Pete Milne send off - surfer style

Whew, there was a mob, all catching up on some yack yack before the formalities.















Sneaky one of our thermal legend Mike Summers with MB5 above and Kobus in foreground.















Look carefully and you see the circle of paddlers in the sea - spanning generations.
















The surfers head out for the closing paddle.















The landlubbers joining in - all go to throw a flower stem in the sea.















Some of Muddlers in attendance, spanning the generations as well. Seano, Michel, Russ, Sy, Kobus, Glen, Andre and John.
















John Acutt chatting Merl Milne, Pete's missus.















The were a number of Pete's very special paintings on display, along with PSS models and surf boards. The one at my home was a presentation to yours truly at the 2000 slope races. A painting of the Charlies Rudnick Silver Falcons Impala (the crappy cell pic does it no justice). Charlie was active in F3B and flew the Berg Cross Countries. Tragically died at an airshow when the wing of the Silver Falcon tore away.

The surfers have a gospel of their own and it brought back memories of "Endless Summer", listening to the fascinating tales about Pete from four surfers and two of the grandsons. Kobus kept the soaring side up with an excellent upbeat chat of his own, incorporating some interesting excerts from the bible to illustrate Pete's very special character. The summarised history of Pete is located elsewhere on the blog.

Neat slide show on surfing blog:

http://www.thebombsurf.com/thebombsurfslideshows/322/peter-milne-memorial

Mr Springfield soars away - RIP Pete Milne

This sms from Kobus Visage, Pete Milne's Springfield soaring buddy of recent years:

"Pete Milne passed away last nite peacefully in his sleep while on his bed listening to his music."

Hope to add more of Pete's chock a block history at a later stage, kinda sad at the mo. Our own legend.

The pic of Russ and Pete at our last Springfield slope session with ole Pete, just recently. Pretty damn good for 86!

UPDATE FROM KOBUS:

"The celebration of Peter Milne's life will be on Tuesday 19th January at Point Yacht Club (Vetchies Pier) at 2pm. Dress Casual. Bring boards if you want to partake in the paddle out. Regards, the Milne and Payne families."

Viva Velocity - wind the sound up full!

Nothing like an after work session - most favourite e foamy ever.....

The new year with Springfield Chickens

First pic is the year in making Christmas present Spirit of St Louie foamy that flew most creditably on rudder elevator control only.

Second pic is our first Tuesday evening in ages at the pristine Umhlanga college parkie site to start 2010, blessed with perfect weather - Paul on the Rainbow sticks under the watchful eye of the Nelson clan.

Third pic is another magic early Saturday morning session to start 2010. Mike Smith joins the Electron clan, with Mark Phillips holding the little Voodoo Mustang after its successful maiden. This lightweight came from Radio Active complete with 400 brushless at an excellent price and flew straight off with not one peep of trim on any control surface!

Final pic is Russ Conradt's beaut glassing completed Toksix (Toko wing and Phase 6 fuselage) to take on the Tossers at the forthcoming Toss 2010 comp. Turns the excellent Toko wing in to a useful aerobatic machine.

http://www.toss.co.za/

The chickens also ventured out to Summerveld for an interesting first Bill Vos thermal league comp for 2010. No less than 16 pilots competed, unfortunately forgot to take some pics! Four happenings in the first ten days - maybe control line next.....? ;-)