Murcury Matador - Ben Buckle

Описание: This is the history of the Model in Mikes words - From RCM&E entry...
When I bought my Junior 60 kit in 1962 (I still have the plane) my friend bought a Mercury Matador which he never finished and it never flew. Many years later in the 1970's my nephew built a Matador which we eventually flew at Epsom Downs Racecourse but I could only keep it in the air with full left rudder. Eventually it piled-in just a few yards from us and I can well remember the explosion of balsa wood. All was not lost because my nephew (Nigel) acquired another Matador fuselage from a friend and the plane was re-built with my then new OS 10 RC up front. I gather it flew very well at Croydon Airport with throttle and rudder only control, but on one flight it got caught in a thermal and my Nephew attempted to 'spiral it out' with full rudder which caused the wings to fold up! Some days later having driven to my nephew's house in my Sunbeam Alpine Sports I spotted the wrecked Matador poking out of the dustbin on his driveway so I retrieved it and stuck it in my loft. It stayed in my loft for about 30 years but a couple of years ago I decided to convert it for electric flight. Well I strengthened the wings with spruce spars and balsa sheeted from the leading edges to to the wing spar(s). I permanently fixed the tailplane and fin and added an elevator. It all looked a treat but would the darn thing fly---This is the final result...
Have a look at Mike's plane in this video I made to record the event - See him smile...
Thanks to music4yourvids.