The first of the ever more popular Tomboy3s competition took place on the 30th March at the Wellingborough Old Grammarians Model Flying Club Vintage meeting. Hosted by David Boddington, this was also the first ever try out of the new Tomboy Senior class using 36” Tomboys scaled up by 1/3rd.
Non Tomboy vintage models were few in numbers with the Scientific Commodore from Geoff Stubbs looking very smart. A Junior 60 was seen as was a 48” span J60 called ‘Just Junior ’. The version built by Dick Blenkinsop was the only electric vintage model there, flying very smoothly. James Parry had a Utility powered with a OS 26 FS and the well used Buzzard Bombshell of Tony Tomlin was also having an outing. A new Tomboy to us all was the nicely finished example built as a joint effort by David Boddington’s son Andrew and grandson Douglas, this had a fuselage and fin covered in a smart black and white chequered pattern. Sadly this model did not fly in the Tomboy3s competition due to a sticky contra piston. The site after weeks of rain was very wet but this did not deter the keen fliers.
Tomboy Senior
This was the first tryout of the scaled up Tomboy first suggested by David Boddington in November 2007. David had made some plans available for this model that follows the original with a very slight reduction of dihedral being the only noticeable change. All the models are fitted with a Mills 1.3cc with the original Mills 5cc tank .
Four models were at the meeting and all seemed to weigh just short of 2 pounds and had very similar flight characteristics. It was decided to hold an improputu mass launch with the models of David Boddington, Tony Tomlin and Tom Airey. At the word go the three models climbed steadily away, although the climb seemed slower than with the smaller Tomboys. When the engines cut at about 2 mins 30secs all models were at a good height but still comfortably easy to see. The glide appeared to be very flat with Tom Airey landing after 6 mins 35 secs and Tony Tomlin just pipping David Boddington, by 1 sec at 6 mins 23 secs. It is thought that the performance of these models is so very close it would make a good competition class and it is hoped to have a few more competitions in 2008.
Tomboy 3s
Seven fliers signed on for this competition which was good, considering the cold weather and at times a stiff breeze . The aim of the Tomboy3 competition is to achieve a number of Maximum flights [Max] to qualify for the mass launch flyoff. At this meeting this was set at 4 mins and only one qualifying flight was required due to the conditions. All fliers made the fly off, with times varying, as some were lucky to take advantage of more buoyant air when the sun broke through.
The Top 3 fliers from 2007 were there with last years overall winner Stephen Powell, from Kings Lynn, 2nd place man Tom Airey, from Winchester and David Boddington. Relative newcomers to this event Geoff Stubbs and Toby Collis from the local Oundle club were competeting with Tony Tomlin from Sutton, Surrey and James Parry from Poole, Dorset making up the entries.
For the first time a different starting system was used for the fly off. When all competitors are lined up for the fly off. The start marshal holds up a board showing 90 to indicate to the fliers they have 90 seconds to start their engines. At the end of this time the board then displays 10 indicating 10 seconds before the models are launched giving time for final topping up of tanks.. After 10 seconds the board is rapidly lowered and all models are launched. This overcomes the problem of trying to hear the start marshal over the noise of fast revving engines.
This start system was deemed a great success as all models got away together .
Within seconds Toby Collis and James Parry had the misfortune to catch a gust that put them out of contention. Toby’s model ‘landing’ after six secs followed by James Parry’s model a few seconds later, luckily without serious damage.
The remaining five all climbed away to a good height, with Tom Airey highest and Steven Powell and Tony Tomlin close. All fliers seemed to have the same problem with short engine runs, most stopping around 1 min 30 secs instead of the 2 mins plus which is normal .The first one down was Geoff Stubbs at 3 mins 12 secs followed by Stephen Powell at 4 mins 25 secs and Tony Tomlin 8 secs later. The winner Tom Airey landed at 5 mins 39 secs and all eyes then looked for David Boddington’s Tomboy which was last seen a long way downwind after radio failure and was thought lost. [Subsequently discovered high up in a tree and since recovered!].
Some discussion took place between the fliers on the reason why all models landed with empty tanks and all suffering from engine runs at least 25% shorter than normal. Tom Airey who has been involved in tuning race cars for many years was of the opinion that due to the cold and damp conditions there was a possibility that at height the Mills .75 venturis were icing up and causing a rich mixture and a higher fuel consumption. Certainly food for thought.
A short prize giving followed and many thanks must go to David Boddington and the Wellingborough MFC for this successful event.
Photos show DB's Tomboy; Smart tomboy built by DB's son and grandson; Tony Tomlin withTomboy Senior. and Tom Aireys Tomboy Senior.
Prizegiving: Dave Boddington, Tony Tomlin, Tom Airey, Stephen Powell
.jpg)
