This is a fun event and we encourage members to take part; it is an opportunity to bring out models which are not used regularly and, as such, it should also be an enjoyable event for spectators - friends and family are welcome.
Members are free to fly any models on the day – the Parish Council has been notified of the event so I.C. models which have a noise test certificate are permitted between 12:00 and 16:00
Event Format and Rules
The event is open to any club member with model(s) that resemble a full-size aircraft. There is no requirement for true scale fidelity – i.e. models will not be judged by measurement or comparison with a photograph. Club members (including the competitors) judge the models (see below).
Each entrant may enter a maximum of three models.
On arrival, each entrant must complete a uniquely numbered entry card for each model they wish to enter. The details required are:
Entrant’s name
Description of the model, for example:
Seagull AT-6 Texan
Dynam T28 Trojan
West Wings BAe Hawk
Build type, tick one of:
RTF Ready to Fly - A finished airframe which only requires the addition of radio gear to complete.
ARTF Almost Ready to Fly - A complete airframe which requires some assembly and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Kit Build from a commercial kit - An airframe hand-built from pre-cut components which requires covering and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Plan Built from a plan - An airframe hand-built from raw materials which requires covering and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Scratch A ‘scratch-built’ model - An original airframe hand-built from raw materials which requires covering and the addition of servos, radio gear and a powertrain (if required)
Entry cards must be completed and placed with the corresponding model, in the pits, by 13:00, at which point judging will begin.
Each member (regardless of whether then are an entrant themselves) will be given a score sheet on which to record their scores:
Scores are in the range 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Scoring is at the absolute discretion of individual judges (although they should attempt to apply the same criteria to each model and a suggested methodology is provided on the back of the score sheet).
Note that the type of model should NOT be considered in the score – this is taken into account when the scores from all judges are totalled (see below).
Competitors may not score their own models.
Judging will finish at 14:00 by which time score sheets must be passed to the event organiser.
The event organiser will tally the scores and apply a ‘K’ factor (depending on the type of model) to the score totals:
‘K’ factors:
RTF 0%
ARTF +2%
Kit +5%
Plan +6%
Scratch +7%
7. The highest overall score takes the honours
A specimen Entry card and Score sheet are shown below.
The event was in doubt given the weather in the run up to the weekend but the committee took a punt which proved to be correct - it was windy but there were patches of blue in the rather cloudy sky but, thankfully, no rain.
16 models were entered into the competition by 9 members. Scoring was tight, with some places determined by fractions of a point and Eric Papworth retained the trophy with his kit-built Fournier. The full results table is shown below.
A few members braved the wind to fly and a good day was had by all - thanks to Howard for manning the BBQ.
Total attendance (including two West residents who came to spectate) was 22.
Name
Model
Adjusted Score
Rank
Eric Papworth
Fournier
79.8
1
Andy Imrie
Fokker DR1
75.6
2
Steve Rolph
Spitfire Mk9
73.5
3
Ian Sewell
Spacewalker II
72.4
4
Ian Sewell
Taylorcraft
72.4
Steve Rolph
Sopwith Pup
67.2
6
Paul Hart
Hercules
67
7
Peter Rand
Extra NG
66.3
8
Steve Rolph
Stearman PT-17
66.3
Giles Beale
De Havilland Venom
65.3
10
Eric Papworth
Spitfire
65.1
11
Paul Hart
Mustang
65
12
Adrian Addison
Cosmic Wind
64.2
13
Julian Bailey
Bell 206
63
14
Giles Beale
Piper PA28 140
58.1
15
Adrian Addison
F16
53
16
For those that left a bit early, the Hercules did get a maiden flight. It was still very windy but it took off OK, did a few (very fast) circuits and landed without damage. Unfortunately there is no usable video of the landing.