Updated:05/09/2017

Purchased from Gliders UK some time ago this 3 metre span sail plane had been unboxed and the bits standing in the back of the garage.  The early 2015 weather being rather inclement at present I decided that I would make some more effort to get this glider put together.  Previously I had fixed the stabiliser and rudder fitted their servos and connectors and installed servos in the wings.  Although designated ARF this model is far from that!

You can either motorise it or make it slope only.  The white fuselage is really smooth grp and the wings are traditional balsa / ply, white film covered and the wings do pass the "squeeze" test well.  The squeeze test using thumb and forefinger tells you if it has plenty of ribs to support the balsa sheeting.  The hardware comes in various bags unmarked and the manual is non existent.  Just a parts list on a exploded plan.  Not a big issue if you have built scratch models before or had some experience of numerous ARFs.

Gliding generally deemed as silent flight using just the wind and/or thermals to keep the craft in the sky.  A truly fascinating side to RC flight with many people just taking up this type of flying only.

Depending on your geographical position or flying site the use of electrically assisted climb up is becoming very popular, especially now with the advent of powerful, light brushless inrunner, outrunner motors, although some classes still specify standard brushed motors.

Without power asssitance to climb up the alternatives are off a windy slope (soaring), bungee launch and the aero to(towline) by a large, powerful aircraft.  The glider once up to height releases itself from the tow hook and seeks thermals to stay aloft.

During the warmer months, usually April to September the club hosts many competitions from our flying site for electric-assisted climb gliding.  Once up to a preset height the pilot has to stay aloft for a set period to claim points.  It's harder than it looks!  But great fun.

We are also associated with Wessex Aero Modelling where many members construct their own models from plans and scratch for the 600RES lowcost class timed flight.  This is a very popular class.

Wimborne Model Flying club has lot's of experienced pilots to this hobby with years of flight without engines.  A slightly different skill required here from powered flight - no power out of a problem - you have to fly it out!  Maybe that's the fun of it!

Too windy for general power flying?  Not a problem for WMAC members because it's of to the hills of Dorset for some fun.  Generally the initial meeting point at present is at Cashmoor field.  Then in convoy or car sharing members leave for either Wingreen or Gourds depending on wind direction.  Because this relys on the right weather always changeable the forum updates with  information.

All updates and planning for slope soaring days is carried out on our forum! Keep your eyes open!  Follow the forum threads.

Gliders and flying wings (Zagi's) only.

Site Rules & Regulations

• No power flying to take place.
• Strictly Slope Soaring
• The site belongs to the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty the use of which is exclusive to the club

All year round we fly on the slopes when the weather permits or is suitable.  However, even in high Summer the conditions can change suddenly therefore always come prepared with waterproof coat or jacket, hat and a waterproof bag to protect your transmitter.  Drinks too, hot or cold to stave off dehydration.

All year round sport from dawn to dusk.  All we ask for is a favourable wind of over 13 mph.

Join the Club and join us on the slopes.  Ideal flying for beginners and advanced combatants!

After many years of procrastinating I'm finally building a Phase 5. Designed in 1978 this model is often considered to be Chris Foss's (CF) best slope model. It was never available as a kit so the only way to get one is to build it yourself. CF is still selling the plans if you fancy one.

The Phase 5 plan calls for a built up wing but I'm deviating from the plan and making one from foam with a balsa skin. A snow day today meant I could make a start. CF does not specify what sections are used for the root or the tip so a bit of guesswork and internet trawling resulted in the semi-symmetrical E374 for the root, modified a little to make it thinner. The tip is fully symmetrical and is between NACA 0010 and 0011. It's actually 10.67% thick so maybe it's NACA 0010.67?

Unusually for this time of year the temperature was quite mild at 10 degrees C.  Wind was forecast as 18 mph to 35 mph WNW so a few of us grabbed the chance for a bit of slope soaring with flying wings and gliders.  The wind  was really winding up around midday so when Mike chose to fly he used his scratch built Phase 5 a Chris Foss design from quite a few years ago. The Phase 5 has fully symmetrical wing profiles so is quite happy with wild winds.  An hour or so later the wind started to ease off so then Mike chose to fly his Orcrist, The Orcrist design is heavily influenced by the French 'Excalibur' design but uses a traditional wooden fuselage and foam wings. .Scratch built although this was in reality a re-maiden as earlier in the week it was involved in a collision with a Wild Thing. However, all repaired and now to find out if it still flies well. It does!