| Sun, sun and yet more sun!
That was the weather at this years’ Wings and Wheels Spectacular.
Two days of glorious weather and fantastic flying from some of
the best display pilots in the county made this years’ event truly
spectacular!
In addition to our home based pilots Horizon Hobby UK were delighted
to be joined by pilots from further field, Matthew Poots from Belfast,
Northern Ireland and current British I.M.A.C champion.
From Horizon Hobby US champion pilot and senior design and production
manager for Hangar9, Mike McConville, John Redman senior product
developer for E-flite and Eric Johnson category manager for HobbyZone
and ParkZone.
With close on an hour display slot on Saturday and Sunday these
guys were joined by Ali Mashinchy, Dave Wiltshire, Darren Goule,
Azza Stephens and Steve and Matt Bishop for some high adrenaline
display flying, the Habu cloud being a particular favourite and
it also gave our Perry Lambert a chance to join in the fun with
ten ParkZone Habus’ burning up the sky with their high speed routine! |
Further down the flight line
John Norris was kept very busy (as usual) in our “little blue marquee”
displaying the latest offerings from HH including the very latest
radio from Spektrum, the all new DX8. This 8 channel radio has
just about everything a flyer needs with its’ built-in telemetry
system giving real-time feedback on the engine/motor, prop and
battery conditions, this radio looks to be as cutting edge and
revolutionary as the first generation Spektrum radios were when
they were first introduced.
Also on display for the first time were two almost ready to fly
foamies from Parkzone, the super little electric Grumman Wildcat
warbird and the equally impressive fully aerobatic Extra 300.
From E-flite the Blade 120 helicopter proved to be a hit with just
about everyone whilst the F.A.I aerobatic model from Hangar9 the
Phoenix7 was real blast from the past being a modern version of
the highly successful “pattern” aircraft from the 1970’s.
Throughout the weekend in addition to the great flying displays
there was as usual at |
Wings and Wheels lots to see,
a massive “ Bring and Buy” marquee, a full compliment of model retailers
along traders row offering bargains aplenty for the R/C enthusiast
whilst the large model boat pool providing safe sailing for all the
model boaters, although on more than one occasion I felt like taking
“a dip” just to cool off.
There was R/C monster trucks for people
to try their hand at driving, mini racers on a purpose built track
were also set-up for “come and drive”.
The Tamiya Club set up a wonderful
mini- course featuring large R/C trucks and diggers portraying just
about every aspect of “big-rig” operation.
Close to this area were some of the frightening R/C creations
from the hit TV programme, “Robot Wars” not only were these monsters
being driven round to delight of the spectators, they were also
a lot bigger in real life, believe me you do not want to mess with
these guys!
|
Firm
favourites with the children and many “Dr Who” fans were the R/C
Daleks, moving along the traders line the Daleks with their cry of
“exterminate, exterminate” had everyone running for cover, those
that stayed were given a surprise gentle blast of water from the
built-in water cannon, although it has to be said on such a hot weekend
this no doubt provided a refreshing treat!
Located in the same area the “Tankers” put on their usual fine
display of heavy fighting vehicles with superbly detailed R/C tanks
from different countries and eras’ of combat, its’ a brave man
that takes a close look down the barrel of one of these “heavy
metal” models.
Over the weekend several models caught my eye but worthy of a
particular mention I think was Ali Mashinchy’s display with the
jet turbine powered Fox glider and Matthew Poots’s equally stunning
display with the Hangar9 Suhkoi SU26, finally the only fully 3D
aerobatic bi-plane at the show was the giant scale Hangar9 Beast
flown to great effect by Mike McConville. |
