November 2011 Newsletter

November 2011 Newsletter
Club News:
George Wren Trophy Competition:
This is now postponed until an appropriate occasion in 2012. Sorry about this but it is due
to the postponement of the SOCA Open Day.
Events in October:
Sunday 2nd October:
Scale Sail & Power by Dave Smith
With the forecast of blue skies and the temperature in
the mid seventies (yes this is the October Scale & Sail
day), I decided to make an early start, but not early
enough to beat Harry Webster; who was half way
through his list for the rigging of Orion his beautiful
Edwardian yacht, built by the late Chris Webster
curator of the Bristol museum. These old yachts
certainly get lots of well deserved attention whether on
the bank, or in their element out on the water.
Another attractive yacht was Eric Hoare’s
Kyosho Fairwind, which I understand has
now changed owner, with Eric down
sizing his fleet.
Using the Bowman Snipe as a guide, Paul
Izzard has come up with Arrow 111, a
scratch built launch in the thirties style,
powered by a single cylinder double acting
steam engine bought on Ebay for £35.00.
Paul seems to have caught the flavour of
these early power boats in both the style and
colour of his second venture into steam.
Page 1 of 7
OMBC Newsletter November 2011
Events in October:
Perhaps a little more in keeping with his image.
Paul also brought along what I would describe as
a super fast triangular shaped waterborne rocket.
By far the fastest boat seen at the pond in the last
couple of years, Stuart Wilkins vintage formula 2
racing boat, suitably tweaked with a LiPo battery
put on a superfast show.
The African Queen piloted by Ernie Smith
showed another use of the steam engine which in
this case is driven by an elastic band from the
electrically driven prop shaft, giving the
impression of steam engine working, complete with the distinctive steam engine sound. More by
luck than judgment the picture seems to show Kate & Bogart in the murky African delta.
The uncompleted river launch project shows
up the building skills of John Shinton, who
aims to get his boat completed, despite a
busy schedule of model cars which he
builds for his business.
This months double up picture features Doug
Greens Guardsman harbour launch, and the Sun tug
of Nic Panter, two of a kind.
At last, I managed to get the S Boat to a scale day in a more or less completed state. Since its last
outing I have added detail to the stern of the boat, and a crew of four is now in position and ready
for action, but maybe the change from three blade to two blade *X* propellers has made the most
significant difference, with the boat now having a much improved performance on the water.
Page 2 of 7
OMBC Newsletter November 2011
Events in October:
As a closer this month, I give you Alan
Struths Surf Board Sally. She is a game
performer, staying vertical at all times
and is under the control of a Hydrofoil
style rudder.
How do I know this? Alan told me, and
he should know.
See you next time.......
Dave........
Sunday 9th October:
Fiesta Round 7 by Mike Robinson
Another overcast morning with a suggestion of rain later which did not materialise. There was a
moderate breeze which continued all morning. Initially nine skippers started, however Dennis
Payne had to withdraw due to battery problems leaving eight skippers for the rest of the morning.
Terry King was on good form, winning six out of eight starts so the competition was for the minor
places.
There was some excitement in Race 7 when Dick Skinner’s yacht sank due to one of the deck
patches coming unstuck. We tried rescuing it with a string line across the lake with out success
and when the mast disappeared below the surface we gave up. Luckily some visitors to the park
were trying out a homemade coracle and they were able to paddle across to raise the ‘Titanic’
from the bottom of the lake.
The full result was as follows:1
2=
2=
4
Terry King
John Cox
Iain Smith
Mike Robinson
(15)
(26)
(26)
(29)
5
6
7=
7=
Page 3 of 7
Paul Izzard
Dave Smith
Dick Skinner
Don Naybour
(33)
(49)
(58)
(58)
OMBC Newsletter November 2011
Events in October:
Sunday 16th October
One Metre INTER CLUB – Round 4 – 16th by Mike Robinson
On a bright and windless morning, seven skippers, three from Watermead MBC and four from
Oxford MBC, turned out for the last round of the series.
Initially we sailed two large triangles but had to reduce the length of the course to one triangle due
to very light airs. It was good to meet up with Noel as he now sails for Watermead having moved
home to Thame. Noel was sailing his new yacht PIKANTO by Graham Bantock and for its first
competitive outing it was showing everyone a clean pair of heels. I managed to stay with him for
the first six out of eight races but my mistake in Race 7 when I went the wrong side of the
finishing mark in a drag race with Noel, cost me dearly as I had to re-round, losing several places.
The wind freshened for the last three races allowing us to revert to two triangles.
The full result was:-
Page 4 of 7
OMBC Newsletter November 2011
Events in October:
Sunday 23rd October 2011
One Metre Rose Bowl round 7 : by Mike Robinson
What a change from last week! Today was bright and breezy and all five skippers opted for top
suits. At times, the yachts nose-dived when a gust came through. However, overall it was the
correct sail choice.
Dennis sailed very well despite saying he was out of practice, closely followed by John Cox. I
had a bad morning and despite being in a good position at times, I managed to stall the yacht a few
yards from the finishing line only to be overtaken by other yachts. This happened at least three
times! Nick Panter struggled in the conditions and Dick Skinner had yacht malfunctions so had to
withdraw later in the morning.
The full results after ten races were:1
2
3
Dennis Payne
John Cox
Mike Robinson
(15)
(20)
(26)
4
5
Nick Panter (39)
Dick Skinner (54)
Today saw the last of the competition days for both One Metres and Fiesta; that is not to say that
‘fun’ racing can’t continue for the rest of the year, weather permitting.
Equipment News: By John Cox.
Hitec radio control equipment.
Hitec radio equipment has been around for many years and probably holds second place behind
Futaba in popularity.
In light of the increasing popularity of 2.4 gig systems their production strategy has been
overhauled. Production of all 40meg fm equipment has now ceased and this includes the crystals;
further, the UK importers no longer carry stock. The basic 2 channel am equipment on both 27
and 40meg will continue in the short term but what the future for these systems hold is unclear.
The current range of Hitec 2.4 is aimed mainly at the aero modelling market and as such is both
complicated and expensive. It is not yet known if they will enter the lower end of the market with
basic equipment to compete with likes of ‘Planet’ who have established themselves as the most
popular provider at the moment.
The local agents, Howes, at the time of writing, have about ten sets of Hitec crystals and just a few
complete 40 fm sets. The am sets mentioned earlier will still be stocked in the very short term but
the future of such equipment is under discussion.
The Hitec range of servos etc remains in production.
Mtroniks Sound units.
Mtroniks, the company probably known best for their Viper range of speed controllers, and now
moved into the sound unit market.
Their first offering is a simulated diesel sound plus a ships horn sound built in. This first unit is
aimed at the tug enthusiast with other units to follow, such as steam engine and ‘puffer’ engine
sounds.
Following market research plus practical development it has been found that most builders want a
‘plug and play’ set up rather than mess about with trimmers and movable pins to decide how the
sound should be generated and to what intensity.
The units will be connected to the motor rather than a speed controller and thus the increase or
decrease of ‘speed’ will rely on the motor speed itself which in turn is governed by the stick
position of the handset.
The units are sold complete with speaker; it has a built in amplifier and is waterproof and of
course instructions. On the down side the price is expected to be in the range of £50/£60..
Page 5 of 7
OMBC Newsletter November 2011
Members Projects:
Iain Smith’s K7 Blue bird.
I found a plan on the internet but the scale was such that it would produce a model 3 feet in length,
which would take too much room in my dwindling space. So I took all the pertinent measurements
and multiplied them by 0.66 which gave me a boat about two thirds the size. It will measure 2feet
long and eight inches high.
I have built it using my favourite method, plank on frame. I started with the shadows bottom up
and planked out and down until I had sufficient depth to hold the hull together with no sagging or
bending see the first two pictures.
With the hull now right side up I was able to continue the planking to a height where I could fit in
two pieces of tube which will act as sockets for the sponson supports, at about this same height I
have left a long unglued joint where the top half of the engine enclosure can be lifted off for
access to fit the works and for maintenance. The planking is now completed, rubbed down and
applied with Isopon car body filler and rubbed down again.
More to follow in next months newsletter. Iain……..
Coming Events:
Thursday 3rd Oct.
Sunday 6th Nov.
Sunday 13th Nov.
Sunday 20th Nov.
Thursday 1st Dec.
Monthly meeting at Jordon Hill from 7:30pm
Scale Morning from 10:00am
Fiesta Spare Day
One metre Spare Day
Annual General Meeting (Membership Fees Due)
Page 6 of 7
Oxford Model Boat Club.
Minutes of meeting held 6th October 2011.
Apologies.
•
Apologies were received from Dick Skinner, John Shinton & Dennis Payne.
Chairman.
•
The Chairman had nothing to report.
Secretary’s report.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The secretary apologised for the late issue of the news letter.
There are several contributions of articles and views awaiting publication; all will be used in future
editions of the News Letter. PLEASE KEEP SUCH ITEMS COMING!
The club is now full paid up members of the Lake Street Community Centre thus strengthening our use of
the store and yard.
The Community Centre ‘Open Day’ on 19th November has been cancelled for a number of reasons.
Members who applied to the Council for pre-paid parking tickets will be receiving same in the near future.
The contact with the council re algae and its treatment continues.
Members are reminded of the MYA trade show to be held on 22nd October.
Members were reminded of the events to be held in the month ahead.
Treasurers report.
•
Club funds stand at £966 with £ 20 cash in hand.
Scale Secretary’s report.
•
It is encouraging to see the scale side of club activities being so well supported; the club can only succeed
with members support and input!
Any other business.
•
•
•
•
Members agreed to cancel the George Wren event scheduled to be held during the Community Centre
‘Open Day’ and await the rescheduled event in 2012.
Merlin Coates informed members of the skittle event supported by Mid Thames and which club members
would be welcome.
The ariel protectors that Merlin sells in aid of Cancer Relief are still available with all monies going to that
worthy cause.
Eric Hoare offered a ‘Tony Able’ IOM for sale and which was purchased by a club member.
The meeting closed at 20.00.
Page 7 of 7