The much awaited camp started today at the Regional Science Centre at Guwahati. I had spent the last two months mentally preparing myself for this camp. My mentor and guide Mr. Musawir Musatafa and the Project Coordinator of the museum Mr. Vijay Shankar Sharma were by my side all through.

We decided on few basic rules or guidelines for the camp.

Guidelines:

* 3 day camp - 14th to 16th Oct.

* 3 to 4 hours each day.

* Timings 11 am to 1.30 pm.

*Open to students from Class VI and above.

* All participants would get a complete kit which included EVERYTHING required for making basic   
   Chuck / Catapult Gliders.

* Participants would construct 1 Chuck and 1 Catapult Glider during the workshop and carry
   back a 3rd Catapult glider in kit form, to construct at home.

* The authorities of the Regional Science Centre at Guwahati were kind enough to absorb 50%
   of the fees.

* It had to be made affordable, so we had to offer lucrative fees for the workshop. 3 Glider
   kits + Complete Modelling Kit + 3 day Workshop (Totaling 12 hours) = Rs.500/- per participant only.

* Batch size was frozen at 50 participants on a First Come First Served Basis.

I will try to chronicle the events over the next 3 days as they take place and would welcome any questions or enquiries that follow.

Pictures follow.


VC

Preparations...............

Pic 1 - Stocks arrive - 50 pcs Zephyr and 50 pcs Hunter catapult gliders. Participants will construct and fly the Zephyr during the workshop, They will build and fly the Hunter later. What do I do about an absolute basic Chuckie?

Pic 2 - My 2 trusted Lieutenants Nandu and Dimbo (my Chauffeur) busy at work sanding Simul fuselages into shape. GREAT guys - Couldn't do it without them. Endowed with the 'Can Do' spirit, they are the actual unsung heroes of the show. Both of them can now run basic chuck glider construction workshops. I'm not joking here.

Pic 3 - The Chuckie Albatross takes shape.( The Albatross is available for Rs.50 per piece inclusive of shipping - minimum order is of 20 pieces)

Pic 4 - The Albatross kit.

Pic 1 - The Albatross ARF Kit! She is a beautiful glider and holds a glide for long. pretty proud of this
          one, I am. I designed her myself.

Pic 2 - The kits being packed.

Pic 3 - The Albatross kit.

Pic 4 - The Complete Kit - each participant gets one.

Contents :

1 pc Zephyr catapult glider
1 pc Hunter catapult glider
1 pc Albatross Chuck glider
1 pc Quickfix Adhesive Tube
1 pc CA Glue Tube
25 grams Plasticene putty
18 inches of Silk Ribbon
2 pc 80 grade sandpaper
2 pc 120 grade sandpaper
6 pcs Rubber band - for the catapult
1 pc bamboo dowel - for the catapult

I don't think you need anything more to construct chuck / catapult gliders from pre cut kits.

Day 1 - 14th Oct. 2010

At the very beginning, before I left for the camp, I called up Ashta Sir and took his blessings. he is a person who instills me with total confidence. I can't dream of starting a project without his blessings. he is my good luck charm - we all have so much to learn from this person.


Pic 1 - Started the day by flying my co ax Heli - she performed well outdoors in moderate winds.

Pic 2 - Explaining Aerodynamics.

Pic 3 - Mustafa Sir with his Twin Pusher.

Pic 4 - A bit of boring theory classes in A/C comfort!

We had over 25 RC / aeromodels on display and yet, the Hovercraft attracted the most attention! The twin EDF MiG 29 was a close second.

Pic 1 - Explaining the nuances of the Hovercraft principle.

Pic 2 - What will the Zephyr look like?

Pic 3 and 4 - The Albatross takes shape.................How will she fly?

Pic 1 - The Albatross is ready to fly

Pic 2 - Final Adjustments and Trims.

Pic 3 - Better glide paths and bigger smiles..................

Pic 4 - OK, we got this taped - what about tomorrow?

15th October - the hard work of sanding a near perfect aerofoil, for the Zephyr,  begins at 11 am. Wish us luck.

Good night!

Best of luck VC sir! Once again you have made us proud! Don't forget to tell them about the forum..

Thank you my good Doctor!

www.rcindia.org was one of the FIRST things that we talked about! By the 20th we should be having another 20 joinees (At least) in this forum from North East India!

Cheers!

Great going VC Saab.
In those jump suites, you look like a pilot, straight from the Cockpit training these kids.

Thanks Ujjwaana, I was a de facto honorary IAF staff for 2 days, thanks to a famous Squadron based in UP in 2008. That's all I can say. They gifted me the flying suit and boots. It sure impresses the kids! As long as they gain interest, who cares?!

No questions on this please, I can't answer them.

all the way...

So is there some competition among participants for longest flight etc ?  Do you discuss techniques for prolonging the flight time, thereby illustrating aerodynamic principles in action. I am tempted to take these for granted, just asking out of curiosity

Bang On Sir!

Tomorrow ( actually, later today!), we discuss the aspects of the wing profile and on the last day (16/10), there will be a competition for the longest flight duration.

All the best VC sir,     

We need more people like you, so that the hobby grows in our country rapidly.....   

Great initiative VC sir.Great  to find kids in stuff like this.For some unknown reason RC is considered nerdy which it is  not.

Good to see that you are spreading this in the North East.We hope that someone does this everywhere in India.

Day 2 15th Oct 2010 -

Pic 1 -The day started with a demo of a completed Zephyr Glider. That is what the participants
         will begin building today.

Pic 2 - Participants take to the floor.

Pic 3 - Musatafa Sir, explains basic sanding techniques.

Pic 4 - 11.30 am - Participants start the sanding of the Tailplane and Vertical Stab.

Wish i was there too Looks like you used a fighter jet to reach the school the first day. Im sure the kids will love it. Chuck Gliders can be a lot of fun!

Thanks Rajath! Will be posting some more snaps. Tomorrow there should be 52 gliders flying at the same time. Wish us luck!

Magnificent effort there VC. Marvelous 

Congratulations to you.   

Thank you Sir!

Pic 5 : The seniors help the juniors get the aerofoil section right. The Lady in turquoise is my daughter, the T Shirt is mine too!

Pic 6 : Mustafa Sir is mobbed as he painstakingly explains the method of creating the aerofoil section. He is true passionate aeromodeller in every sense. Goes down to the nitty gritties and loses track of time. The best part is his humility, no wonder he garners respect wherever he goes.

Pic 7 : The absolute wonder of the group! She is only 9 years old and refused all help in sanding. Her Tail plane and vertical Stab were amongst the best as far as shape was concerned. To top it all, she is smart, intelligent and razor sharp with EXCELLENT communication skills!

Pic 8 : Participants examine the wing sections that have to be sanded as home work!

All in all, it was a rewarding feeling being with these enterprising youngsters who were all so very enthusiastic about the whole process. I love them!

Nice going VC Sir, 
It is quite tough to conduct such training single handedly.
I appreciate your patience & guts to do so.
Good luck all the way. 

Pic 9 : Mustafa Sir explaining the aerofoil section. Note the young lad in the striped T Shirt

Pic 10 : The young lad in the striped T Shirt - He asked me, "Is it possible to fly a full size aircraft with RC?" I put him on the phone with Majraj who explained how it was done. This guy is Majraj's fan for life!


Thank you Major!

I believe there have been some registrations on the forum from Guwahati, Assam today. These are the youngsters who are wide eyed, inquisitive, keen and need your support. I request the fraternity to please be patient and guide them.

Thanks!

Maharana bhai, I couldn't do it alone. My entire team was there to make it happen. They did all the hard work. I only facilitated the process. I will pass on your compliments to them.

Thanks!

Congratulations VC sir and team! Looks like the camp was a big success! You guys are an inspiration to all of us.. I will try my level best to spread awareness about the hobby in Goa