Senftenberg
International competition in
F2B, F4B, and F2D
26-27 September 1998

A new combat competition in Germany, I won't report about F2B and F4B because I didn't see anything of it, sorry.

It was already late in the season but if somebody organizes a combat competition for the first time you have to go there. There are not so much people who are willing to organize a competition. Helle and I left on Thursday in the afternoon and stayed the night in a pension (simple version of a hotel). Friday morning after a nice breakfast we went on. We knew that we had forgotten the invitation but a real combat pilot always finds the combat circle. So, we knew that the club was in Senftenberg and the competition somewhere on a former Russian flying field named Wentzlow or something like that.
When we arrived in Senftenberg we went directly to the police and asked them for more information. They didn't know about the club but knew a former Russian flying field named WELZOW. On we went, to Flugplatz Welzow. When we arrived a little war was going on. The German Army was exercising and we had to explain that we came for a model flying competition. We were allowed to pass the war border and were brought to Frank Degen, a club member who made us clear that we had to wait a little till the war was over before we could build up our tent. So we took our chairs and surprised the soldiers because of our partially naked appearance. We enjoyed our private war and the soldiers were looking at me and waving to Helle, I think.

About the competition itself: On Friday evening we had the ritual waiting for other competitors and the usual drinking. We all felt sorry for the soldiers because they were probably freezing in their tents. We were sitting in front of the tent from the Bernecker family and had good laughs that warmed us all.

In the morning we found out that there were 13 pilots in F2D, not as much as we are used to but not bad for a competition with just one from Holland (me), one from Austria (Armin) and the rest Germans. Normally we see also Czechs, more Austrians, Swiss and some more German pilots. Maybe next year because the competition is worth it. There are possibilities for washing, clean toilets, a canteen with good food, drinks and much more. We will go again next year.

The combat field was laid out next to a runway (50 meters away) but the first fly away had off course to scratch the tarmac of that runway. Murphy is everywhere!!
About the combat bouts is not so much to tell and in my opinion not so interesting. Interesting was to see that there others who were testing there own home made engines. Johann Schwarz machined a rough crankcase that he bought from Faizov and during practice he improved from 27 seconds for 10 laps down to 25.5. We agreed that the piston was too tight and need to be lapped or needs a long running in period. I don't like too tight fittings, an engine should be good from the beginning and no nonsense with long running in periods.
Lothar was testing an older type home made engine fixed with a cylinder head made for 2 plugs. It didn't show to be an improvement for power or speed. Advantage is that maybe one plug holds longer than the other. Disadvantage: 2 plug spirals to ruin the cylinder and piston. Lothar promised me to work hard this winter on his L+L engines, the rear intake version. My front intake version of the L+L is actually working OK but there is an unwanted vibration that takes power away. At the moment I stick with my WAK front and WAK rear intake engines.

Conclusion: A very nice competition and I hope it will be organized again next year. We will go there again !