Participating in this annual scale
competition has been a BVM tradition for 23 years. We do it
because we can, it is local, and because our products get shown to
the world via the abundance of model media in attendance.
Sometimes, we even realize a few kit sales as a result. The
BVM and Skymaster jets did well. We have
great pilots flying them and the landing gear and their mounting
survived the turf runway.
Hopefully, the management can provide an improved surface next year.
A competition of "Top Gun" caliber deserves it.
EVF Jets at Top Gun
Rob Lynch and BVM eMiG, EVF ~3~12s
2nd Place Pro Class
Rei Gonzalez and BVM eMiG, EVF ~3~12s
2nd Place Sport Class
Tommy Wood was
assisted by Francis Pischner and Tom Wood Sr. with the twin EVF
~2~12s powered BVM Phantom. They garnered 3rd Place in the "Expert"
category.
The BVM eJets were
the only EDF's entered in the prestigious Top Gun Scale Competition.
There is a reason for that. It's a tough exercise on a less
than perfect grassfield and your model must be capable of 6-7
minutes of flight time to perform the scale flight routine and
survive a go-around if necessary. Currently, there are no
other products on the market that can meet the requirements.
Congratulations to Rob, Rei, and Tommy for mastering the challenges.
Of Course, all of these EVF's featured the Castle Creations HV160
E.S.C. and ThunderPower 65c LiPo batteries. Nothing but the best for
BVM pilots.
The noon time
Electric Jet show was also an all BVM event. Electra's and
eBandit's were flown by Rob Lynch, Pablo Fernandez, Rei Gonzalez,
and Bob Violett. Seven minute flights demonstrated 35 mph to
190 mph state-of-the-art performance.
Photo Gallery
click on images to enlarge
Jack Diaz won
"Expert Scale" and the "Best Jet Performance" award with the help of
his grandson Santiago and son Gerardo. The
BVM F-86 was
designed to win and Jack proved its value again. The tank drop
maneuver earned 10 points every flight.
Third place in the
very competitive "Expert Class" and "Best Electric Performance"
Award was Tommy Wood with the BVM F-4 on Twin EVF 12 power.
Here we see this impressive machine with gear almost tucked away
after take-off. The centerline tank is jettisoned for 10
points later in the routine. The twin EVF has its own "cool"
sound.
The Skymaster F-80
won 4th place in the Pro Class in the hands of Pablo Fernandez.
It's planform is easy on the eyes, the slow fight pass was perfect,
and the landing a "slider".
The Skymaster T-45
Goshawk continues to impress jet pilots with its grassfield
capability and super smooth flight maneuvers. It is Dustin's
favorite and scored well in the Pro Class.
David Ribbe has been
an F-16 fan for a long time. It was in the late 80's that
David worked at BVM and helped to develop the original 1/9th scale
DF version. Now, the Skymaster 1/6th scale F-16 is a favorite
with David and he flies it well. This camo scheme looks great
in the air!
Scott Harris used a
bare bones Skymaster Falcon then applied this Patriotic scheme with lots
of details to qualify it for a 9th place
finish in "Expert".
Team Horizon leader Peter
Goldsmith applied this gorgeous paint scheme and dozens of details
to this Skymaster T-33. His efforts were rewarded with a 5th
place trophy in the "Expert" class.
Frankie Mirandes
scored 10th in "Expert" with his Flight Metal finished BVM F-100D.
Frankie flew it with authority. The spectators appreciated the
model and its very scale like presentation in the sunny skies.
BV's "Pretty Patty" Sabre
has been sitting silent since its 2006 Mr. Top Gun win. Using
the same documentation and a bit of internal refreshing it placed
2nd in the 2011 Master's Class. The Jet Central Cheetah engine
turned down to 28# thrust makes a perfect power plant for the 34
pound 80" model.
19 year old
RJ Gonzales has a keen eye for perfectly placed maneuvers
that contributed to BV's high flight scores.
The Sabre's slow flight
passes scored well. The midpoint of a slow roll must be centered on
the judges.
BV's F-86 on final and at
the moment of touch down, slightly off centerline but definitely in
front of the judges.
Santiago and
Granddad Jack Diaz receive their trophy from Sam Wright and Frank
Tiano.
Special
Recognition
Winner of the "Engineering
Excellence" and "Critic's Choice" awards was Mike Selby's F-111
Swing Wing Aardvark. With Ray Johns at the controls, it also won 2nd
place in "Team Scale". An Aardvark represents a maximum
challenge for scale jets, the kind of project the Mike enjoys
bringing to fruition. The Aardvark team: Choe, Mike, Bill, and
Ray.
