Two days of aerotow organised by the Blenheim Model Aero club were a complete success.  Held over two days 24 and 25 Jan with subline fine weather , Sunday being better than the Saturday when everyone thought Saturday was hard to beat.
Tow aircraft ranged from small foam electric from the Nelson club through to two 33% Pawnees from Christchurch.  Carl also assisted with his big stick from the MAMS club.  Five tow aircraft all up I think.
This cannot be accomplished without organisers !! Peter Deacon started but had to trip back to the UK for a visit,  Allan Knox took up the reigns and saw it through to its successful conclusion, thanks Allan.  BUT the best assistance we had were the local land owners who own the top dressing strip.  Considering the weather and the extreme dry conditions I think it was a brave call to allow us the use of their farm (taking into account the hot engines, fuel, electrics, not a bad tinder box for a bad day).  They had arranged for the top dressing of their farm to be delayed a couple of days so we had the use of their strip, they also moved stock when asked and then left the gates open for us so we were uninhibited with access.  Impressive.   They’ve allowed us the use of the farm twice a year and I’m pleased that the BMAC have the sole rights to use it so it is looked after and not overused and taken advantage off.
We did have an onsite fire truck, it may have looked like a Landcruiser towing a trailer with 20 water jerry cans on board but it was still a “fire truck”.  Not used Phew !!
As for the gliders, well what a turn out.  Here’s a list of most attendees and their aircraft

Dave Griffin        ASH31 (7m)
Ian Harvey          ASK 21 (4m)
Paul Chisholm    Ventus (4.5m), small Ka6 and ASW 27 and the Ag Wagon tug.
The Palmers       The big 33% Pawnee and Ka-7 (about 4 m).
Allan Knox           SHK (5m), Alchemist (3.7m) and little T31 plus electrics and Alchemi for slope
Peter Deacon     50cc tug
Ken McMillan    Big Sting and Superior Electric  (3.2 meter wing spans and lost in amongst the big boys, mine looked like paper darts)
Peter Graham   Jouster and Radian.
Carl McMillan    50cc Big Stick tug.
Neal Blackie        ASW 29 (5m)
Peter Hewson   Big 33% Pawnee . Ventus at about 4.5m.
Bill deRenzy        1/2 scale Ka6!
Graeme Phipps     T31 (4m) just completed.
Rex Ashwell       Prima.
Peter France      Big Electric and slope models
Stu Grant             ASW 27 (4m) just completed

It’s something else to see the gliders soaring so far away then when the pilot gets confident the fly byes are even better.  Overall a fantastic weekend.  Another happening in Jul 15.