BMFA Nats CL speed Full report

The BMFA CL speed Nats was run at Barton Model club site this year due to problems securing permission from the RAF for use of Barkston Heath.

BMFA Open speed is run on a record ratio basis, so what does this mean? Well it means that all types of model can compete against one another as the competitors score in a percentage is based upon the class record, so this means that in Open speed all competitors can compete against one another regardless of the type of model they are flying and this works really well, the slight downside is that some UK records are extremely high, for example the 10cc record is slightly over 215mph (actually also a World record) and to win in open speed you need to be fairly close to the 100% for your class, then this would mean that to win the Nationals with a 10cc model you would have to fly at around a World record speed.

Models were entered in 5 different classes at this years Nationals these being F2A, Sport Jet (run to North West line lengths), 12 ic, 29 ic and Fast Jets. The bulk of the entries were in Sport Jet, F2A and 12.

Day 1 was a little blustery but quite flyable even for the lightweight 12 class models, the Sport Jet models made light work of the conditions. As always it is welcome to see younger guys flying and this year was no exception with Joe Gough making the trip up from studies at Southampton University and Matthew Hart travelling from Bristol.

For 2022 there were some revisions to the 12 class rules and a very healthy sharing of knowledge and the first serious competition flights were made at this years Nationals with the 12 models. The 12 rules allow any 12 engine to be used but must run with a Super Silencer type exhaust system. Fortuitously Irvines had made 12 cylinder assemblies for their highly successful 15R engines, the 12 cylinders are still available through normal retail channels or direct from Pete Halman, this means that along with the multitude of old F2A airframes there is also a ready supply of good engines that the 12 cylinders can be swapped into. Peter Halman has also shared details of the Super Silencer and this will be published on this site and maybe Aeromodeller soon.

Sport Jet is run in the UK to the  North West (US North West) line lengths and engines are restricted to four types, although in this Nationals all models were powered by PCPJ jets from Dick Hart, most models were side winder style of either own design, Tarfu, Blue Thunder or Pod Racer types. Dick Hart recorded the fastest Sport Jet speed to place 3rd overall in Open speed with his OD ‘Angry Yellow rat’ model.

As is often the case Sport Jet had the highest entry, this class has been heavily promoted in the UK and can stand alone but also brings new competitors not only into Sport Jet but also the IC classes, so it can be seen as a progression event as well.

Ken Morrisey also debuted a radical OD Sport Jet model and this flew very well to record 142 mph.

F2A is the premier elite class of CL speed flying and the results don’t count in the Open Speed results at the Nationals, as is normal the F2A group put on a polished display of competition flying with all of the normal up’s and downs of such an event.

Paul Eisner won F2A with a speed of 300.7 Kph, of course this was powered by a Halman F2A engine of the type that Peter Halman briefly discussed in the BMFA ITAT webinar last winter.

Please click here for the full result sheet https://cl-speed.bmfa.uk/speed-nationals-2022

Lastly a big thank you to the Barton Club for hosting the Cl speed Nats and for doing a great job on preparing the site for the event.

This event also had Barton Club speed running on the Saturday only. Barton club speed models are limited to 1.5cc and tend to be powered by PAW 1.5’s all three podium places were taken by PAW powered models

The winner was Derek Heaton, 2nd place was Gordon Isles and 3Rd place was Andrew Watson