Aero Modellers

On most Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, a small but very enthusiastic band of men and youngsters assemble to fly and talk about aero-modelling and flying. They bring with them some magnificent examples of aircraft engineering on a smaller scale and the radio controls with which they control the aircraft high above the ground. These are not young men just playing with model aircraft. Their hobby commences with building their own aircraft and as these are designed either by themselves or on approved plans, a high degree of technical skill and knowledge of aerodynamics is a necessity. Add to this a more than casual working knowledge of radio and it can be appreciated that this is no hobby for the lukewarm. Most of the bigger aircraft have wing spans of about 5ft and are powered by 1 h.p. engines and multi-channel controlled. Michael Cole, at left, displays the wing of a new aircraft he is building from his own design. It will take him about three months to build and when radio is added will have cost him about $150. Michael, like many other enthusiasts, began modelling at a very early age, and they all aspire to attend the annual national rally where as many as 120 contestants will exhibit and fly their aircraft. Anybody interested in joining the club should contact Graham Brown, at 133 Waimea Road.