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Lots of Gliders

Our red-tailed hawk keeps track of us from his perch in the Giant Yuke.

Our red-tailed hawk keeps track of us from his perch in the Giant Yuke.

Gliders dominated Monday at Baylands.

Sure, there were scads of Wild Wings, a sprinkling of EDF jets, some helicopters and other aircraft, but I was struck by the prevalence of big motorized gliders.

Peter Rasmussen brought two of his vintage built-up gliders, complementing a big old red V-tail glider which Andrew Eichenbaum was flying.

It’s been around awhile: Andrew bought it from Bob McGowan, who was not the original owner. Bob added the V-tail.

Easy Gliders. Inevitably, I also saw a couple of Easy Gliders, a popular and good-performing model. Harold Hasselbach’s features his wild color sense — red & yellow. Rick Carmichael’s is understated in black & white.

Rick, Dave North, Larry Smith, Kevin Chin and I whacked at each other in Wild Wing combat. My battered blue wing was the only contestant to escape serious injury, though it got pounded more than once.

No Time for Combat. Gary Morgan was too busy to fight. Instead, he dithered with his new Multiplex Mini Mag (ski-equipped, of course). He and the plane were matching colors: bright yellow t-shirt, bright yellow paint scheme.

The plane was dropping its tail during turns, making Gary a bit crazed. I’m sure he’ll have it figured out and cured in a day or two.

Where was Mike Nadler? He arrived briefly, empty-handed, pinned between the Cathy O’Toole Memorial Bathroom Remodel in the morning and a dentist appointment in the afternoon. Which was most pleasurable? I asked, but I can’t remember his response. Perhaps just as well. :-)

T-Rex 450. I met a newcomer to Baylands, Oscar Yatco, who flies a T-Rex 450. He’s progressed to advanced hovering.

In addition to his glider, Andrew brought out a tiny rocket of a plane, powered by a Johnson 280 brushed motor. Dave launched it for him. The first flight ended in seconds. After some adjustments, Andrew kept it in the air for a few minutes, zipping around the Great Meadow.

Peter Rasmussen’s smaller big glider awaits its next flight. Peter Rasmussen’s smaller big glider awaits its next flight.
The glider climbs out with plenty of power. The glider climbs out with plenty of power.

Peter and Andrew wrestle their huge gliders together for a photo. Peter and Andrew wrestle their huge gliders together for a photo.
This red V-tail is Andrew’s. This red V-tail is Andrew’s.

Peter cruises in front of a eucalyptus. Peter cruises in front of a eucalyptus.
Harold’s color scheme helps him with orientation. Harold’s color scheme helps him with orientation.

Rick’s Easy Glider maintains original colors. Rick’s Easy Glider maintains original colors.
Matching his Mini Mag color scheme, Gary discusses its turn weirdness with Rick. Matching his Mini Mag color scheme, Gary discusses its turn weirdness with Rick.

A new face at the field, Oscar Yatco flew a T-Rex 450. A new face at the field, Oscar Yatco flew a T-Rex 450.
With Andrew at the controls, Dave hurls his little speed demon. With Andrew at the controls, Dave hurls his little speed demon.

This first attempt was a very short flight. This first attempt was a very short flight.
After a bit of trimming, the speedster had a proper flight. After a bit of trimming, the speedster had a proper flight.


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This entry was posted on Monday, September 8th, 2008 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Baylands. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

2 Responses to “Lots of Gliders”

  1. Gary says:
    September 8, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    Gary a bit crazed… A most apt description.

    Nice pictures Pete – another beautiful day in paradise!

    Cheers!

    Gary

  2. Dave says:
    September 9, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    As far as I can tell, the only problem with Andrew’s first attempt was my overhard and misdirected toss. The only thing we really changed was my easing up and going for accuracy. The plane had plenty of grunt to get moving once it was flat.

    I think it was tail heavy though. Never did hear if Andrew got that straightened out.