Page 36 - MFWDec 2023
P. 36

MoDELLING MEMORIES


                                                               David Bately


     I think I've been a member of MFNZ for over 30 years now  Luck was with me that day as the wind direction changed
     and I've really enjoyed the Humming Bird article by Allan  which brought my new model back towards me. It landed
     Knox and Bernard Scott.                                  back  in  same  paddock  and  I  had  had  my  very  first
                                                              successful flight with a powered model aeroplane.
     That  took  me  back  to  my  first  free  flight  model  kit
     purchased from King Cycles and Models in Christchurch  I think I bought about 4 Humming Bird kits over about 3
     for $3.00, yes it's not a typo, that's all they cost in 1968.   years and enjoyed every one.

     I had never built a kit set free flight plane before but at age  We did not have heat shrink covering those days so my
     12, I found it was very easy. A new Davies Charlton 0.8cc  bedroom always smelt of dope and balsa cement.
     Merlin Diesel engine was $8.00 and the DC Bantam 0.5cc
     glow motor was $5.00. I chose the Merlin Diesel.         It was not until about 1973 I was able to buy my first 4
                                                              channel  proportional  RC  set.  This  meant  I  could  stop
     My Humming Bird was quick to build and sturdy and first  chasing free flight models.
     test flight revealed it needed quite a bit of downthrust on
     the motor, according to the instruction sheet from Angus  Thanks to Allan and Bernard for bringing back memories of
     Macdonald.                                               my first powered free flight model plane.

     Luckily my parents home was surrounded by about 40  Now days the hangar is full of large RC models with petrol
     acres of grass land so no problems finding a place to fly  or methanol engines. Some self designed and built and
     my Humming Bird.                                         some ARF kits.

     2nd test flight with about  5 degrees down thrust and I had  Pics are of my own design build Tundra Falcon series.
     a winner. I had a timed engine run of 3 minutes which  Motor is OS 155 pumped Alpha 4 cycle. Wing span 83"
     turned out to be way too long. So When the engine finally  weight 16lbs.
     stopped it was just a dot in the sky and heading towards
     the sewerage treatment plant in Aranui. The glide was  Note: First flights were conducted with out a prop spinner to
     dead straight  as I did not put any deflection on the rudder.  maximise cooling for the new 4 stroke motor.














































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