By Buzz Wilson
The race for the C-Cup has tightened, more on that later. The site has not dried out and it has been too wet to cut the grass. About half of the site was usable and if you went down in the other half, it was soggy. Robert Smith brought a couple of bags of pea gravel that we used in the center circle. The only complaint was from the "Resident Complainer" who said it felt like ball bearings to him.
The weather forecast for the day called for
showers. Up until this contest, we have not had to deal with weather. We
could deal with Showers.
Turnout was light. The Beavers did not make it up from Oregon, Tristan was busy with school, and Dave was not feeling up to flying but volunteered to judge. This left six flyers. Since I knew in advance who would be flying, the matches were drawn and the rounds posted. There were three matches per round. The first C-Cup ran slow and we were only able to get in three rounds. With the small number of matches, there should be no problem flying four rounds. This was emphasized at the pilots meeting. Prior to each round the planes would be pull tested and the streamers given out. Pilots were asked to have two planes ready to go.
During the Pilot's meeting, the awards were given out for C-Cup # 1. The awards again use the winner's photographs; however, the format has changed. Don brought out a new digital pull test scale that we used during the first round. "Resident Complainer" and friends agreed that the digital scale had too much lag built in and the spring scale was used the rest of the contest.
Photo: Chehalis Cup No. 2 winners, from left, Buzz Wilson (third), Jeff Rein (first) and Ken Burdick (second). Photo provided by Buzz Wilson.
The first match was between Jeff and Don. Towards the end of the match, a dark cloud moved in and brought the day's first showers as well as static electricity. They agreed to dork the planes. Jeff dorked first and Don selected the higher grass with mud.
After a rain delay, the second match between Ken and Robert was flown with Ken winning. I was to fly Jim in my first match. When we put the plane in the circle and got ready to do the shutoff test, the plug was bad and we could not get it out. I pulled the plane from the circle and got the second plane that was ready to go. During the match, Jim went down and pulled the lead out guide out, giving me the win on cuts and ground time.
As we got ready for Round 2 showers returned as well as Gremlins. Robert was not able to pass the shutoff test. He was using an early model of the H&R shutoff with the soldered bearing. The solder had failed. Again having a second plane ready to go, kept the contest moving.
The next match had me flying Don. As Don was getting his plane ready, he slid his finger down the blade of the prop and put a deep cut in his finger. Getting the bleeding to stop took some effort. Several years ago, I discovered latex gloves work great for protecting cuts and controlling bleeding. I grabbed one from the first aid kit for Don. The showers returned and we went into a rain delay. We finally got the second round complete around 1:00 PM.
Flyers were hungry and equipment needed to be made ready for the next two rounds. The Yardbirds facility has a grocery store with a complete Deli. In addition, there is a full time swap meet, farm animals and plants for sale. Robert brought out a Rototiller and was trying to sell it from the back of his truck. First time I have had to hold up a match while someone demonstrated a Rototiller - way to go Bob. I can report that in the end Ken could not resist and had to buy the Rototiller. God only knows what kind of plane he will build for it. During the lunch break, the new D-bat engines were handed out as well as motor mount and fuel sales.
Ken and Jeff began the third round where they left off in C-Cup "1" only Jeff won this time. Because of rain delays, a vote was taken at the end of the third round to see if the pilots wanted to fly a fourth round or go into the semi finals. Showers were still moving in and out and the vote was to go to the semi finals. The first three in were Jeff, Ken and Buzz. There was a tie for the fourth slot between Don and Robert. Don conceded fourth to Robert. Since everyone had flown Robert, it was agreed that I would fly Jeff and Ken would fly Robert.
The winds had picked up and I was flying an untested setup that I had rebuilt after last weeks Portland Contest. On launch, I was having to pull on the controls to get control of the plane. Because the plane was not up to speed, I was activating the shutoff. After three of these, I was able to get it airborne and had a great match against Jeff. Although I lost on ground time, it is why I still do this crazy sport.
Ken beat Robert in the second semi finals. This left Jeff flying Ken for first and second, Robert, and Buzz flying for third and fourth. With threatening weather, Robert suggested a coin toss for third and fourth. I never win these things but there is a first for everything. I got third.
Jeff and Ken who had already flow a great match earlier were up for first and second. It was obvious from the launch that Ken's plane was slower. This did not stop them from having a barnburner of a match with Jeff winning. After two contests, there is a two-way tie for first between Jeff and Ken.
I want to make a special note about the match that Jim flew against Don. Jim has been flying top of the line equipment and is getting the winter rust off his skills. His last match against Don was one of the best of the day. Way to go Jim.
Once again, Sunday will be spent cleaning mud from engines. In addition, sharp edges will be sanded from props.
Here are the results, followed by statistics chart. Northwest Standings Points in parentheses.
CHEHALIS CUP RULES 80 MPH COMBAT (6 entries)
1. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. (6)
2. Ken Burdick, Kent, Wash. (5)
3. Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash. (4)
4. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. (3)
5. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash.
6. Jim Green, Bellevue, Wash.
This page was upated April 27, 2010