Fly at the Pony Express Field in Ipswich, MA on Saturday June 24!
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Air/Tree Rescue in Durham!
Free flight model airplanes and trees. An inevitable combination.
But first, remember there’s another meet coming up June 24 in beautiful Ipswich, MA. Check the Flyer HERE for Directions and key contacts.
OK, back to Pinkham Field in Durham on June 11. The weather in the morning was near-perfect, with light and variable breezes. Many high and long flights were put up.
The breeze picked up by afternoon, however, and Vance G had only to get one more official flight in on his Latecoere 26 FAC Scale model. The inverted flight time scoring should give it an edge against higher bonus point models. Unfortunately, the wind carried the Latecoere off course and it was last seen disappearing into the top of a tree at the edge of the field. The famed Stott Air-Tree Rescue Service sprang into action.
The youthful eyes of William S spotted the Latecoere deep in branches and leaves 50 feet up an un-climbable tree. The outlook for recovery was bleak.
Paul S broke out the old aluminum pole and, aided by Tom N, began bolting the telescoping sections together. The fully extended pole was snaked between branches eventually reaching the model. A superzoom camera was used to guide the hook on the pole tip directly underneath the model. A gentle arms-length push and incredibly, the model was lifted out the topside of the tree. Retrieval still looked doubtful.
Vance weighed his options as the model swayed back and forth on the whippy tip of the pole. He trusted the team. With Tom holding the base, Paul used both hands and all his strength to pull the pole out of the branches. Miraculously, the pole came out of the tree and the model mostly held together. The Latecoere was mercifully released from the tip as the pole was brought to the ground. An exhale of relief and laughter – the Stott Air-Tree Rescue Service had come through again!
Stuff like this is what makes the Flying Aces Club great.
Check out the sidebar pics for more on the June Durham meet.
See you at the Pony Express Field in Ipswich on June 24!
