<p><strong>JOHN STEVENS 1936-2020</strong></p> <p>Typical of aeromodellers of his age, John began in the hobby with free flight, progressed into control line and then – in the era of RCS reed gear – into radio control.</p> <p>He took advantage of Plessey sponsorship to graduate with an engineering degree, then moved to Air Link Trainers in Aylesbury … Read More
Author: BMFAAdministrator
JOHN STEVENS 1936-2020
Martyn Pressnell CEng, FRAeS – 24/9/1936 – 8/1/2017
<div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1×3 pg-1h3 pg-1y4 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">Born in Southend, Martyn was an aviation enthusiast since childhood, becoming an experienced</div> <div class="t pg-1m0 pg-1×3 pg-1h3 pg-1y5 pg-1ff1 pg-1fs0 pg-1fc0 pg-1sc0 pg-1ls0 pg-1ws0">designer of model aircraft at the age of eighteen for Contest Kits of Leigh-on Sea. His particular</div> <div class="t pg-1m0 … Read More
Clive Weller
<p>Clive passed away peacefully on 23rd December 2016 aged 74.</p> <p>He was a dedicated and respected Aerobatic Modeller, Flyer and Designer for more than 50 years.</p> <p>He was an active member of the BMFA, GBRCAA and many local model flying clubs.</p> <p>He leaves behind a wife Valerie and daughter Karen.</p>
Brian Hilliard 1938 – 29/12/2016
<p>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 … Read More
John Roper (SLEC)
<p>I am so sorry to report the sad passing of former owner of SLEC and member of Gravesend Aero-Modelling Club 'John Roper’, who passed away on 16th July 2015. <br /> John for many years revolutionised model building with his plastic modelling accessories making life a whole lot easier for us all, and his products … Read More
Robin Sleight MBE, FSMAE. 1937 – 2016
<p><a href="/Portals/0/xNews/uploads/2016/12/9/Robin Sleight.jpg"> </a><a href="/Portals/0/xNews/uploads/2016/12/9/Robin circa 1953.jpg"> <img src="/Portals/0/xNews/uploads/2016/12/9/Robin circa 1953.jpg" alt="" width="269" height="220" /></a></p> <p>Robin Sleight, Honorary Secretary of the BMFA and Chairman of the British Association of Radio Control Soarers, died on December 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2016.</p> <p>Robin had been a member of the BMFA for nearly sixty years starting like so many others with Keil … Read More
Chris Tompkins – RIP
<p>Obituary for Chris Tompkins – RIP</p> <p>We are greatly saddened to report the passing of Chris Tompkins during February 2021.</p> <p> </p> <p>Chris started aeromodelling in 1946 while still at school and joined the Oxford Meteor Model Flying Club in 1948 and was then flying free-flight power and later became active in R/C thermal soaring competitions.</p> … Read More
Den ‘Pip’ Smith
<div>"Den (Pip) Smith.</div> <div> </div> <div>I'm sorry to report that we lost one of our long standing members affectionally known as Pip to the dreaded virus on 12th January this year.</div> <div>Pip was born on 24th November 1931 so not a bad innings especially as he had previously fought and beaten Cancer over the years.</div> <div>He … Read More
Roger Bellingham (Hon Member)
<p>It is with great sadness that we write to inform you of the death of Roger Bellingham (Honorary Member) on Friday 7th October.<br />Roger devoted a great deal of his life to the model flying movement, serving as BMFA Flying Site Officer on a voluntary basis for a number of years, before being contracted as … Read More
Peter (Pete) J. Beadle 1947 – 2021
<p>It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Peter (Pete) J. Beadle who died in hospital from a non-COVID ailment on Saturday 23rd January 2021. Peter was admitted to hospital on 7<sup>th</sup> January and was receiving treatment for a number of issues as he had been in ill health for a while. … Read More








