Combined Speed & Simple Combat Despite a forecast winds and rain for our comp it was OK, wind did not present a problem, and no rain, it even got warm, better than the week before which is when it was meant to be but shifted due to Mother’s Day.
The usual gang of enthusiasts turned up to fly, this keeps the class alive, we must keep flying or we will die out. I flew first up to fly my troublesome B Proto model after yet another rebuild, first 2 flights the cut-out keep going off, it’s never done that be-fore, so I took it off and finally broke the Proto record. The model is now due to be checked by an FAI observer. The model is powered by an OS 30 truck engine on an old style pipe.
Harry flew his Profi FAI after giving it a clean and re-assemble of the engine, first flight it cut out early due to the plug being loose. Next flight was it was going well, I think fastest it has done, but at the end of the flight the down line snagged on the pylon so it hit the ground and broke tail and boom, but repair-able. I flew my ancient Rossi Mk2 in 1980 style Rossi sidewinder, which was the first asymmetric sidewinder design. I was very pleased with the result as I have been wanting to get it in the 14 second time bracket. Harry also flew his old Arrow with an ASP 11 which went well for its vintage old design motor, unfortunately at end of good flight it broke a rod and threw the Graupner grey prop {no expense spared}.
For local comps we are thinking of having a Class 1 sub class to try and get the models that are powered by OS PS11, Enya CX11, Asp 11, Webra speedy 10, etc. and any other non Novarossi, or OS, etc. car mo-tors. There are a few good OS PS 11 engines that are around but are not competitive with Nova Rossi. Also flying even the OS on the bigger lines we went for safety, then later to 10% nitro makes flying it a bit slow, a Class 1 at speed is good pylon training for F2A if it is fast. So do we go back to .012”/.3mm lines for them, or stay on the .016”/.4 mm and have a separate record for them????
Talking to competitor’s yesterday opinion is divided, so it is something to think about. The way my health is going, I have no energy to keep up around pylon and get breathless at slightest thing, I need to go for slower rotating models maybe Frog 1.49 power !! Slow Combat was also listed on the contest calendar but only two competitors turned up with models so no combat took place but Harry tried some very quick Classic Stunt manoeuvres with his “Terminators” and came to the conclusion that a lower pitched propeller and a richer needle setting might slow things down a little bit. Next Speed comp is on July 10th, maybe Murray may be back, we hope. Thanks to all who helped again.
Report by Robin Hiern. Pictures by Neil Baker
