For many people these models are the pinnacle of current model flight, with speeds of up to 250 mph and superbly realistic in the air. Aside from all that though, they're just Loud And Fast, who can resist...
Of course, models like this are out of most modeller's reach, and then you have to have somewhere to fly them because they need a parsec of sky to spread their loud and distinctive noise across several counties. Another good point is that they are cheap to run, using paraffin or the classic Jet-A1 which I'm told is actually cheaper. They use lot though, a typical fuel tank is about 4 litres.
Because Jets are not your average club model (at least in my estimation) meetings like this are well attended by both pilots and spectators. Anywhere there's a tarmac runway with lots of space around it is suitable, ruling out Regent's Park for example, but airfields fit most of the criteria and are often available in off peak times (peacetime...)
If you want an authentic day out, with lots of emotion stirring noise and the unmistakeable smell of jet fuel mark this on your diary for next year. Thanks to the event director Reg Lowe, and the very knowledgeable commentator Phil Wigley.
//tony wright
Stands and Views
With a full size runway to use this event attacted a large number of models and pilots, with plenty of spectators too. Airside was well controlled, and well informed commentary was given throughout the day by Phil Wigley, an experienced ducted fan flyer himself.
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
 General views at the Jet weekend |
Paul Dunkley's 1/4 scale Goshawk
A nine year development cycle has produced this superb scratch built Goshawk, you can see just how large it is at 1/4 scale as it takes two to carry it. Paul also flies the model is a very scale way, a couple of examples of which you can see in the videos. One is the takeoff, where the models rotates and climbs out straight at a noticeably constant climb rate and the other is when changing direction from a banking turn, where the models rolls through inverted instead of upright, I assume because it's quicker, certainly it looks good.
The Goshawk has working leading edge slats and flaps and the nosegear is a masterpiece! I got an interview with Paul and he is working on kitting the model, the moulds are all made etc., so that's something to look forward to. I hope we'll hear more as time goes on.
 You need a big white van too! |
 Final assembly |
 Final assembly |
 A large model indeed |
 A large model indeed |
 A large model indeed |
 Gently, gently |
 Makes the others look small! |
 Superbly detailed work |
 Flaps fully extended |
 Flow straighteners, are they called strakes? |
 Detail work again |
 Leading edge slats extended |
 Leading edge slats extended |
 Nosegear is a masterpiece |
 Nosegear is a masterpiece |
 Detail work |
 Jet outlet |
The twin BAe Hawks flown by Steve and Matt Bishop
These gentlemen (Father and Son) put on an excellent display of precision flying with these kit based Hawks from the German based company Airworld. The Hawks are 1/5 scale and placed 1st in the Top Gun Trophy at the British National Championships (see our Nats event report for more footage). According to Steve on our video interview (bottom of page) these can be built very fast, but what's probably most impressive is the way these two look in the air. The mark of a good flight is when it doesn't constantly look like a model, and is easily mistaken for the real aircraft.
Flying these two in close proximity, and on occasions almost directly towards each other, is a considerable skill which enhances the scale appearance again. I'm sure many of you will have seen these models at shows around the country, but if you haven't it's well worth keeping an eye on upcoming model shows.
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
 Twin BAe Hawks |
Colin Gardner's JMP Firebird
I understand this is the only one of these in the UK and it was clearly the fastest model there. In spite of the size of the airfield, Colin told me afterwards that there wasn't enough room to use full power, so he didn't think the model reached its normal top speed of 250 mph. (Huh, if you think that's fast see this :-) ).
The inside of this model looks like the engine bay of an Impreza, there isn't much spare room! If my memory serves correctly the finish is all hand prepared and sprayed, including all the markings. I hope the pictures give you some idea of how well prepared this model was, a credit to Colin. I haven't got much footage of this, and of course it was very hard to keep up with... Hence the new video head, see later...
 Colin Gardner's 250mph Firebird |
 Colin Gardner's 250mph Firebird |
 Colin Gardner's 250mph Firebird |
 Colin Gardner's 250mph Firebird |
 Colin Gardner's 250mph Firebird |
 Colin Gardner's 250mph Firebird |
John Sanders' F22 Raptor
This 1/5 scale F22 Raptor looked very realistic and the shape of this aircraft is of course very distinctive. The model is powered by a Simjet 3000 which produces about 30 pounds of thrust. A couple of the pictures show the F22 on final approach with the left hand wheel not fully down which meant a wingtip scrape, hopefully with only superficial damage.
 John Sanders and his F22 Raptor |
 John Sanders and his F22 Raptor |
 The F22 Raptor |
 John Sanders and his F22 Raptor |
 The F22 Raptor |
 The F22 Raptor |
 The F22 Raptor |
 The F22 Raptor |
 John Sanders, centre |
Other aircraft
Sorry I can't identify many of these but if anyone likes to add some names and details I'll update the captions.
 Andy Hetherington's L39 |
 Andy Hetherington's L39 |
 Andy Hetherington's L39 |
 Andy Hetherington's L39 |
 Andy Hetherington's L39 |
 Andy Hetherington's L39 |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
 Various other aircraft at the event |
End of Day
 Contest director Reg Lowe |
 Wing Commander Foster |
 Retiring Chairman of the RRMAC, Derek Martin |
 Plaques to be proud of |
 Prizegiving about to start |
 Father and Son team Steve and Matt Bishop |
 Father and Son team Steve and Matt Bishop |
 Paul Dunkley receiving his prize |
 John Sanders collected a prize too |
R-R Hucknall MAC Jet Weekend videos
One of the things I have discovered is that the video head I have been using is not good enough for long zooms and smooth movement. In fact, it was even worse than usual at this meeting as in trying fix the problem (the age old one of stiction) I had made it worse. So shaky camera work is a bit more evident than usual, apologies... It's possible to spend well in excess of 4 figures on a video head, let alone the tripod that supports it so you'll be interested (or substitute the word of your choice...) to learn that I am in the process of fabricating a new pan and tilt head which I hope will allow me to track models smoothly at long zooms over 180 degrees width and 90 high, and probably a bit more!
Please note: Videos are in a password protected directory to stop the more obvious linking, the username and password are both "jet".
| Twin Hawks from Steve and Matt Bishop (HD-116MB). | Download |
| Colin Gardner's JMP Firebird (HD-52MB) | Download |
| L39 Who's the pilot? (HD-51MB) | Download |
| L39 Andy Hetherington (HD-51MB) | Download |
| Paul Dunkley's 1/4 scale Goshawk (HD-115MB) | Download |
| Interview with Paul Dunkley and more flight video of the Goshawk (HD-130MB) | Download |
| Interview with Steve Bishop (Matt's camera shy...) and more footage of the Hawks (HD-143MB) | Download |
| Various jets, bits and pieces (HD-55MB) | Download |
Hope you all enjoy the report.