The first competition of the year was decided just outside Eskilstuna at Ekeby Airport on the last Saturday in April. 13 pilots braved the weather and road conditions to fight for glory and trophies. The weather was perhaps not the best for Aircombat. But as has been established, a day with Aircombat is better than any other day, regardless of the weather.
(This article was mostly translated by AI)
April
As I said, the competition was decided on the last weekend in April, and April is a month that can offer summer weather, winter weather and everything in between, often at the same time. This time the weather decided to be closer to winter than summer, but above all it was wet.
Indoor
The competition started with a briefing at 10.00, approximately, indoors in the Eskilstuna Flygklubb Modellflygsektionen’s club house. There was also coffee and sandwiches to buy. At the briefing, the usual things were reviewed, as well as some rules. What was new, however, was who kept it. This when we had two new competition managers who handled their new assignment with honor. Especially considering the external conditions.
12.00
At the briefing, a decision was made to postpone the start by one hour to 12.00. This is because the weather would improve during the day. Which it turned out to be, but not quite at the pace one might have hoped. As it is difficult to cut streamers in the wet, it was done indoors before the start. A group of pilots took it upon themselves to cut and roll streamers, which were then enough for the entire competition. It was very convenient to be able to just go and get a streamer when you needed one during the competition.
Heat 1
In the end, it was time for the first start of the year. The competition was run on a rolling schedule. Since there were 13 pilots, we could fly a maximum of 6 per heat to get judges together. The last three heats had 5 pilots in each, but the rest 6. That way it was as fair as possible. So in the first heat there were, in other words, 6 more or less rusty pilots at the start. These were Pär B (Mustang P51D), the Editor (Kawasaki Ki-100), Tomas F (Focke Wulf Ta-152), Stefan B (Corsair), Lasse L (unclear) and Christian G (Corsair).
The newly built Focke Wulf Ta-152 he was flying proved to be something of a streamer magnet
Pär tried to talk down his own chances before the heat with the justification that he had not flown much at all before the competition, but only test flew a little. But it wasn’t noticeable at all, at least not on the result because he picked up 4 cuts. More than anyone else during the day. Two of these were on the undersigned’s streamer. Tomas F also had a good heat and the newly built Focke Wulf Ta-152 he was flying proved to be something of a streamer magnet. 3 cuts in the first heat for him. The others took home one clip or none. What I remember about the heat as a pilot is that it was an extremely hot heat to fly. It felt like there were models everywhere, all the time. It also applied after landing when Pär decided to land in the same place that the undersigned Kawasaki already occupied.
Fleeting memories
With a Kawasaki Ki-100 in one hand, the field box in the other and equipped with coveralls, gardening kneepads and waterproof shoes, I splashed out to the starting line for the first heat. There are still a few minutes left until the 7-minute signal. Starting to pick up all the stuff, how did it all work? Posting all the gadgets as I think they should be. Starting to refuel, the phone rings. Who is calling now? Trying to put things in order, refuel and talk on the phone at the same time. Ends the call and checks the clock. 3 minutes left! How did this happen? Run the starter, fluid lock! The prop and spinner come off. 2.54 left until the start. Away with the spinner, tighten the prop, back with the spinner. Quick now - drain the fuel and try to start the engine! The OS 15LA engine is reliable and starts without too much trouble. Adjust the needle, shut off. Checking the clock, 47 seconds left until the start. Put the radio and starter where I think they should be. Ties on the streamer. Going to the starting line. One second left, but at least I was on time. The pulse is already high and the heat hasn't even started. Time to take a couple of deep breaths, then the start signal goes. I run towards the pilot line. The season is on!
/The editor
Heat 2
In the second heat basically the rest of the pilots would fly, except for one who had to wait until heat 3. Those who lined up to start in heat 2 were Mattias (Bf-110), Oscar (P38 Lightning), Staffan K (Spitfire), Taffan (Thun), Leif (Thun) and Robin (Spitfire). Since Mattias needed help to get his Bf-110 away, it was decided that Staffan, who is used to throwing, would help Mattias. Then he would quickly become the pilot of his Spitfire, which the undersigned had in the meantime started the engine in. This actually worked better than expected. This was a much calmer heat than the first. There were also fewer cuts. Oscar’s P-38 sadly suffered a technical failure after about half a minute and disappeared from the battle. Staffan K. (who made a comeback after a couple of decades away, welcome back!), had a solid heat with good flight time and full streamer. The same also applied to Mattias. The Taffan, on the other hand, had some engine trouble with a short flight time as a result. The one who got the most points from this heat was Robin who got a streamer, plus his own which he kept intact as long as the model remained in the air. Which was just before the heat ended due to a collision. With whom is unclear.
After this, a much-needed lunch break was taken where grilled hamburgers were eaten, as tradition offers.
Heat 3
In the third heat it was basically the same pilots as in the first, except that Micke R (Zero) was added and Christian was moved to the next heat. This was a heated heat again. Tomas continued just like in the first heat with 3 cuts. Two of these on the editor, the same as in the first heat but a different offender. The editor also received 3 cuts. Micke, who had had to wait the longest of all to make his competition debut for the year, got a clip with him. The rest had slightly calmer heats from what I remember.
Heat 4
In this heat, Christian, Mattias, Oscar (Bf-109), Staffan, Taffan and Leif flew. Taffan’s technical problems continued. Mattias and Staffan, who might now have gotten a little warmer in their clothes after flying a heat, each took their clip. Christian and Mattias collided (the models they were flying that is, not them personally) if I remember correctly. This meant that towards the end of the heat there weren’t that many left in the air. Oscar, now flying the Bf-109, chased wildly to try and cut the streamer that remained. This hung after Staffan’s Spitfire. Despite many attempts, it did not help. Towards the end of the heat, a Thun levered by Taffan also appeared in the fight. But none of these managed to cut the Spitfire’s streamer.
Heat 5-7
The rest of the heats continued much as before. In other words, Tomas made 3 more cuts. Mattias W flew the Bf-110. Pär flew the Mustang and picked cut after cut. This also did a few more, picked a clip that is. These included Mattias, Lasse, Robin, Pär, Oscar and Micke R. Mattias then had to land somewhat prematurely due to lack of fuel in his last heat. Taffan, on the other hand, got his model in order and finally got decent flight time. Leif stood over the last heat because he thought the sight was too tricky. So in that heat there were only 4 starters.
Final
After all these heats, it was finally time for the final. Tomas, Pär, the Editor, Robin, Mattias, Micke and Staffan had gone to this one. Now a small problem arose. There were 7 pilots in the final, but only 5 pilots left. But as luck would have it, a couple of spectators appeared. These were quickly recruited as judges.
There were still 6 models left in the heat
Those with electric models were, as usual, the fastest into the air. Pär had a problem with his model, so it was a very short heat for the experienced Mustang pilot. Otherwise, the final started at a rather hectic pace. There were still 6 models left in the heat. This soon changed when, after frantic but fruitless chasing, the undersigned got a little overenthusiastic and flew right through Staffan’s Spritfire. With fatal results for both models. There were now only 4 aircraft left in the air and the heat now calmed down significantly. . The most surprising thing about the rest of the heat was that Tomas, who had taken 3 cuts per heat until the final, didn’t get a single streamer. Perhaps the streamer magnetism in the model had run out. The only one who actually had something to write home about was Micke, who brought a clip with him. Even though the P47 he was flying was far from the fastest model in the air.
Results
After this, it was just a matter of waiting for the award ceremony. Unsurprisingly, it turned out that the 9 cuts Tomas had made in the preliminary rounds were enough for a fairly clear victory. Despite a completely unsuccessful final, Pär took home a clear second place. Third place was tougher, but it went to a new podium visitor in the form of Robin, who ensured that a trophy stayed in Eskilstuna. Congratulations to all three! And thanks to everyone who was there and made it a race: pilots, judges, spectators and everyone else! Because Aircombat is simply as much fun as it gets, despite freezing temperatures and wet weather.
/The editor
Many thanks to www.servoexperten.se who set up and sponsored the competition!