With 'The Phoenix' at ETSA in November

Whilst we were down in numbers at ETSA this month, we were most certainly up in enthusiasm and enjoyment. Fewer numbers always mean a little more flying space for attendees and with this the case, there was fun a-plenty on this third Thursday in November.

Brenton had arranged a wee static display for us as we entered the arena in the form of a very colourful E-flite Yak 54 and one of the most popular and formidable aircraft of World War Two, the American P47 Thunderbolt from ParkZone.


When one is as busy as the Managing Director of Modelflight and O’Reilly Model Products, Michael O’Reilly, one must eat when the opportunity arises and we saw Mike tucking into a box of KFC, and apparently enjoying it too. I hope he didn’t find any raw prawns within the pack – they might have left a nasty taste in his mouth. The lads and lasses were involved in a rather raucous game of Korfball and this meant that, as on rare occasions, we didn’t get to use the main area until nine o’clock, but we soon found Dave Whitten in a familiar pose.

Tim and his lovely wife, Amy were joined by Ian as spectators, although Ian did manage to find sufficient flying time with his ParkZone Ultra Micro J-3 Cub throughout the evening. I must correct a statement that I made in credit to Tim in last month’s story – I did say that he was able to retrieve packages from the top shelf at the wharehouse (gosh if I changed the third letter there, we would have a house of wide popularity, though small) the really, really topmost shelf is very high and I have been informed that in that case he has been known to utilize a copy of yellow pages. Tut! Tut!

Modelflight’s Goodwood Road Shop Manager, Brad Merryweather managed a leave pass from Nicole and family, to share a little relaxation with us and he is seen here in a perfectly relaxed mood with Tim and Dave. It was almost a total M/F night as there were very few of us who were not blessed with ‘staffdom’ of the well known model fraternity so it is great that they can find time to let off steam with a few “ordinary” people.


One of the non staffers is Vin Pike (lately known as “Viney”) standing on the right of Brenton and Matthew (below) and the three are proudly displaying one of the latest models to hit the counter in the form of “The Beast.” This is another delightful little E-Flight model from Horizon Hobbies and they describe it as an Ultra Micro Flyer and it proved to be just that in the hands of the three test pilots. One can bind it to any DSM2 transmitter and its high performance comes from a brushless motor that is pushed along by a 2S Li-po battery with the battery and charger coming as part of the package. An attractive little aircraft for which one could be excused for believing it to be a Pitts Special in different livery.

Gosh, your friendly Phoenix has gone all “family” in this episode for my final pix shows Tim and Amy about to leave the ETSA Park Netball Stadium where we gather on the third Thursday of each month – yes December included – and we fly from 8.30p.m. to 10.30p.m. for the miserly cost of just ten dollars.

Come fly with me!

Modelflight now stocking Futaba Radio Systems

Modelflight is happy to announce we will now be stocking a range of Futaba Radio Systems.

Please Click Here to view our range of Futaba products.

E-flite's latest offering: The Advance 25e!

E-flite have just announced another addition to their range of Sport planes with the Advance 25e! The tricycle landing gear and semi-symmetrical airfoil of the Advance 25e ARF make it ideal for newer pilots transitioning from high-wing trainers, but experienced pilots will like it too. Not only is it an exceptionally affordable 25-size sport plane, but its firewall is drilled to accept both E-flite Power 25 and Power 32 brushless motors. This lets pilots tailor the performance of the Advance 25e to more closely match their skill level and flying style.

Stock Just Arrived!

We have just received new stock of the super popular Parkzone Ultra Micro P-51 Mustang in BNF and RTF!  These fantastic little planes fly out the door as quick as they come in so make sure you get your hands on one today for backyard summer flying fun!

October Indoor Flying with The Phoenix

Another interesting and fun-filled night was had by those who were able to attend the October gathering of indoor fliers, both with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Peter Melders thrilled all with his Tri-copter and, although we witnessed its flying ability a month or so ago, on this night we saw it flying with larger propellers. It was just so stable and well-controlled in his hands, that he made it look as though it was a “piece of cake.”

The little FORCE combat helicopters were again a source of amusement for both pilots and the spectators, whose numbers had grown to quite a presentable group. The fact that one does not pay to watch should, when the word travels, enlarge our viewing audience, hopefully.

Vin Pike, whom you see in one of my pictures, fully laid back in a picture of complete relaxation, was introduced to the combat portion of entertainment with glee and found that he could not refuse Mike O’Reilly’s instruction, which was…”here Vin, fly this.” I’m sure that Vin will show up next month, flying his own little Force FHX combat heli which Model Flight imports from Horizon Hobbies in the U.S.A. All you have to do Vin is pass the word to Peter Smyth.

There were exciting movements around the old town this week when the General Manager of Model Flight, Jamie Nancarrow, took Merrin O’Reilly to be his beautiful bride, welding together for many years to come, the Model Flight Empire of the O’Reilly’s and Nancarrow’s and I’m sure that you all join me in wishing them a wonderful future. I just had to slip in a picture of the overjoyed parents of the bride, Michael and Janine. I actually think that that is a smug look on the face of the father of the bride. So it should be!

Matthew Waye appeared to be having a quiet evening and when my camera grabbed him, as you can see, he was looking immaculately groomed with a very close shave etc. What’s going on Mattie, is there a lovely lady in town this week?

My final picture is of Model Flight Staffers, Brenton and David with the Managing Director, Mike and their models.

Towards the end of flying time, almost two hours from commencing ten dollars of flying time, Andy put his foam pylons in place for those who wished to join him in flying indoor pylon and this is yet another attraction that our ETSA Park Netball Stadium fliers, who gather there on the third Thursday of each month, right throughout the year, can look forward to as added entertainment for them in the Railway Terrace, Mile End venue. Your friendly Phoenix looks forward to seeing you there.

I was speaking with another Staffer, Tim (he is the one who retrieves packages from the top shelf at the OMP's Warehouse at Lonsdale, without a ladder) and he was saying that they keep running out of the 120SR’s almost as the container arrives. SR standing for single rotor. I am having my most enjoyable indoors with one of these outstanding models and I suggest that, if interested you contact Store Manager, Brad , and ask him to let you know when one is available. You won’t regret it.

The Phoenix.

Naracoorte Fun Fly

Brad and Brian from Modelflight, and a few friends of Modelflight are making the trip in the very early hours of Sunday morning to Naracoorte for their Fun Fly!  The boys will be taking as many planes as they can fit into the Tarago including Modelflight's sample Radian Pro from Parkzone!

Other planes taking the trip are: Hanger 9 Pulse 40, E-flite Pogo, Multiplex Funjet Ultra, Parkzone Messerschmitt BF-109, Parkzone Radian, Parkzone Radian Pro, Great Planes Rifle, E-flite Apprentice

Hope to see you there!