SCAT Electronic News 9 April 1998
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SCAT Electronic News 9 April 1998
More on geared props from Bill Bogart
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When the horsepower increases, the prop diameter increases to maintain
the best propeller efficiency for the design condition. Gearing on full
scale engines is chosen with main consideration for takeoff, go-around,
and cruise economy. In the case with F1C engines, it is not the
horsepower that increases but the chance for a larger propeller to increase
thrust. Prop diameter is akin to wing span in benefits.
Like many things in our sport, it is the score at the end of the contest that
is the final determining factor.
There are those who think and those that think not.
Bill Bogart
Comments on Omarama Cup FAI World Cup Contest
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The wind that had plagued the Kotuku Cup earlier in the week had not
gone by the time to Omarama Cup started. This caused only two or 3
rounds of F1A to be flown on the F1A day. The F1B/F1C day was better
, still a little windy, but never over the FAI limit.
In F1A no one was clean but local flyer Antony Koerbin and World
Champ Victor Stamov tied for first so a fly off was needed. Everyone
expected Stamov to shadow Koerbin and to out bunt him. However
Victor thought he had good air and went for it. He was probably a little
late and did not make the 5 minutes. Antony is a super cautious flyer and
waited to the last minute of the 10 minute window to make REALLY sure
he had good lift.. which he did, giving him the contest.
Zeri and Don Blackam were the only sportsmen who were clean in F1B.
Up to this point the weather on the site had been good, there were squalls
in the surrounding mountains but nothing on the valley floor. After the
round finished as Don Blackam was returning a violent front crossed the
valley floor. Don was trapped holding his models to the ground, unable to
move until rescued. The CD decided to postpone the flyoff until the
morning, where upon everyone started leaving the field so the weather
cleared ! The next morning there was a slight delay for the mist to clear.
Initially it looked like Blackam was doing better, but after a while his
airplane started to stall. Zeri had resisted the temptation to 'turn the
screw', because he had done this on the first round of the first contest with
disastrous results. So Anslermo came out the winner again. Local flyer
John Malkin achived a first at this contest by being the first to score World
Cup points with an 'electronic' F1B. A BlackMagic timer, naturally !
Local man [well from Auckland actually] Phil Smith had the only clean
sheet in F1C. The turbulent air meant that one had to be centered in lift to
stay up. This caught out World Champ Verbitski in one round as he
bounced out of the good air.
The mini events were different than in the US in that Coupe had a small
turn out with F1H being the most popular. The breeze helped with the
towing of the small gliders. Vistors Per Findahl and Brian Van Nest filled
the top spots.
There was a significant technology transfer with Stamov and Verbitski
explaning their models to local flyers on the field and a series of
presentations in the evening. This included one by John Clapp on rubber,
we must get him to do that for us as it de-bunked a number of the popular
myths.
The banquet was well attended and there were a number off additional
events and awards. These included the signing by all of a FONZ T-shirt
for Dave Anderson of Australia [not present] who sponsored Verbitski's
trip, the presentation of the furthest travelled award to Per Findahl, Evgeny
Verbitski was presented with a special edition plan of John Sheppard's
1960 F1C winner. Evgeny noted that the air foil was similar to his current
F1C ship. 'Plus ca change. plus c'est le meme chose'. Sheppard had
dropped out of modelling for years not longer after 1960 only to resurface
a couple of years ago. He still had the airplane he used in 1960, and flew
that in the Kotuku Cup. The 5 second engine run was a little tough on the
aged, sorry 'classic' ETA 15 diesel.
In all a good series [especially for Zeri !] a little windier than normal, no
doubt caused by our old friend El Nino. The wind was dropping as we left
so with out doubt the next few days were excellent!
Omarama Trivia
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Wife of US F1B flyer [no not Lindy!] discovered that not only do people
drive on the other side of the road and water go down the plug holes the
other way but zip fasteners are on the other side. Brian Van Nest says he
won't go to NZ with out Janna again .. I'm not sure if he needs her help on
the field or to keep him out of trouble with Malkin and Verbitski. Contest
sponsor and local hotel owner gave the visiting World Champions a free
room in his hostelry. At the prizegiving he thanked the modellers from
bringing business and activity to Omarama at the end of the regular tourist
season. Seen at Auckland airport, .. a cute but frustrated beagle in the
employ of the New Zealand Customs searching Brian Van Nest's hand
luggage for some of that "Better than Sex" chocolate cake.
Roger Morrell
