I'm going to work the FINAL itinerary and will be reaching out to the FT crew for any input now that this is on their radar and they are kitting the Scout XL. Given the tie-in to a newly released product they may have some input or want to do some content around the event. While it would be cool for this event to get the Gotha Gaggle treatment with it's own FT episode I'm not concerned either way. Below are the event(s) I think are appropriate. I'll try to work out actual dates for each ASAP. To maximize participation I'm leaning toward a Saturday AM for the flying part of the event(s).
Event(s):
- Afternoon/evening “hangout” where we can display the models together, share the history of each, perhaps share some harrowing combat stories, and generally talk shop with anyone interested in the aircraft. Hopefully we can get some good “Golden Hour” shots of the old birds together, and perhaps even have a few demo flights for pilots brave (or crazy) enough to join the daily sundown furball that is Flite Fest.
- POSSIBLY FRIDAY EVENING - This would give folks who arrive on Thursday/Friday time to buy, build, and customize their kits in time to join the fun
- “Dawn Patrol”: after generating interest and sharing the models during the hangout we awake bright eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning to take to the skies in a group flight. For the main flight I’m not suggesting an actual combat sortie… just a leisurely tribute flight with all participants.
- POSSIBLY Saturday AM, NLT (No Later Than) 9:00AM - the early timeslot avoids some of the congestion in the skies AND the winds are typically down during this time. Doing this Sunday AM could be a backup in the event the weather doesn't cooperate on Saturday.
- “Dawn Patrol II: Raise the Stakes: My personal suggestion, and I’m happy to be overridden by the community on this, but I would LOVE to see some “historical” engagements, streamer combat style. This could be small groups recreating actual dogfights or any and all of the participants who are willing to risk their airframes for a little streamer combat fun. Totally optional.
- POSSIBLY Saturday AM, following the "main" event - the early timeslot avoids some of the congestion in the skies AND the winds are typically down during this time. Doing this Sunday AM could be a backup in the event the weather doesn't cooperate on Saturday.
- Debrief: Following the combat join the other participants and spectators (and whatever remains of the models) in one of the tents for coffee, donuts, and comradery.
- Immediately following the two events above
I'm planning trophies (3D printed) and perhaps a prize for the following categories:
- Best in Show/People's Choice - My inclination here is to give each participating pilot, as well as each spectator walking through the "hangout", a slip of paper. Each aircraft would be displayed with a 3x5 card with a number and each person would get ONE vote for the best model.
- I'm also inclined to actually give out 2 of these. ONE for the best historical model and ONE for the best Scout XL
- Combat "Ace" - winner of "Dawn Patrol II: Raise the Stakes". Scorring methodology TBD. Again, maybe 2 winners, One for best historical model and ONE for best Scout XL
- Golden Lawn-Dart - Most spectatular crash. In the event that the most spectacular crash is a midair involving one or more aircrat the aircraft with the MOST DAMAGE will be the winner
oops
I'm open to suggestions for other awards but given the time remaining this is what I think I can handle without impacting my own builds (which will not be competing

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Thoughts?