Sunday 16th June started dry, and just got better...
Andrew Biddlecombe opened proceedings by testing his Hobbyking pylon racer. He'd been rushing to get it finished in time for the event and, well, the reverse aileron gremlin had paid him a visit overnight so the test flight lasted 3 seconds. Tree 1, plane 0, although this would have been a seriously quick aircraft. Peter Wyss has one, and it goes fast, but is a touch uncontrollable when it is doing it - much taming to be done, so Peter flew his Hobbyking Rare Bear Racer instead. Very fast, straight out of the box.
First round of electric pylon - 8 laps - Kelvin King flew a Funjet ($40 of high performance foamie) flying a very tight course (he's clearly done this before). Peter Wyss flew his Bear (as opposed to flying bare, which would be distressing for all concerned), until one aileron gave up and he had to land and repair. Clive's ancient Tea Racer ($6 of corflute and a free plan) went well, but he lost sight of it around one turn and lost at least half a lap whilst he flipped it from side to side until it came into focus again. David Foster was flying a tight course with his Stik, although 8 laps at full chat was going to test the battery, and Col Buckley flew his Idol. Most had completed 3 laps by the time that the Idol completed the first, and all had finished or retired by the time the Idol completed 3 laps. The rest of the competitors painted their toe-nails, grew beards or otherwise occupied themselves for another lap or two, and then they all agreed to let Col land without doing the whole 8 laps, to allow events to continue.
The 2nd round of electric was a bit later in the day. Col decided to rest the Idol for the later combat event, Pete had repaired the Bear, and flew it well for 2nd overall. Clive managed to keep the Tea Racer in view for 3rd overall, and Kelvin flew nice lines again to win the event. Dave Foster's Stik completed the course (5 laps this race, which is probably the right length for the next electric pylon event). Interesting to note that Kelvin was flying a very straightforward foam delta - and was well ahead. Pete's Bear was fast, too, and Clive's Tea Racer was pulling over 100amps on a 6 inch propeller (around 48,000rpm) but the wing wasn't seating too well and incidence changes were making it hard work. Great fun all round.
For internal combustion engined pylon, we were split into two groups of three. In the first group to go, Kelvin was flying a Quickie 500 (or something like it) on a tuned pipe and Dave Foster was flying a Quickie 500. Andrew Biddlecombe had managed some rapid enhancements to a new Mustang, running an ASP32 on a tuned pipe, and this beast looked seriously quick once the hand-launch had occurred. Dave Foster was first up and waiting, waiting, waiting, and eventually had to land to refuel as there was some trouble getting everyone airborn. Regrettably Dave's Quickie decided to deadstick in an inopportune place, and he had to land it out of direct line of sight, resulting in only slight damage - but too much to be repaired to race-readiness on the day, so Dave substituted his Precedent HiBoy, which was, er, not quite as quick. Anyway, the race took place, all three went well, but Kelvin was massively in the lead until the last turn on the final lap (lap 8), at which point his wing broke near the middle, the smaller bit fluttered into the dam, and the larger bit of wing, still with fuselage attached, arced gracefully over the hill far to the east of the pilot line - fantastic. Andrew came through for 1st, and Dave Foster for 2nd. The pundits reckon that Kel was pulling 20-30g in the corner - amazing how fast these pylon planes can turn...whilst still maintaining most of their airspeed.
Next round was Dave Pound, with a tatty, but remarkably quick and smooth-flying, pylon racer of at least 15 year vintage. The motor took a lot of starting, but Dave was looking quick. Col Buckley flew his Great Planes stik on a 46, and Clive flew his V tail Viper (purchased, still in box, at the last Trash and Treasure) on a Super Tigre 45 with a standard exhaust. A good race - Dave had done this before and flew a nice tight course for best time, Clive made very sure he didn't cut any pylons, and flew about 50% further than he needed to, and Col's Stik wafted gently around, admiring the view and ignoring the screeching of the competition aircraft as they lapped him time and time again.
Round two, and the first group was now only two, as Kelvin's plane was waiting for the salvage effort in a couple of separate locations. Andrew was quickest, but flying wide of the pylons to avoid cuts, and both finished. The 2nd group went up again, this time with Clive taking note of Kelvin's turn strategy, and Clive flew tight enough for first place, Dave a close 2nd and Col's Stik being timed using a calendar rather than a stopwatch.
Combat time - 6 in the air together, towing 50 foot paper streamers for 5 minutes of mayhem - Dave Foster's Stik, Dave Pound's historic pylon thingy, Clive's Drastik, Andrew flying a Warkawk (I think), Col and Pete Wyss both flying Idols. Pete managed 2 cuts, some managed 1 - no mid-airs at all. Round 2 saw the same safe outcome, Pete not getting a cut, Clive getting one, resulting in a golden-cut fly-off between Clive's 70inch Drastik and Pete's tiny Idol. It was closer than the plane differences would suggest, but Clive prevailed. Amazing to see combat matching IC and electric with no clear advantage, and even more amazing to see two Idols mixing it with planes several times their size and power - magic!
Results?
|
Electric pylon |
IC pylon |
Combat |
| 1st |
Kelvin |
Clive |
Clive |
| 2nd |
Peter |
Dave P |
Peter |
| 3rd |
Clive |
Andrew |
Dave F |
| 4th |
Dave F |
Dave F |
Kelvin |
A brilliant day, enjoyed by quite a few viewers and visitors as well as the pilots. I think we're all agreed that this has to be an annual event - but it'd be even better with a few more competitors and, clearly, you don't need specialist gear to win.
And yes, Kelvin did get his bits back, ready for a new airframe for the next race event.
Ed
