With Newton’s Law suggesting that for each action there is an opposite and equal reaction one can only hope that after the very poor weather of recent months the soaring season will be a very very good one this year.The weather forecast today was for, no surprise, more rain overnight and this morning - with any one factor of a wet airfield, strong winds and rain enough to get in the way of gliding taking place this morning. There was a suggestion that the afternoon weather might improve which indeed it did but by when most of the members present had decided to do something else with their time.
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| Clearing up Wheelbarrow Lane (Mike Sloggett) |
During the morning some ground tasks had been completed, Tom Sides, David Cowley and Mike Sloggett made a start on lopping and clearing branches from the airfield lane. Meanwhile Ian Mitchell was making good progress with the annual checks on the Pawnee tug.
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| Collecting the tree litter (Mike Sloggett) |
Dave Perriam and Peter Smith had a good day working on the Blecevator,
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| Peter & Dave working on the Blecavator (Mike Sloggett) |
We managed to release rusted connecting pins and seized bolts in order to access and fold out the screen which separates out the stones so that they don’t lay on the surface of the cultivated ground. It was apparent that neither the screen or cover had moved since it left the factory. We managed to release all the bolts and pins on the various bits of the linkages enabling us to straighten the screen pins and replace a broken one. We struggled with lifting it and propped it up on a wingstand, then the penny dropped that the winch on top of the machine is for exactly that!
It now pivots as it should and the spring loading on the screen is functioning correctly so that a large stone will roll the screen back rather than jam it all up. The levelling blade height is now easily adjustable. All we need is some gentle breezes and warm sun to dry out the field and we can put it to work! Many thanks to Dave for pitching in and his willing help after I ambushed him first thing!
It now pivots as it should and the spring loading on the screen is functioning correctly so that a large stone will roll the screen back rather than jam it all up. The levelling blade height is now easily adjustable. All we need is some gentle breezes and warm sun to dry out the field and we can put it to work! Many thanks to Dave for pitching in and his willing help after I ambushed him first thing!
The next flyable day is being much anticipated!
Mike Sloggett & Peter Smith
Mike Sloggett & Peter Smith
