Radio Modeller Magazine, July 1968 Issue

HE Nationals, premier event in the aeromodelling callendar, are over once again, leaving everyone concerned—officials and competitors alike—limp with a sense of relief. Our detailed report tells you what actually happened in the r/c events, but this is the place to ask if there can ever be another meeting of this complexity. Having had experience of the organisation problems involved, we never cease to be amazed when it all actually happens, more or less as planned. In our view, a meeting with the hundreds of competitors in all aeromodelling classes, the thousands of spectators and campers, with the attendent problems of toilet arrangements, litter clearance, etc., is now beyond the resources of part-time officials. The suggestion of splitting the Nationals into three categories—free-flight, control line and r/c—could relieve some of the pressure, but treble other problems. From the strictly r/c side it could be beneficial, inasmuch as the hazard of free-flight models drifting across the flight lines, which must inevitably lead to a mid^air collision somewhen, would be eliminated. Also, the problem of spectators wandering over the aerodrome from the different contest areas, aggravates the problems of crowd control. It would also greatly widen the choice of venue. Irrespective of the above, one point must surely now be obvious to all. That is, although the actual organisation of the flying side of a competition can reasonably be left to volunteer modellers, the car parking, admission, crowd control, running of the camp site, provision and clearing of toilets, ropes, stakes, etc., must be handed over to professional organisations. Of course, such a step would mean possibly doubling, or even trebling, admission and camping fees to pay for such work, but which is preferable - to pay more, or to have no Nationals ? One other thing which will jeopardise the holding of a competition of such size is an accident. The crowd control this year was, without doubt, the biggest headache and we thought the organisers coped remarkably well in the circumstances. The use of three flight-lines and a light variable wind, which often meant approaches over the crowd, added to the hazards, but there is still no excuse for high speed low-flying over the crowd and models breaking up in the air through structural failure. On behalf of all r/c modellers, a big "thank you" to the members of the West Essex Qub, who organised all the general arrangements, in the scale and the multi, to Stewart Uwins and his helpers who ran the pylon racing, and to all the judges who have the unenviable task of determining the results. All of these worked really hard to ensure that we could enjoy ourselves, by coping good-temperedly with the biggest r/c entry at any Nationals yet. Finally, we must not forget the Royal Navy, for allowing us to use the excellent facilities at H.M.S. Heron, R.N.A.S. Station at Yeovilton.