NDMAC Fly-In 2006

Ian Butlers Corsair is one of two in the club - the other being Stevens (but we haven't seen it in 3 years!). This one is class with retracts it looks amazing in the sky with its gull wing!

Colin and Richard Dixons American flag acro wot really stands out in the crowd. It has been around for a few years now but still makes an impression when its brought out.

You will probably have seen this plane in our gallery pages if you have had a look through. Dennis' Giles 202 is gorgeous and he keeps it in mint condition. Its like a big trainer to fly as well - and looks brilliant in the sky!

Brian and Phil Currys planes line up outside Hill RC Hobbies!! Brian loves "fiddling" with planes (although he says he doesnt we all know he does). At every event Brian is either fixing/getting ready another plane - it never stops.

The start of the jet pics! I think this one is a good introduction - the amount of wires/cables/switches and whatever else involved in this is immense! As I said a great intro to the next series of pics...

That purple and silver "thing" you can see hiding away is the turbine itself. This is what is used instead of the propeller powered engines that the majority of our club use.

Looking straight into the turbine from the outlet you can see it away at the back. Quite a nice picture as you can see all the heat protection as well to stop the air frame melting - which, believe me, it would!

I have to say I questioned Ian over this cockpit, it is one of the most expensive and best looking planes I have ever seen but the cockpit lets it down severly! He comforted me thought by saying a new £250 cockpit was on its way - YES - £250 BIG ONES!

With all his pre-flight checks completed Ian decided to let the Hawk have some "posing time". I love this picture as you can see the bits of detail all over the fuselage.

Here he is - the proud owner himself. Ian Robb - the owner of a £6,000, 37lbs model Hawk. Lucky so and so!! - No wonder he has a huge grin on his bake!

Dave Ardis and Ian Robb do final preperations before the Hawk takes to the sky.

The Hawk attracted quite a crowd - I'm sure Ian didn't mind blagging on about it ;) A super model that was ready for its first flight from Kirkistown runway.

The final walk along the flight line before take off. The plane has a front brake so Ian can rev the engine up and then release the brakes - just like the real thing!

As it hurtles up the runway we all wait for the lift off - If i would have taken this picture 0.5 seconds later I would have caught the front nose in the air, but what can ya do!

Without being big headed about it I LOVE THIS PICTURE! I was so, so, SO lucky to get this one as at this point the Hawk is travelling around 170mph. I am proud of this picture and you will hopefully see it in magazines shortly!

Back home, safe and sound. Ian puts the brakes on again for some class photo opportunites. I love this one as "the barn" in the background looks like a hanger and with no people/cars about it makes the model look like the real thing.

If Ian flew, Dave had to fly as well! The Raptor he owns is an equally lovely model but I think people can relate to Ians more as everyone has seen the Red Arrows at some point in their life. The Raptor being grey was very hard to capture in the sky, this was the best shot I could manage.

Taxing back in from another succesful flight the Raptor looks so evil!!

Again, this shot makes the plane look real and the puddle gives a nice effect.

Now this is the ticket! On board the Raptor is a mini computer - it can tell this little device what speed, thrust, RPM and altitude the plane is currently at. Dave landed at 45mph - ideally he is looking about 38mph but he got her down in one peace which is the main thing.

2 x turbine engines = 2 x the price of the Hawk. I'll say no more!

The club mascot - Jims "pup" Benjie and what a character he is. Jim was telling me when he puts a hand on one of his planes on flying day the dog goes bannanas!!

Big Paul picks up a prize at our raffle drawing towards the end of the day. Prizes were sponsored by BDL and Hill RC Hobbies - thank you to both!

Well Barry wouldn't be happy unless he got a prize and we wouldn't want to see him in a huff! I think he fixed it though so he would win!?

Colin gets his prize while Pete sits in a huff. It was his bday and he thought he deserved a prize - he was turning 50 (I think :P) he ended up getting a prize anyway so that kept the child happy.

A few of the transmitters booked in this year. If I remember correctly there were about 29 pilots booked in so a big improvement on last year - still not as good as out first in '99 but those times will come again.

A few of the guys watching the flying. You can see how many cars and people were about!

Again, only a selection of the planes that were booked in to fly.