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 .