Page 16 - MFW March 2024

The briefing concluded with the customary and most Tiger. President Chris Jackson had a couple of small and
excellent Burgers by Mike ‘Baldrick’ Briggs and his team of very quick electric jet boats which zoomed and darted
cooks and helpers. This is a great opportunity to make around the lake, even occasionally making contact with
contact with old friends from previous years. Tiger’s ironclad sides. Many then moved off to enjoy the
Radian Mass Launch event, with very few returning for the
It seems not many saw in the new year, the camp was very Barbecue after. Nevertheless, those who did had a
quiet near midnight with few lights showing, but Helen pleasant evening.
Williams (Wellington MAC) and Rob Wallace were Pete Williams’ WN
engrossed in untangling a large bundle of motor rubber in MAC (left) launching
the camp kitchen. Bogan flew a night radian soon after technique resulted in 7
midnight, however it was reported that Peewee was the hours in A&E for a badly
first in the world in 2024 to fly … a chopper outside his tent rolled ankle (this and
.. does that count ? many photos by Elsie
Meyer from Australia)
The Nats Team of Rowdy and Bogan are getting very
practised at planning the event, and are ably backed by a This year a new app
large team of Contest Directors who, while all trying to was trialled on the Nats
compete themselves, also manage to organise and run w e b s i t e f o r t h e
events. All contestants acknowledge the efforts of all these publishing the event
guys who are responsible for safety and getting results program. Setup by
recorded and in to the office, as well as taking photos to Frazer in the months
record the people, models and incidents of their respective leading up to the nats,
events the aim was to allow
contestants to find out
In contrast to the 75th Nats last year, the weather gods what was on when, and
smiled on us nearly all week this time. While Monday was where, who the contact
a bit off, flying commenced in earnest. Then Tuesday details were,
dawned with clear blue skies and light winds; to be
followed by perfect Wednesday, and Thursday which
while a little overcast did reduce the sunburn. Friday
started out so-so, but became quite windy. At least the rain
held off until all events were completed. Many fewer puffer
jackets were in evidence on the flightlines and on the
judges this year.

The Radian Fun-fly was contested by 8 fliers, the wind was
unhelpful but the usual hilarity did ensue. We had three
tasks to complete a 7 minute flight complete with Le mans
start and precise landing, 2 minute precision landing and a
pylon race. Richard Thompson was the overall winner. A
great event as usual and many spectators
Radian action

Top to bottom:
Pete Williams’ (WN MAC) launching technique
resulted in 7 hours in A&E for a badly rolled ankle
An attempt was made to revisit the “boat race” of past (this and many photos by Elsie Meyer from
years which, though well attended by spectators, saw few Australia)
boats. Maurice Job sailed his scale Battlecruiser, HMS RC Aerobatics - IMAC flyers
Control line line-up
F3J arrival by Andrew Meyer (Australia)
Left:
Maurice Job’s HMS Tiger

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