F4B Control Line Scale National Championships 2001 Results and Report

F4B British Nationals 2001

Results

    Name          Model        Static    Best Flight   Total

M Chapman     FW 190        559        1110         1669

B Seale       Gamecock      560        1092         1652

Bill Brown    DH Chipmonk   472         881         1357

A healthy entry of six enthusiastic fliers with at least two former entrants watching the event from the sidelines is an indication that Control Line scale could be on the 'up'. I had to resort to flying my 'retired' FW 190 after demolishing my P-40 at last years team trials. Bernard Seale flew his latest Gloucester Gamecock, Peter Stiles brought a new Su31, another new model was Dave Kenny's Ki 61 (Tony).

The calm conditions meant that we were able to commence flying at the agreed times - it also meant that we had a large gathering of spectators as the flying times were being given out over at the R/C scale area..

Round One

Bernard Seale flew first, his new Gamecock is controlled with a Bek4 electronic control unit, previously the Gamecock was very difficult to get airborne without dragging a wing tip but Bernard has developed a technique to get the Gamecock in the air quickly and efficiently, a heavy Touch and Go caused a wheel to become twisted and that made the Taxi very difficult.. I flew my FW 190 next (also using a Bek4 unit) and apart from a rather sloppy Overshoot all went well (it had to, as I lose 10 % of the flying points - NO retracting undercarriage). The DH Chipmunk flown by Bill Brown put in an neat flight, apart from the engines tendency to cut prematurely near the end of the flight. The same fate befell Wal Cordwell's Jodel but at least we were getting flight scores registered. Peter Stile's PAW 35 powered Su 31 aerobatic model was so light the it showed a reluctance to land on more than a very slowest of throttle settings. Dave Kenny's un-tested Ki61 showed that the C.G. was too far rearward and as a consequence the flight was rather undulating, but the retracting U/C did work (if a little fast).

Peter Stiles first round flight actually took place on Sunday as a thunder storm meant a rapid rush for cover at the end of the first round on Saturday !

Round Two / Three

Sunday's weather was a little rougher so it was decided to fly later in the day at 5 pm, hoping for calmer conditions. And so it was - the wind dropped and two rounds were flown. Bernard Seale was 'giving all' but the Gamecock didn't seem able to fly a really smooth flight. Dave Kenny didn't make a second flight as he reported retract problems. Bill Brown made a smooth flight but Wal Cardwell was still experiencing engine cuts. Peter Stiles's Su 31 was performing well but an over ajustment of the throttle setting caused a premature engine cut, so no Taxi points. The only disaster was from myself - in the third round the motor went 'hard' (never happened before!) I landed and aborted the flight but decided to try a few extra laps to test the engine, again it went sick, this time it floated into wind (flaps down), then stalled, the resulting impact caused the outer wing to part company with the rest of the model !!

Sunday was a cloudless sunny day, but windier, Dave Kenny and Bill Brown declined to take their third round flights so it was just a case of waiting for Brian to calculate the final placings - Phew, it was close this year !

So, next year there will be some new models at the Nats - I will have a new FW 190, Bernard Seale is building a Fiat Cr42, Bruno Clark came over from Belgium to spectate and has promised to return next year with a Fairey Gannet (contra-rotating props), Mick Staples is said to be coming with a new model, will there be more ?.

It seems that 2002 will be a very interesting year for F4B Scale in the UK.