Competition Review

Medway Free Flight and R/C Assist Day

On September 7th the Free Flight Scale competition on the Isle of Sheppy, organised by the Medway M.F.C, was blown out by wind and rain and the only flying was done by the wildlife.
At this site there is a wonderful range of bird life from Marsh Harriers to Guinea fowl to study. So the day was not completely wasted. This meeting may be rescheduled for mid October but it may be at short notice depending on the weather.

2008 B.M.F.A. National Championships Results

Report to follow

2008

(Photos by kind permission of Eric Clark)

On the journey to Woodvale I could not help but think that I was loosing the plot as the rain was crashing down on the M6 motorway. But as I progressed north the weather steadily improved to the point where there was hope.
On arrival I ran the usual gauntlet of trying to reach the Eddie Riding encampment at the end of the flight-line. Having reached the tented temple I registered and presented my model for display and static judging. All was well and I retired to pass the time with other competitors watching the R/C display and listening to the cricket.
As the 6.00 start time approached the wind was decidedly “ify” coming from the direction of sea and over the tall trees with model wrecking turbulence. In all the years I’ve been competing at this meeting this is the first time the wind has not subsided to a comfortable breeze or still air. All en sundry made their way to the proposed flight line. This was fine for the light models but for the heavier models requiring a take off this was not so good as there was insufficient runway width. So it was decided to move to a more open area at the end of the runway.
There was no rush to fly as the wind was still too strong. But it was showing signs of easing. Eventually the lighter models took to the air one by one, from a hand launch, as the courage to let go overcame common sense.
As a competitor I sometimes miss a lot of action as I tend to be rather occupied with my model and flights. I did however see two very respectable flights by Andrew Hewitt’s ABC Robin resplendent in its orange and black livery.
By 7.00 with time rapidly running out the breeze had reached a risky but flyable level. Bill Dennis was first away with his Mills 1.3 powered Sopwith Triplane and recorded a good qualifying flight. Having thrown down the gauntlet I felt obliged to have a go.

The Handley Page, flying in Electric / Co2 or the "Gadget Class" as Bill Dennis kindly referred to it, attempted a take off but ran out of tarmac and crashed into the grass, no damage. I reset the rudder and elevators and tried again from a bit further back. A dead straight take off and a climbing turn to the left gave the crew and passengers a bumpy ride in the turbulence. The motors throttled back for a reasonable short cruise and landing.
Big sigh of relief and its game on.

Bill’s second attempt was terminated rather abruptly as his Tripe swung slightly on take off and collided with a wheelchair. The engine, cowling and bulkhead went one way and the model the other. OUCH!

     

Ray Hall was flying his gleaming red Missel Thrush in the Eddie Riding Designs Comp.
 Despite Ray's persistence the model did not want to behave itself in the marginal conditions. It did however qualify.

Andrew Hewitt’s other entry was in power. His well flown and elderly Fokker D8 entertained us all with its aerial cavorting and crashes. 
It seems to be bomb proof.

Tim Milner's Curtis Jenny. Very fine piece of work with a lot of scale detail for a rubber model. Scored top in static. 
Was not flown, like many other entries, due to the conditions.

Very nice Sopwith Tabloid by Al Wood. Unfortunately the documentation was left at home so could not take part.

Rubber Powered Westland Widgeon. Jack Foster

Barry William's Fairchild Argus

Tony Pritchard's ABC Robin

John Bridge (left) who kindly presented the Twins Trophy.
With John is David Boddington (centre) who presented the prizes and David Lloyd-Jones who done a fantastic job with the organisation of the event. Is his expression because John is crushing his hand or is he just pleased it is all over for another year?

The array of prizes at this event is very good and most qualifying competitors get something.
 The icing on the cake, to go with the Eddie Riding Trophy, is an original painting by John Jones of a BA Swallow.
It has pride of place on the wall in my sitting room, with a couple of others I've won in the past.
My wife, Sandra, puts up with these but I have to endure a modicum of sarcasm and banter from the rest of the family.

James Campbell being presented with the trophy for winning the Rubber powered comp'

Andrew Hewitt won the Eddie Riding Design and the I/C Power Comp's
Andrew is always good for a laugh and got in the most flights with his two entries.

I.C. Power

Rubber

Electric / Co2 / Air

Eddie Riding Designs