The Rampaging Chariots Community Project is aimed at interesting young people in engineering by involving them in an exciting social and technology learning project to construct a powerful radio controlled sporting robot to compete in the Scottish Robotics Games. The games took place on Saturday, the 23rd June 2007, in Edinburgh. Sponsored and hosted by Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems the project is designed to educate the involved young people in citizenship, project management, leadership, personal discipline, engineering, science, electronics and mathematics. On hearing of the Games, staff and cadets from 1007 (Duns) Squadron, Air Training Corps took on this project and have spent the last six weeks constructing their Rampaging Chariot. The innovative design is based on cannibalising two 18-volt cordless electric drills and constructing two sophisticated electronic motor controllers, all of which is to be mounted in a wooden chassis. During the construction, several ideas were discussed on how to personalise the design and enhance its performance – all within the scope of the rules of course. The principal point of discussion was what to call the robot! Several ideas were banded about but the one which stuck came about as a result of working out what type of a lid to build. The standard design is open top and competing teams are free to build lids to cover the electronics and motors. In deciding this, one cadet offered the use of a family owned mounted Crocodile head! Whilst the Air Training Corps does not want to associate itself with the killing of animals for sport – it was mentioned that it Died Of Natural Causes. So “D O N C” was born. Co-incidentally, DONC was also a character in the film Crocodile Dundee whose main role was to destroy the enemy! Aptly named for the Squadrons intention the sleek black RAF Training colour scheme was applied and the robot rolled off the work bench for testing! Performing well and with the appointed drivers tried and tested the Squadron attended the Games with every chance of success! The Games were attended by approximately 30 other teams from all around Scotland including High Schools, Young Engineers Clubs and Air Cadet Squadrons. The Assault course was first up and 870 Edinburgh Squadron was the first opponent! Not letting the fact that 870 Squadron were the winners of Robot Wars some 5 years ago deter Duns, the race was neck-to-neck all the way round. Combat at the courses ramp left 870 Squadron upside down and ended in an exceptionally close finish! Two-a-side football next and Duns teamed up with 1716 (Kelso) Detached Flight and their robot ‘Troublesome Truck’. Facing 870 Squadron again, an action packed and fierce game ensued. 870 Squadron managed to get their own back by winning 3-1! Squadron Commander, Pilot Officer B Roche said, “This is the first time that Duns has taken part in a project like this and it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Built by the cadets with a small amount of help from the Staff – the Squadron was extremely proud to turn up to the Games with a good looking speedy robot to compete with! Although top prizes went to the more experienced, bigger Schools and Squadrons – I am extremely pleased to have been able to take part. The Squadron can look forward to competing again next year with the added advantage of the experience and knowledge gained from this year!”

The cadets of 1007 (Duns) Squadron, Air Training Corps, celebrated their achievements and successes for the previous year, at the annual awards presentation and open evening held last Thursday. Throughout the year, the cadets in the squadron rise to meet every challenge sent their way and as a result, the awards presentation is a chance to recognise and celebrate their achievements. In addition to the presentation, the cadets have the opportunity to show their parents what activities are available in the Air Training Corps and show what the Squadron has been doing in the past year. They put in a lot of hard work in preparing a drill display and several table top displays including, First Aid, the model airbase RAF Brigadoon, Sports and the Scottish Robotics Challenge which the Squadron is entering this year. The Officer Commanding Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing, Wing Commander Sandford was in attendance and conducted a formal inspection and then presented the cadets with their well deserved awards. Squadron Commander, Pilot Officer B Roche RAF VR(T), said “I was delighted to have the opportunity to reward hard work and commitment to the Squadron that the cadets had displayed In the past year. Each cadet can be justly proud of their achievements.”

The cadets from 1007 (Duns) Squadron, Air Training Corps took to the air on Sunday 18 February 2007 in the Viking Gliders of 661 Volunteer Gliding School, Kirknewton. The majority of the cadets had not flown Gliders before and so, with the sky blue and the sun shining, they had the opportunity not only to fly but to become directly involved in Launch Point Operations. These consisted chiefly of assisting to move the aircraft on the ground, attaching the cables from the launching winch to the gliders, and manning the wingtips prior to take-off. On gliding allocations, Cadets can achieve Gliding Induction Certificates (GIC) at Levels 1, 2 & 3. On each flight, with an instructor pilot sat in the back seat, cadets learn the instruments and controls of the Glider and put this knowledge into practice when allowed to take control of the aircraft in the air. The cadets who had not flown gliders before all achieved their GIC Level 1, whilst the remainder worked toward completing their GIC Level 3. The certificates were awarded at a Squadron presentation last Thursday the 22 February 2007. Squadron Commander, Pilot Officer B Roche RAF VR(T) said, “I am very proud of the Cadets of Duns Squadron, who after working extremely hard in their initial Squadron training, were rewarded with an excellent days flying. I was delighted when all the cadets who had not flown gliders before, achieved their GIC 1 which is no easy feat! Cadets in the Air Training Corps are aged anywhere between 13 and 18 and it’s often the case that they learn to fly before they learn to drive!”