Combat
Report
Airpark
Elite Combat Challenge June 4, 2005
Saturday June 4th started out cold, rainy,
and windy and continued that way throughout the day. We always need the
moisture, so it is hard to complain about it, but you would like it to let up
some on combat day. We tried to fly one round of SSC, but the streamers on the
planes that could get up in the wind were off due to the rain before Start
Combat. What is up with that! Most of us did not want to sacrifice expensive
transmitters to the rain, so the contest was postponed. Same Time, Same Station
Sunday.
Sunday June 5th was a bright clear beautiful Colorado day. Just the kind of day
we live in Colorado for. Rick Miller was in from Nebraska and was complaining
about all the rain we got in this dry country. More than he is used to getting,
and he lives where it is rains a lot!
I had a an appointment to give blood at 9am, so I was late to the contest. SSC
was over and they were getting geared up for Open B when I arrived on the scene.
I have never seen such a bustle of activity as when I arrived. Someone grabbed
my planes, another grabbed my flight box and another the rest of my stuff and
set it all up on the flight line. You would think they were anxious to get going
or something. I surely would like to thank Tom Neff, the CD for holding the Open
B until I arrived. I expected to miss the first round or two. Thanks also to all
the people that grabbed my stuff and set it up for me! I really appreciate your
help!
I don’t know much about the SSC contest since I missed it. but Adam Bryant won
with his trusty SPAD!
SSC Scores for 4 rounds:
Adam Bryant 664
Rick Miller
564
Randy Hodges 544
Tom Neff
306
Open B was wild and furious. We get better all the time in both offense and
defense, with defense leading the way. Total scores are somewhat below the
national average, but we still have a great time chasing streamers in the thin
air! The carnage was significant, but I can’t tell you who all hit who. The way
I was flying up until the last round, I felt like I should have stayed in bed!
There were enough judges, so we flew all 9 up at a time. I think all but one
were still flying in round 5.
The Youth are coming along quite nicely in Colorado as you will soon see. In
Round four, I was chasing a plane all round it seemed. I could not get a
streamer off this plane for anything. You would think that it should have been
easy, there were at least three streamers on the wings, and the money streamer
still attached. What was I doing wrong, I could not come close to a cut! Well
lets try this one more time and KABAAAAAAAM Rick Miller and I collide in a bone
crushing mid air. Rick’s plane actually had the HDPE fuse broken near the tail,
and it took the prop off my Go Devil. After the planes are down from the mid
air, I can watch and see what is going on. The plane with all the streamers is
still up there, and everyone is chasing him, but he is not giving cuts to
anyone! At the end of combat, the planes all land and up goes a giant Whoop from
the 12 year old Rick Scharnell. “I got a 4 cuts” he hollers! I thought WOW, that
IS who I (and everyone else) was chasing, and I know one of those streamers is
mine! Way to go Rick! You were giving everyone flying lesions including your big
brother and dad!!!!
At the end of the day, 5 rounds of Open B, the scores were added up, and it
looked like this.
12 year old Rick Scharnell
1324
CD Tom Neff
1020
Out of towner Rick Miller
940
Pylon Champ Alan Thovson 820
Randy Hodges
740
Dad, Frank Scharnell III
664
Adam Bryant
364
Big Brother Frank Scharnell IV 336
And me George Kerr, well too bad to post!
After all the dust has settled and I was adding the scores to the Colorado
Combat Association Spreadsheet, a addition error was discovered which will
reverse 2nd and 3rd place. Rick Miller actually ended up with 1040 points.
CONGRATULATIONS RICK!!!!! The youngest pilot in the competition kicks every ones
behind all the way up and down the pilots line! Now don't let that head of yours
swell too big, you will be the target next time! The gloves are off now!
A great time was had by all. We missed the ones who could not come back for
Sunday.
Looking forward to the next one which is Sunday June 26 in Sterling Colorado!
The High Plains Classic should be another good one. The Sterling pilots are
streamer hungry and looking for fresh meat!
George
