Guys

A few more.

I travelled out to the event overnight the 4th-5th July leaving home 7.00pm for a 2.00am ferry from Holyhead into Dublin and on to Enniskillen, arriving just before 9.00am Thursday morning after little sleep.
The airfield was still in the process of being set up and it was obvious that the guys were struggling to get everything into position.
I met several modellers who had gone along to see if anything could be done to help and they ended up staying to help through the week before.
As it often the case the people were warm and welcoming, but it did surprise me how much last minute organisation was needed to get things in place.
I had offered sponsorship of turbine oil for the entrants and it troubled me that they didn't know where the first 50 tins were I had shipped in advance for the early arrivals. I had taken the remaining two cases with me which was a good job as the first two shipped were not found until half way through the second week!
This really set the tone.
The entrants many more experienced than the team organising, pushed for the things they needed and in the end we did have a competition, though the final mix up on the team placing totally deflated most of the teams involved and sadly this event will not be looked back on with as much joy as previous events.
The team of helpers did everything they could and reflecting afterwards I did have a good time with many friends.
The Dutch team helped out when Tom Wilkinson was taken i'll and several other people stepped in to help.
I was happy with my flights with an aeroplane I borrowed three days before the event-thank you Jeremy.
The English team were strong and we all got on well, our team manager Sir Bob kept us informed and did what he was asked to do-a perfect manager!
The standard this year was closer, with more models and pilots flying to a high level in the mixed conditions.
All the top models were gyro equiped and it showed-without one you will not win!
The large aeroplanes scored well in flight even though for me the floaty landings were far from scale, yet score well.
A few more shots here and more will be on the JMA site www.jmajets.co.uk later.

Dave Wilshere