Meccano Martian Mission Hall of Fame

Scroll past these notes to go directly to the high score board, (Latest additions are highlighted) 

or read on first for details of each mission program in date order ...

(all scores are kept recorded, but only the top ten appear below to keep it compact) 

The model made its first "fully operational" debut at Skegex 2024. (Mission ID Skegex 24)

We had just two successful missions on the easy level (Mars) before a major gearbox failure halted proceedings.

The second mission program was at Gaydon Motor Museum in July 2024. (Mission ID Gaydon 24) This event organised by Midlands Meccano Guild runs in conjunction with the museums annual Old Ford Rally.   

Only one successful mission was recorded on this occasion before yet another gearbox failure finished us off.

The Third mission program was held at the Henley Gathering on 31st August 2024 (Mission ID Henley 24). This was much more successful with no less than six completed missions, although a few gremlins still exist in the electrical systems causing problems for many Meccanaut cadets.

They needed to be eliminated (the gremlins, not the cadets!) before the next mission program which was planned for 2025...

The Fourth mission program (Skegex 25) was completed successfully with only a few minor technical glitches which were quickly rectified. Recent modifications to the game have drastically improved playability and enjoyment. Seven new recruits passed their training and earned their certificates as qualified Meccanauts as reported below.

The Fifth Mission program (Gaydon 25) was the most successful so far with no less than 25 certificates earned by Meccanauts of all ages.  The model performed well all weekend with just a few minor technical glitches which were quickly sorted. For the first time, scores for successful flights are being bumped off the Leader board, and several unfortunately didn't quite make it on there.

The Sixth mission program (Shildon 25) was completed at the Locomotion Museum in Shildon, as part of the Great Engineers Schools Challenge, a fabulously enterprising scheme devised and organised by Harry and Kathleen Harker & family. (I give enormous thanks to Harry and his team for inviting me to attend, and for their unbounded hospitality during my visit. More information on this amazing project will be published shortly).

Over 200 children from 14 local schools took part, and quite a few (students & teachers alike) were given the opportunity to try the Martian Mission challenge. A good number made successful landings, but sadly only a few scored high enough to make it onto the Hall of Fame - see below.

Some technical problems got in the way as usual, but emergency repairs were carried out during lunch (ah the sacrifices I make!!) and operations resumed for a very successful day for Meccanauts of all ages.

Future events are now being planned ...

Budding Meccanauts of all ages are invited to attend the next mission - (see events page for details)

Earn your "space wings" and coveted certificate of merit!

Scores are calculated as (Time remaining + Fuel remaining) x Base Value

For the first 4 programs only the final score was recorded. From Gaydon 25 all scoring factors are recorded. 

MISSION HALL OF FAME (TOP 10 in each level) 

MARS MISSIONS (EASY LEVEL)

EARTH MISSIONS (DIFFICULT LEVEL)