Tag: Woodsom Farm

Come Fly With Us!

See you at the Saturday, Oct 11 Woodsom Farm meet! 

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A budding model aviation enthusiast at the Sept 13 Spencer Peirce Little Farm event. Event More Photos HERE
Flightline at the Woodsom Farm Sept 21 Stealth Sqdn meet.
Racers mass launch at the Sept 14 Durham, CT Pinkham Field meet
Steve E’s new Schweizer towline scale glider at the Sept 21 Woodsom Farm meet
Doug G’s Embryo launch at the Sept 21 Woodsom Farm meet
Chambermaid racer climbout at the Sept 14 Durham meet
Hawker S’s Flying Aces Moth flew in the FAC Sport event at the September 14 Durham, CT meet.

Join in on the Fun!  

The leaves are turning and the air is crisp.  Perfect weather for flying old time free flight model airplanes!  There’s been a veritable hurricane model flying activity going on in the Northeast.  Let’s do a quick recap. 

Sept 13 Flying Aces Take Flight! Event

The weather was perfect for this Guillow’s-sponsored public event at Historic New England’s Spencer-Peirce Little Farm in Newbury, MA.  Light winds made for lots of flying for the Stealth Squadron’s traditional stick & tissue models and the Guillows Jetstream models that were handed out with each Admission Ticket.  Full scale light aircraft flew overhead throughout the event, taking off or landing at the adjacent Plum Island airport.  A terrific time was had by all of the youngsters and the young at at heart.  Clubster John R kept things interesting on the PA system and has posted some great photos of the event HERE.   Thanks to all who participated – and see you at next year’s event! 

Amesbury, MA & Durham, CT model airplane meets

The day after the SPL event, Pinkham Field at Whites Farm in Durham, CT was buzzing with stick & tissue model airplanes filling the sky.  This field is the birthplace of the modern Flying Aces Club and has been the site of traditional rubber powered free flight model airplane flying for decades.  Mark your calendar for the November 16 “Turkey Fly” outdoor season closing meet.  It’s a classic!

The Stealth Squadroneers have been busy flying their models on the big rolling fields of Woodsom Farm in Amesbury, MA.   A few photos from the Sept 21 meet are presented in this post.  You’ll have another opportunity to fly and join the fun at Woodsom Farm this coming Saturday October 11.  Check out the FLYER for the contest event roster, directions, etc. 

Georgetown, MA Indoor Dates Coming Soon!

Rumor is that the Rittmeister has received confirmation on the Indoor Flying Dates at the Penn Brook Middle School in Georgetown, MA.  Keep an eye on the Calendar page on this site for the updates.   The Indoor Flying season is almost upon us (gasp!) 

See you at the flying field!

Gear-Up for New England FAC Meets!

See you at the Sunday, Aug 24 Woodsom Farm meet! 

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Check out the latest flyer for the Sept 13 Spencer Peirce Farm event with Guillow’s. Tell your friends!
The Rittmeister’s Henschel HS123 off on it’s incredible 2:45 flight at the Midsummer Melt Meet! Pic courtesy Chuck I.
… and the Rittmeister’s Flying Fool NRE Tribute Model
Clubster Doug G has a laser cut short kit of the Flyiing Fool. See him at the August Woodsom Farm Meet to get one!
Clubster Tom N flew his diesel powered RN Consolidated PT-1 at the 2025 FAC Non Nats in Geneseo
John K launches his colorful Potez 34 dimer at the Midsummer Melt Meet at Pinkham Field in Durham, CT. Model is available as a laser cut kit from local supplier Peck Polymers.

Lots of Flying Action!

Whew, it’s been awhile since our roving reporter’s last update.  He’s been busy flying models and enjoying summer as we hope you have been. 

So pull back on the stick, gear-up, and let’s do a quick summary of goings-on.

July 17-19 FAC Non Nats in Geneseo, NY

Never been to an FAC Nationals in Geneseo? Well, you’re missing out on some of the best stick and tissue model flying and free flight camaraderie in the world!  Several clubsters attended, participated and took home awards from this year’s Non Nats.  The winds were challenging on Thursday, but the weather was near-perfect for flying on Friday and Satuday.  Flyers traveled across the U.S. and Canada to attend, with friends new and old enjoying their common interest in free flight model airplanes.  Check your Flying Aces Newsletter for in depth coverage of the Non Nats.  

Midsummer Melt Meet at Pinkham Field, CT

The weather was perfect with light winds all day.  Rich Z’s epic 2minute and 45 second flight with his Henschel 123 biplane got everyone’s attention, and a flock of all sheet balsa NRE Tribute Models were seen flitting around the field.  If you haven’t yet attended an FAC Meet in Durham, CT plan to join us at one of the meets this Fall.  Oh, and don’t forget the upcoming Woodsom Farm Meet in Amesbury, MA on August 24!

New Spencer-Peirce Little Farm Event Flyer

Don’t miss this Guillow’s-sponsored public event at Historic New England’s Spencer-Peirce Little Farm in Newbury, MA on September 13.  The new Flyer tells you everything you need to know.  Kids or grandkids in your family?  Forward the Flyer to them and suggest they attend – the kids and yes, even Mom & Dad, will have FUN! 

Flying Fool Short Kit

We mentioned the gang having fun with their NRE Tribute models at the  Midsummer Melt meet.  Well, longtime Flying Ace and DC Maxecuter Doug G has moved to the Northeast and joined our Stealth Squadron club.  Welcome aboard Doug!   And guess what?  Doug has a laser cut short kit for the Flying Fool NRE Tribute model.   The Rittmeister built one from the kit and it flies great.  Come meet Doug at the August 24 Woodsom Farm meet in Amesbury, MA to learn more about the short kit and how you can get one.  Use the Contact Us form on this website if you can’t make the meet and are interested in the kit.   

 

See you at the flying field!

Indoor Season Underway

All Georgetown, MA indoor flying dates have been posted! 

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Rick P and Marc G show off their NRE Tribute models at the Turkey Fly
The Texas FAC flyers participated remotely in the NRE Tribute Event
And the infamous Harfang (Snow Owl) gang phoned results in from chilly Montreal, Canada.
Richard B flew his Scrappy at the Woodsom Test Field in early December.
Just a reminder of what’s coming…
Winner of the Ed Novak Tribute Event –  Mike S. and family at Pinkham Field in Durham, CT

NRE Tribute Goes Viral!

Thanksgiving seems ages ago.   The annual Durham Turkey Fly was held the weekend before T-day and the Novak Tribute Event was the highlight.  All-sheet Tribute models were flying in Durham and an equal number of flyers participated remotely from Texas and Canada.  How about that – an International salute to one of the FAC’s finest, Never Ready Eddie (NRE)!

The Colonel (Paul S who ran the event) will tell us about it below, but first – an ANNOUNCEMENT.

The Georgetown, MA indoor flying meet dates have been added to the Calendar and will appear on the Coming Events in the Sidebar. There will be indoor flying dates each month January – April, 2025 in both Georgetown, MA and Glastonbury, CT.  See you in the gym(s) flyers – and don’t forget your Scrappy one design model!

The Colonel’s NRE Tribute Event Recap

“There were 19 entries in the Tribute Event.  Four from the Alamo Escadrille in Texas, Six from the Snow Owl (Harfang) Squadron in Montreal, Canada, and Nine from the Pinkham Field Irregulars in Durham. 

Tribute models built included 5 Flying Fools, 3 Commando’s, 3 Little Mike’s, 2 Swallow’s, 2 Rigid Midgets, 2 Clodhopper’s, 1 Lil Cloud Sniffer and 1 FAC Beginner’s Racer.

And the Winner was ..(drum roll).. Mike S. and his beautifully decorated Flying Fool. 

Mike had Three duplicate flights out of his six officials and his next closest was one second apart.  The Snow Owl’s Giorgio T. also had Three duplicate flights, but his next closest official flight was three seconds apart.”

A tip o’ the hat to Mike for some impressively consistent flying with his Flying Fool.  And what a pleasure to see Mike with his young family out on the field.  And thanks Colonel, we know your cell phone was smoking like an old Hisso with a bad cylinder with all those remote flights getting texted in to Pinkham Field!

Hope we can do it again sometime.

See you in the gym soon skysters!

Good-Bye Summer

One more outdoor meet –

11/17 Durham FAC Turkey Fly

Event Flyer HERE

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Flyers launch their Baby Gliders at last year’s Turkey Fly at White’s Farm in Durham, CT
It was windy for the WW1 mass launch event!
Mitch K’s Curtiss Speed Scout FAC Scale model flew well in the Glastonbury HS gym on Nov 3
Tom N retrieves his Commando from the top of the bleachers
Flying to the stars? Nope, a Pacific Ace floatplane rests on the West River in VT
Scrappy One Design flyers in the Glastonbury HS gym on November 3

Seasons go round & round..

And just like that, it’s over.   The shadows grow longer as the days get shorter.   The pitter patter of soft soled shoes on the gym floor.  The first weekend of November was truly a transition – flying in the brisk air at Woodsom Farm on Saturday and in the calm, quiet space of the Glastonbury HS  gym on Sunday.  Whew!

There’s one more chance outdoors at the Turkey Fly in Durham, CT on Nov. 17.  See you there!

Nov 2 Woodsom Meet Pics & Results

Despite the strong Fall wind, a great time was had by all.  Steve E. extended his streak with wins in the Pinkham Stick, Embryo, Dime Scale and Chameleon Mass Launch events.  Rich Z. mopped up most of the remaining events.  Congrats guys.  We won’t go so easily on you next time..haww!

Check out pics and meet results below.

Pics

Results p1

Results p2
Thanks for sharing Kim & Steve!

About those Indoor Dates –

All of the Glastonbury, CT Indoor dates have been posted to the Calendar page.  Check the Flyer for dates in the Glastonbury High School gym, key contacts (John K) and address for the High School (your GPS/mapping will provide directions).

Don’t forget to build a Scrappy and get in on the One-Design Fun!

 

Georgetown, MA Indoor Dates are being finalized and we expect to have these posted to the Calendar soon.  We anticipate one flying day per month beginning in January 2025 and running through April.  The Scrappy One Design will be flown in Georgetown as well, so get building!

Saturday Nov 2 Season Close Meet @ Woodsom Farm

Don’t miss the final outdoor meet of the Season –

Event Flyer HERE

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Sam B launches his Super Capacitor powered Halberstadt D2. Sam’s a SuperCap pro!
Vance G lauches his Russian Kalinen K4 ambulance plane. Beautiful!
Another Boxy Bipe. This one by Steve E. Snidely Whiplash piloting!
Rich Z’s Corben Super Ace wheels above the Fall Colors.
Greve Race mass launch at Woodom Farm Oct. 20 meet

Outdoor Season Finale Nov 2

Tempus Fugit, gang!  Yep, time sure is flying, just like one of Steve E’s Pinkham Stick models.   Next Saturday Nov 2 will be your last chance this season to fly outdoors on the beautiful rolling fields of Woodsom Farm in Amesbury, MA.  Don’t miss it!

The event roster has been slimmed some, but we’ll still be filling the sky with stick & tissue models.  Check out the full Nov. 2 Meet Flyer. 

See you at the field!

October 20 Meet Results & Pics

Gorgeous weather, good friends and lot’s of high flying models – what more can a flyer ask for?  How about a bunch of great photos to help remember it all?

John R’s Google photostream

Kim W’s Google photostream

Thanks for sharing John & Kim!!

Pinkham Stick was arguably the event to watch with several new models and light-hearted competition.  Steve E kicked it off with a one minute flight on his new Troubadour in the calm morning air and then upped the mark to 100sec plus soon after.   Kim W got several nice flights with her Rocky-piloted Boxy Bipe.    Then in the thermally afternoon Rich Z popped off a 2min plus flight with his Gabelschwanz Teufel (Fork-Tailed Devil) which unfortunately ended with the model 80ft or so up in a majestic pine tree.  Steve countered late in the day with his Pelatowski Stork, catching a thermal and going OOS (out of sight) into a cloud.  But alas, he forgot to start the stopwatch!   Gremlins were surely riding Stork’s wing on its last flight!   And it was the FT Devil for the win.

One thing’s certain.  There’s a lot of flying smiles per build time invested in these simple Pinkham Stick models.  Why not join in the fun?

There was lots of action in the other competition events as well.  Steve E’s Hellcat took the top spot in Dime Scale again and his Mad Maxine (biplane, n’est pas!) topped the Embryo Endurance field.  George S’s Nassise Mustang edged out the Rittmeister’s Henschel 123 to win the WW2 Mass Launch event.  George’s Guillows Fairchild 24 won the Golden Age/Modern Civil event too.

Rich Z’s wretched Roland D2 wreaked havoc winning the WW1 Mass Launch event.  His silky smooth flying Ercoupe also won FAC Simplified Scale – the meet’s premiere competition event.

Sam B and Ara D made the trek from out-of-state to fly with us.  It was great to see you guys.  We sure did have FUN!

Stealth Squadron Oct 2024 Results Page 1

Stealth Squadron Oct 2024 Results Page 2

See you on the field at Woodsom Farm on Nov 2 tissue trimmers  🙂

Woodsom Farm Fall Meet Sunday Oct. 20

FLASH: The October 12 meet has been rescheduled to Sunday October 20

Event Flyer HERE

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A gaggle of Tribute Models soar into the Canadian sky!  Harfang Squadron fliers have been busy at the building board.
Clive G. retrieves his GB.2 twin flying boat from the stream at the Sept 15 Durham meet.
Bern D. ready to send his Commando aloft on an early morning flight at the September Waywayanda, NY meet.
Jim W’s Scrappy One Design model. Many of these ships were seen at the recent Glastonbury indoor flying session.
Clubster Kim W. built this neat little Boxy Bipe as her 2nd model. Looks like Rocky in the cockpit…where’s Bullwinkle?

Fly at Woodsom Farm this Sunday

Heads Up Skysters!  We’ll be flying on the big field at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury this Sunday, October 20.  Last Saturday’s meet at Woodsom Farm was cancelled due to poor flying weather. 

The contest event roster remains unchanged – check out the full Oct. 20 Meet Flyer.  You’ll find directions to the field and key contacts on the Flyer as well.  

Fall flying at Woodsom Farm is the best.  See you at the field!

September Woodsom Farm Meet Results

The Sept. 7 meet saw a light flyer turnout, but nice weather. Several folks showed up to watch and fly gliders that were handed out. Chris helped Alec get his Sleek Streak flying and by the afternoon he was getting 30+ second flights every time.  Way to go guys!
The contest events were hotly contested.  In Dime Scale (pg2 below), a scant 2 seconds separated 1st place from second and second from third.  An exciting event..

Stealth Squadron Sept 2024 Results Page 1

Stealth Squadron Sept 2024 Results Page 2

Novak Tribute & Scrappy One Design Models

Well, folks sure have been busy at the building board!  Our Canadian clubsters from the Harfang Squadron have built and flown a whole gaggle of Novak Tribute Models.  Rumors of several streamer-flying mass launches have been reported, accompanied by a mysterious photo (sidebar pic).  Surely the pic was staged…could it be real??   That’s the Spirit skysters… NRE is smiling!

Check out the NRE Tribute Event page for pics of new Tribute Models built by clubsters.  Send yours along and we’ll put it up for all to see.  It’s all for FUN!

Reports are trickling in of lots of Scrappy One Design activity down in the Glastonbury. CT high school gym.  The first flying session of the 2024-25 indoor season was this past weekend and Scrappies (?) were said to be bouncing off the ceiling and putting up nice flights.  The excitement is building!

See you on the field at Woodsom Farm this Sunday skysters –

One Design Plan Posted & Oct 9 Meet Results

Outdoor flying finale
Nov 4 FAC Meet at Woodsom Farm, Amesbury

See you there!

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We try to avoid this by rescheduling our meets when necessary!
Ric P shows off his Baby Flea FAC Sport model at the recent Durham meet
Steve B shows off his high flying Laird LC-DE at Durham meet.
John K and Fairchild dime scale model at Durham meet
Jim and Marc show their Jimmy Allen FAC Sport models at the Fall Durham FAC meet

A beautiful flying day!

One of the best features of Woodsom Farm is the ability to reschedule flying meets if the forecast is bad.

This was the case for the October 7 scheduled meet.  Rain was forecast, so the meet was moved to Columbus Day 10/9.  It was sunny, cool and calm in the morning – perfect flying weather.  A gentle breeze picked up in the afternoon and all events were flown.  A group of flyers had a lot of fun and friendly competition with their towline scale gliders.  Our stealthy roving reporter was there –

“Steve E led the pack early with an 85sec flight on his new Megow Primary in the light and calm morning air.  Sam B (Waco CG-4), Bill M (Slingsby) and Tom N (Ruby homebuilt) chased him in the breezier afternoon air.  Bill’s Slingsby had probably the straightest tows, but he held off going to full line length and the glide while good, needed some tweaking.  Tom’s Ruby went up straighter on the tow and managed a 49sec flight, but Sam came on with a 70sec final flight on his Waco to force Steve to bring out his little Primary in the wind.  Snoopy climbed that Primary fast and high, but just couldn’t get any lift in the late afternoon air.  Steve’s last three  mid-20sec flights were not enough to catch Sam who won the event.” Wow!

October 9 Meet Results 1

October 9 Meet Results 2

Don’t miss your last chances to join in the outdoor flying fun – Nov 4 at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury, MA and Nov 12 at Whites Farm in Durham, CT.

One Design Page Updated

We finally got around to updating the One Design page for the 2023-24 one design model, the Phantom Flash II Chameleon.
Check out the page for the free construction plan download along with the Parts page and the 2023-24 One Design Rules.Oh, and the Calendar page on this site has been updated for the Glastonbury High School indoor flying dates.  We expect to add the Georgetown, MA Penn Brook School indoor flying dates soon.We heard the first indoor flying date in the Glastonbury HS gym had around ten  Chameleons flying around nicely.  Start building yours and join in the fun!

Amesbury Meet Changed to October 9!

WEATHER ALERT!

Woodsom Farm meet rescheduled to Monday October 9

Be there!

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A Chameleon on the building board
Mitch K’s Chameleon has already put in test flights!
A pretty pair of Phantom Flash “Chameleon’s” by clubster Jim W.  Look for these in the air at the upcoming Glastonbury Modelers indoor flying sessions (see Calendar for dates)

Meet Resched to Monday Oct 9!

ALERT!  Due to forcast rains, the Woodsom Farm free flight model airplane meet has been rescheduled to Monday Oct 9, 2023. 

Check out the Contest Flyer for the competition events, directions to the field and key contacts.  NOTE: OLD DATE STILL ON FLYER.

See you at the field skysters!

2023-24 Indoor Season One Design

The Norman Phantom Flash II “Chameleon” is the one design model for the upcoming indoor season.  We’re in the process of updating the One Design page on this site, but we’re sharing some early progress from our clubsters.  Yep, at least three have already been built!  And initial test flights indicate this model is a fine flyer.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on this years One Design model!

Aug Amesbury Meet Results – Sept 9 Meet Next Up!

Saturday Sept 9 FAC Meet at Woodsom Farm, Amesbury

Be there!

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Sept 9 Amesbury Meet Flyer (click to enlarge)
Two Richards at Woodsom Farm showing off their models
Steve K and Lulu glider at the Woodsom Farm August meet
The Pelatowski Stork – look for a free Plan Download here soon!
Sam B won the Goodyear Mass Launch event with his Little Gem
Final heat in the National Air Race mass launch event

Towline Event FUN!

Saturday August 26 dawned wet with the promise of rains to come through the day.  With seemingly better weather coming, the meet was pushed to the next day.  Sure enough it rained hard Sunday morning, but a stalwart group of flyers showed up at Woodsom Farm and waited it out.  Yep, the skies proceeded to clear yielding a nice flying day with afternoon sun and thermals.   Don’t trust the weatherman – better to show up and be ready to fly.

At least three new Megow Primary Gliders showed up.  The towline winches were brought out and soon gliders were going up high over the newly hayed field.  Clubster Steve E. led the pack from the beginning, his Snoopy-piloted Megow Primary putting up long flights.  He capped off the win with a massive flyaway 5 min+ flight into the late summer clouds!  Alas, no pics of the high-flying Primary were taken before it went OOS.  Perhaps Steve will build another. 

We’ll be flying the Towline Scale event again at the Sept 9 Woodsom Farm meet in Amesbury, MA.  Come and see what it’s all about!

Steve K brought his nostalgic Lulu towline glider and flew it several times.  Fitted with a mechanical DT and Auto-rudder, Lulu showed the gang what a fully-fitted out towliner can do.  Word is FAC GHQ is considering a new event for these classic non-scale gliders. 

Towliners are Fun!

 

The Pinkham Stick event was flown once more and sure enough Steve E copped this event again.  His canard Goose got the win, but his new Stick model, the Stork,  developed with FAC veteran Ed Pelatowski, finished a close second.  Plans for the Pelatowski Stork will be offered for free download on this site soon.  Keep your eyes peeled for it’s release skyster.  And congrats to Steve’s double-Kanone day at the August Woodsom Farm meet!

Remember there’s another Flying Aces Club free-flight model airplane meet coming up on September 9 at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury MA.  Full Flyer with Directions and Contacts HERE.

Fall is the best time to fly rubber-p0wered model airplanes outside and the season will pass by quickly.  Don’t miss an opportunity to fly, or check out the action on this big beautiful field!