Colin Hutchinson's r/c and freeflight model aerolanes

Colin Hutchinson's model aircraft pages

Welcome fellow web surfers to this site

I am completely addicted to the building and flying of radio controlled, and free flight aeroplanes, and this site is designed to share some of my enthusiasm for the hobby with you, and hopefully to pass on some of my experiences.

Over the years that I have been absorbed in the hobby, (and it is a hobby not a sport), I have built and flown just about all types of r/c model, and I am currently trying my best to do the same in the freeflight sector.

The great thing about the hobby is the sheer variety of flying machines that can be built, and that variety is even greater for freeflight models. As you will see if you look around the site there are many conventional aeroplanes, but I have a taste for the unconventional, especially freeflight, and I am increasingly building unusual models, having long ago become bored with the high-wing layout.

My current major project is the conversion of all my r/c models from 35MGz to the new 2.4GHz radio frequency, using a Spektrum module plugged into a Futaba FF9, and a variety of Spektrum receivers. As the end of 2009 nears I have converted all my models, including the 363 Delta.

I have also started to fly thermal gliders in a competitive way, something that I thought I would never do, but thanks to my friend Graham I am now looking for ward to several competitions in 2010.

I hope you enjoy the site, hope it inspires you to start flying, and if you do I hope you land safely without bending your undercarriage.

Parts of this site are still under construction, and probably will be for ever ! ! ??

David Baker

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of David Baker, on 1st January this year. There will be lots written about David in the very near future as his contribution to vintage free flight flying was immense, so I will limit myself to talking about the few meeting I had with him. Sadly I was only able to experience David's most entertaining speeches at the end of the Middle Wallop three-day meetings on two occasions. However, both talks were most amusing, and certainly worth waiting for inspite of tired legs from walking the length and breadth of the airfield for three days. They were never too serious, but always left a warm feeling in ones heart, that seemed to make it all the more important to keep building and flying free flight models.

I have included this picture of David presenting me with a bottle of plonk for participation in one of the Classic Glider comps at Middle Wallop. The shot says so much without words, as it includes David's hand of friendship, Pauline of Flitehook agonising over her accounts, a bottle of plonk, and my shoes that someone handed in after I left them in the middle of the airfield.

Let's remember David the best way possible by building and flying more models and returing to the free flight venues like Middle Wallop in ever greater numbers.