September 2021
Gliding as an Olympic sport? Yes, it was a thing once.
What with all the coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics recently, a vague memory was triggered that gliding (of the full-size variety) was once a candidate for a new Olympic event. Turns out — for once, at least — that our memory served us correctly and that was in fact the case. Gliding was a demonstration sport at the 1936 Olympics, in Berlin, and was slated to be an official event in 1940 Olympics. However, as everybody knows, a dark tragic shadow had been cast upon the world during this period. Alas, the 1940 Games were never held. Fun fact, though: the host city for 1940 was intended to be Tokyo. That city eventually hosted it in the optimistic post-war period in 1964 and, of course, the most recent games which proceeded despite the innumerable difficulties they faced. The people of Tokyo and greater Japan did a wonderful job on the 2020 edition despite the many obstacles which lay before them.
But back to 1940 and the Olympic Games that never were. Organizers had even gone so far as identifying a candidate, standard aircraft: the gorgeous, seemingly art deco-inspired, Hungarian Nemere. You can therefore imagine our surprise — and utter delight — when our friend Vincent de Bode submitted the detailed build article for another masterpiece wrought under his capable hands. You guessed it, it’s a 1/6th-scale edition of the Olympic Nemere. Here’s a teaser of what to expect.
If you want to get a feel for the incredible detail which is the hallmark of Vincent’s easy-to-read articles, check out his piece from the February 2021 issue entitled The Fokker FG-2. His work is positively breathtaking.
Speaking of old friends, we are pleased to welcome back Rene Wallage who has done a great write-up of the J&H Aerospace Micro Bird of Time. Rene has written a number of very well-received articles for RCSD in the past, and we’re thrilled to have his work featured again.
The deadline for the September issue is rapidly approaching: it’s this Sunday 2021–09–05. In other words, still plenty of time to submit your magnum opus.
Also Coming Up This Month
Event Coverage
We have another one of Phil Cooke’s very readable and highly entertaining reports from the Power Scale Soaring Association’s August event at The Great Orme near Llandudno, Wales. We can’t get enough of these lavishly illustrated and generously detailed articles. They all feature the members’ meticulously researched and beautifully realised PSS models set against what has to be one of the most beautiful spots for soaring on the planet. We can’t wait to visit one of these events in person.
In addition to the beautifully composed key photo for this edition of L/D above, we have a couple more photos from the AMA Soaring Nats recently concluded in Muncie, Indiana. Actually, given that the submission deadline for the September issue is still a few days away, if you would like to contribute a detailed report, we would love to hear from you! By all accounts it was a great event and we would like to feature some first-person reporting if at all possible.
Continuing Series and Regular Contributors
That ‘tenacious cove’ Doc Hammond is back with the second part of his new series entitled So You Want to Be a Composite RC Sailplane Manufacturer? You’ll definitely want to tune in for this one (actually, you’ll want to tune in for all of James’ articles!) because it’s a laugh-out-loud account of his first attempt to partner with manufacturing based in The Middle Kingdom. The subtitle for the new article is intriguing: Inside the Devil’s Fireplace. But that’s all we’re going to say for now — you’ll just have to read the article for yourself. Can’t wait for the new one? Read (or re-read!) Part I of this series and/or his previous, four part Design Series.
Michael Berends is back with the latest instalment of RC Soaring Diaries. As many of you already know, this is a video series which Michael has been running on YouTube for quite a while. We were able to convince Michael to extend the franchise into RCSD wherein he adds some additional written details and flavour to his videos. The first few instalments have been very well received and we’re thrilled that somewhere in his totally packed schedule he has found time to crank out another one.
Norimichi Kawakami returns with the sixth part of his— OK, the secret is out — 12 part series on his Mita 3 project that we’re running over the course of a year. We have said it before but it always bears repeating: this is one of the most meticulous build logs we have ever seen. Presented in its original Japanese along with an excellent English translation available with just one click.
And as usual, we have the very welcome monthly contributions from Tom Broeski and Peter Scott which always lay a sound foundation for each issue. We are deeply thankful to Tom and Peter for their yeoman service in aid of the RCSD readership.
New in The RCSD Store
Just out, this is the May edition of the quickly-becoming-very-collectible RCSD Cover Photo T-Shirt. It features the gorgeous photo by Laurent Ducros taken at Ménez-Hom in the Brittany region of northwest France on May 13th, 2021. The aircraft is a Polish Mucha design which was built by pilot Quentin Philippe and his father Paul during the first COVID lockdown in 2020. Or, if you prefer, you can order the January, February, March and/or April editions of the RCSD Cover Photo T-Shirt in the Store.
Also of note in the still-very-much-in-development RCSD Store is that we are gradually swinging our manufacturing over to a new partner who maintains production in various locations around the world. That means lower shipping costs and faster delivery while maintaining the same high quality of the end product. We ship worldwide.
If you’re super keen to be the first to add June, July or August RCSD Cover Photo T-Shirts to your collection, please don’t hesitate to let us know and we’ll make sure there is one in the store on a very tight turnaround. Not a big fan of black t-shirts? We can fix that, too: just let us know what colour you prefer and we’ll put one in the store especially for you.
Keep in mind that all proceeds from the RCSD Store go to keeping RCSD forever free. So you can help yourself to some spanking new merch and help us out at the same time. Everybody wins.
Make Sure You Don’t Miss the New Issue
If you want to be absolutely sure you don’t miss the September issue of the NEW R/C Soaring Digest make sure you subscribe to our Groups.io mailing list or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. Please share Lift over Drag with your friends — we would love to have them as readers, too.
We’ll see you in a few days when the September issue drops. Until next month’s Lift over Drag, fair winds and blue skies to you all.
Now get out there and fly!
