Ever dreamt what it would be like to actually climb into one of your models and drive or fly it away...?? I am sure we have all done it at some stage.
Here is a story of someone who has done just that:
This concerns a local Club member called Dave Williams who sadly died earlier this year aged 72. Dave was a well known face on the local model flying scene here in Llandudno. He used to fly all sorts of aircraft ranging from Very Expensive powered Byron Kits to Gliders.
More recently I have known Dave to be mainly Flying a variety of gliders off the local slope on the Great Orme. The latest one being a very expensive Fibreglass Scale German sailplane built by Dave in 2004, sadly the model name escapes me...I have seen him fly this one and have even helped him rig it up ready for flight (It is quite a large model)
Dave was very knowledgeable and quite an expert when it came to models, he didn't put up much with casual questions but if he knew you were genuinely interested or a fellow modeller then he would be more than happy to talk and help....I have known Dave to teach novices and new flyers using his own models to do so.
Anyway, after Dave's death, The family invited his fellow Flyers to a ceremony at which they could pay their respects. One of them, (Jonathan Harty) came up with an idea to give him a special send off. That idea was to scatter Dave's ashes using a model aircraft.
The Aircraft chosen was that large Expensive German Sailplane mentioned above, yes, Dave's own model. Modifications were made to it to incorporate a release hatch by fellow flyer Neil Evans.
The idea was to take the plane up to the slope where Dave spent many happy hours flying his models and scatter the ashes there from his own model.
As you can appreciate this was not going to be an easy task given the extra weight on board the plane and only one chance to get it right.
This took place last Sunday (23rd October) the plane was taken up to the slope, the ceremony was attended by Dave's Family and fellow flyers.
A short eulogy was read first and then the plane launched airbourne up over the slope. She flew perfectly and Dave's ashes were released over the place where he loved to be.
Quite a fitting Tribute to a Fine fellow Modeller and Flyer and I am sure Dave would have been proud.....Even I'll bet he never thought he would be taking his Final Flight in his own Model....!!!
At least when we fly off the slope now, we know Dave will always be there.
Dave Williams R.I.P.
Regards.......Mark
Here is a story of someone who has done just that:
This concerns a local Club member called Dave Williams who sadly died earlier this year aged 72. Dave was a well known face on the local model flying scene here in Llandudno. He used to fly all sorts of aircraft ranging from Very Expensive powered Byron Kits to Gliders.
More recently I have known Dave to be mainly Flying a variety of gliders off the local slope on the Great Orme. The latest one being a very expensive Fibreglass Scale German sailplane built by Dave in 2004, sadly the model name escapes me...I have seen him fly this one and have even helped him rig it up ready for flight (It is quite a large model)
Dave was very knowledgeable and quite an expert when it came to models, he didn't put up much with casual questions but if he knew you were genuinely interested or a fellow modeller then he would be more than happy to talk and help....I have known Dave to teach novices and new flyers using his own models to do so.
Anyway, after Dave's death, The family invited his fellow Flyers to a ceremony at which they could pay their respects. One of them, (Jonathan Harty) came up with an idea to give him a special send off. That idea was to scatter Dave's ashes using a model aircraft.
The Aircraft chosen was that large Expensive German Sailplane mentioned above, yes, Dave's own model. Modifications were made to it to incorporate a release hatch by fellow flyer Neil Evans.
The idea was to take the plane up to the slope where Dave spent many happy hours flying his models and scatter the ashes there from his own model.
As you can appreciate this was not going to be an easy task given the extra weight on board the plane and only one chance to get it right.
This took place last Sunday (23rd October) the plane was taken up to the slope, the ceremony was attended by Dave's Family and fellow flyers.
A short eulogy was read first and then the plane launched airbourne up over the slope. She flew perfectly and Dave's ashes were released over the place where he loved to be.
Quite a fitting Tribute to a Fine fellow Modeller and Flyer and I am sure Dave would have been proud.....Even I'll bet he never thought he would be taking his Final Flight in his own Model....!!!
At least when we fly off the slope now, we know Dave will always be there.
Dave Williams R.I.P.
Regards.......Mark
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