Australian Aeromodelling Groups - Bonus Updated August 13, 2003
Tails of 'Pole Rats', (Rattus Antarcticus)AEFA modeller Fred Webb writes..."In 2000 when I was at the Shoalhaven National titles New South Wales I was staying with life long friend David 'Tubby' Gillies who was about to go back to Antarctica.
 Dave Gillies at Lanyon Junction
On his 2 previous trips Dave had built a 40 size R/C plane each time. I contacted our friend at Murray Bridge and had 3 Hangar Rats sent on to Tasmania to catch up with 'Tubby' before going South.
 Dave Gillies and team members download a 1500pixel image
Now the 'Pole Rats' really caught on and pretty soon they were calling for more. They now hold competitons at all three continental stations Macca [as Dave calls it], Davis and Mawson.
 Parade of the 'Pole Rats'
There are four rounds of competition, two flights per person per night with flight times recorded for both ground and hand launches.
 Dave Gillies in winning form
This year trophies were presented at the 'Pole Air Show'
 Trophies were presented at the 'Pole Air Show'
 Ivor Harris, Dave Gillies (front), friends and a fine meal download a 1500pixel image
All is not serious work like making planes for the next Pole Rat Competition, they also get time for fine wining and dining, 'swimming', plus the latest in the world of musical theatre. This year 'Cinderella'. - Don't ask ! :-)
 Dave Gilles shows his metal
 Dave Gilles shows his metal
 Cinderella 'Antarctica' Style !
Story and images via Fred Webb 'Cyber Spider' fredwebb@melbpc.org.au
Related Links Hangar Rat Competition, Casey, May 2003
Related Reading Peter Lovell writes... Life on station never seems dull. The tradesmen work solidly from 8.00am to 5.00pm often in very trying conditions so come evening they are ready to relax. Friday evenings we all give our computers a rest which frees up enough connection space for us to listen to the football over the internet. We gather in the bar,"Splinters", eat pub food and listen to the footy - there is great rivalry as we come from all over Australia and support a variety of teams. Last Friday night was rather special. As we had the first round of the "rat" flying competition. Tubby (Dave G, senior comms tech) brought down enough kits for us all to build little rubber band powered balsa planes known as "Hangar Rats". It has been the source of much amusement over the past few weeks as we have built our "rats". Much discussion over the merits of various modifications has taken place in the bar leading to a certain well known station leader make the pronouncement one evening to end the conversation "I know aerofoils, Lovell". We all bit our tongues. Come Friday evening and the first competition flying round was held in the wallow. This had advantages - very close to the bar, and disadvantages - numerous obstacles, notably a pole rising straight up through the middle of the room. I launched my rat from the floor and it flew beautifully - straight into the pole! Minor repairs to the tale have since been made. The station leader launched his from the mezzanine level and it flew like a brick, straight down and finished a crumpled mess on the floor. Needless to say there was much laughter with 18 other expeditioners muttering"I know aerofoils" under there breath and rolling about on the floor. Tubby's rat achieved the longest flight of over 20 seconds. We are all eagerly awaiting the next round to be held at the end of the month, this time in the dieso's workshop. Peter Lovell is the current Expedition Medical Officer at Casey Station Antarctica. His diary can be found at http://www.geocities.com/peter_lov2003/Letters.html
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