsFrancisIsaacsFunII.G-AV111.

2Ied(rould,CunreWritSpecialCr-AVMP. Omeiest KenPyle.Cul,U-BC)-1.

2.BonerDamson.Cul,Ci-HCS'S. NasiganonFserose:1.'Ions1ming.FlustyNR. sureri„1asmotin1..iirey.whosoespeitlydemonstratedhisSpina.: (1-AIDNI,idirsomebreathtaking.PPIIIImiseit

MS-197r(i-AZSAiStampe551.411tasbm

I-BUIECub Elliott

0-AIDNtontineT_VIIIIiliVeN Alpha Stewart

CI-A1101Austin.4 Moody

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Ci-AJHUTigerMinhHardy (i-ANIMTigerMothHarold

Cr-APLYTurhulemWinmanley (bARDPlin-Pacer150Jones CoARP-Coltlas Cummings (1-ARNECobIBS Ilaynes C-ARNZTurbulentMAMILls (i-ASNISCessna150ALserea (1-ATIISChampionCorran (TAINSCeSsIlaF.172GMogg

G-ATNECessnaF.1501-Iorlies-NISCH

G-ATPMCessna1",I50EBudd

G-ATWLloadD.120I,eCiranee (i-AV(T1JodclDR.11/5IWallinglOrd RallyeClubCos (i-AVSRHusky VOLIng CM-AWill'Cessna1821_Butcher (TAWILECessna1-.15011Page Ci-AW11-Nmper3Shrimpton (LAWM1)lodel1).11Lord G-AINtiNICessnaF.1501-1Biggs (TAWyPCessna-I.1501-1

G-ANAKRallyeClubStessart Cr-ANKHLutonMmorteaNO (i-ANOLCurrieWot1,spip Ci-ANWTModelD11Owen Ci-AVIYIsaacsFuty11Franen 0-AYNIP(anticWmSpecialGould Ci-AZIIIAlpha Hammoial 0-AZJWCessna181501.Wise (a-AZEISbunpeSn.411Seeley (MAZE()CessnaFT77RCHind Ci-BAHIISlingsbyT,MALyres Ci-BAHNCessna1821' (i-BAKNSNICANsy.4CDollinsav G-BAMRClipper Losel (i-BANCMinicab Trollope G-011130Sipa903 Ogden (1-BBILDLnstromli.28ABushbuy G-1311K1-1CessnaF.172MPhillips Ci-BBMNChipmunk22Wilde (M-1311011PM,SpecialMees(711 0-BC's).LutonMinorGarner C-BCLMMinicab Hutton bi-BCMLSipa903 Emery(i-BCX1Cub Pyle Cii-BC1'SCub Dawson ColiDETAVPS51Chipmunk22(iraham 0-131).11'Cub Porhecar5 Ci-FIDEMSipa903 Martinis, G-BDULiIslander A1-1101d

BigginHill

Walkeridgeurn, NliddleWallop

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Farnborough

ThMillam

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Goodwood

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Shorehiml

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BigginHill

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Popham

Shoreham

PanmislOrd

Henstridge

LPe-011-Soltallt

BigginHill libroaks

1nkpen

rarrantBushkin

Hensindge

WalterideeFarm

LonglnidgeDeseral

Goodwood

Shoreham

Thruston

WhiteWaltham

Lyneham

Blacklaishe

Redhill

Thrusion

ThrustOP Blackbushe

Shorelmarn

Kingsclere Blackbushe

-a-TwoSEVENZERO-aTheWestMidlandStrutMagazine

TheWESTMIDLANDSTRUThasprinterVic Tingleybehindtheirnewmagazine.Itpromisestobe averywellproduceditemandpartofthefirstpageis shownabove.TheaircraftisStrutChairmanHarold Sones'PazmanyPL1whichhasbeenconstructedover aperiodofeightyears.TheStrutwillbemeeting throughout1976attheGeorgeandFoxpublichouse. Penkridge,onthefirstWednesdayofeachmonth.

ThereportbelowwaswrittenbyPaulBussey, secretaryoftheCHELMSFORDSTRUTanddescribestheROMFORDSTRUTfiy-inwhichwasheld atStaplefordairfieldonMay9th.

Depsiteverybadvisibilityduetohaze.25aircraft bravedtheelementsandcametoourFly-in.The followingaircraftbookedinatControl:

G-ASLXCR301AK.GreenPanshanger

ARUPPAZ)

A. Moss Southend

BCTHPAN WrightSouthend

AYYYMS2010D.ThompsonSotobend Dutton AYRSPA?) SoeudthhielInd

AMYRE4 Dix R

AW.IIMS.8

H.PageSouthend

AZTAM1313BO209F.AshurstSouthend

AXHRL4CubD.ElphickOldWarden

AXAKMS.S80R.StewartHiggin

NO948PiratGliderP.JohnsonNorthWeald

ANIASSD.62C

BABYJT.2

B.SmithNorthWeald

J.ByeraaesOldWarden

AMRJackarottM.BrettOldWarden

BDKMSIPA903S.MarkhamKingsclere BCY13VagabondB.CooperKincsclere

AJCPD,3I

N.Kempt IT Gransden

BCD.;CessnaI70BProt-Pt-WhiteBanbury

AYSH3.1I

C.LodgePI-Ili:11,iigEitnwter

InthemorningaBreakfastPatrolwasheldand about10ofthelocalladswentupintheiraircraftand formedthedefence.

Otherattractionsduringthedaywereaspot landingcompetitionW011bvaStaplefordresident,Mr. Dyer,inG-AWJZ.C.150.

B.Cooper.intheVagabondG-BCVBwonthe Concoursd'EleganceTrophy.S.Markham,inthe Sipa903G-BDKMwonthetrophyforthelongest distanceHightintoStaplefordfromKingselere.In theafternoonademonstrationofradio-controlled modelaircraftwasheld.

WcwouldalsoliketoexpressourthankstoEric Thurston,ThurstonAviation,forallowingustohold theeventatStaplefordandalsotoJohnChicken. StaplefordFlyingClub,forprovidingrefreshments andclubfacilitiesforvisitingpilots.

TheCHELMSFORDSTRUTwillalsoholdaElyinatHazeleighGrange,Purleigh.Essex.whichis approximately10nm.SouthEastofChelmsford,on 12thSeptember.Thestripdirectionis04/22andis 1700ft.longby90feetwide.TheFly-inwillinclude refreshments.VisitingpilotsmusttelephonePurleigh 241beforelandingonthestrip.

AnotherreportwasreceivedfromColinClarke. co-ordinatoroftheSOUTHHUMBERSIDESTRUT.

OurStruthadamostinterestingandenjoyable eveningonMay28th,1976whentwohomebuilt aircraftflewintoHumbersideairporttobetheguests atourmonthlyStrutmeeting.

OurmostwelcomevisitorswereDavidBucklein CavalierG-AZHHandPeterRussellinStolpSA500 G-AZTV.About50/60peoplearrivedtoseethese excitingaircraft,thelargenumberofvisitorsdueto coverageinourlocalpaper.

Afterthevisitingaircrafthadreturnedhome,Brian FoxofDoncasterSailplanesgaveamostinteresting talkonbuildingyourownaircraft.

AXPG

ATIIRPA2S

AVNAB13.6211

ATBSD.31

0.Cole

AYJN' HM.293 lhaacsFur>. Pampislord

A.Francis

R. RBrockHstree

S.WrightRedhill

J.ThomasRochester

ATKHLAAAL.HepperRochester

OurthankstoDavid,PeterandBrianforameeting wewilllongremember,alsothankstoEricGreenof Grimsbyforexcellentphotography.

TheIPSWICHSTRUThashadaveryactive summerwithatleasthalf-a-dozenfly-insarranged.

DavidauckILvCarollerG-AZIIIIatSouthHimihosule

TheClactonFly-inonJuly18thwasplannedtobe filmedbyITVforaprogrammeonhomebuilts. VisitorstotheIpswichIly-inshavereportedvers favourablyandtherehaveusuallybeenabouttwenty visitingaircraft.

TheLUTON/DUNSTABLESTRUTnow meets regularlyonthesecondWednesdayofeachmonthat 7_30p.m.inthebaroftheLondonGlidingClubat DunstableAirfield.TringRoad.Theco-ordinatoris RobinKing.

Strutactivityhasbeenveryquietforsometimenow intheWestofEngland.However.AntonyYoungis tostartaprovisionally-namedWESSEX STRUT.TheStrutshoulddrawmembersfromWeymouthtoWeston-super-Mare.Ifansmembersinthis areaareinterestedinjoiningtheWessexStrut,perhaps theywouldcontactAntonyatLittlePaddock.CharltonMackrell,Somerton,SomersetTAI1713G.Tel. CharltonMackrell(045822)274.Hewouldparticularlyliketohearfromex-membersoftheWestern Strut,whichisunderstoodtobeextinct.

TheBERKSHIRESTRUTisinseriousdifficulty andunlessanyoneispreparedtotakeontheorganisationoftheStrutitwillinevitablyfoldup.

MembersareURGENTLYaskedtocontactDerek Kidby,WillowCottage,BasingstokeRoad.ThreeMile Cross,Nr.Reading,tosavetheStrut.Please,either writetoDerekorringhimonReading883803after 7p.m.andofferyourassistancetooneoftheoldestestablishedStruts.

TheWHITEROSESTRUTwilIholdaresurrection meetingattheDoncasterGlidingClubH.Q.,DoncasterAirport.onWednesday.September22nd,at 8p.m.AllmembersinthispartofYorkshireare earnestlyrequestedtoattend.

ThefollowingStrutshaveheldinauguralmeetings thissummer.PFAmemberswhoareinterestedin joiningeitheroftheseStrutsshouldcontactthepeople memtionedbelow.

BOSTONSTRUT:

R.A.Yates,CrayleysAim.60SaundergateLane, Wyberton,Boston,Lincs.

HIGHLANDSSTRUT:

HM.Mackenzie,IAMidStreet,Shandwick, Ross-shire.

HUDDERSFIELDSTRUT(meetinginHuddersfield: Halifaxarea):

KeithWigglesworth,Glayua,5MeadWay,Highburton,Huddersfield,Yorks.

MAURICEROBINSON

Manyreadersmusthavebeenshockedbythenewsof MauriceRobinson'sdeathinFranceonthe4thJuly.

Mauricewasoneofthasepeople wnowill bedifficultto replace,hewasajovialcharacterandbrilliantinevery aspectoflightaviation.

liewaswellknownforhisStukareplicasusedinthe BattleofBritainfilmandalsoColePatensAvro504which Mauricebuiltinjusttwelveweeks.Priortohisdeathhe wasbuildingafullscaleFaireyFlycatcherreplica.

Severalvintagerebuilds,includingmanyStampes,also passedthroughhisBlackbusheworkshops.TheStampe wasalwaysMaurice'sfavouriteandtragicallyhemethis deathwhileHyingoneoftheseaeroplanes.

GiveforthosewhoGave

FLYINGONA BUDGET?

Whsnothavemoretospendonyouraeroplane andequipment'?

Ourcredittermsforinsuranceneedcostsou nothing.

ALLTYPESOFAIRCRAFTINSER.ANCE

Accident.LifeorEndowmentCover forPilotsandPassengers

(DoesthePassengerLiabilitySectionofyour Policycoveryourfamily?)

InsuranceagainstlossofFlyingLicence

TRAFFORDFACILITIES

LIMITED

AssociatedInsuranceBrokers

151HATFIELDROAD ST.ALBANS,HERTS. TelephoneNos.:54967&52396

Doncaster Sailplane Services for

HOMEBUILDERSSUPPLIES

G.L.1aircraftbirchplv0.8mmto5mm. Fabric-2weightsforsupportedandunsupported areas.

Dope—tauteningandcolouretc. Jointingcompound—forwood/metal. Spruce,DouglasFir,WhitePine,Ash,gradeA. A.S.I.V.S.l.compassesetc.etc.

S.5I4and5.510steelsheetandT45tubes. Controlcablemadeuptoorder.

V.P.I.StrutTubes,UndercarriageStock. Cavalierplansandallrawmaterialtobuild. Fibreglassandresin,releaseagent,pigmentetc. Sends.a.e,forpricelist

DONCASTERAIRFIELD,SOUTHYORKS. 0302-57695,-61713

JOHNISAAC'SSPITFIRE

TheIsaacsSpitfireisanall-wooden6/10scale replicaoftheSupermarineSpitfire.Forthepuristthe designhasfeaturesoftheMk.IX,Mk.XIandMk. XIV.Theoutlineisaccurateapartfromthecowling necessarytohousean0-200,aslightlymoreforward pilotpositionandanincreaseinthewidthofthe fuselage.Alsotheundercarriagetrackhasbeen noticeablywidened.Theaileronshavebeenincreased inspantoimprovecontrolandadifferentialeffect introduced.

Thebasicstructureisstandardforanyhome-built aircraft,thefuselageconsistsoffoursprucelongerons towhichareattachedthirteenspruceframes.The completestructureiscoveredwithbirchply.Ply filletsarebuiltontothefuselage.

Thewinghasafinelytaperedellipticalplanform, thesectionisNACA2200.Twoboxsparsareusedand thewingisbuiltinoneunit.Theribsareconstructed

Conlineteilfrompage13

gettingtox‘ardtheendofitandthatverysoonthere willbenothinglefttodowithitexceptFLYit.Itis almostsadreally,ratherlikebeginningthelastweek ofone'ssummerholiday.(Thinks:.-Iwonderif havingdonesomuchtoalltherestofit,whetherI shouldhavecompletelystrippedandre-builtthemain spar,aswell???).(Furtherthinks:—Whatthehell ISasummerholiday?).

Itisasurprisingthing,buttosomeofusthereis morepleasureandsatisfactioninactuallybuilding(or rebuildingespecially)andsolvingtheinnumerable problemswhichthisentails,thaninactuallyflyingthe machineafterwards.Ifanyonehadsungestedthatto meafewyearsago,Iwouldhavedenieditem-

inthreepiecesandbutt-jointedtothespars.The aileronsarehingedontherearspar.

Thetailunitisatwo-sparstructure,andthe controlsurfacesareoperatedbycables.

TheaeroplanemeetsB.C.A.Wsacrobaticrequirementof—92• 4b2.

LeadingParticulars: WingSpan:22ft.1(in.EmptyWeight8001b. WingArea:S7sq.ft.Allupweight:1100Th. Length:19ft.4in.WingLoading11.51b/sqft. PowerLoadingIffib/h.p.

Performance

PrototypefittedwithContinental0:200engine: Maximumlevelspeed:150mph.

Cruisespeed 135-140mph

Stallingspeed: 52mph. 200mph.

phatically,butnowIamamazedtofindthatitistrue. Ofcourse,IswearthatIshallnevergetinvolved Wi thanotherproject.oncethisisfinished.I'vespent toomanyhoursonthegroundworking,listeningto thoseaircraftuptheredroningaroundintheclear bluesky toomanyeveningsfilingawayat fittingsinsteadofdowningalargebrandy seen sooften.delicatefingers,coveredindopeinsteadof nailpolish,eagertoplease

NO,nomoreaeroplanesafterthisone Of course Ialwaysdidlike ThorpeT.IS I'vegotasetofG.A.drawingssomewhere Let'sjusthavealook Iwon'tgetinvolved, ofcourse

Shouldnottake too long

PopularFlying,Seplember-Octoher,1976

LUTONMINOR"SEAOFA"TEST

Iwasreallysupposedtobeonholiday,andhadno goodreasontobeatShoreham,whenPEA"beaverMr.LaurieMansfieldaskedme"ifIwouldliketo test-flyhisLutonMinor.foranewPermit".Itwas hopedtohaveitreadyforSywellanditturnedoutto beanattractive,ifrathercramped."old-timer-design. lightblueandregisteredG-ASEA.Iwastorealisethe significanceofthelatterregistrationsoonafterwards. Abriefingestablishedthatastickingvalvehadgiven sometrouble,buthadbeencuredaridtheenginetests wereallhopeful.Temps.andpressures,speeds,etc. wereallagreeduponandafteralookaroundto see whereeverythingwas,Iwasseatedamidstanarrangementofstrutsandwires,beneaththewing.

Itstruckmeasanottooeasyaeroplanetoescape frominahurry.binallsoundedhealthyduringthe groundrunupandalltherightreadingsshowedup. Theflighttestrequiredchecksofthecontrols,brakes, etc..andIhadakneeboardwithclockforalltheusual figures.ALutonMinorisnotexactlyeasytotaxi,even inalightwind,requiringafairmeasureofbrakeat timestobackuptherudderandpower.butIgotto theholdingpointfor21withoutmishap.21.incase youwondered,facesdirectlyseawards,thewind.in thiseasecomingfrommainlyWest.atafewkts.

Take-offwasinteresting,withverylittleroomto spareinthecockpit,butIkeptdirectionalcontrol, withafairattemptatstickintowind.Flefttheground ataround30kts.andstartedtoclimbatjustover40. Thetestcalledforspeeds,RPM,Temp.&Pressure,so IloggedthisassoonasitwaslikelythatIwouldclear therailwayandhousesbyafairmargin.Onceairborne,theMinorwasmuchniceranddidn'tseemas shortofbreathasmanyTurbsIhaveflownThe36h.!).

2cylinderJ.AP.barkedawayhappilyandIcameto thebeachatsome200ft..lookingforwardtotheupper airworktestIthoughtitwisetoturnleftclosetothe shoreline,stillclimbing,justincaseoftrouble

TheclinibwasgoingwellandIlevelledoffat500ft toseehowtheNIinorsettledintothecruise,atsonie 50kts.relievingtheenginealittle,whenitstopped ..dead!Firstthoughtsarealwaysofsheerannoyanceatsuchatime,thesecondIhaveexperienced. hadbeenallsetupforthetimedclimbto1500ft.,and nowtheinomentallpilotsdread.Intotheglide,just bythepowerstation.Notmuchtimetothink,bin where to land?Theharbourentrancelookedvery deepwater,notatallattractive,andthetidewas gettingquitehigh,leavingverylittlebeachclearof breakwatersandnasty-lookingshingle.Theonly possibleplacewasslightlyfurtheralongthebeach (downwind)anditwasobviousIwouldneeta180deg. turntogetinatasensiblespeed.Ifoundatrickleof powerataboutathirdthrottle,butitmadelittle differencetothedescent.Therewasnosensiblereason forthefailureeither,usfarascouldbeseen,thepropellorturningwithoutanyexpensivemechanicalnoise, allelsebeing'on'whereitshouldbe.

Abouthalf-waythroughtheturntoPort,thebeach lookedalotlessinviting,withlittlespaceandsundry lumpsofwoodstickingupallaround.Thisbeganto evolveintoavisionofextensivedamageandpossibly worse,tosaynothingoffacingLauriewithatangleof matehwoodifIlived.

Bynow,Iwasfirmly in favourofthesea,farenough awayfromthebeachtoavoidunderwaterobstructions, butcloseenoughtoditchwithoutlosingthewhole aeroplaneunderwaterandwithafairchanceof

PopularFlying,September -October,1976

swimmingorwadingashore.Idispensedwiththeremainingpower,aimingatcompletingtheturndirectly intowindatwaterlevelandthelowestpossiblespeed. Therewereveryfewcheckstobedone.Justasthe stickwasrightback,thePortwheeltouched,thenall waswater,asItookanose-divetothebottom,which Ihitwithaheavythump.TheMinorsettled,mostly submerged.Idon'tremembermuchaboutgettingout andevennowI'msurprisedIleft a waterloggedcockpitsocleanlyandquicklyinviewofthestruts.wires. etc.

Iputafootthroughtheafterfuselagekickingmyself clear,butthatwasall.Thewaterwasrathercold,but Ibarelynoticeditinthemomentofneed.Theharness hadheldadmirablyandreleasedeasily,withnoinjury. Iwasquitepleasedtoreachthebottomwithonefoot somewhereouttoawingtip.solifejacketswerenot strictlynecessary,althoughuseful,tosaytheleast.The aeroplanefloatedbetterwithoutmeinitandwas washedslowlytowardstheshore,asIhalfswam,half waded,clutchingthewingtip.Thewheelsgratedinto theshinglejustasaninshorelifeboatreachedthe scene.Ihadn'trealisedthatthecrewwereonan exerciseandIhadappearedrightinthemiddlewith someconvenienttradeforthem.

byMIKESTAPP

Withinseconds.I was wrappedinblanketsand exposuresheet,inthelifeboat,theaeroplanehadbeen wellbeachedbythecrewanddelightedboyswhohad beenonthebeach.Thentotheslipway,wherePolice andambulanceawaitednlyverydamparrival.My clockshowedtheprecisetimeofditching,which greatlypleasedthepolice,whowantedtologall details.IwassoonexaminedatWorthinghospitaland pronouncedlittoleave.Afriendkindlycollectedme bycarandIarrivedbackatShorehaminsari-like adornment,tocollectafewclothesandshoeswhichI hadkeptthere.Tocometoanaerodromeinsuch circumstancesrequiressonictactandhumour,Ican tellyou,tosaynothingofgoingintoalaunderettein pyjamastorinseanddryasoddonmessinaplastic bag,thoughtfullygivenbythehospital.Anoldlady tookthisverywellandcriedtoexplainhowtousethe machine.ShewasunimpressedthatIdidn'twanttouse thepowder,justrinseoutthesaltanddrythethings. Timewaspassedatawelcomepubnextdoor,atwhich thePressarrived,aftercheckingthattheaeroplanehad beenhauledupanddismantledbyasoinewhat animatedLaurie.

Afurniturevancallednextdayandluckilytheonly damagewastotheundercarriageleawhichtouched waterfirstandthepropellorwhichwasnowalittle shorter.

Thereseemsafairchanceofflightonceagain,once thesaltishosedoutandthewholedriedproperlywith enctineinspected.Ithinkwealllearnedsomethingfrom myveryshorttestflight,includingthatastuckinlet valvecausedthefailure.Nottheonewhichhadgiven troublebefore,youmaynote.Thehandlingnoteswere saidtoadviseagainstditching,Iwastoldlater.However,whenyourluck'sout,thereisn'tmuchchoiceand weproveditsurvivableforotherMinorenthusiasts.

Iwonder,doesthePFAhaveaswimniingaward?If so,I'dliketoapplyforitasundisputed'bestinclass', 1976.

POPULARFLYINGispublishedin Januaryandthereafterinalternate months.Alladvertisementstobesent to:AdvertisementManager,Popular FlyingAssociation,TerminalBuilding, ShorehamAirport,Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

Semi-displaypercolumninch0.00. Lineage(minimumthreelines)perline 44p.Discounts:seriesofthree 5%. Seriesofsix 10%.Agencies10%.

FREE! r Mit l eentetrosarjoinrowFereneAdverts.peryear,subjecttobeingofnon-businessnature andtospacebeingavailable. QuoteMembershipNo.

ForEl-50wewillincludeaphoto ofAeroplanesforSale.

ThePFAdoesnotnecessarily guaranteeorendorseanyproduct offeredthroughouradvertising.

Members'attentionisparticularly drawntobuiltandpartly-builtAircraft.Theyshouldsatisfythemselves thatthemachinehosbeenclearedto P.F.A.standardsiftheysubsequently intendtooperateitthroughthe P.F.A.Airworthinessfacilities.

TURN& SLIP—cleetric,0dlyservice aMe,ESornear.Tiavis.5SomertonDrive, HatfieldWoodhouse,Doncaster,Yorks.

BRACINGCABLES. Completesetfor IsaacsFuty,onlyflown45hrs.Goodcondition.E75.TonyFrancis,Dunstable 65623.

V.W.1600VARIANT1973ENGINE. Oneprev.owner.V.goodcondition_E80 ornear.2OakleighClose.Worthing. Sussex.Tel.201168.

A.S.F.0-200Kts. EISposttreeWatson.6 ParkRoad,ChandlersFord,Hants.Tel. 042-45-4138

TURN&SLIP. 41'TigerType,2pairs SeatBelts.ASI50-350KPHintworevs. Didborough,PoundHill(0293-82)3510 (Sussex).

FLYINGWIRESand LandingforCurry WolOnecompletesetshieamlinedwires includingturnbuckles,forkedends,made byBruntons.£25,Miller,3HanleyRoad. FinsburyPark,London,N.14.

MOTORFALKESF25 forsale.2Seater, completeoverhaul,readytony,12months CofA,Trailer,BestofferoverE.3,000. Kettering711131.

RADIOSTALL 12-channelRadio.complete.E30.Miller,3HanleyRoad,FinsburyPark,London,N.4.

ISAACSFURYBUILDERS. Findingit difficulttolocateTigerIntel-frameShuts? AfoolscapSAEwillbringdetailsofmy inod,forinterframestrutsinsteeltube. TonyFrancis,18ChurchillRoad,Kensworth,Dunstabin.Beds.LUG3LLI,

FUELSTRAINER, nearnew.complete withprimerandfuellineconnectors.ASI 0-200Kls.1:15.Watson,6ParkRoad, ChandlersFord,Hants042-15-4138.

LUCAS SR4NIAGNETO believednew andunused.E30.TelephoneJohnLowe, Wolvei hampton333211day,orStourbridge78278evenings

*IMPORTANTANNOUNCEMENT*

ROLLS-ROYCEMOTORSLimited,SpecialistandLightAircratf Division,havedecidedtoofferspecialtermsforamateurbuildersof ultra-lightaircraftwhowishtousenewRolls-RoyceContinental enginesintheiraeroplanes.Theschemewillbeadministeredbythe PopularFlyingAssociationandwillbeavailabletogenuineamateur constructorsorgroupswhoarebuildinganultralightaircraftand whoaremembersoftheP.F.A.Theschemeisdesignedtohelpthe amateurtocompletehisownaircraftandencouragetheuseofBritish builtengines.

ThePopularFlyingAssociationwarmlywelcomesthegestureofhelp foritsmanymembersinthe'home-built'andultralightaviation movementwhohaveinthepastbeenstrugglingtofindsuitableengines fortheirprojects.

Fulldetails of theschememaybeobtainedonapplicationtothe PopularFlyingAssociation,ShorehamAirport,Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

*FABULOUSFRED*

STOLperformanceonVWorLowranceengines.De-rigsandrigsas easilyasaglider.Roadable.Plansincluderoadfittings.Easytofly. Cheaptobuild.Longestsinglecomponent12'9"long.Plansconsist of 25highlydetailedsheets.

PerSet—£15-00

Informationsheet,3 view drawing,photograph—75p ERICCLUTTON,92NEWLANDSSTREET,SHELTON STOKE-ON-TRENT,STAFFORDSHIRE,ENGLAND

"I'DRATHERBEFLYING"- large redletters on clearplasticself-stickbackgroundfory Off car,airplaneorhouse Window.25peach.Cartaxdisclotairport pass!)Holderwith-lidratherbething" onthehackand'CivilAviationAuthority IAi:greedPilotroundthefront.35peach_ Postonanynumber9p.Clubdiscounts50 ormore.Stewart's,32BectiveRoad. Putney,SWI52QA.

TURBULENTPLANS. Oneunusedset forsale,plusplansandpartsfromVPI project,abandonedduelackofspaceand time.Fordetailsofplans,hardwarekit. engineandtimber,sendSAEtoThom,58 TurnhouseRoad,Edinburgh,F.H128ND, OLDMODELAIRCRAFTENGINES, especiallyunusual_Cashwaiting.Mike Reach,24ColeRidsRoad.Twickenham. 01-892-9075.

IODELLDIIPLANS WANTED, also allyinfoveryW&come.SteveKnight.28 BuckwoodAvenue.Dunstahle(602688), POPULARFLYINGBACKNUMBERS Nsanted,priortoJuly75,anyreadable condition.OpritadA.Kehoe,Tallow,Co. Carlow,Ireland,

CONTINENTALC85or90WANTED. Should beingoodconditionandpaperworkinorder.S.Hedberg. Kristianshorgsallán2872219Vasteras.Sweden.

GOOD360-Ch.VHFRADIOWANTED, alsoVOR.PreferablyKing170,Alsolarge Venturitorun a GyroDLMiller.3HanleyRoad,FinsburyPark.London,N.4.

PIPER CUB„Aus ter oranytw0-seatel wanted.MusthatecurrentCofA. Phillips,579WestwoodHeathRoad, Coventry 10203-466187).

NIPPER, damagedorpartbuilt,wanted. Any otherVW-poweredaircraftconsidered.AlsoSR4Magnetos.SydBooth, 14ParkLea,MiddleHerrington,Sunderland,SR33TA(Tel.Sunderland282203).

WRTMANTAILWINDPLANS wanted, ingoodcondition.Inmsthavesomething todointheeveningsnowthatIhave tinishedmyFury!TonyFrancis,Dunsmble65623.

POWERPLANTWANTED —suitable foraLutonMinor.Anythingconsidered AMorris,4BroomsquiresRoad,Bagshot,Surrey

PopularFlying,September-October,1975

PROPELLERwantedforJAPengineon LutonMinor.LaurieMansfield,Burgess Hill(Sussex)3160.

ANYPPLHOLDERinterestedinforming 6/8membergroup£150to£200eachto operateultralighttype,N.Kent/S.E. London.ContactAlanCooperonMedway52234weekendsorevenings.

PPL/RT/GLIDINGQUALIFICATIONS, BigginexperiencedonFourniers,seeks shareinRF4orsimilar.Alternatively, wouldliketohearfromPFAMembers interestedinformingRF4group.David Bartlett,29BeaconHill,Ovingdean, Brighton,I3N27BN.Tel.Brighton31675 (after7p.m.).

P.F.A.INSPECTORNo.6121 PLUS L.A.E.LICENCENo.5621

ValidGroup:

"A"paras.5.1,5.2,5.3and5.4 Group"G"paras.6.1,6.2and6.3 Group-X"Compasses(DR)

SEEKSPROJECT,INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION,REBUILD— MODIFICATIONWORK,etc.

Travelreasonabledistance.

F.NI.DUNN

MagimliaHse.,RickmansworthLane, CHALFONTST.PETER,Bucks. Tel.:ChalfontSt.Giles2347

WHITEROSE/UDDERSF1ELD STRUT

Ameetinghasbeenarrangedinorder togetthesetwoStrutsactiveagain. DONCASTERGLIDINGCLUBH.Q.

Wednesday,22ndSeptember,8p.m.

TAYLORTITCH

CHELMSFORDSTRUTFLY-IN

AtHazeleighGrange,Purleigh,Essex 12thSEPTEMBER,1976

FreeAfternoonTea

AerobaticDisplay

StrictlyP.P0.Purleigh241

FurtherDetails: P.BUSSES',BISHOPSTORTFORD51823

VHF/VOR-Lear-Motorolamodel5640, 90Ch.,comp.withharnessandunits. Carefullyusedandhandled.Requiresnew maint.cert.ExCI72.£80.Tel.Preston 718559.

PLANSrequiredforColibn,alsoany Colibribuilderswhoareinterestedin formingColibriSquadron.ContactJ.C. Miller.5MartinClose,EasternGreen, Coventry,CV57NPwithSAE.

PROPELLER,med.orcoarsepitch,requiredforGipsyMajor1c/Tigercombination.Alsowantedthree-inchVenturi, orreturnofsamefromsomelong-since forgottenmember.StuartMcKay,16 ThatchersDrive,Maidenhead,Berks.

SIRROCCO,nearlycompleted,signed fuselage,tailplane,spar,wingallbut finished.Enginecowling,mounting. Undercarriage,mostmetalworkcomplete.Onlyneedscanopy.F.Bond,Oak House,BoxWilts.Tel.Box2919.

PRIVATECOLLECTORneedsoldair displayposters,programmes.StuartMcKay,16ThatchersDrive,Maidenhead, Berks.

RUTANVARIEZE—wouldanyoneinterestedinbuildingpleasecontactme, withaviewtopreparingaregisterfor mutualassistance.BrianYates,3Halland Court,StangroveRoad,Edenbridge, Kent.

WALKINGSTICKforsale,reputedly madefrombrokenmahog.prop.Original ownerR.F.C.Officer.Engravedowner's nameplate.StuartMcKay,16Thatchers Drive,Maidenhead,Berks.

WANTED—AnypartsforaBetaproject, halforfullyfinished.Metalpartsalso needed.JohnKinch,Mo-dhachaidh, Saltburn,Invergordan.Tel.852836.

LYCOMING0-320-B-2-B.160h.p., 1000hrs.plusremaining.Forsaleat£750 ono.AlsoKingKR40VORReceiver £125.P.Nalson,01-654-0898.

SHAREWANTEDinultralight,ora gyrowanted.Writewithdetailsto:—C. Jones,1CutEndCotts,Fishtoft,Boston, Lincs.

BACKISSUES'PopularFlying'wanted. Willbuy,orIhavesomeforexchange. BobAndrews,45CollingbourneRoad, ShepherdsBush,London,W.I2.

NIPPER—Informationpacks,Plans, spareparts.NewSR4magsinstock.Also fullrangeSR4spares.SAEforlist.Nipper Kits&ComponentsLtd.,1Ridgeway Drive,Bromley,Kent,BR15DG.

MOTORISEDGLIDERwanted,pref. 2-scater.G.Lewis,18FenderWay,Keswall,Merseyside,1619NR

VOLKSWAGEN AIRCRAFTENGINEPLANS forAmateurConstructors

TYPE LowWingAcrobaticMonoplane

CONSTRUCTIONWoodandFabric

PERFORMANCEStall(Withflap)50m.p.h.Cruise-155m.p.h.

SPAN-18'9"Length-16'11"

REMARKS:Suitableforracingintheformulaoneclass.Notan aeroplaneforthenovice.Stressedto9G.

Brocluo.e45p+ 10p Plans £16 -I - 35p P.&P.

TAYLORMONOPLANE

TYPE LowWingMonoplane

CONSTRUCTIONAllWoodandFabric ENGINEVWContinentalA40

PERFORMANCEStall30(withflaps)Cruise80kts.

SPAN-21'Length15'

REMARKS:Specificallydesignedforbuildingintheminimumof space.

Brochure 35p+10p. Plansfrom £12+35p P&P. From: Mns.J.TAYLOR,25ChesterfieldCrescent, Leigh-on-Sea,Essex.

30sq.ft.ofdrawingsanda15,000-wordmanual providedesignsandinformationenablingonetoconvert anyV.W.engineupto1600ccs.Fullyapprovedfor amateur-builtaircraft,theseplausareofferedwithlifetimefreeadviceforonly£9.50postpaid.

DonaldG.Peacock, MeadowCottage,Ardle:ghHeath,Colchester,C077QB Tel.Colchester230446

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whichisforthosewhoarefortunateenoughtopossessaRadio

MRB600TELEXHEADSETSat£24-95plusVATandcarriage

TheseHeadsetsaregoodqualityandhaveanoise-cancellingCarbon BoomMikewithDualMagneticReceivers.