revised June 16, 2008
NOW AVAILABLE IN DVD FORMATS - NOTE PRICE CHANGES
New Postage Rates in effect 14 May 2007. Send me an email before you order.
DVD-R US $15, including S/H in North America
DVD+R US $15, including S/H in North America
Video CD - MPEG1 US $12, including S/H in North America
Video CD - HIGHMAT US $12,
including S/H in North America
(The HighMAT format is no longer available)
VHS Video Tape US $20, including S/H in North America
Since first offering videos in March, 2004, we have filled orders for countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. There have been numerous compliments about the video, and so far, only one negative comment. He was offered a refund, but declined.
We considered creating another video, more along the lines of a documentary, with more information about the TAM design and the people behind the project, but there was insufficient interest to warrant the effort required.
"The Saga of TAM-5"
To commemorate the success of TAM-5, Joe Foster and Les Hamilton created a 21 minute video which they gave to the volunteers whose participation was so vital to the project. The response has been gratifying. We are pleased to offer this video so others can learn more about the most ambitious project in model aviation history. STAR DID NOT SUPPORT THIS PROJECT. ANY PROFITS WILL BE USED TO DEFRAY OUR EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH THE TAM PROJECT AND VIDEO PRODUCTION.
Share the excitement as the TAM team anxiously hopes that the "little red airplane" can go the distance. On both sides of the Atlantic, people fidgeted, checked their watches, exchanged emails and phone calls as TAM-5 slowly made its way towards the Irish coast. All knew that the fuel supply was running low. All knew the engine could quit at any moment, leaving them disappointed after coming so close.
Nothing was staged for this video, and there was no script. What you will see is exactly as it happened. This video is a blend of still photos and sound video, with Newfoundland folk music to add to your enjoyment. There are scenes from test flights, the launch of TAM-1 in August 2002, and the launches of TAM-4 and TAM-5 in August, 2003. Most importantly, you will see the landing team in action, as TAM-5 completes its historic 3030 km flight.
See the launch of TAM-5 as a hopeful witness says, "There it goes, TAM-5 ... on its way to Ireland." Get a sense of the suspense and drama during the next day and a half, as satellite reports document the slow but steady progress of TAM-5.
As word spread in Ireland that a first-ever trans-Atlantic model airplane might arrive on August 11, 2003, a local radio station broadcast hourly updates. AMA President Dave Brown, who was there to land the plane if it arrived, gave on-the-air interviews by cell phone. Dozens of people, including children, came out to watch events unfold.
See and hear the shout "there it is" as the children at Mannin Beach were the first to spot the airplane overhead. See the actual landing, as TAM-5 glides in and quickly comes to a halt, undamaged. See the official witnesses who certified the landing time and location. See the excitement of the TAM team in Newfoundland as the news comes in by telephone, "It's landed!"
See the faces and hear the voices of the people who accomplished model aviation's greatest success. Meet Maynard Hill, who conceived the idea, designed and built the planes and worked magic with old engines; Joe Foster, whose genius in designing and programming the autopilot provided the guidance needed to cross the ocean; Les Hamilton, who served as contest director and data analyst; and Cyrus Abdollahi, the teenager whose faith during the darkest hours kept the project going. Meet the volunteers on both sides of the Atlantic whose contributions were vital: Carl Layden, Nelson Sherren, Craig Trickett and John Shortall in Canada; Dave Brown, Ronan Coyne, Aengus Cullinan, Tom Frawley in Ireland.
Les Hamilton, W3HZB - (Contest Director, TAM-4 and TAM-5)
(for further information, scroll up)
We opened a PayPal account to give purchasers another means to pay. PayPal is a service of Ebay, and it protects both buyers and sellers. This is a convenient method for people outside the U.S. to pay for videos. For more information about PayPal, visit www.paypal.com.
Orders from the U.S. pay by personal check, money order, or PayPal. Send order and check or money order to:
Les Hamilton, 13002 Autumn Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Specify what you want to buy and where to send it.
Orders from outside the U.S. Payment via PayPal. Send email for further information. Buyer will be responsible for any customs, duty, or extra postage. Note: Postage increased on 14 May 2007.
To order a copy or to get further information, send an email to TAM_Video@verizon.net.