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KeilKraft S.E.Sa - test report
Matters Marine
Readers' Letters
Engine Test - O.S. Max 40F-SR.
U.H.F. - the next step?
Buckshot—glider plan feature
Scale Topics
Strictly for Soarers
Trade News
Thermals
For Your Diary
Cover: The story behind our cover pictures this month is an astonishing one of the "now it can be told" variety. The accursed Red Baron scored yet another bloodless victory when he forced down our luckless pilot Gordon Whitehead, onto the Rugby grounds at Hanworth Air Park. What history did not relate, however, was that, as this Von had forgotten to fit his magnum-sized Champagne bottle long-range fuel tanks to the wings of his trusty Tripehound for the return trip to Hunland, the Baron stopped flying too—and joined in the scrum...
Over 10 years ago far sighted members of the SMAE foresaw this happening and introduced legislation for silencers. Instead of, today, there being no problems, with the SMAE leading the world with advanced socially oriented thinking, the legislation was emasculated by self-interested contest fliers. Today all modellers suffer from their insularity. Even now, when a Code of Practice, which the Government are willing to consider for Statutory Recognition, would protect the interest of model fliers the SMAE is still playing Nero and fiddling by the old do nothing system of referring back to committees. Every other affected body—water sports, motor cycle scrambling—and so on have lodged their Code, model fliers will possibly suffer through the delaying tactics of the very people, who by refusing to accept the necessity for quiet flying, have forced the Government into this legislation.
There is, in fact, some comfort to be taken from this legislation. It will, at last, force those irresponsibles who refuse to face reality and insist on their right to make a noise, to accept the discipline that any society imposes on its members. Model flying like every leisure activity, has its place in society, its participants have rights to participate, non-participants have rights not to be inconvenienced.
Noise annoyance is not a quantitive measurement. But you (Mr. Reasonable) and we know what is and what is not annoying. Let the reasonable ones put our house in order for the continued enjoyment of the majority. Those who will shout loudest against this are already making the most noise. If legislation forces them from the hobby the loss is not ours. If they conform to common sense their continued involvement will be to their benefit. Co-existence with society must be the aim of all modellers who enjoy and wish to continue to enjoy, the finest sport there is.
Very timely and appropriate, the 'theme' at the Kempton Park Show (organised by the Esher MFC) was 'quietness' and the 9,000 + spectators were certainly shown some effective systems in operation. It is pleasing to see how many manufacturers and clubs are now taking a very healthy and active interest in silencer development.
All manner of systems were on show from Stage 1 - smallish silencers mounted directly onto the exhaust stack; to Stage 2 - auxiliary silencers connecting onto tailpipes of existing silencers; to Stage 3 - bigger and thus 'potentially more efficient systems, often two-chambered; and finally Stage 4 - doing everything possible within the present state of the art.
