Back in the day, many a model engineer first came to modelling via aircraft. Long before the days of electric motors and RC it was free flight with rubber or I/C power, not forgetting the wonderful Jetex. At Bristol, Derek Collin showed an example of a Bowden ‘Contest’ free flight model fitted with an Atom Minor 6cc petrol engine.

The design by C. E. Bowden dates from 1948 is a free flight competition model with a good ratio of glide duration to powered flight. The Atom Minor Mk 3 of 1947 is a classic design from Edgar T. Westbury. It has rotary rear induction and turns a 12 x 6 propeller at 6,000 rpm. It is fitted with a timer which can be set to give up to a minute of engine run before cutting the ignition circuit for the aircraft to glide down, hopefully close to the launch point.

This, now vintage, model was built by the late Roy Page of the Raynes Park Model Aircraft Club in London. Builder of the engine is unknown.