New Zealand won the 2008 TransTasman F4A Scale contest held at the Richmond NSW site on July 19/20; this year the Australian team were getting closer to a win but only had three fliers turn up on the day. Saturdays flying saw the Kiwis turn up early with an interesting collection of models, all very well detailed and finished. John Poletti had a brand new Desoutter Mk.1 which, after some trimming flights, was ready to go. Surprisingly it needed left thrust to make it turn, while the lack of dihedral didn’t seem to be a problem. The other NZ entries were Stan Maugers Auster T7c, Ricky Boulds Piper Co2 powered J3 Cub, and Jack Godfreys Cessna Bird Dog, With George Fay as a reserve, flying a P-47 Thunderbolt.
All flew well, with ROGs and steady flights, although Jack Godfreys Bird Dog was damaged enough to preclude further flying. It was fitted with a timer operated throttle that enabled it to take off briskly, then slow down to cruise a few circuits, then throttle back for a power on landing. I first saw it fly at a NZ Nats about 30 years ago!
Stan Maugers Auster was equally impressive, with interior and exterior detail and a good colour scheme to gain good static points, as did Ricky Boulds J3 Cub. John Polettis Desoutter was impressive on the ground and in the air and only lost a few points with some off strip landings.
For Australia, Stan Hinds veteran FW Stosser was flying well, with some long flat takeoffs and good flights to take 3rd. place, with Phil Mitchells DH Tiger Moth was as steady as ever only a few points behind Stan. Than Stowe aired his impressive Magni Vale, but had trimming problems and couldn’t record a flight. With only three entrants, the Australian team was up against the odds, but a look at the results show that just one flight from the Vale could have changed the results dramatically; maybe next year with a full team of competitive models, we could see the Hope-Cross Trophy in residence here for a year, or two.
Next years event is planned for the weekend before Easter, so there’s time to research a good model and experience some Kiwi hospitality; there’s a great airshow there over Easter too…..
Anyone interested in taking part can contact me email or at 103 Douglas Rd. Doonside 2767 NSW for more information.
In conjunction with the T/T the NSW State Champs for Rubber Scale were held, with 5 entries competing for the Reg Jude Trophy, a new event this year commemorating one of our keenest members who we lost earlier this year, while the T/T results also covered the State Champs for F4A power Scale.
To see photos from this comp click here
Rubber Scale results were;
1. Phil Warren J3 Cub 72 points
2. Lloyd Willis Aeronca 65 69
3. Jack Godfrey Turbulent 58.5
4. George NZ Corsair 54
5. Ricky Bould NZ He100 20.5
A great weekends flying, and socialising, was had by all.
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