MAAA Wingspan

28 WING SPAN NOVEMBER KAMS WW1 scale rally In an event organised to commemorate the historic 100 years since the armistice on the 11th November, the Kalamunda Aeronautical Model Society (K.A.M.S) put on a momentous WW1 Centenary Scale Rally that saw around 30 aircraft models fly, along with the extraordinary sight of a wave of full- sized WW1 aircraft too. “KAMS is the best place to fly WW1 models in WA as it has a huge circular grass takeoff/landing area, that is much like the airfields used in WW1,” observed Richard Bloor, who co-organised the event with Ian Johnson. Thankfully, weather conditions made the morning flyable for the majority of these aircraft, with flying events commencing at 9.30am with a pilot’s briefing. Aspects quietened down at 10.45 as a trumpeter played the Last Post, followed by the minute silence at 11am and the reading of the ode. “Then we had 85 year-old [WA] local John Taplin, whose father Len Taplin was one of four WW1 aces that came from WA and flew in the Australian Flying Corps, speak for half an hour about his father’s experiences and exploits,” continues Richard. “It was quite something-as it was a direct connection with WW1. Len was also instrumental in starting up the first airline in Australia: Western Australian Airways.” Further model aircraft flying in honour of the armistice followed. By midday spectators were then presented with the extraordinary sight of around 12 full-sized WW1 aircraft flying overhead-thanks to the Sports Aircraft Builders Club based at Serpentine Airfield located just 10kms away. “Three Tiger Moths, several light aircraft and an AT6 were amongst the full-sized aircraft that flew over in about three waves,” continues Richard. “It was quite a sight. Unfortunately, the full-sized Sopwith Pup that Bert Filippi of the Sports Aircraft Builders Club had tentatively agreed to fly over K.A.M.S wasn’t able to fly, as it was too windy on the day. Being such a valuable and historic aircraft he decided to keep it on the ground.” Overall, K.A.M.S’ WW1 Centenary Scale Rally lived up to being one of the major events for scale modelling and a thrilling and fitting tribute to the centenary of Armistice Day. THE KALAMUNDA AERONAUTICAL MODEL SOCIETY PUT ON ITS OWN FITTING TRIBUTE TO ARMISTICE DAY WITH A MAJOR SCALE RALLY EVENT