SCALE INDOOR NATIONALS 2007 - 22nd APRIL - NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY.
7th January 2007 EARLS COURT KIT SCALE REPORT & Pictures & More Pictures
The Kit Scale event at Earls Court on 7th January was an unqualified success. In all, 18 models were submitted for static judging by 16 participants representing the full spectrum of age and experience. It was good to see a number of new faces not seen in competition before and static judges Mike Hadland and Richard Crossley were impressed with the overall standard of the models.
Flying was run over 6 rounds, with the best 2 to count, under the critical eyes of Charlie Newman and Mike Goldby. Unfortunately, a few models were too badly damaged during trimming to make the starting line and one or 2 that flew well between rounds just refused to perform for the judges.
The cold conditions also did not favour the only CO2-powered entry, a very nice Aerographics Blackburn Monoplane by Steve Betney, and Alasdair Milne’s valiant attempts to tame his all black Dumas Lysander proved in vain (has anyone got one to fly successfully?). However, the overall standard of those who did manage a scoring flight was good and some very realistic flights were recorded. One of the highlights was the success of young Alexander Marks whose meandering flight with his Thundebolt almost the full length of the hall drew a well deserved round of applause.
The final result was in the balance until the last round when top place was clinched by Neil Sommerin who put in an exceptional flight with his Veron Bebe Jodel. It was so convincing, only the put-put of a VW engine was missing! In the end, only 3 marks separated the top 3. Second place went to Gordon Hannah, whose Peck Polymer’s Andreason Biplane performed consistently well all day and third was Ian Melville, who proved that you could still be competitive from a hand launch. Indeed, his little Taylorcraft from the Herr kit had been built in just a week but gained the highest static mark. Laurence Marks’ Wittman Tailwind from the Andrew Moorhouse peanut kit was a well-deserved fourth and Lindsey Smith was 5th with a new version of the Veron Fairey Spearfish (he’s built at least one before), which flew very nicely once the observer got his map the right way round. Alasdair Deas had been uncertain about flying his very pretty - and very large – Aerographics Comper Swift indoors but need not have worried. Cautious trimming saw him coax out several good flights to a creditable 6th place and, if he can get it to ROG, he will have a very competitive model. Alexander Marks was also rewarded as the best Junior.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable event flown in good atmosphere. Sincere thanks go to SAMS for offering us the opportunity to share the excellent facilities and to REPLIKIT for their generous prizes. The next Indoor Scale competition will be the Nationals at Nottingham University on Sunday 22 April. Floor time is more pressing at Nottingham but we certainly intend to fit in a Kit Scale event if we can work it into the programme. Watch out for more details.
Ian Pallister