British F4B Scale Nationals 2003
9/10 August - RAF Barkston Heath
The fliers, at lonely Barkston.
As you may be aware the 2003 Nationals (complete with trade tents and spectators) were cancelled, so the BMFA scale technical committee had to find an alternative venue - thus we (the scale fliers) were competing for National titles at Barkston Heath early in August. The re-timing of the event had a significant effect on the entries for both F4B and the three 'radio' classes but strangely not the three free flight classes. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable competition.
The Scale Technical committee have for some time been trying to get us to fly closer to the radio area rather than over on the control line runway. I have previously investigated the surface of the smaller (little used) runway that intersects the main runway that the radio fliers use but it had a very rough surface and not suitable for flying any models from and most certainly not F4B.
Because the Barkston airfield is 'hosting' the Battle of Britain flight for a short time this smaller runway has been resurfaced, unfortunately it is narrower than the runway that we normally use and to make matters worse it still had a rough concrete strip about fifteen feet wide the edges, which meant that the distance from the centre of the runway to the rough strip was only about 45". The length of my lines is 60" and this caused me some anxious moments on take-off and landing
Scorching hot sunshine and the lack of wind gave us the opportunity to start early on Saturday morning. Mick Staples flew first, this year he entered his Avian and provided the judges with a neat and steady flight.
Mick Staples with his Avro.
Bernard Seale flew next, using his Gamecock, this is the first Gamecock that he made and has a bomb drop option. Brian Cordwell had ask me to video the models and the Gamecock look pretty good through the lens.
Bernard Seale's Gamecock.
I flew next but maybe due to my filming I was rushing to get the FW 190 ready. The engine started easily but when I got into the centre circle the engine cut - on investigation I found that the fuel pipe had come off the carb'. Another engine 'hic-up' caused me to miss my first round flight. Wal Cordwell came equipped with a new Jodel this year, the model is larger and much seemed to enjoy being in the air much more than last year's model. Wal finds the effect of turning on the spot a little disorienting these days but put in a neat flight.
The judges open Wal's documentation folder.
Wal Cordwell with his Jodel - Oh look, a £20 note (bill)
The second round was only eventful for myself ! Having got the model set-up on the ground, the engine decide that it would harden-up when I flew the High manoeuvre - I was upwind at the time and a rapid hard landing followed, causing damage to the retracts.
Mike Chapman's FW 190
After a lunch break a third round was flown only Bernard decided not to fly again. I needed a good flight to get back in contention, Wal also needed an improved flight but the 'dizzies' were still upsetting his trim. Mick Staples was quietly doing what is required to win competitions i.e.; flying steadily and consistently. I had forgotten to change my 'High' option to 'Overshoot' and suffered the same engine overheating again - fortunately I got the model on the ground after another rapid descent and was able to finish with a taxi (not an option) but I had lost many points.
The static judging took place later in the afternoon while we tried to re-hydrate ourselves and get some cover from the intense sun.
We didn't need to fly on the Sunday so that gave me time to spectate and help a few friends over at the free flight and radio areas.
Brian Cordwell rang the F4B results through to me on Sunday evening ..........
Well done Mick.
