| 3 and 4 July 2006 Flying
on Smithwood Common |
|
| Monday 3 July - The
weather being very hot, the air calm, and the light evenings still with
us, John and Martin decided to head for Smithwood Common for an evening
flying their model planes. Not quite the real thing but still very
enjoyable - or was
it.......................
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| Martin took his Cessna plane
and John his chuck glider and his magnificent model of is beloved Tiger
Moth |
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| All went well until John
suddenly realised he was missing his glasses. We searched the waist
high grass for a while, but he was unsure at what point during the flights
he had lost them. John flew his model of FM made some wonderful
flights. Martin was also getting some great flights with his
"off the shelf" model |
| Then disaster struck when
after a rather super flight, Martin's plane headed for the trees.
They were positioned in amongst huge thistles, nettles and lots of bugs.
After much straining of necks John was the first to spot the plane high in
the branches. The trees, even if we could get close to them were not
climbable. |
| So a very miserable Martin
and John headed back to the cars. Once again Jan had not had an time
to read her book as planned |
| Tuesday 4 July -
Arrived back at Smithwood Common kitted out in suitable clothes, long
trousers, long sleeved shirts together with a stout pole for getting
through the undergrowth, a good set of chimney rods and some strong
rope. We headed off to the offending tree. Martin reduced the
undergrowth to a manageable height to allow access and John fitted the
rods together. Feeding the rods up the tree was very precarious as
they waved all over the place, however after some amazing manoevres the
rods reached the plane and with a few well placed prods the plane started
to descend. |
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|
| It took several
attempts but eventually it fell to the ground. Amazingly it was intact
except for loosing it's tail fin. Martin was delighted. He
could make a new one of those easily. |
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|
| Sadly despite some concerted
efforts we were not so lucky when looking for John's glasses |
| They then decided to get some
fun out of the evening and walked further into the middle of the common
hoping to avoid trees and other obstacles. |
|
|
| Luckily Martin had brought
another plane so was able to fly something. Both mini FM and Martins
plane had some really great flights, so spirits were certainly raised by
the time we headed home as the light was fading |
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| So if you are on Smithwood
Common and find some glasses do let John or us know |
