MPBA 2011 National Scale Finals

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MPBA 2011 National Scale Finals

DAVE WOOLEY reports from Branston Water Park

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The Burton and District Model Boat Club were the host club for this event at their home water of Branston Water Park. The chairman of this club is Mark Hawkins, who is well known on the scale modelling scene.

 

The lake is large with the Trent and Mersey Canal on one side and the A38 on the other and it is perhaps one of the most central locations in the UK. Parking was close to the operating area of the lake with reasonable personal facilities as well.

The day

Held on Sunday 18th September, on arrival there were the usual range of gazebos sited overlooking the navigation course, with one for the organisers and others for the models and in particular for the static judging, which is a key element of some of the MPBA scale classes.

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There are five MPBA Scale classes: Exact; Semi-Exact; Kit; Open Navigation and Junior. In Open Navigation and Junior classes, the models are not judged statically. For the other three, the total scores are determined not just by sailing around a course, but static marks are also awarded as well as for the appearance of the model on the water. In the case of Open Navigation and Junior, apart from the score achieved going around the course, these models are awarded a score for their on the water appearance, but no static ‘on the stand’ marks. With all classes, it is very rare to have two models with exactly the same total score and even if that does occur, the on the water appearance and/or static awards will enable the final places to be easily confirmed.

 

Further to this, although there will be winner in each of the classes, awards of gold, silver and bronze are made in Exact, Semi-Exact and Kit classes, because it is understood that if the class winner has perhaps 262 points, the second placed model might have 261 and be to virtually the same build standard as the winner. Recognizing this, the MPBA decided that medals would be awarded in those classes defined by percentage calculations on the scores. In Open Navigation and Junior, the traditional First, Second and Third still apply.

Sadly on the day, there were no junior entrants, which is to be regretted and although I understand that 25 competitors were entered, only 18 turned up. The weather was not bad and World War Three had not started, so that was all a shame when the host club had made such an effort to create a super MPBA Scale Final Course and the efficient administration to support the event.

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Course

This was arranged in such a way that it would be a test of helmsmanship and not eyesight, but with many of the marker buoys under one metre apart it did provide a considerable challenge for the larger models. However, the course did make allowance for models over 90cm long with some of the hazards.

 

Each competitor had to steer the course twice. First in a clockwise direction and then later in an anti-clockwise direction. The course was a test of navigational skill and model control, but nevertheless there were still nine clear rounds on the day out of 36.

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Results

The highest total score of the day (on the water, around the course and static) went to Roy Whitton in Exact class with his Smit Zweden. However, Robin Lee was the only entrant to achieve double clear sailing rounds with his model of Tsekoa II in Open Navigation class.

 

Eric Austwick managed to steer his large model of HMS Manchester around the course only dropping three points, but problems on his second round forced an early retirement.

In all, six gold, one silver and one bronze medal were awarded to those competing in the Exact, Semi-Exact and Kit classes.

 

In Open Navigation, overall first place went to Robin Lee with his Tsekoa II and Reg Preece achieved a well earned second with his 1:72 scale corvette HMCS Snowberry. Eric Austwick successfully steered his large 1:200 scale IJN Yamato around the course and was third, proving that big models are not a hindrance to success.

Conclusion

The 2011 MPBA Scale National Final was well organized. It is sad that the number of entrants on the day was just 18, when a few years ago the maximum of 69 competitors had to be catered for. The host club had introduced electronics into a specific course hazard so that it was possible to check without argument, that the particular obstacle had been completed properly. There is no disputing the level of ability of each skipper, both building and navigating their models, but the lack of support for the event does raise some questions. The MPBA is the only national organisation offering such a competition with rules developed from many years of experience and for that they do deserve our continuing support.

 


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