Author: H. Murphy
Edition: Model Aviation - 1991/12
Page Numbers: 11, 12, 13, 14, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151, 152, 153
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1991 AMA/NFFS: National Champs

By Harry Murphy

Introduction

We previously reported on the 1991 Indoor and RC/CL Nationals contests; to conclude 1991 coverage, this article reviews the AMA/NFFS Free Flight Nationals held at Vincennes, Indiana.

FREE FLIGHT's portion of the annual AMA/NFFS Nationals seemed to pop up rather suddenly on the ’91 calendars, since just last October the 1990 edition was held at the Lawrenceville, Illinois site. The NFFS suggested mid‑June dates to avoid summer farm crop problems, ease vacation scheduling for some, and allow participants to use the dormitories at Vincennes University (VU).

The lovely VU campus lies next to the Wabash River just north of downtown Vincennes, a few miles east of Illinois across the Red Skelton Bridge. The new dorms were elegant and comfortable, according to many contestants. In addition to comfortable lodging, attendees enjoyed remarkably good weather compared with past Lawrenceville Nationals: warm, sunny days, light and variable winds, abundant thermals, and plentiful max flights.

Some things remained the same: the hospitality of the townspeople and merchants; renewed and new friendships; camaraderie among friendly competitors; the background noise of model engines and motorized chase bikes mixed with the flutter of rubber-powered props; and Sylvia’s tasty porkburgers and cold drinks from her mobile concession stand. Nationals are as much about the people as the trophies.

Arrival and Field Conditions (Monday)

Monday was arrival day. Competitors set up living quarters, drove a few miles out to the flying field to inspect the site, shook hands, and put in test flights.

Field conditions and retrieval challenges:

  • A gentle breeze tended to carry models toward the short‑field direction (across the airport runway).
  • Longer‑fuselage models often descended into waist‑high corn or calf‑deep wheat stubble.
  • Accurate sighting of the intended descent zones reduced time spent pacing corn rows to locate DT’d models.
  • Wheat stubble caused more damage to models; only longer landing gear would have helped.
  • Many flights still terminated on runways and grassy areas short of hazards thanks to the light winds.
  • Thermals swallowed a number of models, causing them to disappear into clouds or blue patches — a common risk in Free Flight.

Competition begins (Tuesday)

Competition began on Tuesday under Contest Directors Abram Van Dover and Ed Sullivan, who directed a five‑day agenda of AMA and NFFS events. Over 500 contestants participated across the various events.

Highlights and trends:

  • The 30‑year run of the Cox TD .049 in the 1/2A Gas Open came to an end: diesels and other powerplants dominated the top spots.
  • For 1/2A Stunt or sport flying, the Arrow (especially powered with a diesel) proved hard to beat — carefree to operate and fly.
  • New CS and Shuriken racing engines swept the top three places in racing: Ed Keck won with a .026 (set up by Galbreath), followed by Robert Dunham II and Jean Pruitt with Shurikens.
  • Jim Troutman narrowly missed a Junior division max by three seconds.

Notable early winners and events:

  • Steven Landt ended Warren Kurth’s streak of four consecutive Nationals wins by establishing a new Category III record in the .020 Payload event.
  • Chuck Markos topped a large field in F1G Coupe d’Hiver. FAI events were flown in rounds for the first time at a Nationals, a format used in all six scheduled FAI events that week.
  • Ralph Schlarb (age 75) was the only competitor to max in Catapult Glider; his son Bill was second and would win Hand Launch Glider the next day, with Bernie Boehm close behind. These three hail from South Bend, Indiana.

SAM 57 and Nostalgia Gas

The week also included the NFFS‑sponsored 1991 Nostalgia Gas National Championships and a full SAM 57 schedule.

Nostalgia Gas and SAM 57 highlights:

  • 1/4A NosGas: Harry Murphy’s 80%‑scaled Space Wamp (from the ’55 Zaic Yearbook) was the only model to post four maxes and won the event.
  • In SAM 57 OT C Pylon, Sal Taibi’s 6‑ft Dodger powered by a Dunham Orwick .64 was the only model to accrue four maxes.
  • OT A/B Pylon: Bob Edelstein’s Later Alert posted a perfect score of five maxes, edging Bill Hale’s O&R .23‑powered Megow Ranger.
  • Ralph Schlarb won the special Old Timer version of Catapult using a Vartarian design; Joe Konefes was second with a Zoomer. Joe later won Compressed Air with his Airstick.
  • Rubber events drew strong entries; OT rubber events outdrew gas counterparts at the SAM meet:
  • Small Rubber Stick: 47 entries; top three captured by Gollywocks — Hal Lorimer (time best), Dick Hall, Lloyd Wood.
  • Large Rubber Fuselage: George Perryman won with his Lanza.
  • The traditional SAM 57 bean feed moved to Greene Auditorium on the VU campus; door prizes included many kits, engines, and supplies.

Day‑by‑Day Highlights

Wednesday

  • Charles Caton’s green and yellow Hummin’ Bird posted 13 maxes with a dramatic vertical climb and bunt‑type transition, astonishing onlookers. Gil Morris’ ABC Toothpicks was second.
  • P‑30: With 66 entrants, eventual AMA overall Grand Champion Bob Nichols was one of only two fliers to max out in P‑30 Open. Don DeLoach and Jim Troutman took Senior and Junior divisions respectively.
  • F1J Small FAI Power: New Yorkers swept the top four — John Carbone (1st), Jim Bocchinfuso (2nd), Jean Pailet (3rd), Ed Keck (4th).
  • Cargo (Cox TD .020‑powered): Bob Nichols lifted about 65 oz. total over three official flights to win; Lou Willis lost his model after the second official flight and missed a chance for a closer contest.
  • FIA (A2) Towline: Joel Gramseyer (Grand Rapids, MI) won; he was the only Senior‑age contestant to enter the combined‑age group event.
  • Team Hand Launch Glider: Bill and Tony Hutchins (father and son) teamed with Jimmy Buxton to win.
  • Pee Wee 30: Hank Nystrom won with a Bill Hale Basic Yeller design. Note: Pee Wee 30 rules prohibit mechanical timers; most competitors use measured fuel or syringe tubes.

Thursday

  • FAC (Flying Aces Club) began a two‑day Rubber Scale schedule; SAM 57 wrapped up its events.
  • Dale Mateer bested Ed Keck in B Gas by 1.5 minutes with 12 maxes.
  • Gregory Stewart converted an auto hood into a makeshift bench to assemble an electric model and went on to win CO2.
  • Jim Noonan sold plans and vintage items and also finished fourth in Compressed Air.
  • F1B Wakefield was a close shoot‑out: Bud Romak, Dan Smith, Mary Bashaw, and Jim O’Reilly finished within 11 seconds of each other.
  • Jr./Sr. combined ABCD Power: Grant Yokel edged Troy Chamberlain by 10 seconds.
  • Rubber Speed: Robert Moulton’s model reached about 62 mph to win; 100 mph remains elusive.
  • A NosGas: Tom Kirsch stopped at nine maxes; Bill Prensky posted 10 maxes in a British‑designed Eureka with similar power.
  • Korda Open Rubber: George Perryman beat Bud Romak.
  • 30 Second Antique (Don Sachtjen’s area): Tom Lucas (Atwood .60 Rambler) beat Clarence Myerscough’s Flyaway.
  • .020 Replica: Guy Eaves won by a large margin; there were 62 entries in the event.

Thursday evening featured an impromptu dinner organized by Don Sachtjen at the Westport Inn.

Friday

  • Friday began with rain, thunder, and lightning; flying resumed by mid‑morning as the sun returned.
  • Nostalgia Gas had a heavy entry card:
  • B NosGas: Ed Keck won with a 21% larger Crescendo; Ed Aidman’s Spacer was second.
  • NosGas Ignition: Bill Hale posted seven consecutive maxes to win.
  • PAA Load: Bill Hale won with three maxes in that event as well.
  • Other winners and notes:
  • Sal Taibi won OT A/B Fuselage with an Elfin 2.49‑powered standard Dodger (only five‑max scores).
  • OT C Pylon: Tom Lucas declared winner over Don Bletstein after a pair of Playboy Seniors battled.
  • OT Large Rubber Stick: Paul Crowley (Detroit) won.
  • OT Small Rubber Fuselage: Bob Bienenstein topped the field.
  • NFFS banquet at the Executive Inn featured AMA Executive Vice President Dave Brown discussing Muncie progress, insurance, and AMA business; he also announced the passing of former AMA president Johnny Clemens. Sal Taibi entertained with humorous flying‑related recollections.

Saturday (Final Day)

  • Weather remained nice until a predicted mid‑afternoon thunderstorm; most competitors flew early before heading home.
  • Ed Keck posted a marathon in D Gas and set a new Category III Class D Gas record.
  • Mulvihill Rubber: Ed Keck finally won after many years of trying; Jim Brooks was a close second.
  • Peanut and Rubber Scale Open: Jim Miller won both; Don DeLoach won the Jr./Sr. division in Peanut.
  • Sig Mini‑Maxer: Bill Jackson posted the lone max and won.
  • C NosGas: Bill Hale won with a Spacer and departed early for home; rain closed the field later that afternoon.

Miscellany and Anecdotes

  • Don Sachtjen ran SAM 57 activities and hosted events at his area. Sal Taibi marked his 52nd consecutive Nationals and reported long travel — his classic ’56 Chevy logged over 630,000 miles on the trip from California.
  • Jean Pruitt miraculously had a previously lost Shuriken engine return to the AMA trailer undamaged — some people have all the luck.
  • A humorous retrieval: the author dropped a NosGas model onto a small factory roof; the receptionist summoned maintenance and returned the model — “very nice folks” in Lawrenceville.

Banquets, Awards, and Closing

  • Two banquets (SAM 57 and NFFS) provided ample food, prizes, and camaraderie. Door prizes at the SAM 57 banquet gave almost everyone some merchandise.
  • The Nationals week combined outstanding flying, socializing, and memorable moments. It closed with fireworks and appreciation for all who contributed to a successful event.

Thank you to everyone who made the week enjoyable — see you downwind!

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.