Latest events | sbmac

top of page

A selection of photos showing some recent club activities - including Voetsak at Berkeley on 9th March.

New member Gareth's rather nice Ambassador stunter ...SO.	..and Gareth's nicely detailed FW190 profile stunter......SO.	Paul and Malcolm working on Scott's damaged combat model....SO.
'Nosher' getting in some combat ptractice at Colerne on 23rd march	Roger Silcocks' brand new Voetsak Tribute ( Elite class) with ETA 15 !	Konrad's Peacemaker under construction.......KH.
and Konrads profile Nobler - looking good! .....KH.	Dave Raynor's enlarged Profile 'Phantom Might' - with ED Racer - but may be utilised for Oliver Rat with an Oliver of course !..DR	Paul H's 2 cast Ali cars ( complete ) and his new DJR body shell...DH.
Paul McD's Ferrari tether car with 2.5cc glow , onboard glow battery and slimline skate wheels...DH	Paul H's new French cast Ali body shell from JDR...DH.	Jane managed to get the indoor fliers to keep still for a few minutes for a group photo at Thornbury Leisure Centre on March 22nd....JA.
A rubber duration model cruises around the hall at Thornbury Leisure Centre.	Dave H's tiny profile Rivet Racer takes it's chances amongst the metalwork at Thornbury....JA	Scott's latest Voetsak Tribute under Construction...SO.
Getting ready for Voetsak racing at Berkeley on March 9th ......SK.	More discussions prior to the flying on March 9th......SK.	The Voetsak Tributes in the 'line park'.....DH.
and from the other end of the line ........DH.	Scott's new model gets away very nicely on it's maiden flight........TS.	AM 25 please, please start!!!!!.......SO.
Reelika has her first flight with the Voetsak.......SO.	All the happy fliers at the completion of the Voestsak Tribute afternoon.......TS.	A not very good arrival after a down line failure. Note the unusual sweepback on the undercarriage ! and it's jettisoned its dummy tank !
--- the reason for the sweepback on the undercarriage - the UC fixing has pulled the plywood former apart!.....DH..

Reelika's latest project - a Peanut size Eindecker from a kit from a company based in Portishead ! ( 15miles from Bristol ).	Scotts Voetsak Tribute coming along nicely - albeit slowly !	Enlarged Dart style indoor rubber flyer from Mevyn. Plan distributed to attendees at Thornbury event.
Hangar Rat passing by at Thornbury on Jan 25th	Ornithopter being prepared for another flight	Dave's 'duration ' box. An old EZB and a Butterfly etc.
A better view of the Ornithopter - possibly Jan's ?	Another of Dave's boxes - Built from paper surfaced foam board - easy to make and very light.	Scott's 'Tough Cookie' EasySpeed model under construction.
- and now in it's finished and very colourful state!	Robin's latest KK Champ - p0wered by a Redfin 0.6cc motor.	Robin preparing to test his second KK Champ at Colerne
- and here it is alongside others at Berkeley ( mainly a photographic opportunity).	Robin's long term project - a nice scale control-line model of a Miles M20	Reelika's latest Mini-Goodyear model ( a Lil' Quickie ) nearly ready for finishing.
and here she is with Ernie doing a great job timing the EasySpeed flying at Berkeley on 16th February	Dave R firing up the PAW in Scott's EasySpeed model.	An excellent turnout of EasySpeed models considering how cold it was!
Alistair's Bee EasySpeed model ( Bee related to the old club logo possibly ? )	Alistair's second entry in EasySpeed - a Deerfly	Dave R running up the motor in his Phantom Mite ' prior to giving it a test flight..
Dave R's EasySpeed model - his Chukudu no.2	Simon's easySpeed entry - his Spadge.	Sorry - lost track of whose model was which !!
- definitely Scott's colourful EasySpeed entry!	- and possibly Reelika's Owl Racer EasySpeed entry	- definitely Reelik's other entry in EasySpeed - her latest lil' Quickie MGYR model.
Dave H's ' Sortof Linesman' EasySpeed entry.	Daves new KK Phantom Mite Mk 1 under construction from a very original KK kit - how many years old must that be!	Dave H's latest E20 under construction ( after the car door ate his last one! )
The elctronics bit of the E20 - BMK remote DT etc.	Another view of that ornithopter.	Sorry - not sure whose model this was but it was certainly flying beautifully
the same model chancing it's luck under the ceiling at Thornbury.	- possibly Tim's Giminie Cricket flying at Thornbury	- because here he is launching the same model at the Berkeley site.
Dave H watching his 25+ year old ? EZB climb away.	- and wandering back with it as Joe launches his catapult glider.	Dave R's KK Phantom Mite (Mk 2) under construction

Mostly from the Phantom afternoon at Berkeley on 12th January --- good to be back flying!!!

A nice seasonal photo. Would have made a good club Christmas card ! Paul's model on his track on 9th January.	Scott's new build for EasySpeed - "Tough Cookie".	Dave R's new build - A Chris Coote Stinger MGYR for Mini-Goodyear or EasySpeed ? or both!
Dave R's model for the EasySpeed comp in February.	Waiting for the 'off' - 10 laps to be timed	Scott's Merlin powered Phantom Mite.
Scott's Mite in flight	Another Phantom - I've lost track of whose they are !! This one probably Alistaitrs or Dave F's ?	One of Dave Raynor's two Phantoms
Not sure who owns this one ? Possibly Scott? Phantom Mite.	Alistair's - according to his BMFA number on wing.	Dave H's 2.5cc Phantom - pre disaster. Now possibly needing a rebuild !
Dave F's 2.5cc entry.	Alistair's winner in the 2.5cc class - best time 24.65s.	Dave H's Mite. Fastest of the Mites (19s for 7 lapson 30' lines ).
Not sure whose ?	Alistair's winner in the 1.5cc class in 29.22s.	Dave H's entry in 1.5cc class
Dave R's Oliver powered entry in 1.5cc class	What !!! Dave applies the electic starter to Alistair's model. Instant start!	Judges time Dave R's model whilst onlookers have obviously spotted/heard something special happening in the stunt circle.
Dave R adjsting the Oliver Cub in his Phantom.	Dave F taking the strain on another fast lap	Alistair releases hsi Phantom for a smooth takeoff.
One last slight tweak of the compression ?	Dave H releasing his Phantom 1.5cc.

Some of the attendees at the indoor flying at Thonbury 16/11/24	and afew more with Tim getting his models ready	Watching the flying at Berkeley on 27th October
the search for the lost pushrod gets underway - eventually found!	an Oliver Rat motor that's decided to start in reverse!	Colin Bell with his beautifully decorated Spacehound.
Scott's KK Champ with regulation 10cc tank ( for 30 lap hopefully ).	Sam launches his catapult glider at Thornbury Leisure Centre.	Robin's entry for the EasySpeed event.
happy winners of the Oliver Rat Race on November 10th - Nick & Jan	The Oliver Ratters at Berkeley - at end of racing.	A good Phantom Lineup at Berkeley.
Robin's kk Champ - the one featured on OuterZone. Great paint job Robin!	Nick launching in the Mini-Goodyear event.	Paul and Scott rotating nicely during the Oliver Rat event.
Nick Collecting his prize in the Nationals Vintage Combat	Dave's EasySpeed getting a flight in - but not a very quick time unfortunately.	Mervyn's own design model at Thornbury.
Dave releases his Mini-Goodyear model with some determination!	Luke's entry model for the EasySpeed event - an Owl Racer ?	Luke checks his rubber/bearing ready to launch at Thormbury.
Kevin with his F/F KeilKraft Pirate at Colerne.	- complete with a Lego Pirate so there's no doubt about the model name.	Jan gets ready to launch as another Gimminie Cricket floats past on it's way to land.
John B at Thornbury with his BMFA Hangar Rat model	Nick readying his large stunter at Colerne. Ready for even more practice - no wonder he does so well in club stunt events	Another scrumptious cake from Janet!
Timing the EasySpeed practice flights at Colerne	Dave's new models for late '24 and 2025.	Can't miss out on some freeflight when there's no wind. Flying 'til the very last minute of daylight at Colerne
Some EasySpeed and MGYR models awaiting flying.	Dave's replacement EasySpeed models - a converted Linesman model.	Dave R's Mini-Goodyear about to be released.
Dave R's second EasySpeed entry.	When this cutout was called into operation it did just that - it cut through the fuel tube!	Dave P's Centi-Phase soarer ( not at Colerene!).
Four KK Champs having a day out at Colerne. attempting to do 30 laps on a 10cc tank - and at speed ?	Dave's indoor semiscale model at Thornbury. Was a 4channel electric RC model - converted to rubber F/f. The opposite direction of converting to most jobs!	More nice cakes with the delivery man - Jim. Thanks Janet.
Dave R struggling to get a first flick restart in Oliver Rat

Paul G launches his KK Senator for another nice flight	Paul's Senator high up and climbing	Dave launches his VMC Fledgling - finally sorted after a few trim changes
The Fledgling passes by	Paul winding His KK Ace	Nosher ( Denis) with his team ( on the left of photo ) after picking up 3rd place at the Buckminster vintage combat event.
Dave's Class 0 Weatherman after finally making a successful flight at Colerne. Not flat out though - as with the needle screwed fully in the AME 049 still ran !	Scotts combat selection - each with a different Oliver-ish motor - A Ridley , a CS Oliver and a K12. ( plus a PAW).	Nick's APS design Coy Cat with an OS35
Colin's collection of stunters - A Nobler with an ENYA 35 , a Thunderbird with a Brodak 40 and his Tucker Special which he considers to be still in need of a litttle extra trimming.,	Dave taking the opportunity to run in his new Steve Fardon Mk3 Oliver.	Colin releasing Nick's Typhon ( not Typhoon) model for another schedule .
Brendan with his mini-fleet of smaller C/L models	Brendan fuelling up his Talisman stunter.	Robin with his Ellipitas model. Was powered by a ED Super Fury but now updated to a MVVS 2cc. Much improved , steadier , performance
Konrad's Ringmaster used to enter the Taster Stunt event.	Also in Taster Stunt - Scott's Acromaster with PAW motor.	The high scoring 1980 Aerostar of Nick Bridges.
	Conrad executing an inside loop with his Ringmaster

A reminder of better weather days. The tether car track looking good in July. It would be great to see more members attending in 2025 ?	Richard Evans' Spirogyra. Published in Aeromodeller in 1972.Now enlarged and a few mods made. Not yet flown.	The Enya glow powering Richard's Spirogyra.
Recently joined member Robin has been building an Owl Racer for Mini-goodyear racing. Too late for this year but will boost our numbers for the 2025 season.	Other recent 'joinees' are father and son team Luke ( now without beard !) and Joe. Here with a small rubber model , a Cloud Tramp and a very nice catapult glider ( just needing some decent weather!).	The club's 'combat boys' on the left (Stewy . Tony and Ian ) after earning third place in Vintage Combat at the British Nationals at Buckminster.
What an E20 wing looks like when the wind blows through your car as you slam the door. RIP.	Robin getting some practice in with his Mini-Ringmaster ( a free Dave Cowburn plan in AM June 2021) - PAW 149 powered.	Scott waits in the circle whilst Reelika restrains the model and Dave applies the starter to his Weatherman. Robin looks on.
The Weatherman gets away .... testing use of silencers in larger engines at Colerne	Sept 15th at Colerne. Scott flying the Irvine 40 powered Weatherman Class 6 model	Colin Bell at Colerne on September 15th flying his Thunderbird ( powered by a Brodak 40 glow )
Looks quite impressive ? Just experimenting with some self-adhesive stuff supplied in error! Not easy to apply and very diificult to get off after a few hours!	A nice lineup of Voetsak Tribute models ( all powered by the mandatory AM25s ). These fly very well but don't necessarily fly fast or restart easy.	Voetsak Tribute models with owners , pilots and pitmen ( and timekeeper). The club allows these to be proxy flown if required.
Pete Morrison with two of his beautifully finished Phanton Mites. (Berkeley on August 18th )	Jim's Phantom Mite didn't fly on Phantom 'day' but has since flown well ( and quite fast) after being degummed .	Dave's model awaiting finishing touches. A KK Champ , a Phantom Mite and a new Rat Racer (Ratty2) for a Steve Farndon Ollie.
Some club members making the most of the hall being available on a rained out CFA day at Berkeley on Sept 22nd. Managed to get in some serious Dart practice ready for the October 13th Air Race

Stewy comes third in the Oliver Combat competition At Old Warden on July 28th.	From the left - Nosher and Ian with Stewy making up the third placed team in this Annual competition.	At last the the grass has been cut and the free flight gets going again at Colerne on July 28th. Nice weather and good turnout.
Paul's rubber model gets away with a great launch.	Someones model making the most of the thermal activity... let's hope it has a working DT?	Colin's 'Hummungus' vintage stunter at Colerne
Colin's beautifully finished 'Spacehound' at Colerne	Nick's 'Typhon' ( not typhoon'! ) stunter at Colerne	Ollie on the horsing platform having just got Daves glow powered car off to a good start.
paul's track looking good in the sunshine ( amkes a change from the wet!	Paul's Bluebird with just one wheel on the track!	Another view of Paul's track.
Phantom lineup at Colerne on 30th June.	OK - Phantom racing finished what's next!.	Pete turns his attention to Dominator combat practice.
New member Robin with his Ellipitas model,	First flight of the Ellipitas - very successful and looks good in the air!

A few Random recent photos!

The workings of Paul's MK17 powered Bugatti model	Doug with his beautiful brand new Fred Boxhall coupe model	and away it goes on it's maiden trial flight
making a short but really steady first flight.	Gerry launching his rocket powered scale Vampire model	Indoor - Jan launches his Gyminnie Cricket model
A different Gyminnie Cricket flies nicely just under the ceiling in the GC contest.	john M's Pennyplane in the rubber duration competition.	Dave's own-design 14" model in the duration competition.

Voetsak Tribute flying at Berkeley on 9th June

Timekeepers ready - let's get some flying done!	Dave readies Pete's Voetsak. In the 60 seconds warmup period.	Pete in the magic circle - with his unusual horizontal handle piloting style.
Paul swapping the motor in Dave's Voetsak - but no improvement!	Alistair releasing his model for the fastest timed 10 lap session to date.	Alistair's model goes past - ably flown by Jan.
Jan's own Voetsak - recorded the fastest 60 lap time of the day.	Ex- Nick B's Voetsak - entered by Scott and flown by Paul.	A good mix of models waiting in the pit area.

Indoors at Berkeley - 12th May - BMFA Dart Air Race

During trimming a Dart gets caught in left over Xmas decoration string. Do not do this at home!	Dart winding and preparation underway .	two models being wound , one on its way around the balloons.
Scott gets his Dart away.

Dave's new OD model on first takeoff - surprisingly speedy !

From a sunny but windy day at Colerne

Scott and Reelika travel a long way to be there so they like to be sure to have plenty to fly ( 10 models!)	Newish member Geoff with his 3 newly built models. A DC Spitfire powered Firefly , a PAW 149 powered Gazelle and a PAW 249 powered Peacemaker ( to which Geoff had added flaps)	Scott giving Geoff's Peacemaker a trial flight.
Colin preparing his latest model ( a Tucker Special) for another trial flight.	Dave had a nice MPJet 1cc motor spare so he designed this model for it. Goes like stink!

Photos from the Jack Marsh Oliver Trophy held at Old Warden on 19th May.

Preparing for some practice	The winning teams ( our club's 2nd place team on right hand side )	Not all survived !
Preparing another model	The club's team ( L to R ) Stewy , Sion ( distant member from Minorca!) and Ian. Sion with his Kanible '68 model.	Sion picking up his winning bottle. Hope he shared it?

Taster Stunt competition at Berkeley on 12th May 2024

Judges for the days Taster Stunt comp - Reelika and Ernie	Wide range of models in the pits awaiting their starring moment!	Tony preparing his OS40 powered Thunderbird with Scott ready for releasing duties.
Tony in action during the 'two laps inverted' section.	Scott concentrating on his level laps with his PAW249 powered Akromaster	Watching and judging ( officially or otherwise ) the competition's flights.
Richard flying his Enya09 powered Junior Lightning Streak whilst clutching his manoeuvres schedule reminder !	Simon (also with reminder sheet) flying his AM15 powered Picador.	Paul flying the PAW149 powered Roundsman
Dave P releases Nick's OS35 powered Aerostar for his round 1 flight.	Nick's Aerostar going to inverted mode.

Berkeley on 14th April - Mini-Goodyear comp

Busy day - Mini-Goodyear here ..combat behind and some aerobatics at the other end of the field.	Anxious moments...awaiting the countdown to start.	One minute warmup...30 seconds to go.
Scott and Simon nicely circulating in the centre circle.	Jan launches Pete's model after another pitstop	How many laps to go ? "let me know when we've done 35".
Let's get back into the action!	Hurry up pitman - they're getting away from us!	He's behind you !! ( well it is sometimes a bit of a pantomime!)

Voetsak Tribute speed/racing competition at Berkeley on 17th March

A serious looking Alistair warms up the motor in his new Voetsak Tribute	Dave Farmer flying Alistair's model	Dave Raynor's Voetsak about to get away on the club's take-off strip
Pete Morrison's immaculate model awaits the call to the circle!	Pete Tribe giving his AM25 a final tweak.	Paul Griffiths flying Dave H's Voetsak.
Dave hand launching his Voetsak after the mandatory pitstop to avoid the puddles !	A Voetsak Tribute spraying water everywhere as it tries to break free of the waterlogged field.	The end of an interesting afternoons flying - and no breakages ! Maybe it'll be drier next time?

Paul's tether car track Thursday 14th March

Ernie and Tom Preparing their new Roadster for action	Paul McD's electric Rc controlled chassis awaiting it's first trial run.	The end of another good morning's car running/testing.

March 10th - as evening draws closer and the breeze drops its time for a quick flight with the Tomboy	The Tomboy returning with the help of a little RC assist.

Thornbury Leisure Centre on 9th March

Tim gets his catapult glider away for another flight	Due to a mixup there was a shortage of tables! Scott and Reelika prep theie models from the floor	Ernie piling on the turns on his Butterfly model.
Gerard's large electric powered indoor/outdoor FF model.	Mervyn really stretching the catapult rubber to get his model up amongst the metalwork?	Dave watching his small profile scale racer navigate the airspace.
Mervyn's very nice Penny Plane.	Scott keeping an eye on his Gyminnie Cricket rubber model

Colerne 3rd March -chilly!

Ist Colerne meeting of 2024. The snow is just about cleared and Paul launches his KK Gipsy	The speck in th middle is Dave's 16" rubber model making the most of the calm (but cold ) weather.	Reelika , Scott and Richard Evans getting ready to do some flying.
It doesn't matter how cold it is if you've you've got your sandwich , a flask of tea and some models to watch !

"EasySpeed " at Berkeley 18th February.

Some of the 8 entries being made ready for the start.	A repurposed Mini-Goodyear model ready to go.	Reelika's easily identified model!
A repurposed Linesman trainer - but failed to complete the necessary 10 laps!	Scott running up the PAW to test the motor run time - suitably equipped with wellingtons to cope with the water-logged ground!	Jan makes sure that Simon's BooRah gets safely away for it's two laps prior to the ten timed laps.
Timekeepers and Dave R waiting for Dave H to launch.	Dave R launches his MGYR model for one of his three timed flights.	New (returning after a 40+ year break ) member Geoff prepares for a trial flight with the club training model.

Thornbury Leisure Centre Indoor flying January 20th

Lots of members , plenty of models but very little flying so far!	John Bond launches his Gimminie Cricket	All eyes on someones circulating Cricket
Ernie B 's wife winds the motor on his large duration model	Mervyn really stretches for the launch of his latest catapult glider	Alistair gently releases his Butterfly model for another nice steady flight
Dave's 14" duration model cruising around.	Timekeeper at the ready as Tim releases his Gimminie Cricket	A rapid climb away for Kevin's Hangar Rat

Phantom Speed flying at Berkeley on Jan 14th

Timekeeper Reelika waiting fot the action - with the new ' timing pole' in line with the takeoff point.	Some of the 9 Phantoms present on the day	Two 'matching' Phantoms - at the front a PAW149 powered model and an Oliver 2.5 powered version behind
the one and only Mk 1 Phantom in the competition	Alistair firing up the Oliver in the Mk 1 model	- and away it goes
Dave Farmer flying Al's model watched by timekeeper/contest director Ernie and 'helper'	Dave R releases his model which then quickly climbs away	Scott settles the model into level flight
Pete T flies his Phantom with his typical horizontal handle action.	Dave H releases Brendan's Frog 249 powered Phantom	Most of the motley crew and their helpers and models - another fun filled session draws to a close.

Prizegiving at 2023 AGM - Berkeley 10th December

Phantom event winners for 2023 Dave Hanks and Paul Griffiths receive their certificate from club chairman John Bond (on left)	Winners of the Voetsak Tribute events for 2023 were Dave Raynor (L) and Scott O'Brien (R).	The 2023 Combat champion was Tony Parton-Frost (R)
Indoor Champion for 2023 was Mervyn Harris.	Overall Control-line champion for 2023 was Paul Griffiths - our Free Flight secretary! Multi talented!	Mick Lewis receives a photo print of the front cover of the months Aeromodeller - as he recently took part in his last competitive combat event - having been flying combat models since the late 1950's !!
Reelika receiving her certificate as the club's 'Helper of the year' for 2023.

Colerne 26th November - at 12.30 - 3 degrees and raining but you can't stop keen SBMAC fliers!!

Nick flying in the rain !	Colin flying in the drizzle/fog	Scott and Reelika keeping warm?
Reelika with her own Mini-Goodyear model ( obviously taken on a much better day!	which does do the motor or fuselage a lot of good!	Scott's Talisman make an unexpected vertical arrival
and for something completely different. Jim's grandson Angus towing up his kite. I think Jim has plans to replace the kite with an A1 glider soon?

Thornbury Leisure Centre Indoor Flying on 18th November

Lots of air and floor space - shouldn't have any mid-air collisions!	Kevin gets his model away.	Two models circulating nicely
Ernie watching his model making its way upwards for another nice flight.	Ernie's model on it's way back down?	A nice neat box of safely secured models.
Steve T watches Mick's RC model flying.	Another view of the 'pits' area.

Berkeley on 12th November Oliver Rat Racing - sorry no pics from actual race - but some other random photos from the day.

A break in the Oliver Rat Race allows members to watch some of the trainer flights.	a day guest having a flight with the club Linesman trainer	Guest flyer Ed has his first go at C/L flying - having last been involved with his father's aeromodelling many years ago.
From indoor flying on the same day - Reelika with her own built Gyminie Cricket

bottom of page