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"Guests and Hosts"
"Surely," - states the editorial comment in March edition of
the Montreal MFC Bulletin, "the basic relationship between organisers
and contestants is that of host and guest, though do not forget
that these guests pay to join the party." The comment arises in
an expression of the editorial viewpoint that too many events are
badly run and that it is in the contestants' own interests to complain
to the press if they want to criticise.
What a way to abuse the amicable arrangement normally associated
with the terms of Host and Guest! It is suggested that magazines
are spinelessly preoccupied with casting a rosy glow over model
aviation and so will not publish such criticisms, in which case,
the Bulletin would be glad to give them headline treatment.
Now we do not feel as though we have lost any of our vertebrae
though much backbitten; but we have never fought shy of publicising
criticism of any organisation whenever we deemed such to be of value
to the movement. If a club, or an area falls down on its accepted
task of playing host at a rally, the first duty of the contestants
affected should be to offer constructive criticism direct to the
organisers. Only by such a polite and correct approach can one expect
to see an improvement in contest and rally organisation. The voluntary
body which has tried its best to please its guests will not want
to have its news secondhand and delayed through the medium of the
press, nor will it be guided into more satisfactory administration
through such a diatribe.
In our experience, the great fault of all model meetings is the
appalling lack of voluntary assistance in manpower to staff the
events. It occurs at our Nationals, our Rallies, Galas and even
in small club meetings. In our most recent memory is the sight of
an Area Chairman who, having done his stint at the gate selling
programmes, came on the field to help and wound up by presenting
the trophies. This, at a meeting on a large airfield, with over
500 competitors, and several thousand spectators. What a grand Host!
Yet there will be complaints that some people missed thermals through
having to wait for a timekeeper, or could not fly their class B
team racers because no such event could be programmed through lack
of staff. We wonder if those who complain have ever offered their
services at a model meeting?
To protect itself from the repercussions of such relapses as
were mentioned in our January issue, the S.M.A.E. has instituted
its contest sanctioning process as will be noted in our Calendar
on page 325; but this will not by any means be an insurance for
perfection in organisation, it will merely certify that the Society
has approved the meeting on the basis of an assurance to meet certain
requirements on the part of the organisers. Perfection will depend
on the Host/Guest relationship - goodwill in fact which can only
arise out of a keen appreciation of the difficulties involved. What
we need is more voluntary effort, not plaintive lamentation from
those who will not lift a finger to help.
Pups to Javelins
It was with special pleasure that we recently revisited R.A.F.
Waterbeach, the scene of several happy Nationals, and currently
the home of 46 Squadron. The occasion was for presentation of Ken
McDonough's original painting depicting Sopwith Pups of 46 Sqdn.
over Cambrai in World War I, as used on our cover for February issue
this year. As can be seen in the photograph, the pilots of present
day had a keen appreciation for Ken's artwork which will now hang
in Squadron Headquarters, and Wing Commander F. B. Sowery, A.F.C.
accepted it on their behalf. Since our last visit to 46 Sqdn. for
preparation of Javelin I drawings, the Squadron has changed to Mk.
II aircraft, and also introduced an attractive delta trio into its
red and white insignia on the fin.
Camping at the Nats.
Thanks to Sgt. Brian Emmery of R.A.F. Scampton, and his quick
advice to S.M.A.E. Treasurer Harry Barker, there will be a camping
site at the Nationals. Harry did not waste a minute once a possible
site was located, and it will now be up to modellers to behave properly
so that good relations can be maintained for the future. All roads
will lead to the Lincolnshire airfield over Whitsun, and for the
benefit of those who did not attend last year, we include the map
for their guidance.
We understand that running water will be available on the camp
site, thus eliminating one of last year's shortcomings: but the
litter situation will as ever depend entirely on the camp inhabitants.
Why not make it your motto - "If it could be carried there, it could
be carried back home again" and so leave the field clean as it was
found, and that specially applies to control line wire.
June 5th
Thurston Cup (UIR Glider)
Short Cup (P.A.A. Load)
S.M.A.E. Cup
(F.A.I. R/C Multi)
Lady Shelley Cup (Tailless)
Knokke Trophy (C/L Scale)
Davies Trophy (Class A)
Combat (Prelim. Heats)
Speed
June 6th
Sir John Shelley (U/R Power)
Model Aircraft (U/R Rubber)
Super Scale (F/F Scale)
Ripmax Trophy
(F.A.I. R/C Single)
Davies Trophy (Class 1/2A & B)
Combat (Finals)
Speed
Gold Trophy (Stunt C/L)
Schoolboy entertainment
Demonstrating model flying in the packed Wembley Arena can be
an awesome business; but the modellers who flew Stunt, Team race,
Combat and Balloon Bursting models prior to the England v. Scotland
Schoolboy International were encouraged by the vast and enthusiastic
audience on April 30th. They were rewarded too, with the knowledge
that their fund raising effort will help to finance the British
participation at the World Championships for Control-line at Budapest
in September.
My Fair Model!
Aeromodellers in the audience of "My Fair Lady", current success
running at Drury Lane Theatre (and in Moscow too!) may not realise
that Charles Stapley, the deputy for the leading man spends his
waiting time making radio controlled models in the dressing room
backstage. We can't think of a better way to pass the hours, waiting
for an emergency curtain call!
New Class for Freeflight Power
Those who follow our programme for coming events will have observed
that a number of rallies include special contests for 1/2A free-flight
power and we are very pleased to see these developments.
There is a wide range of "'049" engines up to 85 c.c. available
and we are sure that the introduction of this small model class
will be a very good thing to encourage the junior and beginner aeromodellers
to try their hand at contest flying. Present power contests have
tended to become the province of the prosperous enthusiast, able
to afford specially modified engines. The .049 size motors are sold
relatively cheaply, the cost of the model is considerably less and,
moreover, we might add that the small model is also less prone to
serious damage. We look forward to seeing many entries at the various
rallies, the first of which will be Northern Heights Gala on June
26th at R.A.F. Halton where specially generous prizes will be awarded
to encourage the class.
S.M.A. E. Results
IMAGE HERE
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