.. as the sun rose to a beautiful still morning over Kerribee Park the other day, Biggles Mk1 decided to make its disappearance ..
I love the early morning flights, but this time the glider did not return to the fold .. with about 6 spectators viewing, the plane simply disappeared from sight while it was gliding in circles above the Park here.
Taking advantage of the still conditions, I must admit that I do push the limits and this time I was somewhat higher than usual.
Well .. two hours down the road and still not having recovered it, the fear of withdrawals set in so I set about getting Biggles Mk2 into the air .. I still had the video cam and considered using it, but decided against that as it would require a search covering a radius of probably up to 10 k's at least ..
A few days on now, and there still has been no report by all searchers .. but Biggles Mk2 has simply stepped into the void so nicely. Before too long I'll have the camera etc installed also, but for now I'm enjoying a glider that is still in a pristeen condition .. no crashes or repairs etc ..
Although disappointed for a short while, I can say that the plane owes me nothing .. Heavy 12 months use at many places between Mareeba and Mt Gambier .. the plane had been severely broken about 7 times and carried heaps of repairs using aquadhere and fibreglass tape .. replaced 1 burnt out motor .. it carried a video cam while flying inverted and upright figure 8's ..The wings had become worn and heavily strapped to stay held together and fatigue due to continuous bouts of sunlight on the foam body was also wearing it out ..
For an outlay of $300.00 , I still retain the Transmitter and battery charger that are fully interchangeable with Biggles Mk2 .. so I came out of it ok !
Its been one absolute pleasure and experience .. and its only started .. the passion continues !!
Jon
( to enjoy the moment, one must really push the limits to know here they are)
That's ok Gary .. but the way I fly it I wouldn't wanna be sittin' in there .. like my feet on terra firma !
Part of the enjoyment was the learning curve Janette .. for me it was good medicine .. and still is ..
and Sheba .. I'd like to think maybe that was the case .. but .. alas .. no .. just flying too high and actually lost sight of it in those early hours of sunrise .. can get lost in a clouds long shadow ..
.. I was flying around with about 30 kites (birds) yesterday .. and as I was the largest "bird" in the group, they would follow behind me .. if I changed direction, they would also change direction ..
Shucks .. I just don't know what I'm gonna do when I grows up ..
Nope. have not seen it down this way, but will keep an eye out for it.
I know how you loved that plane even with all its bandaids and bits of wire. Its been a long time since you stopped at a park somewhere (my memory fails me at the moment) to watch some guys flying their gliders and you said "i'm gunna get one of them one day"
Chin up Jon and keep flying. (and posting the aerial photo's)
Johnw
__________________
There is no road to happiness. Happiness is the road.
AH!! CRAP !! BAD LUCK MATE, If i see a '' UFO'' DOWNED IN MY TRAVELS I WILL CHECK IT OUT FOR YOU, I was enjoying some of those aerial photo's you took, very interesting hobby you have there ?
But i must admit, when i seen your Headline/ ?? ''Plane Down'' I thought Hello Wombats finally stacked one of Milo-Airs planes
My sentiments exactly D&D .. love living in the bubble I'm in ..
Yeah John .. think it might have been in WA after we crossed the plains .. I think .. yes .. long while back eh ! ( also .. you're PM came through ok too)
Gee dazren .. didn't mean to scare the pants off with the headlines .. thought milo mighta done some scanning for me too on his fly-byes ..
Funny thing though .. got the PM opening a memorial park just down the road a bit from here today .. Army choppers have been making 'tactical' type landings in parts of Mareeba probably as dress rehearsal yesterday ..
.. bet it got taken out as too close to the function area ..
I wonder .. I could always send up Biggles Mk2 to do a 'flypast' today .. hmmmm .. milo would be proud of me .. but I don't want it blown away just yet ..
Jon
-- Edited by biggles on Saturday 22nd of June 2013 06:50:48 AM
Be interesting to know where it landed Jon, or on what ? I remember you saying you were watching the "planes" being flown in our local park when you were over this way, seems to be a very popular pastime now.
Sorry to hear about your "mishap", is it possible it got caught up in an updraught and air current? Did your camera show anything or wasn't it on???
-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 22nd of June 2013 03:19:52 PM
Duh wrote: What ? No Women, Wine and Song combined ???
You'll need a bloody lot more than $300
(The two most expensive things in the world are fast women and slow horses!)
Women are like a credit card.....buy now and pay later....
(Wombat told me !!) PS: Sorry for the OT Jon! Now back to the subject, great picture of the graveyard, good to see the "pilots" have a sense of humour in their losses....
-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 23rd of June 2013 10:53:05 AM