Rubber-Powered/CO2-Engine Model Airplane Meet, July 25, 2026, Olten “Gheid”, Sw

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This year's summer meet is already a thing of the past. Seventeen people took part, including three women and two juniors, all amid beautiful summer weather.

However, the spoilsports were already visible and noticeable during the briefing. A cloud cover was visible far to the west, featuring so-called "Castelanum" towers, and the windsock was already pointing east. It was therefore decided to move up the start times for the two contests (Phantom Flash and Jimmie Allen) following the departure of the SG Olten convoy for summer camp. A wise decision, as it turned out.

Amid the already unstable atmospheric conditions, the wind picked up as the clouds approached, and the increasing solar radiation on the parched ground led to correspondingly strong thermal lift. These conditions led to frequent damage, particularly to the lighter models, which thinned out the field of participants. Nevertheless, three and five flights, respectively, were completed, and a ranking list was compiled. One of the junior pilots achieved second and third place finishes.

But even those pilots who didn't participate in the contests and let their models fly freely at the mercy of the elements had a tough time. Several models caught updrafts and just kept climbing and climbing. The "Olten Southwest" sector sends its regards. Search operations were launched, but with the exception of one "Phantom Flash" model—which kept climbing higher and higher until it became a tiny speck—all the others were returned to their owners.
Shortly after noon, the decision was made to suspend flight operations. The weather conditions were too rough.

There was plenty to discuss and talk about in the shade. And the last ones didn't head home until 5:00 p.m., knowing for sure that the next meeting will take place in October!

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Picture 1:   Arrival at the field; the windsock is already fluttering quite a bit.
             Hopefully everything will go well!
Picture 2:  Briefing session: Peter Ziegler (organizer)
Picture 3:  Contest briefing: Andreas Koch (FAC Squadron Leader)
Picture 4:  Phantom Flash II Cameleon

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Image 5:  Start of the "Phantom Flash" Contest
Image 6:  Start of the "Phantom Flash" Contest
Image 7:  Just how high does he want to go?!?!
Image 8:  Broken wings

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Image 9:  Still visible here; later out of stock and no longer found.
Image 10:  "Phantom Flash" in flight
Image 11:  "Golden Eagle III"
Image 12:  "Poly"

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Image 13:  A must-see in Switzerland: the Pilatus PC-6 "Turbo Porter"
Image 14: "Marabu"
Image 15:  Jimmie Allen "Bluebird"
Image 16:  Takeoff of Jimmie Allen "Special"

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Image 17:  Jimmie Allen "Special"
Image 18:  Jimmie Allen "Bluebird" at the start
Image 19:  Jimmie Allen "Thunderbolt"
Image 20:  Go!

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Figure 21:  Setup on the table
Figure 22:  "Comte AC-4 Gentleman" under construction as a CO2-powered model
Figure 23:  Fuselage under construction for the "Wild WT-1"
Figure 24: "Albatros D.V." with a CO2 engine

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Image 25:  "Gypsi" with a CO2 engine
Image 26:  "Victory Stick"
Image 27:  "Bambi 3," a Czech model kit
Image 28:  "Zephyr"

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Image 29:   Colorful Piper PA-18 "Super Cub"
Image 30:   Piper J3 "Cub"
Image 31:   WestWings "Aries"
Image 32:  Three "Rubber Band Catapult Gliders": General Dynamics F111, Saab JA-37
           "Viggen," and English Electric "Canberra"
               

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Picture 33:  A box full of "Bambino"
Picture 34:  The juniors in their element.
Picture 35:  Camaraderie in the shade
Picture 36:  The two "Tätschmeister," Andreas and Peter

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Image 37:   A visit from the red kite

and the end of the report.

Enjoy looking at the photos!
Peter

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Image 9:  Still visible here; later out of sight and no longer found.
Image 10:  "Phantom Flash" in flight
Image 11:  "Golden Eagle III"
Image 12:  "Poly"

[Jmk89]

I love your takeoff table!