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2017 SPA East Masters
Friday afternoon at practice most everyone was discussing the National Weather Services prediction of Tropical Storm NATE ruling the weather events starting Saturday night and into the early part of the following week in this part of the country. Spelt had "hinted" he and Jimmy were considering packing "everything into a single day" based on everything the media was quoting from the NWS officials. This "hint" proved to be gospel when they declared everything to be completed, including awards and the annual banquet. This was "very timely" as the TS made itself known as far north of the Gulf Coast as Knoxville a couple hours prior to daylight on Sunday morning. Weather could not have been nicer than all day Saturday with winds from the Southeast less than 8 MPH, sunshine, some "puffies"and comfy temps in the upper 70s to low 80s. 18 attendees registered, 17 participated, only three crashes your reporter is aware of:
Flying started very early and two rounds were completed before lunch and the annual Memorial Trophy Fly-Off. This years Memorial Fly-Off pitted Jeff Owens and Keith Watson. Keith won the coin toss and elected to fly 1st. That's Jeff pitting for him just before his flight before the panel of 5 judges of whose "high" and "low" score was thrown out. Jeff attested (this was his 3rd win)...."the pressure is even greater in this one flight performance than a regular contest flight". Despite the pressure causing a "near-flop" on the initial Figure M with 1/4 rolls, Jeff polished his remaining maneuvers to earn his 3rd win of the prized Memorial Trophy retained for the current year by it's current winner. Congrats Jeff. Competition was really keen in some classes, sort of "lop-sided" in others.
The Annual Points Championships were totaled and each winner was awarded a lovely VICTORY by CD Phil Spelt at the East Masters.
Here are the winners in the "drawings"...I'll even share a photo of the lucky folks:
As all know, the original East MASTERS contest was scheduled for ALABASTER, AL but due to the unfortunate illness of CD Dave Phillips Mrs., Peggy, was rescheduled for KCRC. Our numerous prayers have resulted in Mrs. Peggy's illness improved greatly from your reporters last update from Dave. I couldn't help but respond with a healthy"praise the Lord". While I'm in a praising mood, I don't think the praise can be overheaped on Phil, Jimmy, the co-CD's, and KCRC for filling our 2017 MASTERS void with a "perfectly-packed" day of contest activity that despite the worst the weather could deliver, the illness-related switch in location dealt, didn't hamper atall (southern-term)................Phil your' expertise and years of having done contesting for us in the past, was as evident as the "nose-on-your-face". When Carolyn answered your call to "please deliver the awards "this afternoon" and assisted with the drawing ceremonies and the like, and you folks completed the hosting, we could sort of suspect you were "dead-tired", but just realize how very much we folks who've been there for so many years, as well as the most welcomed and appreciated guests from Longhorn country and other parts of our modeling geographic for just THIS contest appreciate your' efforts. It's because of SPECIAL people and clubs like yours, our association continues to exist. We're proud of your decision and ALL your efforts on our behalf. It was a pleasure being your guest the weekend that Tropical Storm Nate didn't bother one single bit!! Bruce Underwood - SPA PIO |
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Senior Pattern Association |
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| Dedicated to the Building, Flying and Competition of Vintage Pattern Model Aircraft | ||
Now, that's the bad stuff out of the way. Let me share
something here that Matt Griffitt shared with me....take
a look at this dandy item: It's the SUNSHIELD FORCE
airplane cover. Neat huh? He said it was $7.00 from
Horizon Hobbies and is part # FMMCover1. He said it cost
him more to ship it than the actual cost.
Phil and Jimmy had their list of judges prepared and
written in advance (obtained from the preregistrations).
This, they said, is just one way the advanced
registrations on the website help them in preparing for
the contest. They did as the previous contest in the
East had done, had the contestants or their assistants
run the scoresheets to the scorer. 
While dunkin' Joel with "kudos"...you should have been
there when all eyes were focused on Old Glory and you
can "bet-your-life" everyone of us STOOD at attention
with hands on heart as Joel sang our NATIONAL ANTHEM.
What a joy to listen to Joel's beautiful baritone voice.
