RIP Duke :(

 

Very sad to hear that Duke is no longer with us. One of the OG Thurnham

brigade, always upbeat and jolly....

...most of the time anyway!

sir, you will be missed!

centenarian soaring

Wishing Sir Dave a very happy 100th birthday!

Looks like somewhere close to Durdle Door... programme date 1984

There's a high chance the video will get a copyright takedown,

if so, enjoy these stills!

 

the 8th

 

Another Holly session... that's two in less than a week. Forecast can't make its mind up between S or SSW, but the Medway gap works its magic and Holly is on fine form offering up a mellow, sub 10mph evening.

comparative span exercise... note that's two Micro Maxes on the hill in almost as many days! Mr Fisher's graces the spring air on this evening (and does a fine job with the photo captures). Also enjoying the lift is Bernard, stalwart of the 90's Holly scene (we didn't get a photo).

....but here he is, second from the left circa 1991

2026....

1989

landings are a little more predicable these days

even with a dried leaf shoved in his collar....

oh no, it's a massive lug hole!

Holly Easter

 

A sunny bank holiday is a rare thing. A sunny bank holiday with a flyable wind is even more rare!

Richmond preps the Micro Max

It's a fine little beasty... 1.15m of moulded pocket rocket!

nesting season for some

racing season for others!

just when you need a tree surgeon....

one turns up, fully equipped!

meanwhile...

 

100 years ago...

last flight

Final airtime of '25

the ascent of Longman

 

New Year's Eve, 4mph and frosty, but it delivers the goods!

xmas combat

 

take it out

Out for an afternoon constitutional near the Goodwind hangar only to hear the unmistakeable whine of a pusher prop over the fields.

Zoned in on these two gents out training this peregrine hybrid with the aid of an EPP wing.

Direct hit from the raptor renders it unserviceable. Team falcon informs that there's a national competition for this malarky and that burning through 5k of kit on the day is not unusual! 

vortex

 More action from 2013 with Mr Smack maidening his Vortex.

 Some footage from the archives of Phil flying his Condor from 2013

If memory serves, he blew the tail off it in a speed run later that afternoon!

handy scale

 Always good to see that people are still building their flying implements.

Here's a nice little Slingsby that had its maiden a few weeks back.

RIP Phil

Sad to report that Phil Taylor sadly passed away this week. With his penchant for slightly obscure flying machines (seen here with his Multiplex Conder that later fluttered to destruction that day), low key aeros and aerodynamic debate, he will be missed both on the hillside and within the online community.

lost and found

Not the missing model (luckily!).

keep them peeled!

Glider lost at the weekend.... last seen heading east, at height

from the Sutton Valance flat field site.

Please comment here or contact the Invicta club if spotted!

longest day 25

starting the season

A good blow at Bopeep gives Simon the chance to get the DG dialled in

 

decided it wasn't going to fly well with one set of wing servos unplugged!

goes like stink!

some cracking little (previously powered) foamies

make for great PSS models

Skylark!

Simon's newly acquired Slingsby Skylark gets a airing!

slopes on the telly episode 213

Vic and Bob visit Thurnham during the cowshed era.... anyone recognise the mystery flyer at the end?