PSS Mass Hurricane Build Event (September 2018)

What a successful event the recent PSS meeting on the Great Orme over the weekend of 8th and 9th September 2018 was. It was attended by well over 50 flyers and the flight lines were rammed with people, both spectators and pilots alike, to such an extent that Phil Cooke had to be continually moving people over to one side, so as to make way for landings.

This was the meeting of the Mass Build launch of the 2018 Hawker Hurricane. There were over 20 different examples of the marque displayed in a special pits area marked off for the purpose. One saw every conceivable version from the early Mark 1 to the Mark 2 through to a German Swaskita version, and 2 examples of a blue and gold edition used for racing after the end of the last war.

The weather was not kind to us on Saturday and Sunday morning with low cloud and light rain sweeping in, but once the skies cleared, the afternoons produced glorious sunshine and strong South Westerly winds of more than enough strength to fly any PSS Model.

We saw taking to the skies Dirk Tinck’s large Fouga Magister (see launch photo), Matt Jones’s (designer of the Hurricane) Sea Vixen, and large scale Mustang P51D, and then on the Sunday over 20 maiden flights of the Hurricanes.

Almost without exception, the Hurricanes flew straight out into the lift without any trim correction at all. Usually one has to fiddle with settings to get models right, but not so the Hurricane which is so easy to fly and stable. It is a joy to power round the sky.

To add a bit of sparkle to the event, Alex Whtitaker from RCM&E was in attendance to cover the event for the special edition of the magazine which is out in 2 weeks apparently. He took picturs of all the Hurricanes with their owners whilst Phil took some details of the specifications, materials used etc. So watch out for the spread. Alex was on a tight deadline and had to write it the following day. For more interesting vlog comment see Alex’s Facebook page here 

And the cherry on the cake, literally, was Dirk Tinck’s Hurricane special Mass Build Belgian cake, which he had made, and brought across the Channel specially for us. It was dreamy, sweet and soft. He even provided forks and plates!

At 4pm on the Sunday, Phil did his usual presentation and announced the winners of the prizes provided by Sarik Hobbies, who had provided the plan, wood pack, canopy and spinner, all for under £100, which is a good deal

Winner of the best flown Hurricane was Chris Barlow

Winner of the most innovative build for his twin cockpit Russian version was Dirk Tinck

Winner of the best built Hurricane was Bob Jennings.

It was said, and it is true, that the level of build quality had definitely raised over the 6 years we have been running the Mass Build events – year 1 was the Jet Provost, then the A4 Skyhawk, now the Hurricane. They are held every 2 years, so what will the next one be – it is not decided yet – so answers on a postcard to Phil via the PSS Website – www.pssaonline.co.uk

To view the rest of the photographs go to our Gallery Page.