THE HISTORY OF V.A.R.M.S The Annual Diary 1990 - 2009

17
Special Mention: The THIRD and possibly LAST flight of the U-2.
"For those not present the story is, that the U2 was successfully launched and flown by
anyone present who had participated in its building and wanted a go. When the lift died Tom
Wickers had the death or glory task of landing it in the paddock below. The big, heavy model just
would not stop until it encountered an unseen fence, which stopped the wings. The joiner bar now
could serve as handle bars for a Harley."
The last report on the U-2, was, that it would be returned to its pristine flying condition and remain
as a STATIC model only.
..... with so much already said about '93 at Camperdown, a few subtle observations from Tim
Morland will not go astray!
The last of "THEM" as we know it.
Well, if you haven't been to Camperdown on Australia Day long weekend with VARMS, you
are now obliged to wait until 1998. Our unique way of celebrating Australia's birthday has been
sunk. Cast aside in the sea of change that is supposed to make ours a better state, it's a crying
shame.
There were about 160 people at Camperdown this year. On Saturday as well as Sunday
most had fun, although some didn't, but that I guess is the name of the game. Crashes have a way
of finding out who is really keen,
I've written plenty of reports on Camperdown, others don't appear to be very interested in
spreading the word, of how Camperdown is simply the best way to start off a modelling year with
your friends and aeroplanes all over the place. It's the best kick start I know of. One of the few
times I get the chance to fly myself "out". That is, have enough of it and going home contented.
It would be great if lots of other people would write about their experiences of the weekend.
No two would be the same, giving all of us a window into their experiences.
For instance, why don't David Hobby and Scott Lennon get together and tell us all about their
flying wings.
John Lee could perhaps tell us why his lovely Schweizer T26 flew to the bottom of the hill, out of
control.
John Lawrey could give details about how you relocate a model at high altitude and then proceed
to land it in a paddock the other side of the camping ground.
Barry and Carol could tell us just exactly how much they have had to drink before they come to give
lucid commentary at the video rushes.
Harold Elliot could give a lecture on why Tom Wickers should not be given a plane which can
easily be flown too fast. The poor old Pelican started to flap!
Robert Goldman could give an analysis of why his Lo 100 flew down to the bottom of the hill,
again! He managed to get it back up last year.
John Gottschalk could give a piece on how not to hand-launch large models.
Max McCullough would explain why he described on the registration board the scale Spitfire as
"small" including a sketch of a fisherman to demonstrate its wingspan.
Dieter Prussner could write about the first VARMS meeting at Mt. Hollowback just 25 years ago
this February - he was there you know.
Tom Wickers may like to explain why he didn't land the U-2 at the top of the hill while he could (no
hard feelings). Its the first time I've ever seen a plane stretch a wire fence.
Barry Nugent may like to explain the circumstances which lead his Alpina to be firmly planted in
the ground about 2 feet from his feet on Friday afternoon.
Terry Robb could bless us with an explanation of why his Star ship Enterprise is able to fly, apart
from the fact that it has a motor.
However, the person who left the gate open and almost finished our weekend off for us two days
early probably won't own up!
The council workers could justify putting the gate at the point on the wrong end of the flying field, I
prefer the old fence. More walking means less flying. They got the landing area right though,