A10 Launch on the Orme

As some of you know, I am a member of PSSA – www.pssaonline.co.uk which is free to join. We build scale models of jets usually, and slope soar them.

One of our members, Andy Meade, has built a 37lb A10 Thunderbolt II – if you want to read about the build it is on the RCM&E blog. It is one of 3 similar models unders construction, one of which has been in process for several years – courtesy of Phil Cooke – the leader, and also a member of LMMGA. Simon Cocker is building the third.

Andy is a prolific builder, and travels all over the country from the South to fly his models. He has a very understanding partner, and 2 retrieving Spaniels who chase models.

The A10 was finished for the start of the 2015 season and was painstakingly carried in a special trailer he bought to tow behind his camper van for various of the events this year. Sadly, for one reason and another – wrong wind direction, not enough wind, it was never maidened.

So a launch was planned at the Orme on a windy WSW day in November 2015. I was unable to get time off work, but a few people attended including Simon Cocker, who used his usual super strength to launch the 37lb beast into the air into a 55mph wind.

If you are familiar with the Orme, you will know how strong the compression is at the edge, and that a short walk down to a lower ledge is advisable, but in such a strong wind it is a real challenge.

It seems that a team of 3 or 4 carried it down. For such a heavy model it was a struggle.

You can see the video which Dave Gilder took and edited. Well worth a watch.

Great build, effort and flight. Seems Andy is very pleased with it. It also featured in the October edition of RCM&E under the Reader’s Photo section.