Warbirds over Awatoto, Sat 23rd & Sun 24th
February was again hugely successful despite an inclement forecast and was well attended by both modellers and the public. President Alex Wardley welcomed some 48 registered pilots including 32 visiting from around the North Island with over 120 aircraft. The pilots’ briefing by Club Captain Mike Shears saw proceedings get under way and flying and display was almost continuous throughout the weekend.
There were some notable aircraft flown in display flights during the rally, one being a fifth scale Russian MIG 25 fighter flown by Clint Kraidy from Auckland who scratch built the model as a school science project two years ago when a student at St Kentigern College. The model is powered by two ATJ 170 Turbines, each developing 17kg of thrust, weighs 55kg, and at 4.2 metres in length with a wingspan of 2.8 meters, is most impressive in the air. Quite a remarkable project and very realistically flown by this accomplished and personable young man who will undoubtedly have a great future in aviation.
The Briggs family from Tauranga campaigned a new aircraft flown by Frazer, a large model WW2 Russian fighter, a Lavochkin LA7. This model, built from a beautifully molded European kit by Mike, was only test flown last week, has a wingspan in excess of three metres and is powered by a 250cc Moki four-stroke five cylinder radial engine which gives it a great sound in the air.
Under the guidance of Jane Wardley, the ladies provided great food and drinks, the sausages and“ Man-sized” hamburgers for the public and pilots were hugely popular. They operated from the new Shelter which was put to the test over the weekend, providing room for registration, pound and radio / sound system. It also doubled very successfully as a Hangar for model storage on Saturday night. Many pilots overnighting at the field for the weekend.
Top: Clint Kraidy and his 1 / 5 scale scratch built Mig 25 weighing in at 55kg and spanning 4.2mtrs
Middle: Matt Lord, a regular at Warbirds flew this very nice Hellcat.
Above: Mike Briggs large Moki 5 cylinder radial powered Lavochkin La7
Left: P47 Showtime... Frazer Briggs and Shaun Mitchell’ s 55cc P-47’ s in their customary display of formation flying.