A View from Broadway

Combat Graffiti 2024

A vintage group of control-line fliers gathered at the 2024 Combat Graffiti event. From left:  Helmet L., Nigel Tarvin, Denis Cousineau, Chris Sackett, Bruce Mathews, Mel Lyne, Lyn Murray, Kelley Crozier, Greg Davis, Chris Cox, Dennis Mathews, Larry Lewin.

By Kelley Crozier

The perpetual Canadian Graffiti Combat Contest was held at the Mission Wings flying field  in Mission, British Columbia, on July 7, 2024.

Greg Davis, Paul Bedford and Kelley Crozier and many others all pitched in to make the fun fly a success. The Combat event ran concurrently with the well-attended Mission Wings NS with BS (No shorts with black socks) annual fun fly. After official events there was a
Vintage Diesel Combat fun fly.

Food and drink were provided by the Mission wings Model Flying Club and 93-degree F temperatures were provided by the Western Canada heat dome.

Many thanks to the volunteer officiating staff:
Paul Bedford, Event Director
Greg Davis, Combat CD
Chris Cox, Rules Judge
Larry Lewin, Timing and Cuts
Lyn Murry, Timing and Cuts
Nigel Tarvin, Timing and Cuts

The decision was made to only fly three official flights per pilot due the advanced age of the participants, high heat and the need for adequate time to exchange as many historical lies as possible.

Combat participants and airplanes included:
  • Denis Cousineau —Equalizer and Slingshot
  • Greg Davis — T-Square and Hotter N’ That
  • Kelley crozier — Count Clipper and Hotter N' That
  • Mel Lyne — Duelist

The Canadian West Coast version of Graffiti Combat is generally patterned after the rules published on Flying Lines but with additional focus on fun and stupidity. Many prizes were awarded to contestants not all the connections were recorded. Some of the winners and categories were:
           
  • Denis Cousineau — Top Pilot. Even though Denis didn’t fly, he won on personal popularity points.
  • Mell Lyne — “Best costume.” Mel was wearing the same clothing has worn to contests for the last 10 years.
  • Seagull flying by —  “Person having the most fun, not necessarily a pilot.” The seagull seemed to enjoy the crowd, searching for scraps and looking at the airplanes more than anyone. He was awarded a doughnut from Tim Horton's.
  • Dennis Mathews — “Best engine collector”
  • Chris Cox — “Best attending stunt flier”
  • Bruce Mathews — “Best ground loop with an electric model.” Part of the Dumbest Action prize. This also might have been given to Larry Lewin — more lies.
  • Tied were Mel Lyne and Greg Davis — “Best at getting dizzy and falling down.” This was when they were flying Diesel Vintage Combat after Graffiti Combat, but it was too funny to ignore. Topic was:  “Person performing the dumbest action.”
  • Greg Davis — Ugliest Design.  His T-Square was the only plane without a round edge.
  • Mystery prize(s)— Can’t remember, still a mystery.

Most people who were still present when the awards were handed out received a coveted "2024 Canadian Graffiti Contest” T-shirt with a photo of Nigel Tarvin’s gorgeous Werewolf emblazoned on the front.

There were many good prizes donated to the cause. Some of the prizes donated by Greg Davis and The Model Airplane Store and included:
  • New in Box Fox .29 MKIV Combat Special
  • New in box Fox Stunt .35
  • Original VooDoo kit
  • Phantom MK XV kit by Blackhawk Models
  • New in Box Sharma .15 diesel
  • Combo of two Webra Engines
  • Two sets of control lines
  • Other mystery prizes – wouldn’t be a  mystery if we could remember
Of note was a scary looking character who was assumed to have emerged from one of the many swamps surrounding the airfield. It had long hair and appeared to be wearing an ancient Canadian Pacific fight officers cap. It was mumbling something about cuts and kills and was assumed to be the only survivor of a missing airliner from decades ago. As a safety measure it was banished to stand behind the outhouse for 30 seconds. The rehabilitation was miraculous, and it ambled back the group and fit in immediately.

In the middle of all the fun some Combat flying broke out:
  • Mel Lyne: 576 points
  • Greg Davis: 502 points
  • Kelley Crozier: 545 points

I don’t think there was a prize handed out for this part of the contest, but Kelley Crozier was held down with bungee cords before each match and had to wear his no-bite mask until he was at the centre of the circle.

The event was attended by many members of the modelling community and their families who also pitched in and help everyone have a good time. Kudos to all the folks who supplied photos.

The attendee of note was Helmut K. who was the wisest person in attendance at 92 years. Helmet was presented with a coveted 2024 Canadian Graffiti combat T-Shirt.

Looking forward to seeing the madness continue next year.


Greg Davis' Hotter 'n' That.

Mel Lyne's Duellist.

Kelley Crozier's Count Clipper.


Greg Davis' T-Square.


Kelley Crozier's Hotter 'n' That.


Mel Lyne searches for a streamer.


Kelley Crozier (left) and Greg Davis fly Vintage Combat.


John pitting for Greg.


Work in the pits.


Kelley pitting for Mel.


Kelley launching for Greg.


Old guys keeping cool, from left: Mel Lyne, Bruce Mathews, Chris Sackett, Denis Cousineau, Nigel Tarvin, Larry Lewin, Dennis Mathews,
Chris Cox, Greg Davis, Kelley Crozier.


The swamp creature.

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This page was updated July 16, 2024