Elsewhere in this issue you will find a letter from one Kevin the Gerbil referring to my remarks about the SMAE which appeared in the May issue. These were in reply to a letter from a Mr.Jones and were not as direct as they should have been. So, first of all, let me rephrase my answer to the gentleman which should have read:-
"What the hell do you expect for six quid a year?"
Regular readers should be aware that I am a strong supporter of the Society and will defend it to the last. However, the above correspondence has caused me to reflect on the current situation vis a vis those masochistic individuals who do most of the work. Many of these have been in office for some time and remain there because no one else is willing to do the job or there is nobody they feel they can trust to take over from them. At the same time their drive and enthusiasm for the job has declined to the point that they do no more than is absolutely necessary.
A couple of examples may help to make the point.
Some two years ago it was proposed that there should be a 'C' certificate added on to the existing proficiency scheme which would cater specifically for each individual discipline (power, glider, scale, etc.). The person responsible for the administration of the scheme immediately threw up his hands and threatened to resign. This caused some panic since no-one else wanted the job. No solution to this situation has yet been found so the matter has regularly appeared on Technical Committee agendas ever since with no real action being taken.
Around the same time, it was proposed that the UK should hold a combined World Championships meeting for Aerobatics, Pylon and Helicopter in 1989. This was approved in principal by the SMAE Council and an individual was charged with investigating the viability of the project. He did precisely nothing for eighteen months and there is now no possibility of the event occurring before 1991 at the earliest.
Please don't blame the individuals concerned. They have been around so long and spent so much of their own money on the Society, why should they make any more effort?
Yes Kevin, everything in the garden is lovely. We don't need any more money or a blood transfusion. Let sleeping dogs lie.
The 'Do it' feature in the April issue is producing some feedback. Keith Miller of Tonbridge Radio Fliers suggested:-
'Slope soarers like a bit on the side'.
Mike White of Bahrain sent in a batch of three on Oman Sheraton Hotel notepaper, no less. We do move in exotic circles! How about:-
'Old timers do it with four strokes.'
'LMA members do it with a half size replica.'
'Tristar crews have three of them.'
Talking of moving in exotic circles, Mike says Hi there! to Pete Cock, wherever you are. Seconded.
Somehow or other we managed to lose a whole chunk of text from the May column. So, just so that you will not miss one precious word - here goes:-
Another Model Engineer Exhibition has come and gone and one is tempted to wonder just how well the show would have done without the SAM 35 stand. Don't get me wrong, I like - and make - all kinds of model and would visit the show if there were no aircraft there at all.
Yes, I am getting older and increasingly bitter and twisted, but each year seems to have fewer stands and models. I can remember one exhibition at the New Horticultural Halls in the early fifties with row upon row of model aircraft lined up on tables.
Its only a few years since the entire Avon Suit was filled with aircraft models, but now they only occupy a couple of stands in the main hall. Take away the SAM stand and what have you?
I made a remark to such an effect to one of the few traders who was present and actually selling model aircraft equipment. A passing gentleman, to whom I was not talking, promptly leapt down my throat (very painful that) and made the rather curious remark that there were more models present this year than ever before.
Well Sir, you may be right and who am I to argue from my mere 43 years of aeromodelling experience. Whichever, thanks again SAM 35.
David Bark, of Stranraer, thinks that I am a fellow Goon Show fan. Rubbish Sir! I never touched the woman! Actually, 'Wings over Dagenham' was recorded on 30th December 1956 although it was not transmitted until 10th January 1957 - just thought you might like to know.
Bark? Wait a minute, didn't your father have a son? Ah yes, I can remember the look in his eye as he told me about you while I lent him the money. What! You settle your fathers debts - I wouldn't hear of it. Well, twenty pounds actually...
I feel a dose of conks coming on. The brandyyyyy...
The Captain came out on the bridge and said, "Lads,
we're doomed, the old tubs going down.
To the boats every man, all except you."
I said, "Me?". He said, "Yes, you must drown!"
I said, "Drown?". He said, "Drown,
the ships going down, don't stand arguing there.
I've just told you straight,
there's no room for you mate,
in the boats, or in fact anywhere.
I know it's upsetting,
but what's the use fretting,
we might have lost all of the crew.
But now, as I say, we can all get away,
and only lose one and that's you."
They don't write them like that any more. Thank you, Rob Wilton.
All these letters from unsuspected readers seems to be going to my head. Perhaps we should start a new column for old radio fans. That is radio fans who are old, not fans of old radios. Oh I don't know though...