| A short time ago the Managing Director, Owner, CEO (and many more titles could be applicable) of Model Flight, Michael O’Reilly invited me into the inner sanctum to show me the latest model that has reached his premises. IT IS CALLED THE VAPOR! I have uppercased on that because I want to make sure, dear readers, that you do not forget the title, VAPOR. Weighing in at not much more that a hot breath on the back of your neck (and I shan’t ask how you got that in the first place) with a flying weight of 12 grams and a wing span of just 375 mil with a carbon fibre “stick” fuselage of some 387 mil, I almost measured the length of my body on Mike’s office floor, in amazement, glad his lovely wife Janine was standing by with a bottle of smelling salts – just in case the Old Pensioner needed a booster. But friends, as my pix will show, its filmy covering was a picture to behold. It has two tiny servos that are mounted side by side and just about cover one of my finger nails and the wee motor sits just to the front of those and this is powered by a Li-po battery of just 3.7 volts (supplied) and the manufacture says that that is sufficient for 15 minutes flight. It comes with its own battery charger, complete with 4 AA batteries, which are also supplied. 
The first line of its introduction says: Vapor Bind-N-Fly by Parkzone and that is exactly what one does. If you have a Spectrum DSM2 Radio you are there – don’t even emphasize the Spectrum feature, for it is compatible with any DSM2 radio. You do what it says – just “Bind N fly.
Model Flight Staffer, and one of the top fliers in the State, Matthew Waye showed up at ETSA Park this month with the first one of these delightful little critters in South Australia. Not did he just demonstrate the gentle
flying features of this model, but he capped it off by going out one door, flying it along the long passage-way of ETSA Park Netball Stadium and back inside again, and the most noticeable feature was the ear to ear grin on Matty’s face.
Okay Phoenix, you may well say, have you bought one? Yes, Yes, - I have. I was desperate to fly the little gizmo and, having charged the tiny li-po battery, I slotted it into its carriage and all was ready. It had previously
been bound to my JR DSX9 radio by Manager Brad at the new Model Flight shop on Goodwood Road, and, in fact, been test flown by Brad around the numerous fixtures within the display area of the shop, so there was no reason for it not to fly. The instruction book says to select a smooth surface from which to take off. I thought – what smoother surface than the highly polished roof of my Mini Cooper S, which, I might add, has an overall length of one and a half metres.
Positioned on the Mini roof I gave it full throttle as I didn’t wish for it to collapse over the boot of the Mini. After just one meter of runway, it lifted quite steeply, in fact almost steeply enough to meet with the roof of my pateo but, after backing the throttle a little and giving it some down, it came down to such a gentle landing that I am desperately sorry that there was not someone else driving my camera. My dear friends, I know, I am supposed to be giving you a report on our indoor meeting at ETSA for June but I really got carried away with the great little Vapor. Daly May (Darling Buds of May) was introduced to the Vapor on the same night as was I and he, too, was overjoyed with the model. Had he been of sufficient bravery, he would have balanced one twixt his knee caps and taken one home on his scooter, but alas, was forced to wait until he went to work by car.
Okay – as I have nearly reduced my space to zilch by raving over the Vapor, I feel that my ETSA report will be fairly short. At least I have a few pickies to pack up the missing spots due to lack of commentary.
 As is often the case, Andy Hollitt was one of the early arrivals and he continued to amuse himself and a few others with his antics with his fixed wing foamies, together with his helies. I must say that he is making enormous strides with his heli. My pix shows Andy on his knees going through his boxes of goodies. 
Brian and Toddles found something of interest to pass their time between flights and, no doubt, the very knowledgeable Brian was passing some of that vast knowledge to a very appreciative Todd. Todd’s progress with his Blade 400 is quite remarkable but it just emphasizes the fact that he was quite content to “crawl before he walked.” Now he is sprinting. In my foursome shot, it features Klaus, Matthew, Mike (all M/F Staffers) together with Mike’s son Jack.
I could not help but take a solo shot of the very versatile Jack, of whom father Mike, is quite justifiably proud for Jack, not only is he becoming an accomplished heli pilot with his Blade 400, but is also a quite skilful musician with several instruments to his credit. Well done Jack. I must mention that the heli that Jack is flying, the Blade 400, is the same machine in which Colin McGinn came to grief a few weeks ago during one of his visits to Adelaide. With it, Jack is doing so very well. 
My final shot, found Greg, making one of his rare visits on Thursdays
to ETSA Park, is in deep conversation with Mike. Oh to be a fly??
Dear readers, if your only interest in my column is the flying antics at ETSA Park, then I apologise for taking up so much space with the Vapor. It is such an exciting model that I offer the following advise – if you wish to see it take off in a fashion such as mine – all you have to do, after purchasing your Vapor, is find for yourself a lovely little Mini Cooper S. Mine is a 1968 model and that seems to suit the Vapor admirably. Until my July report – keep those wings level.
Phoenix Indoor Flight Reports
Indoor Flying at ETSA Park 2009
| Date |
Court |
Time |
| Thursday 17th September |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| Thursday 15th October |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| Thursday 19th November |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
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I
want a quote on how much freight it will cost to send items to me.
