Chairman’s Report – Scale Day 2025

Well, that was our second event of this year. It did put the committee into a slight quandary because the weather forecast was not particularly favourable. After some deliberation, we decided that it really should go ahead. We sent reminders and confirmed it was ON.

In previous years we have been a victim of poor weather being forecast and on the day the weather was actually fine. In this case, the weather was eventually okay but too breezy for some of the lighter models and First World War types. Nevertheless, the event was well attended, with 48 beautiful scale models exhibited.

The static scale  competition was sponsored by Futaba UK. 13 models entered the competition. Of the 13 presented to the judges they were all worthy of a prize in their own right. The selection of models judged varied from an unbelievable Sopwith Camel with scale linkages and an animated pilot, to a twin-engine, turbine-powered F4 phantom.

In the end the judges found it very difficult to agree who was to be the winner. Was it going to be the Sopwith Camel or the Corsair? The deciding vote was down to me! The decision was so hard. I eventual chose the Corsair, purely on the fact that the Corsair had flown but the Camel had not.

The eventual winner was Jason Eldridge with his F4U Corsair. This model has a very large 5 Cylinder radial engine, hydraulic actuated folding wing mechanism and an own made self stater ring. Congratulations to Jason and everyone who took part.

As usual the club provided some light refreshments in the form of tea and coffee.

We had a number of visitors who just turned up to watch and others who did bring their models along but did not fly. They were content to meet and chat about models as well as to admire other people’s creations and to meet old acquaintances. There were 62 cars in the car park and amongst them were a few vintage vehicles which were well worth a look.

The day’s activities ended with a couple of very low passes from Dan Humphries in his full-size Auster, who had flown out to us from Old Hay.

A great day was had by all. I don’t think anyone crashed.

Thanks go to all who helped organise the day and all those who attended.

See you at the Fun Fly event on 6th July.

Thanks again.

Bob Ryan.

Photos courtesy of David Ashby.