R/c Festival at Sandown

 January 11 at 1204 the gates opened and I got through the gate at 1225.

 There must have been 2 or 3 hundred people milling about waiting for the gates to open.

 Large models static display at the grandstand entrance.

 Very impressive models indeed.

I don't know if the engine is a dummy or not, I suspect not.

 This display of tanks was interesting, they could fire on one another and score hits etc.

 Inside, the range of displays were excellent.

 The size of the gliders impressed me.

 International scale comp winners show such detail, I was gobsmacked.

You can run, but you can't hide!
Although I didn't see our other two members who were present.

(Ian W and Graeme M)

 Large scale choppers, awesome.

This model detail was fabulous, on chatting to the owner, I discovered a secret.

 Most of the fabulous detail is by 3D Printer!

Powered by electric motor of course! He told me it was a bit over powered, kept chewing gears.

Stunning, look at the extinguisher, printed the day before.

A number of retailers were there, I think a fairly brisk trade was happening, judging by the packages people were carrying.

 Nifty turbines.

Power boats aplenty.

 How about that heavy duty gimbal.

Mighty expensive hardware here.

 The grandstand afforded great views and the audience really appreciated the performance of the pilots flying in VERY difficult conditions.

 The runway was the car-race track with very gusty winds mostly at right angle to the runway.  Turbulence caused by the wind coming over the top of the armco was seriously entertaining the crowd during landings in particular.

Note, broken model at left, rolled on take off.

I think only 4 models were totalled, not bad really.

Note how many aeromodellers needed to pack up big stuff.

Wednesday

 Very hot day, breeze from west through to the east changing constantly.
The open shelter had serious use, it was a life-saver.

Ian, Lin and Brian made sure they got to fly.

4th Day of Christmas

NOT "4 Calling birds" but
many vehicles in the car park,
lots of models to fly......

 members sheltering from the sun and new member Gary, really enjoying his stay here, where he gets to fly his very nice aerobat.














(Below) Closer up view of Garys' plane.
It seemed to spend a lot of time inverted.

Christmas party

Christmas party was held last night at the Retreat Hotel Nicholson.
You will see from the very general photos that a very large number of members came along to enjoy the camaraderie and judging by the conversation at earsplitting  levels, they did.
Once again, everyone I spoke to said that the meals were very good.
We had a great time. Brian had his usual Bamboozeling mind stretching puzzles to get us all thinking hard again, I'm not very good at that.

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON TO ALL FROM YOUR BLOGGING TEAM.

Sunday at LVMAC

LVMAC held their 'Wet and Dry' weekend and I attended on Sunday to lend support, see float planes fly and flog some of our Guessing Comp entries.

 Plenty of models were present, as was the wind.

 Water was too rough in the morning, but abated somewhat in the afternoon to allow acouple of guys to show how it's done.
Chris was not successful in getting his model to move off the grass.

Next door paddocks had machinery operating, excreting hay bales.

Geoff B flew VERY briefly a 'propasaurus' further flights are unlikely.
His 'Superman' model suffered the same fate.

I enjoyed the visit, camaraderie and flying, not to mention the sausage sizzle.