gliding

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.

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 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.

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. 

Clubhouse improvements continue with the former committee room well on the way to becoming a small dormitory, under the inspiration of Suzy Johnstone. CFI Dave Schofleld’s birthday party was a great success and he was presented with the ultimate in cold weather gear – complete with tassel! We now have a Piper Cub tug and aerotow retrieves are available most days for those who land out at South Marston. We were sorry to lose Pete and Angela Higgs, who have moved away from the area after years 01 hard work for the club. The search is on for a replacement for our Blanik which has gone to the Crusaders GC in Cyprus.

Our proud boast in the April issue of having flown five 300kms on the same day was somewhat deflated by the printer deleting the word five! Despite such adversity we are currently trying hard to improve our last record having already completed more than 5000km by the beginning of June, including Silver distances from Colin McKewan and Steve Nash to complete their Silver Cs. The poor weather during the “Hambro cup week” only allowed six pilots to fly on one day, completing over 1300km including three 300kms. Our usual problems of a shortage of new members and reliable launching facilities are still with us – our resident tug has been laid up since last November. Hopefully our recent massive increase in membership and flying charges has not put off too many, but maintaining a club fleet of five gliders operating only at weekends by a club the size of ours is unfortunately getting more difficult. We are currently debating whether or not to say goodbye to our Skylark in an effort to further tighten our belts. 15 However, we are looking forward with optimism to the Summer season with its usual crop of flying weeks, parties. barbecues etc and we hope to cultivate two new instructors. Phil Gaisford and Mike Beattie. the former also having got his name down for the British Team Training Scheme. Visitors are always welcome but please remember that we are only permitted to use the runways and tugs must have permission from Vickers ATC.