Over the many years I often recalled the day that I closed the first chapter of my model flying days. After our successful time in the formation of VARMS early 1968, R/C gliding (slope soaring) really started a new phase of aeromodelling in Australia. Radio gear was becoming smaller and affordable with the introduction of the revolutionary transistor and rechargeable cadmium batteries. 

Smaller and lighter models could be built and with motorised servos one could fly 2-4 hours or so depending on how long the batteries lasted. I had a twelve channel OS reed set, which by today's standard of FM proportional radios was quite a hand full to operate. Not only did one have to tune each switch on the Tx but also each harmonic reed in the Rx, prior to each weekends flying….I digress from the real story.

I also had ambitions in those days to one day design and build my own full size sailplane (not unlike Tom Wickers). Hence the "Aurora" with it's 14 ft swept forward wings was designed and built as a first stage test model for the 'real thing' sometime in the future.

In fact the Aurora was almost the first 1/4 scale glider at that time, except that it was not a production sailplane as yet. It certainly was a crowd stopper whenever it appeared at a meet. Scale gliders to me have always been my first preference. After a period of flying the Aurora as well as the Graupner "Foka 4" I was busy looking for another scale subject with character. I chose the Polish "Zefir 2" and built it as a 1/5 scale, 3 channel project in 1968 with rudder elevator, and retract wheel.

It was a great sucess. It's great lines and ease of flying, encouraged me to build a quarter scale version about twelve months later. The bigger model would have all flying controls, including genuine three section fowler flaps per wing. It featured a home made retract wheel, ailerons, fowler flaps, rudder and elevator. There was no tow release as I had no intention to fly this model off a towline. I preferred the constant slope lift to thermals, it was simply easier to launch and fun to observe flying close up most of the time.

After 4 months making the model, the day came for it's first test flight. I was so nervous that I had forgotten to take any photos of the glider before hand. Hence no photo record ever existed of the finished model.

At Fisherman's Beach, Torquay, where I preferred to test fly most models, was a typical summer day, slightly overcast and a 15 knot see breeze straight on. I don't remember seeing anyone I knew, but recall two young fellows at the time who followed me to the top of the dunes to watch. The model was assembled and the preflight tests were o.k..

I moved to a clear patch of the dunes where the slope was steepest and launched the Zefir 2 into the steady breeze. It flew out of my right hand like a dream, it's trim was faultless. After three or so seconds, corrective left aileron was applied and it started to respond. At this moment I took a step backwards to get a better footing on the sand when I suddenly slid down a steep 2 meter drop, which unknown to me was behind me.

By the time I managed to claw my way back to the top, the Zefir 2 had flown straight out into the three foot surf some 600 feet off the beach. 20 minutes later the model was washed back onto the sand with the incoming waves. The damage was not extensive but the waves totally saturate the entire aircraft with salt water, and broke the cockpit section off the fuselage. The tailplane was never recovered. I was devastated to say the least. It was enough to break my spirit at the time.

I continued a while longer with some sport slope soarers, but gradually decided to build a full size hang glider instead. But that, is also another story.

Eventually most of my models and plans were given to Alan Villiers who had good intentions to rebuild the Zefir 2 as well as the second Aurora fuselage I had started to build prior to the Zefir2. …...All this happened some 31 years ago !

Then, about the middle of January 2003, I received a phone call from Colin Collyer who invited me to attend a special launch of a new club sailplane bought by the Victorian Motorless Flight Group at Bacchus Marsh, where Colin was invited to put on a scale model display for the weekend.

He informed me (just by the way) that he was now in possession of a 1/4 scale glider he obtained from Alan Villiers which, with the help of Alan, Colin had restored back to flying condition and was ready to be flown at this meet. It was my 30 year old Zefir 2. It took me quite by surprise. On arrival at the field, there it was in all it's glory and ready to complete another test flightstarted long ago, having received only a single solitary signal from the old reed set before ungracefully retiring on it's maiden flight.

Thanks to Alan Villiers for looking after the model all those years and rebuilding the tailplane and to Colin for his thoughtfulness and his enthusiasm to restore the model back to it's original condition. We now speculate and believe that the Zefir 2 could be the first true 1/4 scale sailplane in Australia. Which would also make it the oldest still flying in Australia. Thanks chaps for restoring some fond memories and making the day most memorable.

The spirit of VARMS is obviously alive and well.

Dieter (Peter) Prussner
VARMS member No1