Category: Aircraft

The Tomboy is a popular old timer model, designed by Vic Smeed with plans published in 1950 which quite a few members in our club build and fly them regularly. But now there is more, an international competition (I’ve put the rules below) that anyone can enter from the comfort of their own flying field!

We’ve got 3 members (Allan, Glen, Fred) actively flying in the comp and others building a Tomboy to take part (Greg). Below is a report from Glen on their progress so far:

So far, Fred, Allan and I have been putting in a few flights for the 48” wingspan diesel class (6cc of fuel, diesel motors of around 1.5cc) though Allan is also working on the electric class, with one flight to date but has now built a new weapon – that very light model he had with him this morning. There is still time to get some decent flights in as the comp runs until end June.

Our times so far have been less than outstanding:

Fred Burman – 

12/2/23 (10.15 am) 3 (minutes) 39 (seconds) 

2/3/23 (10.00am) 2.21; (10.20am) 4.27; (11.25am) 4.10

Allan Laycock –

10/2/23 (11.20 am) 1.31

2/3/23 (11.20am) 2.27 (This attempt using an earlier electric Tomboy) 

Glen Newbown- 

5/2/23 (10.00am) 4.41

10/2/23 (11.30am) 6.01

2/3/23 (10.15am) 2.47: (11.13am) 8.26 

This last & longest competitive flight to date was greatly assisted by getting into a boomer thermal, but intentionally spiralling down out of it when it started getting too high. Once I dropped out of it however, it didn’t take long to come down. More guts next time?

Greg’s Tomboy is also just about ready to go I understand, and maybe we can coax a few more to have a go – noting that more than one contestant can use the same model. 

Cheers,

Glen.

Glen Newbown, 19 May 2023

A 48 inch span Tomboy by Allan

Tomboy Comp Rules:

L’AQUILONE SAM 2001 
TOMBOY RALLY INTERNATIONAL POSTAL CONTEST 
01/07/2022 – 30/06/2023
We wish to present this