MODEL AEROPLANES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1939, Page 7

MODEL AEROPLANES

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. PARA CUP COMPETITION. Over the Easter holidays the model aero clubs of New Zealand competed for the Para Cup at their respective flying fields. This cup is competed for each year and the winners have the distinction of, being the champion club for New Zealand. The Auckland Model Aero Club won the trophy in 1936 and 1937, while last year it was won by the Wellington Model /kero Club and at present it looks as if the cup will stay with them for another year. The Wellington and Masterton Model Aero Clubs, together with Mr B. V. Dawes, of Foxton, and Mr R. Williams, of Wanganui, competed at the polo grounds at Te Ore Ore. The weather was perfect for flying, with many thermals or warm up currents of air hanging about. In all, four Southern districts, 3 North Island and 1 Masterton Club records were broken. The best times were as follows: — H. L. Glider, S. Marsden (Wellington), 23mins. l-ssec out of sight (N.Z. and South District record). Towline Glider, H. Fulton (Masterton), 4min 41 2-5 sec (N.Z., South. District and M.M.A.C. record); R.O.G. Fuselage, C. Wolfe (Wellington), lOmin out of sight (South District record). Gas models: K. Williams, proxy flying for J. Ward (Wanganui), 1 hour lOmin. (N.Z. and Southern District record). J. Ward’s gas model, flown by Kevin Williams, climbed steeply on a 21 min. motor run, hit a thermal, and was carried to approximately 2000 ft. The model was later retrieved near the Hood Aerodrome after 1 hour 10 minutes. Two exceptionally fine flights were put up by Messrs L. Wright and C. Wolfe, but, unfortunately, they were not officially timed. L. Wright’s tiny gas model climbed very steeply from the take-off, on a motor run of from 45-50 secs, and floated on a thermal, landing after 14 minutes. C. Wolfe’s fuselage model put up 5 minutes.