| The historic second
world war airfield of North Weald is every modeller's dream come
true with its long runways and aprons available for model flying,
and it's there that you will find Epping and North Weald Model
Flying Club.
The club also enjoys its own clubhouse with TV, video, kitchen (fridge,
cooker etc.), ladies and gents loos, workshop etc., etc. The only hardship,
they say, is perhaps that they don't have a booze licence, but even
that's no problem with the Squadron bar being yards away!
There is never a dull moment at North Weald,
either. Even when all the models
are in the pits they reckon there is going to be some old warbird doing a beat-up or a Yak 11
doing a wheels-up landing!
But there is a snag to all this! Right now, the
Club membership is FULL and no new applications are being accepted.
Added to that, the site lease conditions require that all members must
possess a minimum of the BMFA 'A' certificate, so whether you are an
experienced flyer or a keen beginner, I'm afraid that at the moment,
flying at North Weald must remain the modeller's dream referred to in
the opening paragraph!
Still, if you want to see what you're missing,
you can always go along to Wings & Wheels Model Spectacular
which is being held at North Weald on June 30th and July 1st. It's a
great show with heaps of model trade stands all set up in an outdoor
setting, brilliant bar and refreshment facilities, plenty of things to
amuse the kids and altogether a great day out - it's my favourite show
and one I try not to miss!
 The club does have a nice web site as well,
maintained by webmaster Gary Clemans-Gibbon, of whom you can read more
on personal profiles.
Kicking
off with a nice clean and fast-loading homepage, you then have access to
all the usual information you expect from a good club site. There's a bit
about North Weald, an events calendar, guest book, membership details
(ho-hum!),
club contacts, links, a member's area and a massive 10-page
photo gallery containing some very unusual, amusing and often amazing photos from
full-size and modelling aviation. For example, take a look at this photo
supplied from an unknown source and entitled 'Low Approach'.
The URL is http://www.northwealdmodels.co.uk
|
