Page 34 - MFWDec 2023

Modelair Hornet
Very much a low key Precision-style event, Hornet
attracted a number of entries. There were a several flights
near to the target time, but in the end, Ricky Bould once
again showed us how it was done! Hornets are easy to
build and fly and if you are new to indoor flying, this is a
great event to fly indoors.

Scale Classes
F4F Peanut Scale
Lacey 10s have proved themselves to be highly
competitive in Peanut Scale, but this year saw none in
sight. Two Fikes took the top two places in a relatively
small field of flyers in this event. Both Ricky Bould and
Jason Magill put in good flights with their well-trimmed
models. Stan Mauger was getting better and better flights
from his Peck Clipped Wing Cub as the day went on. It was
refreshing to see Graham Lovejoy’s Peyret Taupin, a non-
traditional Peanut subject, entered and also other unusual
Peanut subjects for the event including Dave Jackson’s Jason Magill had some great flights in Hand Launched Glider.
Heinkel He100 and Anthony Hope-Cross’s Caudron Photo: Stan Mauger
biplane, both of which were still at trimming stage.

F4D Open Rubber Scale
There were only three starters for this event. Ricky Bould
intended flying his Comper Swift but was ensconced in
other scale events leaving Graham Lovejoy’s Taylorcraft
Seaplane and Stan Mauger’s Fleet Canuck to take the
remaining spaces. Both had their proven models flying
well, with static marks being the deciding factor in
determining placings.

Kit Scale
Kit Scale continues to be a popular class. All of the six
qualifying models made good use of the space of the hall
and flew well. Ricky Bould’s Veron Comper Swift had the
best flight time of the day. Stan Mauger’s rare Skyleada
Curtiss Owl proved to be a remarkably stable flyer, much
to his delight. Also delighted was Ken Smith who worked at
getting the best out of his VMC Cessna. With a well-
trimmed model, Dave Jackson was assured of a place with
his Peck Lacey M10. Martin Evans once again proved how
competitive the Tern Porterfield Collegiate can be in this
Graham Lovejoy setting up his Lacey built by Bruce Keegan, for
event, just pipping Graham Lovejoy’s delightful Modelair Memorial Scale.
Lockheed Vega that was in second place. Photo: Ken Smith
Memorial Scale judges. I am grateful to Paul and Martin Evans who shared
Memorial Scale has established itself as a worthy indoor the scale judging. My thanks also to Brian Howell and Rex
class, with a number of models by famous modellers flown Bain who assisted with recording both scale and free flight
again to the pleasure of all who knew them. With placing events and also to the string of timekeepers and recorders
based solely on flight performance – the class uses Kit who also assisted with determining results. There was a
Scale flying criteria – this is a documentation free event. frantic time to get results out on the day, but a few minor
Brian Crocker’s Curtiss Robin was flown once again by changes have been made to avoid this in next year’s
Wayne Lightfoot. This is an attractive model that also event. It was particularly gratifying to have flyers travelling
looked great in the air. The remaining four models were all from Christchurch in the south, and Whangarei in the
Peanut Scale subjects and unsurprisingly made good use north, as well as other parts of the country in between.
of the hall. Alec Fuller and Stan Mauger had Nesmith Apart from the fun of contest flying, the day also provided
Cougars by Doug Baunton and Angus Macdonald to fly. wonderful opportunities to renew friendships with other
Laceys dominated with Graham Lovejoy and Bill Long flyers who in some cases had not been seen for some
taking out the two top places with them, flying models by years. Next year’s Morrinsville Indoor Day is already
Bruce Keegan and Paul Lagan. decided. It will be on October 13.

As all who have had any experience with scale judging will Stan Mauger
know, running scale events calls for willing and able Contest director

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