Page 27 - Demo

26Held on a turf farm not far from the RAAFBase at Richmond, this year%u2019s contest weekend was blessed with the calm weather free flight scale flyers dream about, making it well worth the effort to travel there and enjoy it.Free Flight ScaleTRANS TASMAN EVENTThis year%u2019s New Zealand contingent comprised Ricky Bould, Antony Koerbin, Stan Mauger and Paul Squires. Richmond weekends have gained some momentum after starting on a small scale about twenty years ago. They have matured into a free flight scale weekend not to be missed and have attracted Australian flyers beyond NSW, over the years. The format for these weekends is a free flight scale rally weekend one year and TransTasman contest the next. Contests are held on the rally weekends as well as the Trans-Tasman years. The three-day programme started with judging and noncontest flying on the first day. The contest, which involved an early start, was on the next day. Whilst free flight scale events kept judges busy, there was also an F4B Control Line Scale event on an adjacent field, later in the day. Prizegiving was on the last day and included a %u2018goodies%u2019table and social time in the morning. It was preceded by an early one-hour Scramble (Aggie to us) event. The Australian flyers are expert at Scramble, running a very safe contest and keeping models within close range in the calm conditions. Trans-Tasman F4A Free Flight Power Scale Challenge for the Hope-Cross TrophyAfter some years, F4A teams have settled down to comprising three flyers, which provides plenty of scale flying during the time available. Models in this event must be nominated, unlike the rest of the flying events where more than one model may be entered. Our team comprised Ricky Bould, Antony Koerbin and Stan Mauger. The Australian team was Maris Dislers, Phil Mitchell and Roy Summersby. It was Australia%u2019s turn to take the Trophy this year. They achieved 3759.2 points, just eclipsing the New Zealand team result of 3704.2.There were some great flights made for this event. Results for the Trophy Challenge were drawn from how well these models did in the main F4APower Scale event. Antony Koerbin%u2019s beautifully detailed BE2e looked great in flight, flying with the pace expected of this subject, winning some good flying points and the top place in the Challenge. Roy Summersby had his nicely detailed Fokker DVIII well-trimmed to achieve some good flights and second spot in the event. Close behind was Stan Mauger%u2019s Antarctic Auster which made a longish flight to make third. Maris Dislers%u2019s Blackburn Model D showed splendid attention to detail and looked great in the air too. Phil Mitchell%u2019s magnificent electric powered HP.0-400 twin created much interest but was grounded due to technical issues. Ricky Bould%u2019s newly minted Broussard was also unable to put in official flights, owing to unexpected initial trimming problems.Top to bottom:Ricky Bould%u2019s Rubber Scale Aeronca Chief soon settled into a stable flying pattern.Photo: Angela MahoneyThis view of Roy Summersby%u2019s power scale Fokker DVIII shows the detailed markings. Photo: Angela MahoneyLight and well-trimmed, Paul Squires%u2019s Rubber Scale Nesmith Cougar looked great as it climbed away.Photo: Angela Mahoney