After 13 months of hard work Dave Twiss has virtually completed his quarter scale Cub. A second identical machine has been built by Liam Swarbrick, so we can look forward to formation flying with these giant machines. The picture on the left shows the Cub alongside a Wot4 to give some idea of the scale

Dave Edwards took advantage of the typical bank holiday weekend to continue the build of his Mk IX Spitfire which has now been sprayed up using Solarlac paints, and very nice it looks too

To the amazement of many who did not know that Ralph could actually move, he is seen here administering a blessing to his Katana in the vain hope that Rob Greenwood would bring it back to earth in one piece. The flying strip turned out to be just too short for Rob to make a safe landing and he is now the champion undercarriage remover of 2012

Better luck for Gary who is stroking his Cessna for what he thought may be its last flight as Rob prepared to trim it out

Three big petrol planes together, Rob Greenwood's 3-bladed YAK in the foreground. An Extra and YAK in the background belonging to Rob Garforth

Both Robs had an attempt at formation flying later in the day, and like anyone who has tried it found it very hard indeed

Phoebe Harrison is very proud of making her first solo take-off under the guidance of Nick Cooke. She says landing is a bit more difficult, so she is going to practice landings next time out, but we all want to know whether or not she can make the chicken fly.

Dave Edwards Spitfire now has a recognisable shape and is ready to take a Saito 72 Four stroke

Despite a lovely weekend for flying the building season is in full flow. Pictured here is a Spitfire Mk.IX being built by Dave Edwards from a Tony Nijhuis design. Dave is using a laser cut part-kit to build the 63" span model which features Unitracts mechanical retracts. All the wing ribs in the kit are ply which makes for a very strong model. It should be difficult to rip the undercarriage out of the wing on a heavy landing.

Although the flying area is reasonably OK the access to the field is very wet. We have put bales of straw around the access ramp and would appreciate it if cars  did not try to get up to the flying area by our normal access route. Either go all the way round the perimeter or park at the entrance to the field.

BMFA Membership cards will be posted out this week

Why on earth was Clark trying to wrap Peter Maw's latest model in a sheet.

Mostly it was so that the plane, an AVRO Tutor could be photographed and photoshopped against the sky for articles in RCMW magazine

As the Firework display and BBQ was well received by those who attended we will run the event again in 2012 on Sunday Nov 4 subject to the weather.

The BMFA have asked us to run a North West Region Open Day again in 2012, the proposed date is Sunday June 10.

Phoenix MAC have asked us to publicise their Swap Meet which is being held on February 28 2012. Click here for further information

Thanks to everyone who came to the club BBQ and Firework display, which all seemed to enjoy.

The "Most Touch and Goes in 2 minutes" (catchy name for a contest!) was won by Dave Twiss who collected a couple of bottles of wine. He had strong competition from Paul Lawton and Nick Cooke. Thanks to Brian Arnold for lending his plane to Nick and Paul for the competition, and thanks to all who helped put the day together

On a really busy Wednesday with more than 20 different planes flying throughout the day we can congratulate Nick Cooke who becomes the latest club member to achieve his "B" Certificate. From only having 2 people with "B" certs 2 years ago, there are now 8 club members who have achieved this qualification. In addition there are also 15 club members who have "A" certificates, a number that has doubled in the last 2 years. Congratulations to everybody who has worked hard to pass the BMFA Achievement Scheme Exams

Anthony Jones going through a freestyle aerobatics display on his way to picking up the prize for best in show donated by Bolton Models and Hobbies.

Lovely Wellington bomber was displayed by Ken Hulme from Sale.
At 13 ft span this is the same scale as Rob Greenwood's Lancaster.
Shame it was too windy for either of them to fly

Our very newest member, Phoebe Harrison being tutored by our new club examiner Kevin Taylor. She flies very confidently and already has eyes on Lee's Elvington model for the next stage of her flying development.

The field condition has improved rapidly in the recent dry weather and access is easy at the moment. Our landlords have also filled in the potholes on the approach road by the fishermen's pond, which is very nice of them

Warren would probably find his unusual canard plane would fly better if he looked at it

Andy Miller's nice AT6-Texan is a lovely addition to his squadron of planes