MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES and General Hobbicrafts

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 120, 22 May 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES and General Hobbicrafts

MPORTANT HAPPENINGS SCHEDULED IN THE MODEL AEROPLANE WORLD.

Just now we are getting closer to the ' series of winter activities which every model aero enthusiast should know ' about. With the Waikato Winter Show j, just over those that are keen on building solid or built up scale models will have an opportunity of sending them away to other centres, and thus perhaps add to their collection of trophies. Starting nearest at home we have the Auckland Winter Exhibition from July | 14 to 24 inclusive. Again the New Zea- j land Model Aeroplane Association has been asked to run that series of flying and workmanship competitions which has proved so popular in the last few years. The schedule has been arranged and though not at the moment actually official, I understand that there will be little, if any alteration from these classes. In the workmanship section there will be a class for landplanes (any type), fin to lft scale, for both juniors and seniors; scale modi) seaplane or flying boat (any type), fin to lft scale, junior and senior; solid scale model, any type (one model only this year), 1-00 or 1-64 full size scale, in both senior and junior divisions; best flying, model (to be judjred on workmanship and design) in both indoor and outdoor types, this competition being open to all (no senior or junior division); and lastly a petrol model class, open to all, to be judged on workmanship and design. This rounds off the competitions very well, giving scope to all modellers | and introducing up-to-date matters in the way of petrol models. No model can be entered in two classes. The full schedule can be obtained from the office of the Winter Exhibition, Albert Street,: Auckland. In addition to this, the asso- ; ciation invites loans of models from 1 anyone interested who would care to help. From the great amount of interest taken in the recent exhibition and by the number of fine models I know will he there, I should say that this exhibition will be the finest of its kind ever made in Auckland. The flying competitions, which always attract such great attention, will carry on over four nights of the exhibition, and will include (1) open hand launched,

(2) fuselage R.0.G., (3) open R.0.W., and (4) best novelty or stunt. In addi-

The competition will be for three flight*, the best flight duration to be the winner. Plights of under 20s are to be deemed "no flight," and three "no flights" constitute a flight. The gas allowance will be l-16oz of fuel to every pound weight of the complete model. Models must be powered with competitors' or club* , own engines. Models may be pushed to start, but the 'wheels must be on the ground whilst any help u thus being given to the take-off. Another point in connection with petrol model* is that all petrol models will be registered, a registration number being allotted to each machine. No model that has not been registered will be eligible for competition. Of course there will be ample time allowed for this to get under way, so that no undue hardship will be imposed. Another point that is being looked into is the flying of gae models by juniors, and it is thought that there should be more control over -this. A powered model with its engine revving at 4000 to 5000 can, and some day might, do a lot of damage, so clubs and members are being warned to take every care possible to prevent any chance of accident arising through careleea flying. I know that keen builders throughout the country will realise that these regulations are vital, and will give the fullest co-operation and support to them. The N.Z.M.A.A. is endeavouring to put the sport of model flying on a firm basis and is succeeding admirably, but the ' help of every club and member is needed if the rules are to be thoroughly effective. In conclusion, I might mention that ■ the hopes of New Zealand flyers have gone off to America in a big box. Six ! really good models are now on the water ! on Iheir way to the 1937 Moffett competitions. They have proved themselves good flyers, and we trust that they will carry the banner for New Zealand to the top of the pole again. These inter- . national competitions are of real value and have already proved to the outside world that New Zea landers are model . makers and model flyers of the very highest standard. May good luck go ' with our Moffett team.

tion there will be an all-up competition at the end of each evening. In this

competition all the entrants fly their models simultaneously and the last man 1 down wins. The actual dates are not 1 yet set, but as soon as the schedule is realised you will know them for your- j selves. Down at Palmerston North there is also going to be quite a comprehensive list of competitions. These include the • special Union Airways Cup and prize ' of a free fliglit on the airliner for the best model of a Lockheed Electra airliner, built up type scale optional. Also a special prize for the best 1-72 scale solid balsa model of the same machine. Plans and special kits of this are available. There are also flying competitions indoors and outdoors. I have a number of schedules available for anyone that likes to send in a stamp for return postage. Entries close May 29, and competitions start June 15 till 19. New Rulings Passed by the Association. I am enabled to give you in brief a number of new rulings decided upon by the N.Z.M.A.A.- The official definitions of these items will be read by all in the official journal of the association, "Fernleaf," but perhaps a comment or two will not be out of place. It has been decided that the rules will not come into operation until August 1 next so that everyone will have plenty of time to consider them and get their models in shipshape order to compete under the new rulings. The most important is the new fuselage weight rule which has been raised from two ounces to three ounces to conform with the new Mof- I fett regulations, and the new Wakefield I class which has been raised to four I i ounces per square foot of wing area to i conform with the British Wakefield I rulings. The old records under these ' classes will be expunged and new ones ' set up as applications come in after August 1. Then there is a new weight rule for spar models (3oz). This is in ' addition to the present open spar type ! so it is really a new record class. Then j again in the fuselage classes the hand- i launched part of it lias been expunged ; j altogether, the fuselage flying being j confined to R.O.fJ. and R.O.W. These alterations would appear to be all to' the good as far as model flying is con- ! corned mid should teach modellers to ' set themselves a hiulu-r standard, at the ' ! same time piving them a chance to establish roeoids on a fairer basis, as ono or two of the old records were made with fiimsv indoor machines that flew so lons , and liT.sli tliat there "ias not been much chance of beating them. The New Texaco Competition. As mentioned before in these columns, there will be a new competition in the early spring for the prize of a model petrol enjzine presented to the Jf.Z.M.A.A. liy tlie Texas Company. The main items in this new competition are as follows. . Competitions will he centralized to three centres, and will be run on two succeed- ) ing days, all flyimlt lieing done under the control of the district associations.