Free Flight event at the 2026 Scale World Championship

[Jmk89]

I've been watching the BMFA daily videos on YouTube.  Here's the latest.

https://youtu.be/tMrqyWTAQC4?si=hw5tDZfr1U9NJqUS

I hope they give some minutes to the FF event - and that Friday's wind moderates for that event!

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks I'll check the link tomorrow.

Yes we got to fly the FF Event. It was quite windy and blustery too but we thought , well you only get one chance to fly at the World Championships.

It was of course as flying FF usually is, great fun despite the wind, very much reminiscent of the old Nats of days gone by where you had to fly what ever the conditions

I have loads of photos , mostly of the RC scale in the tent and a short video of the people furthest away from me in the FF Flying order but that's all for tomorrow

Congratulations to the winners and we have a new FF Scale (Not Really) World Champion - Mike Smith 

[Spiros]

Thank you for the briefing!

Did you take any videos during the FF contest?

[billdennis747]

It was good fun. It wasn't particularly windy but the turbulence off the upwind wood was  prodigious and lasted the full width of the site. The WC itself is astonishingly well-supported and Buckminster looks superb. What an effort by everyone involved and many thanks to those who organised the FF. And thanks George for being my 'stooge'!

[Pete Fardell]

It wasn't particularly windy...

... nor particularly calm!

I agree though, that it was terrific fun. Andrew Boddington took lots of photos which means I should be able to do quite a nice write up for Aeromodeller. I put the Bleriot back in the car and flew my Stinson Sentinel, which just about survived though is now approximately 85% superglue. Congrats to Chris for his 3rd place finish with the Cessna, and to Bryan Lea who very impressively got a good flight out of his dainty little Velie Monocoupe to take Second. Bravery award has to go to George though, for flying his beautiful CO2 PZL in conditions that I doubt it has flown in before. Still qualified too!
Here he is, stooging for Bill's Bucker.

[Squirrelnet]

Quote from: billdennis747 on Today at 07:47 AM
It wasn't particularly windy...
... nor particularly calm!

Ok I admit to being a bit molly coddled - it felt was windier than have been flying in , around 8-10 mph with gust but yes it was the turbulence that caused the problems with some interesting and sometimes entertaining flying. The French team were very congratulatory after my model nearly hit them during one round , they thought it was all great fun

As Bill says it was great to have a chance to fly there so huge thanks to everyone that made that happen and Paul Hoey for CDing the event.

Ok here's some pics

During the day while the RC flying was on there was a display of the models in the back of the static judging hanger, some of brought more than one model so we could decide on the day. Both Bleriot's stayed firmly in the hanger

Mike Smith's DH4 and Parnell Elf

[Squirrelnet]

Mike's new Provost and winning Tiger Moth

My Cessna 170 and Miles Falcon

[Squirrelnet]

Pete Fardell's Stinson and DH Sparrow

George Kandylakis' PZL

Martin Pike's ABC Robin

[Squirrelnet]

Martin Pikes Porter

Bill Dennis' Levente II and Jungman

[Squirrelnet]

Richard Falconer's Lightning and Comper swift

At about 6pm we gathered to wait for clearance from the RC event CD

Richard Falconer with his Comper

[Squirrelnet]

Last minute adjustments for Pete

The competition was flown to running order  -Bill waits for his flight

The models flown reflected the conditions...apart from a very brave George with his indoor PZL. It faired well in the conditions

Martin Pike readies his Pilatus

[Squirrelnet]

Bryan Lea's Velie Monocoupe placed a well deserved 2nd

The Rc models were very impressive too. Here's a handful of my favourites..

[Squirrelnet]

A few more from the Marquee

The Finish Gloster Gamecock was my personal favourite of the meeting

[Squirrelnet]

Some Gamecock cu's

Underneath the dummy engine is a 5 cylinder radial

Perhaps not the nicest subject but it's not just FF modellers who have 'incidents involving the ground'

[Squirrelnet]

This Southern Marlett caught my eye too, especially the pilot. It's a rendition  of UK Scale modeller Richard Crapp !!!!

Martin Fardell's wonderful Blackburn ?

That's my photo's I have some video of the FF comp which I will get up on Youtube shortly ....