Model Wing Report for 2010 by Frank Fletcher
2010 proved to be a comparatively quiet year for the Model Wing, in terms of show attendance and used as a year of consolidation. It was also a year of sad loss. Our original Horsa Glider, model LH291, some 17 years old, lost radio signal at Weston Part Model Show and was destroyed. This model was bequeathed to the Trust, by the family of Frank Hargraves, who owned the model at the time of his death in 2003. Frank was captured at Arnhem as a solder in the South Staffordshire Regiment and so it was a poignant memorial to him and all involved on that operation.
It is hoped to salvage some of the parts, to build a static exhibit, but at the time of writing, other work is a priority.
With the loss of our primary tug Dakota, it has not been easy to achieve the impact that I had originally planned for the Trust’s models to have at the shows. We have still to complete the two 1/8th scale Dakotas that, equipped with two 38cc petrol engines each, would have been more than capable of aerotowing our 20-22lb Horsa Gliders. These Dakotas are 12 feet span models and can weigh in at about 50lbs, thus requiring a CAA exemption certificate, before we can fly them at public model shows. Like the full size project, they are proving very time consuming.
All of the models have been built by very kind fellow aeromodellers, who have recognised the worth of the cause. Neil and Derek Whitfiled (1/9th scale Dakotas x 2); Rolf Banken (Horsa); Tony Corcombe (Albemarle); Fred Clarke (Waco); Kelvin Jones (1/11 scale Horsa); Chas Lloyd (Gipsy Moth); Stuart McFarlane (help on 1/8 scale Dakota); Keith Trevor (1/14th sacle and Roger Keatley (1/8 scale Dakota). We have also had considerable financial reductions for items from Whitchurch Models, so a big THANK YOU, to Martin Simmonds, the owner.
A lot of hard work, time and effort goes into the building and maintenance of the models, not to mention cost. We therefore try and minimise the financial burden of the upkeep, by trying to generate funds as we go from show to show. My wife Christine and daughter Tracy, other fellow model flyers’ wifes, Taresa Keatley and Lorraine McFarlane, help out to promote the cause, gaining donations, selling raffle tickets and generally tipping people upside down, to see what falls out of their pockets! This “ready cash” goes some way to off-setting the general day to day expenses and running costs.
I am a member of a Trade Union called Unite, which has made very generous donations to the Trust, in recognising the valuable work and historic value of the cause.
These donations also link in, with the latest sub-project, involving the “young apprentices”, who visit Shawbury every Friday from Telford College of Arts and Technology. These are a lively, but keen bunch of potential engineers, who have agreed to build a 1/9th scale model Dakota. We originally hoped to have this finished by Easter, but the weather before Christmas hindered their attendance and the freezing environment in 5 hangar, does not help wood working and gluing!!
None of these youngsters has ever built even a small flying model before, so this project is the proverbial “baptism of fire”! The fuselage is a one piece fibreglass affair and a group of four have been tasked with fitting this out. Two more groups are completing the centre and outer wing sections, including making a mould to make fibreglass cowlings. Three individuals are completing the rudder, elevators and tailplane. Steady, but significant progress is being made and a surplus of apprentices has meant that our crashed Albemarle can be rebuilt as a static exhibit. At the time of writing, the main section of fuselage is rejoined and after some structural reinforcement and cosmetic attention, we should soon see her back together and on her wheels.
A busy season of attending shows continued at Teeside, Weston Park, East Kirkby, Cosford and Welshpool.