FLY INDOORS! With the Glastonbury Modelers. January 8, 2023 Mid-Winter Madness Contest
The Glastonbury Modelers are a group of free flight aircraft enthusiasts that fly gliders and rubber powered models at the Glastonbury High School Gym located at Glastonbury, CT. Throughout the fall and winter, we gather once a month to fly our models. This video is a collection of model flying from our fourth session of the 2022/23 season. A full day event. Our Mid-Winter Madness contest. You'll see several categories of models that fly in different events. One of the highlights of the day are the "mass launch" events where pilots compete to be the last one down in a series of flight rounds. Pilots risk midair collisions during each round and also tempt how many winds their rubber motors can handle with each round pushing that temptation harder and harder.
Find more information about the hobby at:
flyingacesclub.com/wp/
www.freeflight.org/
www.modelaircraft.org/
Hi, I'm 64. My dad (RIP) flew rubber powered free flight in the 50's. When I was a small boy he built a Guillows Lancer. We flew it in the neighbors hay field. That is some of my fondest memories! My dad was an aircraft mechanic. In the 1980's we started flying RC. The year he passed we had four generations flying electrics in a gym. 🙂👍🛩❤
Great story Paul. You were fortunate to have your day help you with the hobby. I'm sure you have some great memories of flying with your dad. Hope you're still flying to keep the hobby going in your family.
Thank you for sharing your story. Makes me think of my father. He tought me to fly rc when I was just ten years of age. I'm still flying today at the age of 46. Not a day goes by without me thinking of him. I miss him terribly
@@alwaysflying6540 😌❤🙏
This is the intersection of art, poetry and science! :)
Ohhh wow, the 3rd and 4th flights were just so beautiful. I love rubber free flight when it's at the limits of lightness, it's so graceful. Also used to have a rubber powered ornithopter I was really fond of that flew amazingly. Never been able to find another one that flew like it. Even the ones that are more scale are always so much more scale speed than anything else you see flying around. It's always just so clean and soothing. The WW1 and WW2 were hilarious too, such a neat competition! I've never seen that done. 😊
Thanks for your comment. We rarely see an ornithopter at Glastonbury. They are a skill all on their own. Unique building and flying challenges. We all have lots of fun flying indoors. Thanks for watching.
The slow-prop at 1.51 is a thing of beauty.
Indeed has something calming and peaceful about it. It's like this plane was meditating.
G'day! Brought back so many great Memories of Dad and I in the 50's, He would buy the Balsa Kits and we would assemble them together ,I am 73 now and still remember it well!
Hello Paul. Thanks for sharing your great memory. We have a lot of fun flying our models and also reminding us of our younger days. Thanks for watching!
@@Watchingthevideos99 Thanks for the reply,kind Sir,I loved watching those Planes Flying around! PS didnt know there was a Glastonbury in the States, shows how much I know
That slow prop at 8:50 is a thing of beauty
Indeed. That's John Kagan's model. John is the World Champion in that class of indoor model called F1D.
When engineering and art combine, they create something special. Ethereal at 8 min. Thanks for the video. And thanks to those who shared their work.
Great comment on a fascinating hobby. Thanks for watching.
Absolutely amazing examples of aero modeling!!
Most people can't see the amount of skill and craftsmanship in this video. Great to see everyone sharing our same passion for aviation.
A very accurate comment. Nice of you to notice. We have many talented modelers flying with us.
@Watchingthevideos99 Yes, a lot of talent for sure. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for posting
I built my first Guillows kit, which I bought for $.79 at the local thrift store in the early 80's, with Elmers Glue at the age of 10. I did manage to get the tissue on and get it doped without a single wrinkle. It didn't fly... but looking back I can't believe how tight I had that tissue! Man I wish I had that plane.
Great video John. I’ve tried electric, CO2, IC but simply nothing beats the joy of of a rubber powered plane climbing silently away, such a pure form of power.
Thanks Peter. We have a great group of talented modelers. Always fun to get together and share some free flight.
@ 2:37, the film model is so cool. have a book on how to make them. thanks for all the talented builders of their flying machines.
Thank you for the comment Allan. Yes, that's an EZB competition model. A popular category with our club. The other model you'll see is an F1D world competition model. Thanks for viewing!
Great models, I enjoyed watching all of them!
Seems simple but the models are all examples of precision crafting and many small adjustments to fly stable and true. I find the flights, especially the ultra lights, really enjoyable to watch.
You're spot on. We have some talented flyers that really understand exactly what you point out. Trimming an indoor model is a real talent and part of the fun. And getting one of the light models to fly for a long flight is certainly the ultimate indoor model challenge. Thanks for watching!
Best 26:15 i've spent on YT all weekend! love these vids of the Glastonbury Modelers events!!! Such great models. This looks like the best fun! Can't wait to get into stick & tissue with my son! Thanks for these great vids!
Thank you so much. We certainly do have lots of fun. Start building! It's a great father/son hobby. we have several "teams" at Glastonbury. And those guys are tough competitors!!
Bravo to all those who built and flew… love it❗️
A great bunch of talented modelers!
Lightweight construction in perfection. Fascinating how much energy the rubber band stores!
It's a fascinating, fun hobby.Thank you for watching.
So relaxing to watch. Patience, skills and quietness level 100
Yes indeed. It's a fun hobby. Thank you for watching.
I’ve been building and flying scratch built free flight and RC aircraft since I was a toddler but nearly 40 years later I am still at a loss to understand how they get these indoor beauties to fly in a way that they seem to have sensors so the can hug the walls and ceiling but not hit them, masterful model airmanship!
We certainly have some talented modelers flying with us. And some have spent many years working to achieve such performance.
Love to watch than the remote ones!
Thanks for watching!
Such a nice venue to fly in. The last time I did indoor free flight was in the blimp hanger at Moffett field in Mountain View CA. That was before thay stripped it down for asbestos abatement. I have moved to a rural area out of California and no indoor flying here. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I've read about the Moffett hangar. You're fortunate to have flown in such a historic structure. Thanks for the comment and thanks for viewing.
@@Watchingthevideos99 it was very cool. We could only use one end because they had aircraft parked at the other. Still way more space then was needed. Had a good time.
GENIOUS!!!!!!!
Parden my english from vietnamand goo d fly
Good English. Thank you!
I wish we had somewhere to fly indoors John. There are some meets but its midweek and quite a distance to get to more so after finishing work for the day. Lovely models again.
Colin, thanks for the note. Sorry you don't have a convenient indoor venue. I feel quite fortunate to have Glastonbury within a one-hour drive.
Very cool, I never knew about these rubber powered masterpieces.
Thanks for watching.
What a group and probably no all ready to fly models!
thank you for your comment. Yes indeed, a talented group of folks. Many creating their own designs from scratch. And a real variety of models and personalities. :) Thanks for viewing.
How delightful!
Extraordinary gossamer design. Great stuff. Take care all.
Thank you for viewing.
That model with the windshield on the bottom reminded me that Vance once did that with one of his models. If memory serves, it also had wheel pants that looked like high top sneakers, and leopard print tissue. I never got to see it in person, unfortunately. Just saw a picture of it.
HA HA. I could see Vance doing that. The model in the video is supposed to be flying upside down. It a great flyer and ended up winning the Bostonian event.
good flying
Thanks Doyle!
Awesome!
absolutely wonderful to watch. Very poetic and fascinating. i am surprised how long the rubber cords are. I especially liked the very slow models. 🙂
The lightweight models can be almost hypnotic to watch, like they deify gravity. We have some talented people flying here and we all enjoy the hobby. Thanks for watching.
Thought it was surprising so many guys had the same first name of Down.😉 I've got plans and some kits in the closet...need to get a workspace back together.
😂😂😂 The other common name is "heads up" 😂 Hey, get out those plans and kits and have at it. Maybe you have a Flying Aces Club close by. flyingacesclub.com/
Penny planes !! 😁 saw them flying in the largest hangar on Schiphol (NL)
300th clicker here... free beer? Great video, thanks!!
HA HA. Thanks for watching!
Very enjoyable to watch
Thank you so much and thanks for watching.
I remember rubber power very well
👍👍👍
very interesting
Thanks for watching.
Love all of these. Where do I learn more about this and where do you resource kits, etc.?
Thank you for the comment. I've added several links in the description that will take you to three organizations that organize the hobby. There are several good online vendors for model kits and supplies. Here's three to get you going. www.wind-it-up.com/ volare-products.myshopify.com/ easybuiltmodels.com/#gsc.tab=0 Lots of other resources out there. Check the map on the Flying Aces Club website and see if there's a chapter near you. Always great to fly with others if you can. It's a fun hobby with lots to learn and try. Thanks for watching my video and hope you take a dive into giving free flight a try!
👍
Dude! We need to see the end of the flight. You have a mass take off and we don't know who won.
😂😂😂 Which event are you referring to? Tough to get all the video sometimes. 🤪 Thanks for watching!
Hmm, I have a reference for a model airplane that used turkey feathers for wings, and that had a significantly higher lift:weight ratio. It was "It's a Son of a Turkey" by Dudley S. Lynch, in Popular Science, Feb '61, p. 175.
Found it! books.google.fm/books?id=ZyYDAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Bring a space heater next time for an “artificial thermal”, then make micro DLGs lol
Some of the very light models will actually rise over a group of people just from their body heat. Thanks for watching!
Love your videos. If possible, could you tell me what the French yellow model in the Golden Age mass launch is? Appropriately, its pilot wore a beret. Thanks.
Thank you for your comment. The little yellow model is the Potez designed by Tom Nallen II and published in Flying Models magazine years ago. Each year, we host a "one design" event and that happens to be the model we are using this season. If you're interested in the plan I have it digitally. If youre comfortable with giving me your email, I can send it to you.
Makes me wish I lived in a giant shed!
Indeed! Or a silo. 😁Thanks for watching.
I'm old enough to remember when model airplanes were something young boys did. Nobody in that room under 50. 😢
Actually, we mentor several Science Olympiad teams from around the state. Both middle school and high school. We also have several families that fly with us. We do our best to encourage young people to attend. I personally run a model airplane club at our local middle school each year. Usually around 20 kids and we build simple gliders and rubber powered models. As far as the rest of us being over 50, I'll continue to build and fly until I'm no longer able. We all feel like the young boys you mention and have a lot of fun.
@@Watchingthevideos99 Awesome, glad to hear it.
I wish they had gymnasium like that here in Chesterfied County, Virginia. There is virtually no place to fly legally here where I live without the Police showing up to bully you.
Richard I work directly with the town of Glastonbury to set up a schedule each year. We pay a fee to the town to use the gym. This does take work, but there's no reason at all that you shouldn't be able to find a place to fly. Many clubs use church auditoriums. I've never seen a town without at least one indoor basketball court. So to say there is not place to "legally" fly just doesn't sound right. But it does take work to make it happen. And it's not always easy.
Hello sir. There is a meet scheduled at Highland Springs HS near you for the 29th of Jan. usually from 9 til 5pm. Will be more meets in feb thru may.
freeflight only tho' sorry.
Yes, I’m an Aeronerd. And I’m not curable.
😂 Well, yes! Nothing wrong with that! Thanks for watching.
Are they all trimmed to fly counter clockwise as part of the competition? Although I thought I did see one or two flying clockwise?
A very good observation Dave. Many will try and have their models turn right to help keep the circle tight. The torque of the rubber motor will naturally make the model turn right and also not climb as fast. So, it's a good way to trim the model to circle, along with a bit of wash in at the left-wing tip. Sometime a model will just not cooperate and prefers to fly to the left. Generally, you'll see those models reach the ceiling quicker. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for watching!
How do you get it to circle like that
It's a combination of setting up the model with the proper control offsets and thrust line angle. The control offsets are either by small warps in the flying surfaces or trim tabs. The thrust line is adjusted with shims, or some modelers use an adjustable nose block. It sometimes takes some experimenting but once set up, the model should stay in trim a long time.
How many Pratt Rats are flying in your club? There have go to be more than a couple, I imagine.
Hi Robert. Is that a Hangar Rat? Not sure what a Pratt Rat is. Do you have a link to a plan?
@@Watchingthevideos99 Since they fly in Glastonbury, CT, a Pratt Rat is a well-known nickname for people in that region. It's not disrespectful; I am a retired Pratt Rat having spent nearly 3 decades proudly working at Pratt & Whitney.
HA HA. Now I'm embarrassed. Of course, Pratt and Whitney! My dad worked there for a bit back in the late 30's as a test engineer for the Wasp engines. And yes, we've had several folks from there fly with us. Thanks for watching!
@@Watchingthevideos99 No need. Many outside the orb haven't heard the term. I just stumbled upon your site and liked seeing the art and science behind "alternate ly fueled" aircraft. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Robert.
Where is a good place to buy kits like this online?
Hi, there are several good kit manufacturers. Here are three to get you started: Peck Polymers www.wind-it-up.com/ , Easy built Models easybuiltmodels.com/ , Volare Model Products volareproducts.com/wordpress/ . Each of these offer some laser cut kits which is a nice way to start as you don't have cut parts out. There are more, but these offer good kits for beginners. Thanks for watching and I hope you give it a try!
Thankyou kindly! @@Watchingthevideos99
@@indyjones1970 You're welcome. Have fun!
What's the story on that little shoestring model.
Dave, it's a bit of a story. One of our guys can no longer fly with us due to his health. A very talented modeler. His wife walked into a hobby shop and asked if anyone wanted his models. One of our flyers happened to be there and said he would take them. He's been dispersing them to various flyers at the gym. I said I was interested in the Shoestring so the person that had taken the model originally brought it on Sunday and gave it a flight before handing it to me. So, I have it now. It's a real beauty. The flyer had given me his rough drawing a few years back so I have a plan, but it needs to be cleaned up. Really nice build and pretty light. Sorry for the long answer!
No worries on the length. You sure have a variety of models at your meets. I would like to see a build video on the shoestring if you ever do another. Love your videos.
Thank you so much Dave. The Shoestring might be a while since my Bonzo is flying so well. 😄 Just don't need another Goodyear racer at the moment. But I expect I can at least begin working on a proper plan. Thanks for viewing!
Some still playing Commie COVID.
Elon Musk, . . Watch and learn.
Too bad I live in Florida. They have locked fencing around the schools and they will not allow any usage by the community. Kids cannot shoot model rockets, runners cannot use the track around the football field, and the certainly will not allow anyone to use the gym for our harmless toy airplanes. They are terrified of lawsuits. Even trying to explain balsa & tissue just confuses them. The two people I spoke to did not know what balsa was. Go figure.
See like two people under 60. Sadly, this will be a lost art before too long.
Unfortunately true but we're having fun until the end. The club does support the Science Olympiad program and we allow the kids to come in and fly with us where they get coaching from our members. Several teams from the state take advantage of that and those are the teams that do best in the state competitions. And we also have several families that fly with us. So all hope is not lost.
@@Watchingthevideos99 I certainly hope not. I’m 56 and just stumbled across this type of flying yesterday. I think they’re fascinating, especially in this high tech world. True story: I bought a rubber motor powered model of the Wright Flyer at a thrift store three weeks ago with the intention of putting a brushed dc motor and some cheap RC flight controls just for fun. After seeing some videos for the last couple of days, I think it would be just as fun to build as it was intended. It’s just a cheap kids grade model, as far as I can tell…came with a battery powered winder, but the fun is all in the building and seeing if it works to me!! Thanks to you and all your fellow enthusiasts for expanding my flying hobby interests!
Forest that's excellent. One of the great things about the hobby. The direction you want to take is endless. We have flyers that enjoy competition, we have flyers that just like to experiment, we have flyers that just like to build and fly. Keep exploring the hobby and have fun!
Nice model aircraft, problem is what is the average age of the people here? Your sport will soon go away because there are no young people here.😔
We do have a few young folks that fly with us. And we have many Science Olympiad Wright Stuff school kid competitors that come and fly and get lots of help from us old guys. But yes, the hobby may eventually be gone. Young people no longer seem interested in handy crafts, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it ourselves in the mean time. I'll build and fly until I no longer can. It's lots of fun.
@@Watchingthevideos99 Yeah, all kids are interested in now are computer games.
@@robertwood3970 agree. We try and promote to younger people but their attention span seems to limited. I also run a model airplane club for the local middle school. They enjoy it, but it's not a hobby they stick with once the school year ends.