F1C Technicalities
THE 1983 F1C WORLD CHAMP, Silvano Lustrati of Italy, is indeed a seasoned competitor. His name appears in contest results back in the Fifties when he then flew Gliders. Surprisingly, he finished almost last in Spain, able to make only three flights. Truly, 1983 was Silvano's year. One of only a few competitors to complete the arduous seven maxes at Goulburn, Silvano dominated the flyoffs with a powerhouse model immaculately on-trim. His models use the increasingly-popular bunting transition, which quickly caught on after its success was demonstrated at the 1980 European Championships.
Free Flight World Championships
THIS WORLD CHAMPS had everything: truly the biggest gathering in model flying history, the largest, most perfect field, the best weather (clear skies with no wind), the greatest number of exciting flyoffs, and the highest individual scores. It was the first time that all the top nations competed together: America, Russia, China, North Korea-all the teams from both East and West. The lineup of competitors read like the "Who's Who of Free Flight," with 17 previous World Champions in attendance. In all, 251 competitors from 34 countries made almost 2,000 official flights during the three days of competition. Probably 1,000 models were processed for the three events, models that reflected everything from the ultimate craftsmanship in balsa and hardwoods to the most innovative modern techniques of construction with plastics and composites. They went all the way from the epitome of simplicity and aerodynamic elegance to the latest marvels of miniature design and engineering.
FFWC Technical: F1A Glider
CHINESE CHAMPIONS. The models flown by the winning pair, Yue Liang and Kai Sun, may have looked like traditionally-constructed gliders, but beneath the surface the Chinese have made considerable use of carbon fiber structural reinforcement. The main spar has pre-cured unidirectional caps, typically .012 in. thick on top and .006 in. beneath. The wood used is actually tung, a Chinese equivalent of balsa which, being a little denser, is used in thinner sizes to compensate. The covering is bamboo paper. This has long fibers that make it stronger than regular tissue; it is applied dry and doped without ever being water-shrunk to avoid warps.
FF World Champs
RETURNING TO THE FRENCH countryside near Thouars, venue of the 1987 World Championships, was a nostalgic pilgrimage for many, myself included. It was full of evocative memories of idyllic days of Free Flight. Since the early 1970s, the French have been regular hosts to a series of annual FAI Internationals, notably the Pierre Trebod and Poitou-competitions which have become a focal point for Free Flighters in Europe second only to the championship events.
