Page 53 - MFW March 2024

SIG
CONTROL LINEscale
FREE FLIGHT &

Words: Stan Mauger
& Gerald Wimmer
Photos: Garry Mildenhall

Free Flight Scale & Control Line Scale at
the Nationals
Outdoor Free Flight Scale
Power Scale and Kit Scale were down for Day One, but a
brief drop of rain and a building breeze resulted in a
postponement to the next day on the alternative free flight
field. It was blessed with wide open spaces, but with a
slight northerly drift during the morning several free flight
scale models travelled some distance. Conditions early in
the morning were suitable for even smaller models but the
wind speed eventually increased presenting challenges
for flying smaller models.

F4A Power Scale
Paul Evans flew his new DH Humming Bird, which soon
found its feet and gained some real altitude, eventually
flying out of sight thanks to the northerly drift. After an
anxious day of not knowing where the model was, it was
eventually found much to Paul’s relief. Along with a good
static score, the flight was enough to put the model in first
place. Stan Mauger was less fortunate with his
Vildebeest, which was turning tightly.
smooth circuit of the field before a gentle descent, in very
F4D Rubber Scale much the way that Jack flew it. Only a point separated this
Now trimmed out well, Martin Evans’s Fairchild PT-19 flight from Wayne Lightfoot’s Brian Crocker-built Curtiss
built from an Easy Built plan, put on a good display, Robin that also looked great in flight. Memorial Scale
proving that low winged subjects can be trimmed to fly continues to gain support with many old favourites being
predictably. Graham Lovejoy once again delighted us with flown again. There were even other models that fitted the
nice flights with his ever-reliable Taylorcraft Floatplane. class but not flown on the day including a Stahl Cessna
Stan Mauger was out of the running with a poor first flight 195 built by Michael Taylor and David Hope-Cross’s
with his usually reliable Helio Courier. Farman Moustique.

Top to bottom:
Kit Scale It was great to see David Hope-Cross’s DH Puss Moth flown again.
Many in this event flew models later when the wind had Anthony Hope-Cross flew it in Memorial Scale.
increased. Stan Mauger flew early enough to get in a good Paul Evans making a last minute check, before launching his DH
flight with his KK Cessna which, Humming Bird to win F4A Power Scale.
Ceinwen Evans off to a great start with Jack Godfrey’s Lacey 10, to win
coupled with good static score, Memorial Scale
gave him the lead. Martin Evans had some great flights in Kit Scale with his Easy Built
Fairchild PT-19
Memorial Scale Paul Evans making a last minute check, before launching his DH
Ceinwen Evans had the top score Humming Bird to win F4A Power Scale.
in this flying-only event with her
Lacey built by Jack Godfrey,
achieving a great flight. Anthony
Hope-Cross was delighted to get
David’s Puss Moth flying again
after nearly thirty years in
storage. The flight was met with a
round of applause by all present.
Stan Mauger was also pleased
with the way that Jack Godfrey’s
Stinson Voyager flew. It made a

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