Upon reaching the small 3 runway grass strip south of town i realized that unlike yesterday when i had the entire sky to myself - today several RC aviators were on the site. Massive $3,000 and $5,000 gasoline powered Extra 300 models decorated the freshly cut grass. I timidly got out of the car and ventured over to the flyers and their machines which wingtip to wingtip stood taller than me!
The gentlemen took their craft into the air and put on a spectacular impromptu air show for the two of us. The lawn mower buzz of the engines driving props that were wider than the wingspan on my small electric plane. Leaving a wake of thin blue smoke behind during their loops and rolls.
My wife whispered "Why dont you go get yours out of the trunk and fly it around a bit?"
I looked at her through the top of my sunglasses
"Sweet heart - i would feel like the newest freshman boy on campus showering in the senior boy's locker room! besides this would only be my third flight in as many days... i would hate to crash in the presence of these pros!" :-/
Eventually the show came to an end with an isolated rain shower - we decided to leave and head toward blue skies to the south - also the only way into this RC airpark is a small dirt road - if it gets too wet my Chevy cobalt is stuck!
We made our way to my old stomping grounds at a small local airport known for its inactivity on any given evening. The quiet ramp abeam a large grass field made for a welcome place to practice my growing RC flying skills. With a quick battery connection and a check of the flight controls i was off and running. First a climb then a dive into a loop. Vertical while rolling. level off and hold it strait. 2 snap rolls and a tight turn.
Little did i know that despite not wanting an audience... i had one! A flock of approximately 15 Purple Martins eyed the strange electric predator challenging them to a lopsided fight! As i approached the point where i was standing... the flock took to the air and proceeded to chase me with great aggression. I turned to avoid the flock... they turned to pursue my "butcher bird"! again i turned to evade with all the agility of a real WW2 era FW-190, but the squadron of purple martins had me square in their sights and they wanted a fight. I swooped and weaved to put myself into a position to land my plane so that neither the plane nor one of the birds goe hurt! But... one of the birds found its way into my FW-190s crosshairs and with a "whomp!" my FW-190 sent one of the little birds spiraling toward the ground.
"Oh no!" my wife gasped.
momentarily my attention was deflected away from my airplane as i concentrated on the falling dark mass. At first i thought it was a part of my plane! My momentary slow motion realization of what had happened was snapped back into reality as i realized my plane had been placed into a spiral dive as a result of the impact. I recovered at the last second and landed the aircraft in the grass to inspect for damage.. the spinner was completely gone... other than that the entire airplane was in good working order.
The electric remote control FW-190 "Butcher bird" had claimed its first real kill. (hopefully it's last)
