xc success

The last of the heat wave provides ideal conditions for a final attempt on the 'Thurnham to Hollingbourne' cross country.

The home slope isn't working at all well but Deryck, Simon and Paul make an attempt on their goal on Sunday afternoon. It turns out the first gap in the ridge is the hardest and Simon lands out and calls it a day. Paul has the advantage with the lightest of the three gliders and pushes on leaving behind Deryck (unsure of the route) to head back the Thurnham.

The ploughed fields at the base of the Downs provide an almost constant source of strong thermal lift and allow for a fast pace. The greatest problem is the risk of losing sight of the model. There are several prolonged spinning and looping sessions to lose height as the glider continued to climb rapidly even with the spoilers out.

Paul arrives at Hollingbourne after about an hour and a half......how goal and return next time?

sun burnt and slightly too smug, Paul takes a celebratory dump on his glider

the route

larger version here

holly delivers

High pressure over the duration of last week means summer leaves in a blaze or glory. A full gaggle of work shy reprobates gather at Holly to enjoy the sun, a gentle southerly and abundant thermal activity. Simon's inspired BBQ suggestion tops September off perfectly, it's the best 'fly and fry' we can remember and flying carries on past sun down.

Charlie's Alex (Slope Hunter Gary photo)

see...it IS autumn!

We've not even started on the beers and Graham already needs a no.1

launch time (Slope Hunter photo)

a very bad photo of the ladybird infestation

plumber's fix no.1

plumber's fix no.2

plumber's fix no.3

no. 4.....and yet it flies a treat!

bashing the bush (Slope Hunter photo)


time to start the thermal generator



nesting instinct kicks in (Slope Hunter photo)




"see all those people out there, they're still at work they are!"




it takes two qualified engineers to get the table erected


Gary's big wing....sun glasses required


the steaming pile builds up to spontaneous combustion



Cowboy Man joins in

in pursuit (SH photo)

big blue

strafing pass (SH photo)

testing Ray's rig (see the aerial was up!)

the shade is in demand






Luna / Pluto mid-air



nasty gash



Luna unperturbed

at times it's a session for light weight equipment

further proof

evening time draws near

Eric launches (SH photo)

perfect! (SH photo)

all good things must come to an end, but you'll be able to relive it here via the medium of film soon..

Graham's Spitfire

a friend indeed!

Eric arrives at the hill to find low winds and a touch too much west. Not to worry he has the tool for the job; an electric floater with no more than 3 flights under its belt.

The bad news is this model's not packing a receiver, but fear not as the ever resourceful Paul has a spare one in his flight box. It's even got the correct Velcro 'polarity' for mounting in Eric's model, so all's good and off we go into the blue yonder.

off she goes

overhead

low pass

off to find a decent thermal and then up to speck height

What a lovely afternoon! The early autumn sun gives smooth buoyant air and, for a moment at least, we can forget that winter is close by.

All toys safely on the ground. The receiver is handed back to its rightful owner, at which point Paul fesses up with a thank you to Eric for testing his 23 year old piece of kit, which has been the prime suspect in several recent crashes !

cross country fail

closing season

Here's some activity from recent weeks

have you guessed what it is yet?



no, nor have we...but it' a good n







another mystery model



a clue as to its vintage






the cows avoid eye contact...but look out for that one on the far right!



the lift's even good enough for some PSS action




after two allegedly duff launches, it's off to inflict some collateral damage
in the name of the good old 'you ess of aye'



I can see autumn on the horizon :(

relate

The Goodwind camera is refusing to talk to the Goodwind colossus super computer at present.

Normal service will be resumed following a metaphorical banging together of their respective heads. Failing a positive outcome, I'll be looking for assistance to launch the offending parties off the top of Beachy Head (I'll be sure to pick a day when the wind is from the south east if we follow through on this one, so we can at least get some flying in).