Dave's Aeromodelling History

Well, that's me, way back before man had even set foot on the moon. I was born the usual nine months later on the 30th November 1968. This was the year that the TU-144 'concordski' beat the Concord into supersonic flight. Boeing rolled out it's first 747, Lockheed C-5A Galaxy made it's first flight and LBJ ended the bombing of North Vietnam! ! ! ! ! Meanwhile back in a little village in the middle of the Costwolds in deepest England named 'Lechlade', I was entering the world as a new aeromodeller. . . .

3 years later, and having got addicted to the all models in my dad's workshop and the intoxicating substances that go with it, I started to dabble in the world of 'free-flight' . . . . . Pity I got more paint on me than on the model, still, not a lot has changed.

So then the big thing happened ! ! We all moved to Ireland on my 7th birthday (30th Nov 1976) . . . WHY ?

The reason for moving was so that my dad, along with 2 mates from Cirencester, decided to set up a company 'Technopower Enterprises Ltd' in Smithstown Ind Est, Shannon to produce two main types of Model Aero Engines. Firstly there was the Telco CO2 engine. It was designed in 1,2,3 and 4 cylinder versions. Most sold were of the single cylinder version. But the best and the most interesting engines designed and made by the company were the 'Technopower' 4-stroke radial engines. These were based on the Armstrong-Siddeley Genet engine of the 1930's era, supplied in 5, 7, or 9 cylinder versions.

ENTERPRISES LTD

Telco CO2 Engine Spec

A few years later Both 'Telco' and 'Technopower' were sold on to the UK and USA. So that is how I got into this hobby.

The first radio I used was my dads Skyleader 7 set and the first model that I flew a 45" piper cherokee from a kit. I then tried gliders and float planes. My first radio set was a JR Max 66 set and was installed in a Hi-Boy powered by an OS 40 that was purchased for me as a gift by my uncle in model Spot in Leicester in the mid to late 80's. In 1988, I purchased a Futaba FF7 and used (abused) it for the next 10 years. In 1998, I bought Paul Heckles 9ZAP and have stayed with ZAP's since. I currently fly the new ZAP WCII that I purchased from Ripmax for the recent Jet World Masters.

I am a self taught model pilot and have a different mode than most, still it stops people from trying to fly my models. Only one person has the 'KNACK' and that is UK show pilot, Steve Holland. . . .As he says 'It makes his brain hurt' after flying my mode.

Back in 1991, I contacted the then editor of RCM&E (Radio Control Models & Electronics), Kevin Crozier, and asked if I could do a kit review for the mag. He said give it a whirl and since then I have done a few and am regularly called to do so by the current editor, Graham Ashby. I have also been asked on two occasions to be a jury member for the 'R/C Model of the Year Awards'

Here are the reviews I have done are . . . . . in no particular order ! ! ! !

RCM&E Magazine

My interest in international events, shows and competitions started back in 1994 when I entered the 'Europa Star Cup' in the UK and was placed last overall but obtained 3rd in static with my "scratch built" 1/2 scale Pitts S-1S Special

Since then I have felt the urge to do more competitions and have attended the following main events. . . . . .

2nd JWM. F-4F Phantom with twin Turbomin TN-60's	3rd JWM entry. F/A-18C with twin RAM750F's
My F-18C Hornet entry at Top Gun 2001 . . . .	. . . . . . and again in the 4th JWM in Thailand

11th annual Jets over DeLand event in 2000 where I got the prize for 'Longest Distance Traveled'

(Above Left) Recieving my award at DeLand (Above) My BVM Composite Bandit with a RAM 750F (Left) My 37% Extra 300L at the 2003 XFC, USA

Here I am after doing something a little bit different. On Sunday the 9th July 1995, I had a crack at doing the British R/C endurance record. The first flight of the day was at 04:54 until 09:53 (only 36 seconds under the 5 hour mark) so the model was re-fueled and a second flight was done from 15:02 until 20: 46. A total time of 5 hours 46 min and 56 secs on this second flight.

The main reason for doing this . . . Raising £1,300 for the local Hospice.

Me on the left with members of the NWMAC and Aiden my co-pilot, on the right.

The area which I realy get a rush, is in the wild world of Model Show Flying, I got my BMFA 'B' Cert in May 1995 and have never looked back.

Above Steve, Nick and I visit the lads in Dungannon MFC back in October 1995 and had a great time. I have had the fortune to be allowed to fly at many clubs and have felt totally overwhelmed to be asked to do so. In 1999 I was asked to fly at the Sandown Model Symposium as a display pilot for Weston UK

Thats me on the front, lefthand side with a borrowed Cougar 2000. I brought along my Tigershark delta for the show and flew three slots a day over the two day event. . . . . Great bunch of lads.

Me in the front (second fron the left)

The great news for 2000 was that I was to be asked back to Sandown. This time, I got to fly 5 times a day with both the Weston UK and YT International teams

Me in the back holding high my SU-26M

In 2000, I attended the Scottish Airshow and had a great time, I made a lot of new friends and flew all weekend.

So, having been invited to so many clubs and shows through the years, I thought that I should put something back into the hobby by staging my own fly-in for these persons to come to and for them to fly at. The first one of these was held near where I live back in May 1995. Christened as the May Madness Weekend it was attended by my friends from the NWMAC among others, who spent the 3 days flying models and hitting the local pubs.

The second May Madness was held in the same location a few years later in 1998 and numbers were up. 1999 brought friends from England and in 2000 was to be the BIG ONE with getting married on the same weekend to my long suffering girlfriend 'Helen'

Many times, I wish I could re-live the day but I don't think things could EVER be any better than they were on 1st May 2000.

Well, there is Paul Matthews, our new addition to the hanger since his birth on 30-06-02

And now in 2009 - Paul is now 6 and is enjoing his flying every chance we get.

So what is next ? . . . . . Well there are so many things that this hobby/sport has to offer and I for one can't wait to get out there and experience the thrill that is Model Flying.