E-mail from Mark Woodhams 27.09.08
Hi Graeme and Terry
We had a great reception for John last night (Saturday 27 September).
Past BHPA chairman Noel Whittall came down for the event especially
to present John with the FAI Hang Gliding Diploma which I think John
greatly appreciated.
Our replica is up and doing ground hopping but needs modifying a bit
before we go from any height. Base bar is too far away from pilot and
C of G is further aft than we expected. However John very pleased
with the quality of build, materials and with the sail fit. Flying
photos taken on Friday 25 September. Any soaring flight will happen
after John and Tricia will have left for the States which is a shame
but we need to get the glider right first.
Will be taking them to the train station on Tuesday morning for their
return trip to London Airport (Heathrow).
We've had a brilliant time with John and Tricia and are very grateful
for your part in getting us together during their world trip.
I'll write more later.
Regards, Mark
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Noel Whittall presenting John with the F.I.A. Dipolma
Both Noel and Stephane Malbos (France)
co-wrote "And The World Could Fly" |
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Earlier photos of the building of the UK replica
Earlier photos of the building of the UK replica
All photos from Mark Woodhams
Historic flight of the second Mark 1. Oct 2008
This footage is of the first foot-launched flight of the British Mark I
Dickenson Wing. Built by Mark Woodhams and Jason Board, it is being
piloted by Jason Board. This of course is the first ever foot-launched
flight of a Mark I Dickenson Wing.
They are still ironing out the tuning of the wing. Of course there were
no actual plans for the Mark I, just some drawings. John Dickenson
helped Mark and Jason during the first static tests and they discovered
that they had to go through much the same process as John went through
the first day in 1963 as they sought to find the Center of Gravity and
the ideal position for the Base Bar.
These flights are being conducted to prove that the Mark I Dickenson was
a perfectly viable hang glider. Of course the Mark I, at 16 feet, is
larger that the 14-foot Mark II and the later 13 foot Mark III, IV and V
and the Aerostructures Glider. The smaller 13-footers were better suited
for launching behind ski-boats. Of course we do know of 12-foot and even
a 10-foo wing being foot launched. The 10-foot wing being built for and
flown by a child.
Congratulations to Jason, Mark and the others involved. John Dickenson
is delighted with their efforts.
The Photos and following letter is from Mark Woodhams
Hi John
On Saturday 18 October 2008, Jason Board successfully foot launched
and landed the UK John Dickenson Mk 1 replica hang glider from sand
dunes near Weston super Mare, England.
We spent the afternoon making in the region of ten small flights from
the top of a 30 foot sand dune. These flights were made after we had
made the modifications that we (John Dickenson and Mark Woodhams) had
discussed at the pub in Penryn during your stay in England, which were:
1) Move C of G point aft. In fact we found that a point 47.5% back
from the nose on the keel felt best.
2) Fit spacers above cross spar/leading edge junctions to slightly
increase dihedral.
3) Apply a weight to the aft end of the keel boom to counteract the
nose down static stability of the airframe.
4) Move the A frame base bar back to coincide with a point 90 degrees
down from the new hang point.
5) Fit small king post on keel only, to lock in reflex when glider
sail unloaded.
The glider felt entirely different with these modifications and
showed no tendency to overtake a running pilot at takeoff. As a
result of these successful test flights we are going to move the A
frame base bar 8 inches further back so that the pilot can more
easily flare the glider out. We will re-rig all lower wires
accordingly but maintain the same sail to airframe geometry. The next
series of flight tests will involve attempts to ridge soar the glider
on bigger hills and windier conditions, but this is not likely to
happen before December this year, due to Jason's academic pressures.
Regards, Mark
LATER FLIGHTS
After a few alterations and you can see that the flare is much better landing hands off.
Video from Mark Woodhams.
The First Soaring Flight March 2009
Video from Mark Woodhams.
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In November Jason Board set up a stand at 'The Early
Days Of Hang Gliding' exhibition at the big 'Sport and Leisure Aviation
Show' held at the NEC in Birmingham, which is the UK's largest exhibition
venue. Here are just a few photos of Jason and the Dickenson Wing replica. Photos from Mark Woodhams.
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Its hoped that the replica will be ridge soared during December 2008
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In March 2009 we received news that the Dickenson Wing replica had soared successfully
Click Here to take a look at the Photo Album of the event
Below is video footage of the special event
Video From Mark Woodhams
© Copyright Mark Woodhams 2009
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