We supported the UTC Royal Navy Engineering Challenge 2018 at HMS Sultan in Gosport, back in the Spring. There were 85 teams tasked with building a boat, that would fit in a supplied box, that could recover floating and sunken objects, and deposit them on a jetty, all the while maneuvering around a fixed course.
The competition was open to both schools and colleges, with a small number of RN teams competing also. While I could write a book based on the days observations ( water and radio equipment do not get on well together, speed controls invariably go pop if you try to put power in the motor end, direct drive motors make terrible winch motors!! ), there was an interesting spread of really well designed models, good efforts showing unexpected ingenuity, designs obviously not tested beforehand, and disasters waiting to happen. Some teams had enjoyed the full support of the teaching staff, some had effectively been cast adrift for the day, with nothing but a couple of 3 litre fizzy drink bottles, no scissors or gaffer tape!
It was interesting to note the enthusiasm of the majority of teams we helped out, they accounted for about a third of the groups. Some just using our soldering station and over used hot glue gun, others with radio issues. That left two thirds who had really well thought out designs, or just functional models. An interesting day that hopefully will see some new blood into the hobby at some time.
I have seen next years challenge..good luck, you are going to need it!!
