DH86 First Flights

[John Rickett]

At a secret location in deepest Lincolnshire after a 4 year building programme, the first flights finally took place. We had three flights, with one of Qatar Airways pilots in command.
For information, the model os 1/4 scale, weighs 88lbs and powered by 4 x Laser 180s. The engines and Weatronics receiver behaved faultlessly. A certain sprout picker acted as witness!

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The secret location was actually East Kirkby. Fred Panton, the owner could not have been more helpful and was pleased we were there.

[Tony Collins 1073]

Nice one John. Looks really good up there. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh next summer.

[Phil Clark]

Well done John & Steve....she looks stunning

Phil

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Congrats John--that looks stunning--DAVE

ps hope that sprout picker was behaving good--

[Andy Boylett]

Wow, that looks nice. Fantastic plane and not a sprout in sight.

[Dave Parry]

How dare you go to East Kirby without us John, I will be having words with that Sprout Picker.

Congratulation on the maiden, she looks fantastic.

[Denis Brown]

I am that sprout picker. I witnessed the flights. My cheeks were clenched all the time I was witnessing but the calmness of the pilot helped stopped me shaking after awhile as will be noticed from the video I was ordered to take.

On a serious note the model in flight and on the ground is so realistic. The sound of the engines is perfect. It flies at a scale speed in the same way as did the DH Comet from this same team. It is interesting to read on the internet the history of the fullsize. Doesnt sound the friendliest of aircraft to fly

I look forward to seeing it at the shows in the coming years. Well done

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Sproutman
Sproutsheen
Sproutshire

[John Rickett]

Here is a quickly cobbled together video of the first flight. As you can see, Lincolnshire sprout pickers are clever enough to keep filling the sacks with one hand while videoing with the other!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0nvyD9tFMc

[Stuart Solomon]

Cracking one there John.Just watched the video. Those wires look nice Look forward to seeing it flying next year. Solly.

[Ken Bones]

A thing of Beauty!
Bonzey

[Dave Lowe]

"Awesome" loads of respect.

[John Rickett]

Thanks for the comments Chaps. The CofG turned out to be a bit rearward, so that's another 1/2 lb of lead to go in the nose, but apart from that it seems to handle reasonably well.
SWMBO has said there's to be no more silly sized models until something goes!

[ian redshaw]

A beautiful model and a beautiful flight. Anyone who knows you both would expect no less, well done indeed chaps.

Ian.

[Keith Mitchell]

----- now why aren't we surprised that it flew so well!

Well done, John and Steve - a delightful addition to that wonderful 'Golden Era' of models. Oh - that Arthur and 'Bodders' were here to see it ---.

And now to that promised article for the Journal (no excuses now!).
K.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

i have admired this superb creation at all the seminars, its been great seeing it grow, now to see it in flight, you guys do some of the best work on the association, congrats on the completion of the 86

[Richard scarbrough]

Well done to you both. look forward to seeing you both, maybe at the Xmas fly-in at Barkston.
Cheers Richard.

[Denis Brown]

Newly found footage of secret test flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJCaSLwS ... ture=feedu

[John Rickett]

Denis,
Its very sad that Ken Russell has died, but clearly the world isn't big enough for two film producers of your calibre!

[stuart cotgrove]

Denis,
Its very sad that Ken Russell has died, but clearly the world isn't big enough for two film producers of your calibre!

"Russell Sprout" !

[ROGER BALE]

Well done if it looks right it will fly right Ive just spent a n hour looking at a surperb model. thanks you two, looking forward to seeing it next year. congrats Rog