La Coupe Des Barons 2025

[David Davis]

Good Day Gentlemen,

 

I am starting to think about about the Coupe Des Barons 2025. I currently have two Barons, one finished in British markings which I've called Bertie, and the other, Boris, in Ukrainian colours. Boris is slightly easier to fly but I broke the wing in practice earlier in the year so will need to build a new one. I propose to build one with a D section leading edge and depron ribs as I did for Bertie last year. This will be lighter than the stock wing but at least as strong. I toyed with the idea of building a completely new Baron, covering it doculam and tissue and powering it by a Laser 50 which I bought from A Plane Olde Bargain at a very reasonable price earlier in the year. I thought that it would be ubercool to have a British pilot, flying a model powered by a British engine with RAF roundels on it in the competition. However, other committments may get in the way so I'll concentrate on repairing Boris's wing first. Another expatriate Englishman called Mike who also lives in La Belle France intends to enter the competition next year with a model powered by a PAW 35 diesel! If he does enter we'll be able to pit for each other.

 

Which leads me on to engine choice. I'm actually spoiled for choice. I have become well known for competing with a four-stroke powered model, indeed I have taken to giving a prize to the leading pilot who uses a fourstroke engine in the competition, I have two OS 48 Surpasses, a Magnum 52, a Thunder Tiger 54 when it comes back from the menders and an OS 52 which I've built up from bits after the model crashed. It has exposed pushrods and rockers but it might look quite quirky! Then of course there's always the Laser 50 but I'll be giving my opponents something of an advantage if I were to use that because it is 100 grammes or 3.5 ounces heavier than an OS 52Surpass nd I doubt that it's as powerful.

 

Decisions, decisions. What does anybody else think?

 

Last year's event was cancelled owing to an inclement weather forecast but for those unfamiliar with La Coupe, have a look at this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuMm24PTZ_Y