Phil's Last Wish
Tests & Rehearsals - Jollyup Field - 27 September 2015
in a manner that is not only suitably Gittish, but would also have made him laugh,
while being sensitive to the feelings of his grieving wife and daughter, Libby & Lucy.
So, that meant 2 large kites, 2 independent firing systems, and 2 rookies in each carrier.
As we were uncertain about the lifting ability of the kites (likely variable wind conditions)
it was also decided to make a good number of "spares" - in case of technical problems,
or if the payload had to be reduced, and split among a larger number of carriers.
but not so strong it requires dynamite to burst it apart and must not leave any unsightly debris.
Answer:- Brown paper carrier bags.
BUT... Retail prices for such bags are ridiculously high, and quality/strength is unknown...
So... Keith made his own bags around a rectangular former, and reinforced them as seemed
appropriate - and then they had to be tested...
Self-Raising Flour seemed to be an appropriate dummy payload...
We put on our thinking hats and had a high-level technical discussion...
General concensus of opinion:- "Well... yes... we think it should work!"
Testing
We eventually managed 3 practice runs... (NB - close each video window after viewing)
Dry Run #1, Dry Run #2, Dry Run #3
It was only after these tests that we realised the pyrotechnic nature of finely milled flour!
Grand Finale
L.U.T.S. at Jollyup Field - Sunset on Saturday 10 October 2015
It was with some trepidation that we set things up for Libby & Lucy to press the button...
To pass the time, we played loud inappropriate music (which they seemed to like)...
Ian Dury & The Blockheads Hit me with your rhythm stick, Queen Fat bottomed girls, etc.
Finishing up with The Final Countdown and then a proper NASA countdown to blast-off!
Meanwhile, Phil's friends helped prepare for lift-off...
Main event video links below... (NB - close each video window after viewing)
NB - if you have a slow connection try the small version where available.
Saturday evening #1, Saturday evening #2, Saturday evening #2 small
Sunday lunch #1, Sunday lunch #2, Sunday lunch #2 small
As you may see, the second attempt on each day proved the most spectacular,
so it's clearly a case of "practice makes perfect"
(or as good as it's ever gonna get, with Gits running the show!)
Please close this browser tab to return to the main page of Events in 2015
Or go to New events Diary or Phil's Page
We put on our thinking hats and had a high-level technical discussion...
General concensus of opinion:- "Well... yes... we think it should work!"
Dry Run #1, Dry Run #2, Dry Run #3
It was only after these tests that we realised the pyrotechnic nature of finely milled flour!
L.U.T.S. at Jollyup Field - Sunset on Saturday 10 October 2015
It was with some trepidation that we set things up for Libby & Lucy to press the button...
To pass the time, we played loud inappropriate music (which they seemed to like)...
Ian Dury & The Blockheads Hit me with your rhythm stick, Queen Fat bottomed girls, etc.
Finishing up with The Final Countdown and then a proper NASA countdown to blast-off!
Meanwhile, Phil's friends helped prepare for lift-off...
Main event video links below... (NB - close each video window after viewing)
NB - if you have a slow connection try the small version where available.
Saturday evening #1, Saturday evening #2, Saturday evening #2 small
Sunday lunch #1, Sunday lunch #2, Sunday lunch #2 small
As you may see, the second attempt on each day proved the most spectacular,
so it's clearly a case of "practice makes perfect"
(or as good as it's ever gonna get, with Gits running the show!)
Please close this browser tab to return to the main page of Events in 2015
Or go to New events Diary or Phil's Page