Club History

The progressive trend in the club’s activities has been maintained over the past few months. ‘both in the flying and social spheres. The annual Dinner-Dance, held at the end of March. was a very successful evening Our guest speaker was “Nick” Goodhart, who enlightened us on the new Lyneham Special Rules Zone, now established our doorstep and with which we are now learning to live. Also, during the evening trophies were presented to Fred Butcher and Eric Winning for club achievements in 1966. The May task week, although not blessed with particularly good weather produced some good flights, Dan Ford getting a well-deserved five hours. And Jack Purchase a very near miss to Gold C Distance, We would like to bring to the attention of all power pilots that prior permission must be obtained from Air Traffic Control before visiting South Marston. since the airfield is now in regular use by Messrs. Vickers.

As expected, the former spacious clubhouse has been reclaimed for business premises. Plans have been submitted for a clubhouse on the airfield, making use of a concrete area close to the usual entrance on the east side. It is hoped to start construction before the winter. For the present, the converted milk float is towed to the launch point and acts as flying control tea waggon and clubhouse, proving that the show can carry on without alcohol. A most successful week’s course was supervised by D. Ford during which a few more fearless diesel winch drivers were converted. Winching on the short runway has been producing 1,300 – 1,500ft launches. The convex nature of this runway calls for conscientious. signalling, as the glider is already climbing well before it comes into view of the winch. Consistent light signals are now obtained with a semi-automatic signal producer of cams and limit switches devised by S. Perry to give the proper time intervals. 

The first report from this club appeared in the August issue and described the start of two-seater flying at South Marston on 22nd May. Since that date 1,000 launches have been exceeded and first solos made by Messrs Burton, Macpherson, Gosling, Hill, Ricketts, Wyld, Palmer, Keogh and Maxfield. Our best wishes go with Mike Palmer, about to emigrate to Australia-his expert tow-car driving and V.8 knowledge will be sadly missed. We have been pleased to receive expeditions from the Coventry Club with an Olympia and Prefect. Their help with instructing was very much appreciated during their visits. Incidentally, we expect delivery of our Olympia in February. The parachute sub-section has been very busy completing 163 jumps. So far 42 people have taken the training course. On the social side, the first Annual Barbecue was a success-indoors! Rain fell continuously from 4 p.m. and Social Secretary Sam Colborne saved the day by throwing open his house, Redlands Court, for the 300 guests. A Christmas Party will be held on Friday, 16th December, at the Clubhouse-Visitors welcome.

Since our last appearance the club has acquired a car badge (see photograph). This was developed (with permission) from a printing block designed by Mr. C. T. Cuss in 1919· for the original “Wiltshire Light Aeroplane & Glider Club”. The new Olympia was aerotowed from its test site-Thruxton-to South Marston, despite indeterminate weather. Enthusiasm has grown in the parachute section. Anyone interested in ground training (jumping optional) please write to Brian Porter, 67 Graham Street, Swindon, Wilts. Easter Sunday provided much activity with a visit from the Biggin Hill Flying Club. Prentice, Chipmunks, Tigers and Jackaroos were set aside in one corner of the airfield while their pilots explored the possibilities of our T.31. Visitors to social or flying events will be most welcome.

The Club Open Day was held on Sunday, 28th May. Fine weather brought hundreds of spectators out to see Swindon’s Dairy Queen open the proceedings in the T·31 piloted by Club Chairman, L. R, Colquhoun. The programme continued with delay jumps by members of the Swindon Parachute Club. Test Pilot D. Morgan brought back memories with a scintillating display in a Spitfire followed by Wing Cmdr. G. Lowdell (plus bowler and umbrella) demonstrating how not to fly a Biplane! CFI George Turner performed Olympia type aerobatics and the day finished with a “city gent” on yellow cycle being bombed with flour bags from a Tiger flown by Secretary Beryl Sanders and J. Gosling. Much flour of an unknown brand was used with very little effect! Since that date, S. Colborne, B. Hazell, M. Parkins and J. Swallow have made first solos. Cs have been obtained by Club Chairman, L. Colquhoon, P. Davies, D. Ford and D. Woodwards. The do-it-yourself trailer was completed (enough) to take the OIy to Edgehill where we were extremely grateful to share camp with the Coventry Club.

At our last census we were surprised to find that half of our members were solo and over a third had progressed to the Olympia. One energetic member had soloed within three months and another had soloed and converted to the Olympia within 12 months. Our Instructor situation has improved somewhat but experienced pilots are still more than welcome. The Country and Syndicate Membership Subscription remains at £2 2s. (plus £2 2s. entrance fee) in the hope that energetic pioneers will join us from afar. 3 At the moment we are fiercely debating our expansion policy and are open to offers of second-hand intermediate solo machines or high-performance two-seaters. We have welcomed visitors from Lasham, Nyrnpsfield, Northampton, Coventry and Upavon, and have scattered ourselves around the various clubs in the summer. The first ‘Saturday of the month is a club social evening, so join us if you are ever in the Vicinity.

Since last appearing in S&G we have acquired an Astir at the top of the club fleet, replaced a bent Skylark 3 with a K-8, built a new Perkins powered auto tow car, changed to Parafil, flown 300km on the same day and held a task week sponsored by Hambro Life. Steve Foggin has taken on the job of CFI for yet another year and John Freke and John Baxter went off for full ratings – the former unfortunately having gone into retirement after giving much good service to the club. The poor soaring season of 1978 was countered by the splendid and varied offerings from the ladies’ Social Committee – and we are now planning for a bumper 21st season of cross-country flying by building a new K-13 trailer for the dual out landing and holding a series of lectures and films in ~ evenings. Our active and comprehensive fleet of private gliders, the latest addition being a Vega, is gelling itself polished in anticipation of tile soaring season.

The Annual Dinner-Dance: took place on Thursday 29th March when 80 members and friends were delighted to welcome the National Champion. Sgt John Williamson, as guest of honour. Proposing the toast to the Swindon Club he thought of the future and pointed out that results achieved by hard work were usually of greater value than the “handed out” variety. Much satisfaction should result from being a member of a growing club. He concluded by inviting us to join the Moonrakers at some future date in ridge soaring at Huish – an offer which Club Chairman Les Colquhoun accepted with zest.

So much progress has been made during the last two months that annual events such as the Open Day and Club Barbecue have quickly become history. Thinking of these two events, Dave Morgan’s “Spitfire” aerobatics and farmer Fred Butcher’s barn and grain drying plant come too easily to mind (who said there wasn’t enough hay?). On Friday July 20th, D. Ford flew the Olympia to Podington and was retrieved by Terrier tug. This week-end also marked the arrival of the T.2l ex Northampton, after some good-natured negotiation. Northampton now have the T.31 and our enviable bank balance! 4 On the following Saturday four happy members returned from Slingsbys with the Olympia trailer, containing our new Swallow (BGA1061). A trailer for this, started four weeks ago, is almost roadworthy. During the camp fortnight we enjoyed a short visit from Sgt Andy Gough with the “Capstan”, which evidently “grew” on some members before bad weather curtailed all flying. The twin drum diesel winch should become fully operational when the nucleus of drivers is larger. Under trials it has dealt with the T.21 and Olympia 2a quite satisfactorily using piano wire. One advantage to the winch driver is the return to the launch point after two launches. The exchange of views on the past launches is invaluable, and someone else can lay the cables out and carry on the good work if this advice is not constructive!

Immersed in frost and fog, it is painful to remember that day when Fred Butcher soared the new Swallow (Vario not then fitted) for 45 minutes to gain his C. However, there are many jobs to help the dark evenings by-a mobile control office I canteen I instructor’s hideout based on a disused milk-float has been started and a Jensen interceptor (disc brakes under new management) is being given a new bonnet, etc., to compensate for a brief engagement with an army lorry. Future tow-car drivers may be required to take the advanced driving test. Recently members of the Club were guests at a meeting of the Swindon Aeronautical Society, when Mr. Yates, Principal of Bath Technical College, gave a most interesting talk on Gliding, ending with the film “Whispering Wings,” Even being a vulture has its compensations.