South Bristol Model Aircraft Club

Free Flight             

In Memory of Jack Clampitt

I received some interesting pictures from 1956 of club members on a visut to RAF Scampton sent in by Peter Dinnage.

Dear Tim, I looked at the South Bristol decals you kindly sent me last year
and remembered that I said I would send you some old photos I had from my
days with the club. I have scanned them into the computer and will attach
them to this e-mail with a little bit of narrative. I think they are from
1956 when we went to Scampton.

South Bristol has a very active Free Flight section.  Our Main interest is in contesting the Area meetings, of which there are six which are held at
Merryfield airfield.  The Area meetings usually consist of the usual classes which are contested at both national and Area levels.
Middle Wallop airfield is the venue for most of the vintage events.  This is where South Bristol is very strong. Most of the rule which govern vintage
contest were compiled by South Bristol MAC during the early 1960's.

Other more far flung competitions which some o our members attend are the BMFA nationals held at Grantham Heath (near Grantham).   
Other interesting and challenging venue is the Oxford MAC competitions held at port meadow, near Oxford.

Although the foregoing gives an impression that we are all competition minded, this is not so.  We have amongst us "Fun Flyers". We endeavor
to, where possible, to park together on the flight line - this way we help one another.  There is within the club a vast source of knowledge regarding
vintage model aeroplane engines.  We have the use of a local airfield for trimming and some small club competitions, subject to service commitments.

G May. 

SOUTHERN GALA - 3^RD SEPTEMBER - LITTLE RISSINGTON
Only three Club members attended: J Down, B Hewitt and M Ambrose. The weather was dry, warm and plenty of sunshine, but again the wind,
slight at the start, moved through about 90° just before lunch and increased in strength, taking models to the far side of the airfield in the 2 min maxes.

E30
J Down 2.00, 2.00, 0.27 = 4.27 (Third overall)

Mini Vintage
J Down 1.27, 2.00, 1.15 = 4.42

5^TH AREA - 12^TH SEPTEMBER - MERRYFIELD
Weather very rough, south-westerly - only G May attended.

Area All in Minor
G May 1.16, -, -, = 1.16

6^TH AREA - 10^TH OCTOBER - MERRYFIELD
Again weather unsettled, windy conditions, only G May flew.

Area All in Minor
G May 1.32, 2.00, 1.31 = 5.03

BMFA Coupe
G May 1.32, 2.00, 1.31, 1.49, 1.29 - 8.21

These last two area meetings at Merryfield were very poorly supported. This was partly due to the weather, which has resulted in poor support throughout
the season. Only certificates will be awarded for area events, in future, as there is not enough income from entry fees (£31 this year) to pay for plaques.
For the moment the Area events will continue into the 2005 season, with a possibility for them to be run in a different way after that.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
All the events which the Club cups are flown for are based on Western Area Free Flight Rules and BMFA specifications, including Maxes, which
are: Open events 2½ min, Minor events 2 min, Chuck Glider 1 min.

Times shown are the best times scored, and only entrant, unless otherwise shown.

Open Power
J Mayes 4.49

Open Glider
J Mayes 7.26

Open Rubber
J Down 7.30
J Mayes 6.33

Coupe
G May 6.00
J Down 4.44

E30/CO2
J Down 4.37

Chuck Glider
J Mayes 2.16

A1 Glider/½ Power No entries

Vintage (including Mini Vintage)
J Clampitt 6.00 + 2.44 (F/O)
J Barton 6.00 + 2.07 (F/O)
G May 6.00 - No F/O
B Hope 5.57
J Down 5.48
J Mayes 5.04

Kit Glider
J Down 1.30, 1.30, 1.06 = 4.06 (overall winner world wide, postal event up to 50")
G May 0.26, 0.57, 0.58 = 2.21

CLUB FREE FLIGHT CHAMPION
Based on best open event score (7.30 max) plus best two minor event scores (12.00 max) = best possible score 19.30.

Open Minor
J Down 7.30 + 5.45 + 5.10 = 18.25
J Mayes 7.26 +` 5.04 + = 12.30
G May 6.00 + 6.00 = 12.00
J Barton 6.00 + 5.24 = 11.24
J Clampitt 6.00 = 6.00
B Hope 5.57 = 5.57

These results show that overall the Free Flight section has had a poor year, with entries well down. This is not due to the lack of enthusiasm, but due
mainly to the unflyable weather that has occurred on contest days. This includes other days when we could have been flying at Colerne. Let's hope
that next year will see the weather turn in our favour.

Kit Glider Contest

Over the last few years this contest has not been run as a ‘winter event’ due to the fact that it has been difficult to organise a given day which coincides
with a flyable day at Colerne. I therefore propose we incorporate the contest with Jim Moseley’s postal competition.

The Rules are:
Flights to be made between 1 November 2003 and 29 February 2004.
A minimum of two club members to be present when the flights are being made.

Vintage Glider:
Wing span not exceeding 50" as measured on plan.
Any plan/kit published prior to 31 December 1950.
First three flights to 90 sec max followed by 30 sec increments until model fails to reach the duration target of that flight.
50 metre straight tow.

Classic Glider:
Any design/kit between 1 January 1951 to 31 December 1960.
Three flights to 120 sec followed by 60 sec increments.
Towlines as for Vintage Glider.

Any other Kit Glider with a span of no more than 55 inches can be flown in the Club Competition but will not be eligible for the Postal Competition.

IT MUST BE STRESSED THAT THESE ARE PROPOSED RULES WHICH ARE OPEN TO CHANGE, ESPECIALLY THE 3^RD CLASS, BUT LET’S GIVE IT
A TRY DURING THE COMING WINTER MONTHS.

Gordon May (Free Flight Secretary) will contact Jim Moseley during the first week in March with the postal results.

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