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Contents Listing - Articles & Features in this issue
Symposia Report
On Test—the Skyleader SL
Strictly for Soarers
Engine Test - the Taipan 61 R/C
Roulet 11
Matters Marine
Avoncraft Merlin
Scale Topics
For Your Diary
Quantum Six Impressions
Trade News
Round the Clubs
Article Snippets
Many readers fail to appreciate the printing deadlines of monthly magazines, where copy normally has to be with the printers at least four weeks before publication. This is why, if the dates of important events fall awkwardly (for us that is), reports often take on the aspect of history. Sometimes special arrangements are possible, a case in point being the Symposia reports in this issue. By concentrating in last month's preview on the goods that would be shown, and by having a photo report of personalities this month, we have been able to be topical, thanks to the co-operation of all concerned. As we have said in our report, our main impression of this year's shows was of consolidation. The change to miniaturised equipment has settled down and the next major change to unit construction is still, it would seem, a long way ahead. The acceptance of light weight gear has not yet led to a reduction in demand for the bigger type of model, nor is there any marked swing away from the 61 size engine as a standard. Maybe this will come sooner than we think, maybe not
All of which leaves us to wonder if annual shows are either necessary or desirable and does their location at extremes of the country attract the best attendance?
When the Esher Club started the first Symposium three years ago, they filled a definite need and are to be congratulated on their foresight and vision, in providing a service both to the Trade and to customers. Coinciding as the shows have, with some of the most significant advances in r/c, the enthusiasm of all concerned was quickened, but do we now detect a falling off of enthusiasm? The absence from this year's Esher show of several well known exhibitors, might suggest this.
Whilst in no way belittling the efforts of the Esher Club in starting the Symposium idea in this country, we feel that in future, the interests of both the Trade and modellers would be best served by a show geographically more central and perhaps bi-annual. The experience built up by the Esher Club is invaluable and, whatever happens, their Shows will be a yardstick of comparison, although we would like to see better facilities for flying, also the introduction of a boating pool.
We feel the one aspect that will kill the whole Symposium idea is if a lot of little shows spring up all over the country, each attracting less and less support. Perhaps others have different ideas, if so, let's hear them, but in any case, thanks this year to Frank Mertens and all his co-workers at Esher and to Jim Scott in Scotland, for providing the Trade with a show at which to display their wares and the customers with a focal point at which to examine them.
All of which leaves us to wonder if annual shows are either necessary or desirable and does their location at extremes of the country attract the best attendance?
When the Esher Club started the first Symposium three years ago, they filled a definite need and are to be congratulated on their foresight and vision, in providing a service both to the Trade and to customers. Coinciding as the shows have, with some of the most significant advances in r/c, the enthusiasm of all concerned was quickened, but do we now detect a falling off of enthusiasm? The absence from this year's Esher show of several well known exhibitors, might suggest this.
Whilst in no way belittling the efforts of the Esher Club in starting the Symposium idea in this country, we feel that in future, the interests of both the Trade and modellers would be best served by a show geographically more central and perhaps bi-annual. The experience built up by the Esher Club is invaluable and, whatever happens, their Shows will be a yardstick of comparison, although we would like to see better facilities for flying, also the introduction of a boating pool.
We feel the one aspect that will kill the whole Symposium idea is if a lot of little shows spring up all over the country, each attracting less and less support. Perhaps others have different ideas, if so, let's hear them, but in any case, thanks this year to Frank Mertens and all his co-workers at Esher and to Jim Scott in Scotland, for providing the Trade with a show at which to display their wares and the customers with a focal point at which to examine them.
