THE PHOENIX IN SEPTEMBER
 My dear readers, as you have noticed from my earlier articles, I have featured the Sea and Air as two of the many facets of our modeling world and I find that the time is now upon me to speak of the third part of that phenomenon – the Land. This will take me into that fascinating corner of Model Flight, at Maple Avenue Keswick, where wheeled vehicles are displayed – ranging from the humblest and simplest of motor cars to the top-shelf monster, named the LST2 with its constant velocity drive shafts, its extra heavy duty front and rear suspension units and its 427 big block nitro-assisted engine. Okay – the 427 means that it is a 4.27 c.c. motor. This takes Team Losi’s original LST to the next level of performance. Okay, it costs a top penny but, just wait till you look at the size of the bang that you get for your buck. It will astound!
I’m quite sure that the picture alone will whet your appetite, but pop your peepers on some of the close-ups of the mechanics of this wonder vehicle.
 If the LST2 is too large for the boot of your car, then hang around the smaller electric racers, such as the Mini-T Pro. This pops out of the box in an almost ready to run condition, full of ball bearings where needed, Titanium Turnbuckles and a Speed Motor. You just drop in some of the radio gear that you have been waiting to put to use in your workshop and – bingo – you’re screaming around at your local Hobby Habit venue, where there are tracks to suit your class of racing. Sealed or off-road. 
To add to all that, on the long weekend, the State Nitro Off Road Championships were held at The Southern Districts Model Car Club Off-road track, which attracted 70 entries for all classes from the 1/8th buggies to the big fellas, the Monster Trucks. What a fascinating day where the driving skill of the entrants was unbelievable. I have not had a chance to take a peek at my pix from this day, but if presentable, then they will be included.
Watch this truck space next month – if you thought the Losi Monster Trucks were monsters – there is something even larger on the market.
THE DEMISE OF “Nite-Al.”
Have you ever wondered what happened to your friend, “Nite-Al?”
Well, it’s a story that has its sadness, but also its glory for he made many friends over his busy ten years of existence and they came from all walks of life. Your friend, The Phoenix, shared a very close relationship with Nite-Al for their relationship had been welded together over many years. Most of them gathered at his funeral service to radio-control his final moments on the modeller’s earth.
There was a Pring in the air and, in fact, he looked resplendent in his immaculate morning suit, razor-sharp creases in his striped trousers and a propeller (of his own design and make, he was swift to point out and covered with tissue)was attached to the top of his bowler hat. It was not a surprise to see him there, for they had shared many happy times together. Mally had a friend that he referred to as Ally. The service, read from a gold embossed, leather bound publication titled, Ïndoor Flying Guidelines MOPO59, on it’s ornate cover, was read by The Reverend Parker who had holstered his six-shooters, although still loaded, for the duration of the service. The weighty publication was later dropped on the top of the coffin before the sods were thrown in. That is sods of earth – not some of the poor sods who were left behind. Perhaps some of them would have been much better off to have been dropped in with the remains of Nite-Al.
A fine tribute to the man who had lived and breathed for the betterment of the indoor movement was read by his good friend, Brother John (Modistach) who like all others, had a tear or two in his eyes by the end of the service. It was unfortunate that gale-force winds, much too strong for Hallett Cove or Tappanapa had stirred up so much dust around the grave side, that it caused prolific use of tissues, because of their eye irritation.
A short eulogy was given by Reverend Brother Robert McEwin who gave thanks, not so much for Nite-Al’s work, but for the release from having to edit his stories each month and correct the spelling and grammatical errors. Ah well! Life goes on.
Whatever those of you who are left, think of The Late Nite-Al, they would do well to realize, and remember that, for two score years, he did his utmost to breathe a little life into the world of the Indoor Flying Movement, endeavouring to maintain its interest when other, so called knowledgeables, did their damndest to do it harm
We must move on too, dear readers, to ETSA Park in September.
Two nights assailed us, dear friends, where it should have only been one and this, no doubt, caused some chaos in the chasm when we could otherwise have well done without that turbulence. It really turned out catastrophic.
On the third night, Mike O’Reilly led a few stalwarts through the valley of …etc.. to court 3 actually and they, rather than go home completely devoid of flying, managed an hour at, I might add, the expense of Model Flight.
All is not lost, said the Phoenix to himself, having watched the leedies spread blood, sweat, and tears over the entire court one, it is, after all, supposed to be the fourth Thursday in September.
Eight, yes a meager eight arrived on the fourth Thursday to find that the entire stadium was available to us and, I might add, those of us who had arrived at 8 o’clock were able to commence flying immediately. The only down side, for the Phoenix, was that I had flattened my flight packs well before cessation at 10.30p.m.
Most of the attendees had just about exhausted their equipment and themselves by ten p.m. and, apart from Andy Hollitt (who seems to have inexhaustible battery packs and self-stamina) spent most of the final half hour in discussions.
Some of those present believed that our poor numbers, the smallest group in 30 years or so, were suffering from the threat of new rules (what new rules?) which may have been responsible. If that is the case, which I doubt, I hope that that small group of people who were determined to change the indoor format, are finally satisfied. I call it mal-practice.
 We welcome the members of the Concorde Club back to our midst – not that they were ever not welcome (by most) but they have become an associate of MASA now and all that remains is for them to have a hand on their bended head, and to be blessed by the almighty.
With so few fliers present on that night, there is very little to report – EXCEPT – Mike O’Reilly was seen flying a helicopter. Now, this may not seem important to you – BUT – he made the comment to a close friend of his that he would never take up the Silverlit gyrations, and that was some time ago. When ya gotta sell-em – ya just gotta fly-em. He did it very well too – a delightful little yellow helicopter – fresh off the Chinese production line and called the Blade CX.
Does that choice of name surprise you - well – here’s another … with the Japanese designing an aircraft and then handing it over to the Chinese to produce, it should not come as a surprise to discover that the latest in foamies is called the “Space Rit.”
Yes, the Space Rit, and I have not the foggiest idea why it is called that. It is one of the lightest foam construction electric-powered aircraft that I have seen, and it is available at Model Flight. The wide and deep-routed wing seems to give it delightful control and whilst this wing is quite large, it is reinforced with a type of carbon that is interwoven through the foam construction. It also has a long strip of Velcro along the top join of the fuselage and one opens it up, a bit like an old fashioned purse, put your radio gear within, and close it up again. It must have been good cos Simon Kerswell (is that really his name – think it should be Kersbad?) was last seen walking out the door of ETSA Park with the Space Rit, not only tucked under his arm, but resting safely on his stomach – the aforementioned stomach could be another topic of some large dimensions.
A very smart product, available at your favourite hobby shops is a Lipo Sack. This item, selling for $39.00 and capably demonstrated by Dave Whitten, is a fire-proof pack with Velcro sealing, in which you place your Lipo Packs when charging. Think about that ços they CAN be dangerous.
I’m sure you will meet again with – The Phoenix.
Why not join us at ETSA Park, Mile End, Adelaide, South Australia on Thursday October 19th from 8.30 to 10.30pm. Indoor Electric flying at its best.
Phoenix Indoor Flight Reports
Indoor Flying at ETSA Park 2008
| Date |
Court |
Time |
| November 20th |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| December 18th |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
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want a quote on how much freight it will cost to send items to me.
