10th RCS Friendship Anniversary Competition hosted by MG Wangen in Kestenholz

It was just like last year; the weather forecast predicted bad weather for Sunday, and once again it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day—an anniversary day, so to speak. This time, I arrived at the airfield first and was able to unpack my gear in peace and get the model ready for takeoff. It took quite a while before the crowd started to pour in. Did I say “pour”? No, at first they trickled in leisurely and then a bit faster, and you really had to welcome every “drop.” The “old-timers,” those die-hard model airplane enthusiasts, were all there eventually—and, fortunately, a few new friends who wanted to take part in this wonderful competition for the first time.

Meanwhile, the canteen was up and running, and everyone grabbed their favorite drink. Then flight director Willy Mischler called everyone to the briefing. The competition proceeded much as it had in previous years, and we were scheduled to fly four rounds. In the first flight: 2 loops with a precision landing = 2 min.; the second: 5 sec. inverted flight with a precision landing = 2 min.; and the third: a 3-min. endurance flight with a precision landing. The fourth flight was identical to the first.

The launch took place near a high-voltage power line, which unfortunately proved to be the downfall of a few of our fellow pilots. Fortunately—and I’d like to point this out from my perspective—there was also a huge cornfield; the model remained undamaged...! But the search...! No, let’s just forget about it. During the lunch break, some were able to recover from their good luck and others from their bad luck over a truly delicious meal. Refreshed and re-energized, the remaining rounds could then be flown.

At the awards ceremony, the well-known model aircraft pilot Hans Marfurt—a good friend—rightfully took the top spot on the podium and received the applause of everyone present. A truly bountiful prize table rewarded all participants, and everyone must have gone home very satisfied.

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many sponsors who once again made this competition so successful, as well as to the hardworking women of the Wangen group and neighboring towns, the many helpers behind the scenes, and the landowners who consistently make their property available.

The organization went off without a hitch once again, and everyone is already looking forward to next year’s 90th anniversary competition in Kestenholz.

Hs. Chicherio