By Rob Romash (rob@eclipsetoys.com)
Lead photo: F1D and F1L sharing airspace. Both of these models are not just used in AMA events, but also international FAI events. F1D is considered the “Formula One” of Indoor, and those who take up the insane challenge are truly focused. The only real reason to fly F1D is to get on the US team and win the world championships.
First up Friday were most of the scale events and the judging that comes along with them. With Indoor Scale, you compete not just for time in the air but how true to scale your model is. I have been to just about every Indoor Nats the last few years, and I haven’t seen so many scale models in a long time. Not just more models, but quality was on a level. Some of these models look like they were a plastic model kit but, instead of sitting on a shelf, they weigh mere grams and fly for several minutes. The scale events and the skills needed are truly an artform.
Total skill goes into these models.
Tom Norell’s exquisite Peanut Scale B.A.T. Monoplane.
A little heated discussion about scale judging.
There were several Mass Launches, meaning everyone launches at the same moment and the last guy down wins. Many of these are done in rounds where the first few guys down get bumped and the rest go on to another flight to figure the top flier. I am not a true FAC guy, but I know, for instance, in many of these events you are not allowed to make motor changes between flights or repairs. If you screw up, its like in real life—you don’t get a chance to go back. If your model breaks you fly it as is. Your motor breaks, and you’re out. Just like car racing, blow a motor and your day is done.
Tom Norell and Chuck Etherington are seen trading blows over who’s P-24 looks better. It was overheard as Chuck delivered a gut check to Tom “who has pink wingtips!” Tom retorted with a swift uppercut and “what’s with the monochromatic color scheme?” Later they were seen napping and spooning together on a gym mat in a quiet corner of the dome.
Tom and Chuck stretching rubber and winding for the P-24 ultimate throw down death match Mass Launch.
I am always amazed at how well these models fly. It is one thing to make a glider or duration model fly well, but when you miniaturize a real full-scale aircraft with all the details and have slow graceful flights, it’s truly mesmerizing.
As the afternoon rolled in, we were back to the light duration models. As in the glider events, you can take advantage of the time getting lift in the building or get knocked out of the sky in bad down currents. It really isn’t that bad, and this site is really starting to grow on people. We have, in fact, picked up several more entries and the “pit” stretched uninterrupted the entire length of a football field—the more the merrier.
F1D positioned over the dome logo.
A few indoor folks stray away from here because of the unpredictable conditions, but I will say after flying here four times for multiple days, I really like and the fact you can take advantage of it. Lots of folks here agree—this is a cool site demanding skill set from all of Free Flight, not just indoor.
A complex ornithopter—flapping wings and fixed wing combo.
Another cool aspect is as the sun goes down, we are still flying. Last flight is at 8 p.m., well after sunset, and watching the light change is pretty cool.
Light changes through the day, here is the sunset evening glow.
Saturday morning, we change up and the lightweight events are in the morning with the heavier events in the evening. It looks like another busy day—stay tuned.
Peanut Scale requires not just building skills, but documentation for the judges.
A beautiful Peanut with a “legit” aluminum cowl.
A unique Rubber Scale model. These models allow for more creativity over most duration events where the models are so well refined from 30 feet, they are hard to tell apart.
A very nice handmade toolbox.
An F1D box.
Jerry Murphy on the megaphone and Chuck trying to ignore it.
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