Re: British Euro Champs team (F1d)

From: Nick Aikman <nickaikman_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 16:27:49 -0000

I'll beat t'other Mark to it! I was saving this for INAV, but what
the hell, publish and be damned.....

The Trials (apt!) for the 2007 Euro's were held at Cardington last
weekend during an ongoing heatwave in England. Schedule was 3
flights on each of 2 days but a sudden, torrential downpour 20
minutes into round 2 blew the 1st day away. Small waterfalls hit the
floor everywhere, prompting frantic model rescue in several places
in order to avoid precision guided aquatic munitions and one box
blew over, leaking components across the ground. Several small lakes
quickly appeared although major damage was largely avoided thanks to
the resilience of new rules models - boron and plastic covering etc.

Rain/wind and important F1D contests seem to go together - the
Lakehurst Trials a few years ago and, most famously, round 5 of the
World Champs at Cardington in 1986 spring to mind.

Not surprisingly, flying was ended for day 1. The second day was
great - still hot and buoyant with no rain and the contest developed
into a 3 'horse' race between Bob Bailey, Derek Richards and Mark
Benns - by that time, I'd lost the will to live!

Bob flew fairly conservatively with 33:32 and 33:08, Derek followed
with 31:52 and 30:20 and Mark was 3rd with a 30:11 and 29:46. In
total, 6 flew.

Mark got the F1D bug last year at the Kibbie by talking to Bob on
the flight over/back and also by chatting to some of you guys.
Getting back here, he's been rapidly developing building/flying
skills with great determination, helped and encouraged mainly by Bob
and with other input from Derek, Geoffrey Lefever and myself. He's
become a good builder - loves the intricate construction, asks the
right questions and knows what is important. And yes, he's still
developing DLG's.

Over to you Mark.....

Nick Aikman.

 and w--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "Mark"
<f1diddler_at_...> wrote:
>
>
> Got wind that Discus Launch Glider pioneer Mark Benns has
progressed
> far with F1D building and flying within one short year, and has
won a
> place on the British Euro Champs team.
>
> Mark, I believe you monitor this group, and we'd love to hear any
> stories you could offer about the meet. I hear there was
considerable
> wind and rain, and the the outside weather wasn't too good
*either.*
> Or how 'bout a word regarding your learning curve, presumably
while
> still developing DLG? Wow.
> Thanks.
> Mark F1diddler
>
Received on Thu Jul 27 2006 - 09:29:08 CEST