Warbirds 2014

A blustery overcast day presented itself for our first Warbirds competition for many years. Not what we were hoping for. However despite the conditions we were delighted to welcome many who braved the conditions to show and tell about their models. All together there were over 36 entries for the static competition even discounting late comers.

CLAMF were keen participants on the day also, having purchased a number of warbird kits for members to get together in time for the event. Notable examples from this initiative included a P51 in Redtail livery of the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group - The Tuskegee Airmen presented by Andrew Nugent and a handsome P40 stunter prepared by John Hallowell. There are many more worthy of mention and when I catch up with the detail of them all I will add as much as I can.

Without the support of you all the day would be a far less successful. KMAC none the less had a small number of entries also. The was a beautiful Still Stuka from Peter Koch, a Sterling Spitfire from Steve Vallve, an ME109 from Gavin Opperman, Bernie Cosgriff presented a battle weary Kittyhawk, Dave Lacey had a nice new Brodak Focke Wulf and John Fugill had a Focke Wulf also. The treasurer Bruce Mackay displayed a very nice little triplane but the one that looked as though it had just rolled out of the hanger off the production line belonged to Rod Jackson, an imaculate Hurricane Stunter.

The Static competition proved a difficult task as there were many well presented models. Perry McNeilage was racking up the votes but with so many models entered they were spread across his whole fleet. It was interesting to see the diversity of the votes cast but in the end there was a winner albeit by a single vote. Congratulations must go to a relatively new KMAC club member Rod Jackson with his beautifully finished Hurricane. Well done Rod!

Winner Rod feeling happy with his work

Stunt Competitions

Unfortunately the stunt competitions were deemed a blowout on the day. Which leaves the PLUCK A DUCK competition

Pluck a Duck

Over the years Navy Carrier has gained a reputation for spills, thrills and tumbles – truly a pilot’s event. Navy Carrier also offers enough of a flying challenge with a combination of high and low speed flying followed by a precision? ‘arrested’ landing.

Pluck a Duck is a simplification of Navy Carrier where the object is to do a medivac of an injured party in this case a threatened species Freckled Duck that has been downed by a fanatical shooter. To compound matters the bird has become ensnared in a tangle of illegal netting. The Wild Life Rescue are on the case and have determined a bold method for plucking the injured duck from its remote location. The plan is to snare the netting from an aircraft flying just above stall speed and winch the duck to safety. Yes we expect the chances of survival may be slim but then some of these well intentioned Wildlifers have been known for feral behaviour in the past.

Takeoff is followed by high-speed flight of seven laps to reach the injured creature. After the high-speed portion of the flight, the contestant slows the model and signals the judge that the attempt for the pickup will commence. The pilot has seven laps of low-speed flight to recover the bird. If there has not been a successful snare at the end of seven laps the pilot is waved off to return to base and land. Landing can be attempted under low power at the pilots discretion.

Scoring

• A successful pickup scores 900 points.
• 100 points is added for each lap that a pickup is made before otherwise ordered to return to base. Eg If you pickup
  • on lap 1 of your slow laps you earn 700 bonus points
  • on lap 2 of your slow laps you earn 600 bonus points
  • on lap 3 of your slow laps you earn 500 bonus points
  • on lap 4 of your slow laps you earn 400 bonus points
  • on lap 5 of your slow laps you earn 300 bonus points
  • on lap 6 of your slow laps you earn 200 bonus points
  • on lap 7 of your slow laps you earn 100 bonus points

Penalties

• A penalty of 25 points is incurred for every lap flown after signalling that landing is to be attempted
• Any contact with the surface prior to signalling landing will be deemed a ditch and result in a DQ
• Any flight that exceeds 8 minutes will result in a DQ

In the event of a tied score the winner will be the pilot who flew the fastest first seven laps

A small number of Pilots braved the conditions to rescue our duck. Here are the results:

Damn those cuff and collar boys from Doncaster!!

Well Graeme goes home again a happy camper with a Bunnings voucher in his pocket. Just as well we don't invite him down too often, he seems to go home with a little something each visit. Well done Graeme!