Brazilian F4B Scale Nationals 2023
São Paulo, 21/05/2023.
We had to postpone 2022 Brazilian F4B Nats in face of lack of competitors. However, 2023 brought new pilots to the field and more models and that was a wise decision.
10 pilots with 15 models competed in 3 categories: F4B, Profile and Sport Scale. Following 2021 successful competition, we had newcomers and competitors form 2 other states, bringing new challenges for modelers with amazing planes as pictures will show.
http://bitly.ws/IHNuThe competition took place at the amazing Ibirapuera Field, deep in the heart of São Paulo and we were blessed with a sunny and calm wind day.
Static judges are Ricardo Hussne and Fernando Bellegarde “Caveira”, and the flight performance was scrutinized by Judges Alfredo Eleutério and Romeu Grandinetti Neto.
Day started with the static judging and as soon as the planes left the benches, they head off for the 3 allowed flights under the watchful eye of Competition Director Luiz Mei.
Competition
F4B
Following FAI international rules this is the most demanding category on building and flight, and we had a treat with the amazing models and flights.
1º Mauro Luchini – JU-87 Stuka B-2, OS Max 70 4t, converted Skyshark Kit R/C scale 1/9. His first try at F4B was a successful one and put him in first place! The plane was masterfully built, and the amazing Desert Snake painted plane flew with competence and scale perfection using a 3-line system.
2º Fred Cesquim – Smith Miniplane, build from a highly modified SIG R/C kit, scale 1/4.6 powered by an OS Max La 46. The plane won third place on 2021 and took a step further after modifications and got second this time around. Unfortunately, due to the 3-line system malfunction the flight was troublesome.
3º Ronei De Lucca – Fokker D8, scratch built from plans, scale 1/12, OS 15 FP. On his fourth Nats participation with the model he kept impressing judges and public with the intricate details, complex paint pattern and graceful flight that secured him the third place.
4º Sandro Dinarte – Nieuport 24 Bis scratch built from plans, scale 1/12, OS 15 FP. From the Rio De Janeiro team, the handsome Biplane achieved great static punctuation and amazed everyone with a steady and scale flight, not expected on such small wingspan model. Sandro debut on an official competition was solid.
5º Christian Cravo – Tucano T-27 build from the popular 80´s Aerobras Kit, Os Max 20, scale 1/12. Rio de Janeiro was well represented, and the Tucano was no exception on the show. This kit has been quite popular amongst controliners here and raise interest on scale flight for many. Christian had some issues with engine but managed to make good flights and his first try at a Nats proved he´s on the right track!
PROFILE
On this edition we changed the rules a bit and now the profiles had to be built, painted, and flew by the competitor, as most of the entrants are complete modelers and we see no reason for allowing models built by others on this category, so we pretty much followed the F4B rules with slight less documentation requirements.
1º Mauro Luchini - P-47 D, scratch built from plans, scale 1/18, OS 30. On his third attempt at the Nats with this model, Mauro achieved the first place on profile and is now the absolute master of scale in 2023! Great flight performance and excellent static results.
2º Humberto Machado - Curtiss P-40B, scale 1/9, scratch built from own plans, Enya SS 40. His debut on the Nats circle came with an unfortunate crash on his first flight while doing the loop, lead-outs jammed, and subsequent nose dive totaled the plane. A sad event for a serious contender as his static judgement was impressive. Needles to say that he´ll be back next year with an improved version.
3º Reinaldo Rodrigues – Gee Bee, scratch built from own plans, scale 1/12, Cipolla 25. Another first competitor unfortunately wasn´t able to complete a full flight due to the stubborn engine. Hope he sorts out for next season and be back to the competition circle.
SPORT SCALE
This category was created to promote the Scale amongst beginners and to bring new blood to the circles. The static notes represent 30% and the flight 70% and ARF´s or models built by professionals are allowed, so the real decision was the flight judgement. With this approach pilots who doesn’t like to build, have the knowledge or have no time, could enter the scale competition, and succeed. As an entry point worth as a less stressful taste of the game and helps on the learning curve towards F4B.No wonder that´s the one with more contestants.
1º Waldemar Ruggiero - Piper PA 18, Kit built by Hangar Del Pozzo, scale 1/7, OS Max 46. First time competitor made 3 flawless flights with a graceful scale routine including loopings. Waldemar trained a lot a week before and flew the plane to the first place.
2º Ronei De Lucca – Tucano T-27, converted stunt kit falcão 20 by Aerobras, scale 1/10, CB25. Accomplished model builder, he scored the best static notes and put a great flight show with the patterns of “Esquadrilha da fumaça” securing him the second place.
3º Douglas Marra – Spitfire, scratchbuilt by his own plans, scale 1/12, Fox 35. Pattern flyer and first-time scale competitor Douglas flew the pattern model Spitfire to perfection. His long-time training with the plane rendered striking shows.
4º Fred Cesquim – F6F-3 Hellcat, scratchbuild from Kaz Minato´s plan, scale 1/9, E-power Cobra. Finished the day prior competition had 3 test flights before competition. Scored same static points as the Tucano but had lost a few points on flight realism due to the e-power noiseless flight. Still proved to be a great pattern plane despite scale looks.
5º Reinaldo Rodrigues – Shorts Tucano, scratchbuilt by his own plans, scale 1/12, CB 46. Unfortunately, Reinaldo was plagued by engine problems on both of his planes and his Tucano lost the flight timing despite all of his efforts to make them run properly.
We are thrilled with the results and attendance, for the first time we had modelers form other states and we could see clearly that the models level improved a lot We foresee a great 2024 competition and I put in gear a plan to bring more modelers to the game: a model challenge to built at least 10 F6F Hellcats profile models from the same kit, with a weekly video meeting to follow progress, address doubts and share techniques. Let´s see how it works!
Thank you,
Fred Cesquim – Tech Director F4B Brazil
Topic: Brazilian F4B Scale Nationals 2023 Report (Read 721 times)