Meetings and Minutes

It is with sadness and regret that we have to announce the passing of our Club Secretary, Tony Salisbury MiFireE MIIRSM.

Tony’s first job was as a policeman. This did not represent the challenge that Tony required and he migrated to the Fire Service. He must have been inspired by this, because after a long career in the Fire Service he became Deputy Commander of the Fire Service College under Commandment George Clarke. Tony travlled all over the world helping set up Fire Service colleges in other countries.

One of Tony’s main interests was sailing his catamaran named ‘Catmando’ He entered the annual ‘Round the Island Yacht Race’ every year since 2006 and won his class in 2009.

Although born at the height of the Battle of Britain, Tony only took up aeromodelling in 2008 but threw himself into it with his usual enthusiasm that drove him in everything else that he did. Exclusively an electric flier, Tony did not let that prevent him from exploring the full range of model aeronautics. His models went from small ‘Extra 300′ aerobat to a 1/4 scale Piper Cub, and taking in twins and Telemasters on the way. His ‘own design’ models usually featured a ‘pop bottle base’ used as a cowl; this became his trademark at the field.

When he became Club Secretary at the AGM in 2009 for the 2010 season he attacked that duty in his usual organised and thoughtful manner. In the short time that we knew Tony, he never had a harsh word to say of anyone. Despite the usual hectic club atmosphere, his manner was always calm, measured and, dare i say, professional.

Not to say that Tony lacked humour, he had a sharp wit that was not always appreciated at the time of saying, but crept up on you when you weren’t thinking about it. His job as a fireman came in useful because Tony’s models had an unusual attraction to the trees on the south side of the club field; he frequently had to take to ladders to rescue them. We have photographs!

Our heartfelt condolences to Tony’s wife Sheila, their children and grandchildren.

Tony, the club will miss you, I will miss you. It is so rare this day and age to meet a true Gentle Man. Rest in Peace.

Ioan Wittmann
Shropshire Model Flying Club

We are so very sorry to announce that Ernie Hills passed away in The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, on the 8th January. Ernie had been unwell for some time and in a lot of discomfort due to Arthritis and other complication, but thankfully died peacefully. He was 85.

Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Jean and son Tony.

Ernie served in WW2 with the RAF 6th Airborne and then in 1943 with The Army 512 Squadron Middle East Aerial Reconnaissance. Before he retired some 10 years ago, Ernie ran a very successful graphics, publishing and printing business. Even with his troublesome leg. Probably due to a wound received whilst serving with the 6th Airborne, Ernie enjoyed a game of Golf and in particular, Petanque.

He started to fly model aeroplanes in the early 50’s, as many of us did in Essex, at Fairlop Aerodrome in the days of balsa, tissue, dope, rubber and the Mills 1.3. Ernie was a very good model pilot, an excellent model engineer and thought nothing of constructing working replicas of a Mills or the odd diesel engine. His modelling skills were outstanding paying the utmost attention to the detail in rigging, finish, authentic artwork and cockpit detail. He built some beautiful models which attracted a lot of attention at public static displays on the Airfield and was awarded Gold for his Ryan STA Special 200 at the 1999 International Model Fair, Olympia. He also won the RCME Cup with this model. And yes, the model flew superbly; it was not just a work of art.

Ernie was a Founder Member of Chingford Club and was associated with West Essex, flying float planes but his real love was flying his models at North Weald Airfield, due partly to the associated WW2 history. He had been a member of the club for some 30 years and enjoyed flying his mini helicopters in the Squadron Mess during Sunday lunch time refreshments.

He was a member of our committee, a Static Display judge at many of our Scale Day events, a Member of the Airfield User Committee and was always prepared to help out and support the Club whenever he could. His contribution was considerable. He laid the Wreath for us, every year, on the Airfield FAR War memorial. He was committed to the club.

I would like to quote one of our members. George Ford, which sums up how we all feel: ‘What a sad loss he will be to his family. The Flying Club and as a good helpful friend. I was always impressed by his determined and cheerful demeanour despite the physical health problems he must have endured for as long as I can remember. I never heard him complain.’

Above all, Ernie was a gentleman, through and through. We will miss him.

David Windrow, Epping & North Weald Model Flying Club

Introduced to aeromodelling early in life Stan carried on with his hobby even after joining the army as a boy soldier and whilst stationed abroad, back in this country and in Civvie street in the early 1960′s he became involved with the Huddersfield Association of aeromodellers. Around 1970 he was flying on Tinshill Rec. Leeds and then joined the Morley Club in the early 1980′s. He was Chairman of the Morley Club for over 25 years up to his death in February 2011. For many years he ran the Bowden Trophy events at many venues including the Nationals. His efforts were so appreciated by the Bowden Flyers that they subscribed to buy him a memento. Well known to model flyers all over the country for his free flight and vintage flying and as a long standing member of SAM 35 he will be sadly missed by his many friends and fellow club members. Our thoughts go out to his wife Mary and his family.

Colin Foster (secretary MADMAN)

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of Roger Broad, who lost his battle with cancer on February 3rd. Roger’s great flying interest was slope-soaring, though he recently took up powered flight and was delighted to pass his ‘A’ certificate at the first attempt. He made many friends from all over the country whilst attending the Bring’n'Fly event run by the Lleyn MAC on their beautiful peninsula in North Wales. Roger would often turn up in Wales with more models than he could possibly fly and with his sense of humour often awarded himself the ‘Prat of the week’ award. His enthusiasm and generosity of spirit enriched the lives of all who met him and I consider myself privileged to have had his friendship. We extend to his wife and family our deepest sympathy.

John Bradbury

Andrew was only twenty seven when he passed away at work on 24th September 2010. Andrew was a regular flier at the Tonbridge Gassers and Rubber Fanciers indoor meetings, which he attended ethusiastically with his dad, John. Andrew had many interests including archery, and supporting West Ham. To us, his fellow fliers, he was always popular enjoying life with zest. His sunny disposition will be missed.

Stuart Taylor