The very first aerial photography from Rhyl MFC field

[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/158784751.jpg[img]
Hi Chaps nice to be back and see that aerial photography is so popular in the club. I thought you may be interested in the very first model aircraft to carry a camera to be flown from our field.
The year was about 1970/1 and the model was a Leprechaun radio controlled towline glider with an 8mm cine camera mounted above the wing. The flight was aided by two glow engines so perhaps this was also the first twin to been seen on the Rhyl field.
Radio control was by Futaba M 27meg on Blue as you can see from the picture.

The camera weighed at least a couple of pounds, clockwork powered and used something called "film" which was very expensive and gave you 5 minutes of action photography. Developing was included in the purchase price and if exposure or focus were wrong that was it, an expensive mistake. The film took over a week to be returned to you and if lucky quality was adequate but not by todays standard.
I cant remember the pilots name but think he worked at Pilkingtons. Brian C may remember.

I remember seeing a clip of the film taken of the land between Rhyl & Dyserth whilst flying off the slope, we were impressed by the technology.

Should you feel like a challenge the Leprechaun tow line glider plan is still available from Nexus at £17.50 number G370. The model was 108" span and considered by ourselves to be a monster in those days.
Cine cameras can be purchased on Ebay for about 2/6pence but film is a little more difficult to source and almost impossible to get developed.

I have had a "government health  warning" about mentioning aerial photography on the forum so do hope I will be forgiven for this post,
Regards John B

Think his name is Peter Lawrence, not seen the film from the field but remember the one above Prestatyn flying from the footpath along the top of Meliden to Prestatyn.

Roy

Nice one John

Great pic and story.

Shame the "goverment" always get in the way of fun. However there should be no worry over posting anything on these pages. In fact I wish more people would.

Thanks for sharing.
M

Thanks Roy,
Yes spot on it was Peter Lawrence I remember now, How time flies.
I didn't think you were old enough to remember those days Roy! Glad you remember the film I was beginning to doubt my memory.


John B

Very interesting photo! Whilst the technology has moved on, in so many ways so little has changed

That is ace!  I remember my first attempt at aerial photography, when I was about 6 or 7 (so in the mid 80's).  A small 110 film camera, hooked up to a single servo to fire the shutter.  The camera was lofted on a big parafoil kite, and it had to be lowered back down to wind the film on each time.

I'll have to see if I've still got some of the photos knocking around, although they won't be of the RDMFC field (instead they will be from around Telford, and possibly Shell Island/barmouth area).  There is a good chance a shell suit might be involved too, just to warn you...

Cheers for posting that John, All the old stuff like that is fascinating!

Andy