Bearing in mind the weather forecast "70% chance of rain, and 40 m.p.h. winds" the Croydon organising team were surprised when anyone actually turned up at Middle Wallop and even more taken aback when several started to fly. CD Martin Dilly wisely decided to adopt the pre-planned rough weather schedule of three one and a half minute flights for both classes.

Most attempts were short lived as were the unfortunate models, but some got away to make heroic flights. There was drizzle about but quite patchy and windspeed averaged 25-30 m.p.h. but it was possible if extremely lucky to find a lull of about 20 m.p.h. There seemed to be a dominant downdraught around the centre of the field where a slight ridge occurs. This coincided with a timespan of 56-60 seconds causing most attempts that got away to clock around the 58 second mark.

The result in F1G was decided with the last flight of the day when Peter Hall needed 73 seconds to win on his last flight. Unfortunately he waited too long for a lull and was forced to fly in what seemed like 40 m.p.h. wind, with sad results, being blown in after four seconds.

Slumming power flyers had a good day, with F1C team member Neil Allen winning F1G, the only man not to drop below a minute on any flight, and Mini Vintage power man Tony Shepherd used his first-ever rubber model to show all how it should be done in the Vintage class. His Etienvre appeared less affected by turbulence than the opposition.

It seemed the more moderately powered models survived better, climbing steadily although rocked by gusts, whereas the steeper climbing type often were looped back into the ground. Andrew Longhurst’s second place F1G in particular looked less unsettled by the elements than many.

Spencer Willis added to the fun by launching his tiny Morrisset design downwind after a run-up and almighty heave, - windspeed 30 m.p.h., flying speed 20 m.p.h. equals 50 m.p.h., almost as fast as it went down the motorway in its model box. Sadly it ended up tree’d and virtually disintegrated on rescue.

Many thanks to all the stalwarts who turned up to support the event that closed with the usual indoor prizegiving, coffee and bickies. Stay optimistic; next year can only be better.