N-30 was added because there are few and ever-decreasing numbers of people who were even alive in the Classic era, much less flew a model airplane. I also note that the original conception of Classic *also* had a rolling 30-year cutoff, for the same reason.
I don't think it was ever conceived as yet another beginner event. The problem with beginner and intermediate is quite obvious to me. We have plenty of beginners - it's just that with even a little help, they jump straight to Intermediate, or in our latest example, Advanced, jumping a lot of people who have been stuck trying to use ancient techniques and equipment, or had so much "negative learning" that it's hard for them to overcome it. (see also: https://stunthanger.com/smf/engine-set-up-tips/ ).
Brett
The original rolling cutoff was 25 years for Classic, I think, and the cutoff was fixed pretty quickly at December 1969, as I recall just to avoid what this discussion is all about and set a clear boundary at what was considered the "Classic Era". Old Time was defined by the change in the pattern in 1953. I'm not sure what made the powers that be decide on 1969 as the cut off but I think it was the correct choice. I went to my first VSC in either 1990 or 91 and at that time the current designs were 30 or so older than what was being flown at Tucson. But it was a vastly different 30 years than what it has been from 1992 till now! Back in the early days of VSC a lot of us were trying to fly the authentic models with period power plants and as much period correct accessories and such. There have been some beautiful models displayed along the way, and even with the trend to using more modern power plants in the classic models, I don't mind that as I think that helps us get the designs to their full potential. I restore, ride and sometimes race vintage off road (enduro) motorcycles, and through the years of doing that we have had similar discussions comparing modern to vintage. The fastest bike I own is my 1977 Hercules 250 7 speed ISDT model, a true 100 mph dirt bike. A lot of guys I know from this activity will tell you that the off road motorcycle really hasn't gotten much better that the 77 250 Hercules. It's air cooled, carbureted, and with about 7"and 9" of travel in the suspension front and rear. it cost about $2200 in 1977 dollars I think. A very reliable bike also. The guys I was talking with are former factory riders, ISDT and ISDE medal winners and the tops in their field at the time. Some of these guys take these vintage bikes and race them against modern bikes at some pretty prestigious races across the country. Enduros are run in any kind of weather. Modern bikes have water cooled engines, all sorts of gizmos and gadgets and power valves on them, more complicated brakes and transmissions and cost 10 to 12,000 bucks sometimes. They aren't really any faster, or more reliable, especially when you get some radiators full of mud!. The vintage bikes prevail a lot of the time! I see it sort of the same way with the vintage classes in stunt. They are for letting people enjoy the classic designs that were the building blocks on the event and part of that challenge is getting the best performance out of them as you can, and in that process it helps you learn more and gain more experience in the PAMPA classes. We all can't be Paul Walkers, or David Fitzgeralds, or Brett Bucks, but we have a good time just working on improving out personal best, and doing that also with the vintage models that let those of us that respect and enjoy the history of the event. I have always said the it takes a good pilot to make an airplane good. You can't necessarily make a better pilot out of a mediocre one simply by giving him one of Paul Walker's airplanes because he doesn't understand a thing yet about why it's better than what he was flying. He's gotta put in the time and work to get to that level, if that is his intension. Some of us still just love the early planes for what they are, and feel a thrill getting some good performances out of them, and then maybe flying the PAMPA classes with them as a comparison. You have to admit, the designs from the 50's , 60's and into the 70's had a lot more style. Many of today's models all look pretty much the same, like they all came out of the same mold, and in fact, some of them MAY HAVE!! But in the long run, it will still boil down to the nut on the handle and what is going on between his or her ears. I still stand by my contention that N-30 be eliminated because it is redundant modern stunt and keep vintage true vintage with OTS, Classic as it is with a 1969 cut off, and Super 70's with a '79 cut off, or maybe that may be a bit too late. Another subject for discussion on another day.
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
Topic: Brodak Vector N-30 ? (Read 2165 times)