The first to fly Electric Replica at the Southwest Regionals at Eloy, Arizona. From left to right: Luther Peters with a
Zipper, Steve Moskal with a
1940 Comet Sailplane, Bob Gellar with a
So Long, Richard Dick with a
Brooklyn Dodger, and Phil Pearce with a
Simplex. Vic Newton would join the group a bit later with his
Playboy.
Significantly, no replicas of a rubber design were flown. Most flights were taken in the morning on Sunday. Scoring was one point per second with best two out of three official flights.
And the winners of the inaugural Electric Replica event were . . .
First - Vic Newton with his
Playboy
Second - Steve Moskal with his
Sailplane
Third - Phil Pearce with his
Simplex
Bob Galler pushed his
So Long past Luther for a Fourth
Luther Peters and his
Zipper was edged out to Fifth
Sadly, Richard Dick crashed on a test and did not fly.
Steve Moskal and Vic Newton return from the flight line. (Note those ubiquitous comfy chairs for long flights) His
Playboy almost earned a max on his first flight.
Vic earned this First Place trophy. The same style was presented to the Second and Third Place winners. Notice the SAM 100 logo at top center. An outline of the State of New Mexico with a petroglyph Roadrunner. These laser etched alder wood plaques really caught the attention of the crowd.
What We Learned
A 10-minute max time does not easily allow this to be an event loaded with fly-off potential.
These little models have real charisma and can offer real performance.
Because they are limited to a 36" wing span, you do not want to get them in a killer thermal. The chance for losing such a small model is a real possibility.
Everyone who entered had fun and vowed to come back with a new model next time.
The Comet Kid
(Credit photos to Mary Moskal)
Bob Galler recently finished his MG-2. We think it is for Speed 400. Bob reports - " Maiden flights on Monday. Used under sized prop. Could use a little right thrust, have glide setting fine. Will fly next week if weather ok. Sorry sun was in my eyes for photo."
