Norman Butcher FSMAE; 15.10.1928 – 13.08.2017   It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Norman Butcher FSMAE at the age of 89. A prolific and successful aeromodeller, Norman always had two ambitions, the first being to earn a living from the model trade and the second to achieve success in competition. He succeeded magnificently in both. Coming through the then traditional routes of glider and rubber power in the 1940s, he moved on to i.c. power, creating many of his own...

It is my sad duty to report the passing of a great model flyer,friend and club mate,  Bill Draper. Bills achievements in F2B were. legendary. With his own design Superhawk He won the gold trophy at The British Nationals 9 times.Was British Team member in F2B over 3 decades and became European champion in1989 For these achievements he was awarded,The certificate of Merit.at the Royal Aero Club. He was a great supporter of CLAPA and in co-operation with John Hamilton of The Belfast Club formed...

A much loved and respected quiet powerhouse of the Waltham Chase Aeromodellers and Southern Area BMFA died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday 1st April 2017. His early career as engineering officer in the boiler rooms full of asbestos on cargo vessels had ultimately taken its toll.   Steve was one of the founder members of the Waltham Chase Aeromodellers Club which was formed in 1975 rising to become its president after many stalwart years as secretary.   Although a novi...

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of SAM 1066 Chairman John Thompson on the Friday 12 May following a collapse at his home. Our condolences go to his wife Anne and all of his family. The funeral will be held  at 12.00 on May 31st at St Johns Church Hartley Wintney* followed by refreshments at The Jubilee Hall*, West Green Road Hartley Wintney. All welcome, family flowers only and donations to Johns charity (to be confirmed). Anne would appreciate if you could please le...

John O’Donnell1932 – 18/4/2017 John O’Donnell has died – he was 84.JOD as he was known, was the most consistently successful model flyer of all time where it really counts, – in competition. Throughout his career, he honed his skills by careful thought and rigorous attention to detail. In the 1957/58 Zaic Yearbook John said, ‘I feel that warps should be regarded as a trimming device, and not as an unpredictable and unfortunate result of doping’. That was typical O’Donnell – succinct, c...

Martyn Pressnell Ceng, FRAeS 24/9/1936 – 8/1/2017 Born in Southend, Martyn was an aviation enthusiast since childhood, becoming an experienced designer of model aircraft at the age of eighteen for Contest Kits of Leigh-on Sea. His particular interest was free-flight rubber competition, an interest he pursued all his life. After a degree in aeronautical engineering from London University, he trained as an airframe structures engineer at Handley Page, working in the stress office on the Victor...

Born in Southend, Martyn was an aviation enthusiast since childhood, becoming an experienced designer of model aircraft at the age of eighteen for Contest Kits of Leigh-on Sea. His particular interest was free-flight rubber competition, an interest he pursued all his life.   After a degree in aeronautical engineering from London University, he trained as an airframe structures engineer at Handley Page, working in the stress office on the Victor programme and other projects. He chaired Hert...

Clive passed away peacefully on 23rd December 2016 aged 74. He was a dedicated and respected Aerobatic Modeller, Flyer and Designer for more than 50 years. He was an active member of the BMFA, GBRCAA and many local model flying clubs. He leaves behind a wife Valerie and daughter Karen.

Brian was not a nationally known figure in the aero modelling world other than a couple of mentions in some modelling magazines but was a tremendous example of someone who refused to let enormous obstacles stop him from enjoying life to the full. Brian was severely injured in a motorcycle crash at the age of 19, losing his right leg and the total loss of use in his right arm through nerve damage. This made standing for any time both awkward and uncomfortable and he wasn't helped by his exception...

  Robin Sleight, Honorary Secretary of the BMFA and Chairman of the British Association of Radio Control Soarers, died on December 2nd, 2016. Robin had been a member of the BMFA for nearly sixty years starting like so many others with Keil Kraft models and ED engines; he grew up in Scotland and has in the distant past been a member of the Scottish Free Flight team and a control line finalist at the Nationals. Since the advent of radio, he gravitated to competitive thermal soaring as a primary...