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The 13th June saw over two-hundred children arrive by coach to take
part in the Schools Day held in the grounds of Old Warden, Bedfordshire,
home of the world famous Shuttleworth aviation collection. The purpose
of the day? To introduce children to aviation both full size and
radio controlled models.
The day started with a parade of vintage cars and motorcycles, followed by a display of vintage aircraft performing aerobatics to the delight of everyone. For the finale, a very special display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire. Nothing quite matches the sight and sound of a Spitfire flying low and fast over the English countryside!
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| The folks at Old Warden provided a great day for all the children
by having plenty of their full sized planes outside on display
and in the air. The model pilots appreciated them too!! |
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| The model flying side of the day was organised by the BMFA with
the chairman of the BMFA Robin Gowler and development officer Manny
Williamson in attendance to oversee the “come and try” event
for the children. During this part of the day, children under the
guidance of a stalwart group of modelers were offered the chance
to fly a model aircraft using the “buddy box” system,
and with six models in the air though out this session it was a
busy and excited flight line with only stops occurring for re-fuelling.
Throughout the busy session there was a constant stream of children
waiting to “try the sticks” that allowed each child
about two or three minutes of buddy-box flying, at the end of which
each participant received a certificate from the BMFA certifying
that they had indeed flown a model at Old Warden. To the surprise
of the organisors over one hundred and sixty children went home
very happy with a certificate. |
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| In total six bus loads of children
came to the day. |
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The start of a busy day; pilots briefing. |
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| Girls and boys had an enjoyable day with both full size
and models. |
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Over 160 of the children tried their hand at flying. |
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| A good selecton to choose from. |
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The planes were to spend a lot of time in the air. |
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| Whilst the children enjoyed their time flying models,
one of the highlight’s of the day for them was to be the “toffee
bomber” run. The children were lined up while the toffee bomber model was flown
around the circuit a few times, then it began! All the children began
to chant as one, Drop the sweets, Drop the sweets, Drop the sweets. The model made a final low pass and
did indeed drop the sweets, at this point It became obvious that no
force on earth could have stopped the extremely happy children from racing across the |
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grass
to search for and retrieve the sweets. When it was over the school
bell rang finally and the children were led back behind the safety
fence so that the buddy box flying could commence again for those
that had missed the first session. As the afternoon drew to a close
the children made their way back to the coaches clutching sweets and
certificates having had a great time and it has to be said, so did
the modelers. |
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The children and their ability to pick
up flying so quickly was truly amazing. Congratulations to this group
of pilots from Southlands Lower School in Biggleswade. Certificates
well earned! |
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So thanks to all. To Old Warden for staging the event, the BMFA for
the organising the model flying and especially thanks to the modelers
for taking the time to introduce model flying to the younger generation.
Who knows, after all the fun they had some of these children may
well end up joining your flying club one day!
TG |
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