Sandford 2008
It's another Wash-out!
The trees are growing more and more each year and it is getting harder to get the approach just right. Simon found a tree during Friday nights practice session but the aircraft was recovered without damage. For the event, the weather was not quite as bad as 2007 but not far short. We did get a couple of flights in before it got very wet and windy. Lee forgot to charge the batteries in his camera so there are no pictures to post. Big Dave flew his U-Can-Do again having repaired it after last years mishap. Simon Flew his Magnatilla to the cries of 'show us a blender' from young Cameron and his friends and Rod gave an admiral flying display with his aircraft. |
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Glenn proved to be the star of the show with an excellent display of flying and bush hugging with his Spitfire. As the wind increased Glenn took to the skies and he was not just content to fly his Spit, gear up, at height. Oh no, when there are balloons to burst and a crowd to please then Glenn was not to disappoint. Four balloons flew horizontal in the wind, tied between two poles on a piece of thread. Time after time in turbulence and severe buffeting Glenn tried to get close but to no avail. It was just too windy. But then it was time to land! Gear down, approach number 1. Too fast, too much turbulence and strong cross wind. Landing aborted. Gear still down, approach number 2. Angled 45 degrees into the heavy cross wind and it started to look good. Over Simon's tree and lined up on finals but then the gusting wind forced the spit sideways into the greenery!. There was a clatter, a gasp from the crowd, falling foliage and debris and a Spitfire looking as if it was doomed. With cool composure Glenn gave it full throttle, a dab of up and a lot of starboard. The crowd cheered as his Spit emerged from the shrubbery, dipped a wing in salute and roared back into the gray skies. Gear still down, approach number 3. Same angle as before and it was looking good again. Still lots of wind and turbulence but still ok. More gasps from the crowd as it leapt over the threshold, but oh no! Dead stick. No time to eject so it was nose down on the spit and clenched cheeks for the pilot. Almost there but not quite as the Spit dipped a wing and gracefully cart wheeled to the runway. As the generous applause from the crowd accompanied Glenn to the arrival site everyone waited to see if there was any damage. Glenn's smile confirmed that all was ok. So that was it. Sandford 2008. So we went to the pub!!! See you all next year.
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