AT ETSA WITH THE PHOENIX IN SEPTEMBER – 2007
Two explosions rock ETSA Park Netball Stadium.
Yes, dear readers and followers of The Phoenix. Two enormous explosions rocked, not only ETSA Park, but also the surrounding territory as far as Vili’s Bakery, where it was reported that hundreds of pies had slipped off their trays with the velocity of the two large bangs. I did hear that Richard Tapp was seen gathering them into the boot of his car, but that is not confirmed. 
Alistair Cameron Comes To Grief.(Well – his model did!)
The first of the two loud bangs was when Alistair Cameron’s magnificent heli came to grief after, what had been, a fascinating and extremely skilful display of aerobatics. When his helicopter crashed onto the highly polished floor of the netball stadium, the sound of the disintegrating blades and numerous other parts was deafening, and several fliers were seen to give their assistance by gathering in many small pieces and returning them to the philosophical, but saddened pilot. It was enough to send his wee kilt flying into the rafters. But – wink, wink, nudge, nudge, the Phoenix was quick to pick up his didgy and snap the before and after, using the undamaged similar model of Mr. Puah, to show just what it looked like before. (See pic nr 1.) 
My second picture shows the afore-mentioned Alistair Cameron on the right of Michael O’Reilly, who seems to be heavily involved in a requiem for the great loss.
The Second Explosion:
The second explosion was, in effect, THE SOUND OF SILENCE! This was the air of awe which swept through the building as Jurgen Schneider readied his magnificent Demoiselle for one of its few appearances (I shall dare say its first appearance) at ETSA. This is a beautifully scratch-built model of this delightful monoplane which, I am sure would have had Louis Bleriot drooling when it first appeared. Jurgen’s skill as a model builder is evident in the final result of this building project. 
Okay – lets get to the nitty gritty, for I feel sure that my third picture shows sufficient of this aircraft, making it needless for me to expand further on its appearance.
Mike O’Reilly saw the need, looking at Jurgen’s concentration, for full air space for this flight and asked fliers to bring their aircraft down for a short time.
We all watched – mouths agape (what does that mean? Does it mean those little swivel-head clowns who open their mouth for you at the show?) as Jurgen taxied across the floor, lining up to give him maximum run, should it be required. Alas! After just a few metres, and slightly gaining speed, the delightful Demoiselle lifted off and proceeded to thrill us all with its flight, ever so docile as it circled and figure eighted (you like that word?) through its allotted air space. The Phoenix applauds you Jurgen for both your construction and flying ability with this wonderful model that looks so far back into history.
Sadly, I must report that the rest of the night was fairly mediocre. There were few spectators and not a great number more fliers, although we did manage to pay the rent. Personally, I miss the antics of people such as Peter Smyth, the Strath mob with their many and varied models, Justin Galbraith and his SMOOTH flying with any model, be it fixed wing or heli, Simon who always seemed to keep the Strath mob in control, sort of – and a number of other fliers who, for reasons best known to themselves were not able to join us at this first night at the beginning of Spring. The Phoenix had a highly successful night, personally, flying three helis of differing designs, be they all contra-rotating models such as “The Blade.” I swear to myself that, some day, I WILL fly my Rosella belt drive special heli but, with the exciting news that the Blade 400 Aerobatic is coming on the market, probably by the time you are reading this – one never knows.
As I draw my September article to a close, reminding you all that we will have fellowship once again at the ETSA Park Stadium on October 18th. where, flying will only cost you ten dollars, but you can bring all the friends and rellies to watch for nix. But – please wait – there’s more…Mike O’Reilly returned from a trip to U.K. and beyond and, of course caught up with our good buddy, Colin McGinn. (He was the Pommy gentleman who thrilled us all with his aerobatic flying of his heli at both, the Sensational Air Races at Virginia and at ETSA Park. Now Colin has been flogging off Flight Power EVO battery packs for a while and he sent a beaut little pack with Mike for me to try in my Blade. Naughty me – I put it in my Hawk Twister which has a bit more drag than the ever-popular Blade CX2, and as a result, I just got 8 minutes flying time before the tell-tale light came on on the Hawk. Next month, I shall report on the pack in a Blade and I do feel that the flight time will be of longer duration. This pack is nearly 3cms longer than the standard Blade pack, as supplied, and a bit skinnier, and it slides into the battery compartment on the Blade without any problems. I shall return in October.
Phoenix Indoor Flight Reports
Indoor Flying at ETSA Park 2009
| Date |
Court |
Time |
| Thursday 17th September |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| Thursday 15th October |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| Thursday 19th November |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| |
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I
want a quote on how much freight it will cost to send items to me.
