Edition: Model Aviation - 1976/11
Page Numbers: 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85
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NATS RESULTS

1976 CHAMPIONS

Junior: Jim Geraghty, San Jose, CA

Senior: Dale Elder, Orlando, FL

Open: Bob Sifleet, Glen Rock, PA

Free Flight: Bob Sifleet, Glen Rock, PA

Indoor: Jim Richmond, Davidson, NC

Control Line: Brent Bussell, Dallas, TX

SPECIAL AWARDS

Sterling Models Award (most Scale static points of any category, qualifying official flight): Mike Gretz, Montezuma, IA, Zlin Akrobat 526A.

Testor Trophy (best model finish): Greg Doe, Charlotte, NC; Lil Toni Formula 1 Pylon Racer.

Jim Walker Trophy (winner of JSO CL Stunt flyoff, excluding appearance points): Bob Hunt, Piscataway, NJ.

Danny Bartley Trophy (CL Category Champion): Brent Bussell, Dallas, TX.

McNeill Cup (high time regardless of age, FAI Power): Gilbert Graunke, Brookfield, WI.

Mulvihill Trophy (high time regardless of age, Unlimited Rubber): Jim Lewis, College Park, GA.

Tulsa Glue Dobbers Trophy (high time regardless of age, Outdoor HL Glider): Ray Harper, Granada Hills, CA.

Stout Indoor Trophy (high time regardless of age, Indoor Cabin): Ron Ganser, Pittsburgh, PA.

Stout Commercial Trophy (high time regardless of age, AMA FAI Indoor Stick): Jim Richmond, Davidson, NC.

Dick Black Trophy (high time regardless of age, Coupe d'Hiver): Jim Lewis, College Park, GA.

EAA Plaques (best homebuilt scale aircraft in categories indicated): FF Rubber — Tom Stark, Florissant, MO; Wittman Tailwind, FF Gas — Charles Schobloher, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Sorrell Hyperbipe, CL — Mark D. Bauer, Norridge, IL; Pitts S1-S, RC — Bob Underwood, St. Louis, MO.

Bonzo Scatter Trophies (top times FE FAI A-2 Towline Glider): Jon Watson, Indianola, IA. No Jr. flights in FAI Power or Wakefield Rubber.

Skyscrapers Trophies (top Srs. in FF FAI): A-2 Towline Glider — Andrew Barron, Annandale, VA; FAI Power — Joseph P. Mekina, Barberton, OH; Wakefield Rubber — John Huber, Harrisburg, PA.

CL WORLD CHAMPS

Report by Dr. Laird Jackson U.S. Team Manager

What can the team manager say about WC — good, bad and the way most of them are. Mostly good, because no matter what happens they are all an experience to remember. The bad was in organizational matters done or undone by the Dutch. They had gone overboard on expenses; I think high prices eliminated some eastern European competitors. Arrangements were, frankly, overpriced; group moderately inconvenient; what got me, I'm sure it is difficult to run a WC, but many other people commented the same point; there was a fairly consistent note of friction about competition. Acro Club people, CIAM people frequently jabbing at another in a quiet way; there was also the public washing of dirty Dutch linen which should have been avoided. I'm referring to the total lack of settling the Team Race flap over 1674 Flores, Italian—Dutch wife 828 Team Race pit man Dutch team matter. Dutch Acro Club should have made public things. Dutch modelers more than compensated the difficulties with their warm reception and friendly aid. They were most helpful to us in many ways. The Stunt guys performed almost perfectly; shame we can't give three or four first places. Team Race team didn't make top three but showed comeback...

U. S. SWEEPS INDOOR WORLD CHAMPS

Bud Romak of Moraga, CA, is the new World Champion for indoor models. His two‑flight total of 78 minutes and 58 seconds handily beat Ciapala of Poland, second with 72:03, and Barr of England, third with 71:24. The highest single flight of the World Championships was also scored by Romak — 39 minutes and 36 seconds.

U.S. team members Bucky Servaites and Jim Richmond placed, respectively, 8th and 9th, although their flight totals were not available at press time. Romak's winning score, joined with those for Servaites and Richmond, assured the Team World Championship for the U.S. England was second and Canada, third.

The Indoor World Championships were held at Cardington, England, August 28-30.

NATS SCALE RESULTS

INDOOR AMA SCALE

JS Comb., sponsored by Peck-Polymers Points

  1. William C. Henn, Clifton, NJ — Lacey M-10 — 147.00
  2. Charles Slater, Ft. Lauderdale, FL — 120.00
  3. Michael Nallen, Chicopee, MA — 115.50
  4. Druine Turbulent — 107.50
  5. Barry Pailet, Glen Head, NY — 107.50
  6. Helio-Super Courier, Bruce Pailet, Glen Head, NY — 96.00
  7. Proctor Pilot — 90.00
  8. Open, sponsored by Model Builder Magazine — 174.0
  9. Charles Marcus, Deerfield, MI — 170.0
  10. Westlund Weeks — 170.0
  11. William Henn, Clifton, NJ — 170.0
  12. Lacey M-10 — 165.5
  13. Edward Scott, Mt. Clemens, MI — 165.5
  14. Don Strull — 147.0
  15. Lacey M-10 — 147.0
  16. Don Danna, Plainesboro, NJ — 147.0

INDOOR PEANUT SCALE

JS Comb., sponsored by Peck-Polymers Points

  1. William C. Henn, Clifton, NJ — 326.00
  2. Fike "ET", Cincinnati, OH — 181.00
  3. Steven Metz — 181.00
  4. 10th N3E Eaglet — 175.50
  5. Bruce Pailet, Glen Head, NY — 173.50
  6. Lacey M-10 — 155.00
  7. Michael Pailet — 153.00
  8. David Nulor — 153.00
  9. Lacey M-10 — 147.00
  10. Open, sponsored by Model Builder Magazine — 427.00
  11. Charles Lenore, West Grove, MA — 383.60
  12. John Martin, Miami, FL — 383.60
  13. Volsklame — 332.70
  14. Jack McGillivray, Toronto, Ont., CAN — 332.70
  15. Isaac's Fury — 289.00
  16. E. Sline, Elm — 289.00
  17. Lacey M-10, Clifton, NJ — 285.00
  18. William Henn, Clifton, NJ — 285.00

CL AMA SCALE

Junior, sponsored by Peck-Polymers Points

  1. Tom Fisher, Gaineville, TX — 202.0
  2. RFT-2 Bearcat — 200.8
  3. SE-5A — 163.7
  4. Peter Baer, Norridge, IL — 163.7
  5. Shortwing — 150.8
  6. Matthew Bauer, Norridge, IL — 150.8
  7. Volsklame — 140.8
  8. James Dan, Norridge, IL — 140.8
  9. Junior, sponsored by Peck-Polymers — 219.3
  10. Michel Sheets — 209.8
  11. J-3 Cub — 209.8
  12. Mark Bauer, Norridge, IL — 200.5
  13. Pitts S1-S — 189.8
  14. Dennis Chan — El Cerrito, CA — 189.8
  15. Fokker DR-1 — 187.1
  16. Open, sponsored by JASCO — 592.5
  17. Michel Greer, Montezuma, IA — 592.5
  18. Zlin Akrobat 526A — 459.2
  19. Norman Schreiber, Parma, OH — 459.2
  20. Waco UMF3 — 390.3
  21. Robert Baldus, Des Moines, IA — 390.3
  22. Spirit of St. Louis — 360.7
  23. R. M. Grashack, Philadelphia, PA — 352.6
  24. Douglas C. Tilds, Flint, MI — 347.0
  25. Jerry Scully — 347.0
  26. Best Flight Achievement — 347.0
  27. Michel D. Greer, Montezuma, IA — 347.0
  28. Zlin Akrobat 526A — 347.0

CL SPORT SCALE (Cont.)

Best Flight Achievement Edward Schwarzkopf — Bedford, OH — P-51 Mustang

RC AMA SCALE JS-O Comb., sponsored by Hobby Hideaway Points

  1. Robert Heitz — Hudson, Que., CAN — 771.00
  2. DHC-2 Beaver — 765.00
  3. Charles Nelson — Hudson, WI — 765.00
  4. JW-4 Denny — 752.00
  5. William Bertrand — Allen Park, MI — 750.00
  6. Aeronca "LB" — 719.00
  7. Robert Underwood — St. Louis, MO — 719.00
  8. Bonzo — 708.00
  9. Carlo Jacobsen — Endicott, NY — 702.00
  10. Piper Comanche — 702.00
  11. Best Flight Achievement — St. Louis, MO — 700.00
  12. Bob Underwood — St. Louis, MO — 698.00

RC SPORT SCALE JS-O Comb., sponsored by Model Builder Mag. Points

  1. Roger Brennan — Toledo, OH — 178.00
  2. P-61 Black Widow — 173.00
  3. Don Stull — McLean, VA — 172.00
  4. George Busko — Hyde Park, NY — 173.50
  5. Nacya — 172.00
  6. Bob Recher, Vestal, NY — 171.00
  7. Stan Borker — Hialeah, FL — 171.00
  8. Beach T-34C — 170.00
  9. Best Junior, sponsored by Williams Bros. — 136.00
  10. David Nelson — Berlin, MA — 136.00
  11. Best Flight Achievement — Toledo, OH — 136.00
  12. P-61-B Black Widow — 136.00

FF OUTDOOR PEANUT SCALE

JS-O Comb., sponsored by Sterling Models, Inc. Points

  1. Chris Clemens — Rochester, NY — 181
  2. Lacey M-10 — 159
  3. Michael Nallen — Chicopee, MA — 159
  4. Wendell Swift — Salina, KS — 121
  5. William Langley — Kansas City, MO — 121
  6. Brent Younger — West Chester, PA — 121
  7. Paul Young — Columbus, OH — 121
  8. Brett Younger — West Chester, PA — 278
  9. Clarence Mathers — San Diego, CA — 216
  10. Comp. Swift — 216
  11. Richard Brumwell — Royal Oaks, MI — 214
  12. Champman — 204
  13. Frederick Stark — Florissant, MO — 204
  14. Tom John — Columbus, OH — 204
  15. John Toth — Columbus, OH — 204
  16. Piper Vagabond — 204

FF GAS SCALE

JS-O Comb., sponsored by Hobby Hideaway Points

  1. Bob Puito — Parma, OH — 140.01
  2. Points, sponsored by Williams Bros. — 396.16
  3. Frederick Stark — Florissant, MO — 396.16
  4. Point Robet — Norman, OK — 352.93
  5. Curtis Robin — Chillicothe, OH — 352.93
  6. George H. — Bloomfield Hills, MI — 352.93
  7. Sorreil Hyperbipe — 358.33
  8. Gordon Roberts — Shaker Hts., OH — 358.33
  9. Supermarine Spitfire — 302.34
  10. Bud Jet — 302.34
  11. Be-2c — 302.34

(continued)

NATS RADIO CONTROL RESULTS

RC NOVICE PATTERN FINALS

JS-O Comb., sponsored by RC Modeler Points

  1. Charles Ramsay — 794
  2. Al H. Hobby Shop (10-16) — 797
  3. Charles Ramsey — Anderson, SC — 794
  4. George Vaughn — Spartanburg, SC — 797
  5. Anthony Erickson — Erie, PA — 794
  6. Marty Wittenberg — Houndstooth Hpt., CA — 794
  7. George Miller — Marietta, TN — 792
  8. Rich Fritter — Marietta, OH — 792
  9. Robert Christoper — Springboro, OH — 791
  10. Rob Burton — Springfield, OR — 791
  11. William Rutledge — Waddell, CA — 790
  12. Robert Smith — 789
  13. Best in Sr., sponsored by Model Rectifier Corp. — Charlie Ramsay
  14. Marty Wittenberg — Marietta, TN — 788
  15. Tony F. Brodrick — 787
  16. Phil Sible — 786
  17. Robert Redmen — 785
  18. Charlie Hansen — 784
  19. Larry McCormick — 783
  20. John Turner — 782
  21. Dennis Backer — 781
  22. Nick Rocco — 780

RC ADVANCED PATTERN FINALS

JS-O Comb., sponsored by Carl Goldberg Models, Inc./HNR — Points

  1. Greg D. Henn — 870
  2. Joseph G. Sla -- 861
  3. James D. DeShelly — 857
  4. Arnie Cors — 853
  5. Cori A. Allen — 851
  6. Bob Barlas — 847
  7. Ed Holzman — 844
  8. Michael J. Kurtz — 840
  9. Bill Rutherford — 839
  10. Ron Langley — 835
  11. Rich Mel — 830
  12. Mike O'Dell — 828
  13. Frank J. Hensley — 825
  14. Steve Gann — 821
  15. Bob Lucas — 819
  16. Dave Broughton — 816

(continued)

RC EXPERT PATTERN FINALS

JS-O Comb., sponsored by EK-logictrol (1-5) and Hann's Hobbies, Inc. (6-10) Points

  1. Lindy Peterson, Naperville, IL — 1122
  2. Terence Liston — Columbus, OH — 1122
  3. Phil Hanson — Hartland, NH — 1105
  4. Jim Hanck — 1095
  5. Chuck Sissom — Memphis, TN — 1092
  6. Allen Johnson — 1082
  7. James Vanderberg — Clintonville, WI — 1076
  8. Rich Meyers — Chagrin Falls, OH — 1070
  9. Bill Underwood — Augustus, GA — 1064
  10. Richard Brown — Orlando, FL — 1059
  11. Eric Myers — Charleston, SC — 1052
  12. Don Frank — Richmond, VA — 1046
  13. Steve Jones — 1040

RC MASTER PATTERN FINALS

JS-O Comb., sponsored by World Engines (1-5) and R/S Systems (6-10) — Points

  1. Mark Miller — Tallahassee, FL — 23,480
  2. Ed Roth — Cincinnati, OH — 22,480
  3. Don Brown — Clinton, OH — 22,320
  4. Jay L. Miller — Columbus, OH — 22,320
  5. Mark Radcliffe — Cincinnati, OH — 21,320
  6. Michael Miller — Chicago, IL — 21,120
  7. James Halverson — Guelph, Ont., CAN — 21,115
  8. Steve Hines — San Mateo, CA — 21,015
  9. Phillip Kraft — Vista, CA — 20,900
  10. Wayne Albertsen — Hillside, MD — 20,845
  11. James Whitely — Decatur, AL — 20,700

RC PYLON FORMULA I

JS-O Comb., sponsored by K & B Mfg. Corp. (1-5), Pettit-Hobbyshop (6-10), Nitro-Model/Space Age Fuels (11-15), Aero Sport Electronics (16-20) — Points

  1. Roger Miller — 27
  2. Robert Dietrich — 25
  3. Kent Noga — 24
  4. Bruce Hinze — 24
  5. William Piers — 23
  6. Terry Prather — 23

(continued on next page)

NATS RESULTS 1976 CHAMPIONS

Junior Jim Geraghty — San Jose, CA Senior Dale Elder — Orlando, FL Open Bob Sifleet — Glen Rock, PA Free Flight Bob Sifleet — Glen Rock, PA Indoor Jim Richmond — Davidson, NC Control Line Brent Bussell — Dallas, TX

SPECIAL AWARDS

  • Sterling Models Award, scale static points category qualifying official flight: Mike Gretz — Montezuma, IA (Zlin Akrobat 526A)
  • Testor Trophy, best model finish: Greg Doe — Charlotte, NC
  • Lii Toni Formula Pylon Racer Jim Walker Trophy, winner: (ISO CL Stunt flyoff excluding appearance points) Bob Hunt — Piscataway, NJ
  • Danny Bartley Trophy, CL Category Champion: Brent Bussell — Dallas, TX
  • McNeill Cup, high time regardless of age, FAI Power: Gilbert Graunke — Brookfield, WI
  • Mulvihill Trophy, high time regardless of age, Unlimited Rubber: Jim Lewis — College Park, GA
  • Tulsa Glue Dobbers Trophy, high time regardless of age, Outdoor HL Glider: Ray Harper — Granada Hills, CA
  • Stout Indoor Trophy, high time regardless of age, Indoor Cabin: Ron Ganser — Pittsburgh, PA
  • Stout Commercial Trophy, high time regardless of age, AMA FAI Indoor Stick: Jim Richmond — Davidson, NC
  • Dick Black Trophy, high time regardless of age, Coupe d'Hiver: Jim Lewis — College Park, GA
  • EAA Plaques, best homebuilt scale aircraft, categories indicated: FF Rubber: Tom Stark — Florissant, MO; Wittman Tailwind FF Gas: Charles Schobloher — Bloomfield Hills, MI; Sorrel Hyperbipe CL: Mark D. Bauer — Norridge, IL; Pitts S1-S RC: Bob Underwood — St. Louis, MO

(Additional trophies and top placings in various events were listed.)

CL WORLD CHAMPS

Report — Dr. Laird Jackson, US Team Manager

What can a team manager say about the WC — the good, the bad, the in-between? Mostly good, because no matter what happens the experience remains. Bad organizational matters — done and undone — the Dutch went overboard on expenses; I think high prices eliminated some eastern European competitors. Arrangements were frankly overpriced; the group was moderately inconvenient. What got me, I'm sure it was difficult to run the WC, other people commented the same point. A fairly consistent note was friction about competition — ACM club people, CIAM people frequently jabbing at one another in a quiet way; also public washing of dirty Dutch linen should have been avoided. I'm referring to the total lack of settling the Team Race flap over 1674 Flores, Italian-Dutch wife, 828 Team Race pit man, Dutch team matter. The Dutch Acro Club should have made public things; Dutch modelers more than compensated difficulties with their warm reception and friendly aid. Many were helpful in various ways; it was one of the best receptions we've had in recent years. Stunt guys performed almost perfectly — a shame we can't give three or four first places. The Race team didn't make the top three but showed a comeback.

U S SWEEPS INDOOR WORLD CHAMPS

Bud Romak, Moraga, CA, is the new World Champion, indoor models — two-flight total 78 minutes 58 seconds — handily beat Czapla of Poland, second, 72:03; Barr, England, third, 71:24. The highest single flight of the World Championships was also scored by Romak — 39 minutes 36 seconds. U.S. team members Bucky Servaites and Jim Richmond placed respectively 8th and 9th (flight totals not available at press time). Romak's winning score, joined by Servaites and Richmond, assured the Team World Championship: U.S., England second, Canada third. Indoor World Championships were held at Cardington, England, August 28–30.

NATS SCALE RESULTS — INDOOR

AMA Scale J-S Combined, sponsored by Peck-Polymers

  1. William C. Henn — Clifton, NJ — Lacey M-10
  2. Charles Slater — Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  3. Michael Nallen — (continued)

I can do this, but the scan you provided is low resolution and many lines are unclear. To produce an accurate, corrected transcription of the "Competition Newsletter" primary article (continuing exactly from the prior page), I need a higher-resolution scan of this page (preferably 300–600 dpi) or a close-up crop of the section where the prior page left off (the continuation after "3. Michael Nallen —").

Please either:

  • Upload a higher-resolution version of this page, or
  • Upload a cropped, high-resolution image showing the top-center/right of this page (the area that continues the NATS scale results and/or the NATS Free Flight Results).

If you want, I can also proceed now and transcribe the parts that are reasonably legible from the current image (with likely gaps/uncertainties) — tell me if you prefer that.

  1. Michael Nallen — Charlotte, NC

CL WORLD CHAMPS — Report

Dr. Laird Jackson, U.S. Team Manager

What can a team manager say about the WC — good, bad, or in between? Mostly good, because no matter what happens, experience remains. Remember bad organizational matters done and undone. The Dutch went overboard; expenses, I think, and high prices eliminated some Eastern European competitors. Arrangements were frankly overpriced and the group was moderately inconvenient. I'm sure it was difficult to run the WC; other people commented the same point. A fairly consistent note was friction about competition — ACM club people and CIAM people frequently jabbing at one another in a quiet way; also public washing of dirty Dutch linen should have been avoided. I'm referring to the total lack of settling of the Team Race flap over 1674 Flores, the Italian-Dutch wife 828 Team Race pit-man matter. The Dutch Acro Club should have made public things. Dutch modelers more than compensated for difficulties with their warm reception; their friendly aid was helpful to us in many ways — the best we've seen in recent years. Stunt guys performed almost perfectly; a shame we can't give three or four first places. The Team Race team didn't make the top three but showed a comeback.

U.S. SWEEPS INDOOR WORLD CHAMPS

Bud Romak, Moraga, CA, is the new World Champion — indoor models, two-flight total 78 minutes 58 seconds — handily beat Ciapala, Poland, second, 72:03; Barr, England, third, 71:24. The highest single flight in the World Championships was also scored by Romak — 39 minutes 36 seconds. U.S. team members Bucky Servaites and Jim Richmond placed respectively 8th and 9th, although flight totals were not available at press time. Romak's winning score, joined by Servaites and Richmond, assured the Team World Championship: U.S., England second, Canada third. Indoor World Championships were held at Cardington, England, August 28–30.

Congratulations to CL Aerobatics World Champion Les McDonald for first place. Together with outstanding performances by Bill Werwage and Gene Schaffer, they led the U.S. team to victory. Bob Gieseke, 1974 World Champion, competing individually, placed third. thanks to two fine gentlemen of aeromodelling. I am speaking of Matty Sullivan and John Brodbeck. Both of these men generously supported the team effort this year and deserve a very large thank you. Johnny has been especially supportive over the years, and both men support us with their own special enthusiasm for modeling.

Finally, I'll say again as I have in the past — there is nothing quite like being at a World Championships. The competition at the top is different, and the people who are there are the world's best. It is an event to experience.

This year the always pleasant feeling of friendship and good times was added to by the chance to sightsee for a few days after the competition in a relaxed (sometimes too relaxed) atmosphere. I won't forget Switzerland, and they probably won't forget us either. For those who haven't tried the WC experience, I recommend it.

— Doc Jackson when my engine went sour, Louis VanderHout when a practice site was needed, and Joanne Jackson during the latter hours of the awards banquet.

Friends at home helped, too — Remel Cooper drove 750 miles to help clean up my flying, the southeastern stunt fliers contributed financially, Bill Simon handled the logistics and Wayne Cathey built the bullet‑proof shipping box for my model.

To top it off, when I returned home from Europe, my fellow workers at Orange Blossom Hobbies awarded me with a beautiful plaque. My wife, Nancy, deserves the biggest thanks for understanding my eight‑year endeavor.

The color and excitement of a World Championships should be the goal of any competition modeler. In a phone conversation months ago, Bill Werwage put it in a nutshell, "It makes it all worthwhile." seemed better than before. Salvitor Rossi of Italy really impressed me, and so did all three of the Japanese.

I was happy that we won the team award again, though I, as an individual, did no better than last time, 6th place. I felt my flight draw positions, which were very early in the day, could have hurt my score.

Of course the part I love best was the victory party in the 747 lounge on the way back home — seven hours long!

Thanks, again, to Dr. Laird Jackson for his expert assistance with our engine/rule combinations. I don't think our team would have turned out in the same three places without him.

World competition is where it's at!

that were run in the same way, have selected the most representative teams to go to the Champs. After the Trials in Lake Charles, we went back to work trying to improve ourselves and began thinking about the problems of going overseas. We had been told that getting the fuel over there was the worst part of the trip. However, we found that it was almost trivial and, in fact, proved to be the easiest part of the trip. We simply wrote to a modeler in Holland who agreed to accept shipments from us and sent everything to him by air freight. We had confirmed safe arrival and storage of all fuel ingredients before the end of May. Finding out how to properly fill out the appropriate forms was the only troublesome part of the whole maneuver and even this was not difficult after a few phone calls and a little persistence.

Building a box to send our airplanes and equipment safely was the next problem. After seeing the efforts of some other teams, especially those of our own teammates, Jim Dunkin and Bill Wright, we realized that our box was somewhat heavier and more cumbersome than was necessary. Dunkin/Wright had an excellent idea for carrying airplanes which they used for their model. This was to enclose it in a styrofoam box cut out on the inside just enough to hold the model securely in place. With the airplane inside, it weighed less than five pounds and was practically indestructible.

During these preparations, of course, we continued our practice and development, hoping to turn in a respectable time in Utrecht. We continued working with the rear valve Rossi we used at the Team Trials and then, about the first of February, we were fortunate enough to get one of Henry Nelson's new engines. The Nelson showed very great promise so we reworked one of our planes to fit it and went to work. By the time we were to leave for Utrecht, we had managed to work the Rossi model down to 23-25-23 sec./10 laps, with the Nelson going close to the same but perhaps not quite as reliably as we would like. Both engines would go 33 to 38 laps per tank easily. As we boarded the plane for New York, we felt we would be pleased with a race time anywhere in the middle to low 4:20s. While this would not scare anyone over there, it would represent about the best we could do in competition and this is the first requirement of any competitive endeavor.

The trip to Holland was really quite enjoyable. We met most of the rest of the team, also with Doc Jackson, in New York, boarded the plane and were off. We should mention the fact that the team shirts and warm-up outfits that Doc obtained for the team and gave us in New York are really first-class. We arrived in Holland about noon local time on Sunday, claimed our baggage and airplane box, rented a car and made it to our prearranged lodging place by early afternoon. We rested a bit and then spent the rest of the day scouting the contest site and the official practice site and picked up our fuel.

Starting the next morning, we had three days to practice before the official processing and team practice began on Thursday. We decided to take full advantage of the time, so off we went bright and early Monday morning to the practice site. We had been fearful all along that practicing at 3,000 feet altitude and less than 10% humidity might lead us

Team Race WC/Plaunt (Cont.)

astray when it came time to race at 0 feet altitude and 60% humidity, and we were absolutely correct. Of course, both needle and compression settings changed quite noticeably but we also had to change our cooling set-up (more cooling) and fuel (less amyl nitrite) before we could get the engines to run right. Since we were more familiar with it, we decided that we would have a better chance with our Rossi to run a good race, and we stuck with it for both our official flights.

One of the best parts of the trip was on Wednesday afternoon just as we were finishing our last practice session. The practice field was suddenly filled with Team Racers—the entire Italian team, the Austrians (including Mr. Bugl himself), the Germans, most of the Swedish, Danish and Dutch teams, along with several others. Most of these are, of course, the very top teams in Europe and it was most enjoyable watching them practice and try to put the "psych" on each other. We, of course, snooped and took pictures (with our famous Instamatic) and generally acted more like tourists than the tourists.

The official processing and practice on Thursday was fairly uneventful for us. As the practice time for the Americans was rather late in the day when it was cooling off, we left our compression just a touch under to make it about right for flying in the heat of the day on Friday. The most exciting part of the day was watching the Russians (heretofore unseen by anyone) screaming around at 20.5 sec./10 laps when the fastest we could catch anyone else was rarely better than 22.0 sec./10 laps. The official racing would tell the real story, but their custom engines were clearly equal or superior than anything from the free world.

We were the fourth heat of the day on Friday at about 10:15 in the morning. Since it was still cool, we raised the compression a bit, and felt that we should have a good setting. We were somewhat more nervous than expected (especially Jim) but Doc Jackson, Jim Dunkin, and especially Bill Wright, stood by us and were most helpful in getting Jim's feet back on the ground before and after the heat. We were off to a good start and a good first tank but ran out of fuel unexpectedly and were in the pit at 33 laps. Jim had also collected a foul for blocking. The second tank saw the engine going cold and spitting a lot for some reason, and again, we ran out of fuel sooner than expected, not to mention a second blocking foul. To make up for lost time, Jim cleverly set the plane down a foot or two in front of Sue's fuel spout when she was trying to whip it around. While Sue was running after the plane—aghast, Jim quickly lays an egg and breaks it over his forehead. Then, just to seal our fate, Jim manages to collect the third foul for handle-off-the-ground.

Needless to say, we were not pleased with our first day's performance. While the Jury was fairly incredulous that first morning, giving 16 disqualifications and only eight official times, it was small consolation, as we had dropped our own mistakes and probably deserved the rules call on us. We left immediately for the practice field to try to get our act back together. We found that, for some reason, and of which we are still not quite sure, the engine just wanted to be a bunch leaner than it had been setting the first day. The rich setting was basically the reason for the cold running the first day. We feel much better after discussion and believe that we should be in good shape for Saturday.

Saturday we were in the sixth heat and indeed everything went quite smoothly. We were third away in a three plane start, but were running just about even in the air with the English team of Heal/Robson and the Russian team of Maslov/Efremov. This time, with plenty of laps, Jim made sure to shut off quite early and come into the pit in a reasonable fashion. This probably slowed our time a bit but we felt that the extra insurance was worth it. Both of Sue's pits were flawless (as usual) and we were officially credited with a time of 4:21.1. By very intelligent use of the whipping fouls and somewhat less conservative pit work, the Russians recorded a 4:12.1, though our speed was almost equal in traffic. Being desperate to get a time fast Both of Sue's pits were flawless (as usual) and we were officially credited with a time of 4:21.1. By very intelligent use of the whipping fouls and somewhat less conservative pit work, the Russians recorded a 4:12.1, though our speed was almost equal in traffic. Being desperate to get a time fast, Jim made sure to shut off quite early and come into the pit in a reasonable fashion. This probably slowed our time a bit but we felt that the extra insurance was worth it.

The semifinals and the finals on Sunday were of the usual high point of the Team Racing activities. We were somewhat surprised to learn that each team in the semifinals is given a solo ten-minute practice period preceding each semi-final race. This means, obviously, that every team in the semifinals gets exactly the setting they want. If the setting is "bad" they have nothing and no one to blame but themselves. In addition, the semifinals provide much more "honest" racing than the heats in that there are virtually none of the two-up or one-one-up races which give some very optimistic heat times in some cases.

A couple of silly things happened on Sunday, like the organizers deciding to finally disqualify one of the Dutch teams after all the heats were over on a protest which had been pending since the opening day; and like the Russian team of Krasnovitsky/Kramarenko being caught with an oversize tank. Basically, however, the semifinals went smoothly and fairly.

The final was kind of strange in that the Danish team, which had the fastest semifinal time and a really good chance of winning, broke their inboard wing on the first pit, leaving the Swedes and the Russians alone to record a very fast time. Then, after all the dust had settled, the Swedes were disqualified because their Rossi F1 was oversize! Disqualification of the Swedes moved the other Russian team of Onufrienko/Chopalov up into third place, even though they did not even make the finals and, in fact, did rather poorly in the semifinals. Even though semifinal times are much more representative (in general) of a team's capabilities, heat times are always used to determine placings after the first three places.

Well, that's the way it looked to us. In every respect it was one of the greatest and most rewarding experiences we have ever had. Our list of conclusions is as follows:

  1. The U.S. Team selection process is excellent just as it has existed for the past several years and should be left alone.
  1. The U.S. Team should arrive at the Champs four or five days before the competition starts, just as we did this time, to allow plenty of time to sort things out half way around the world. We did not think this was necessary before but we have changed our minds.
  1. If you can make the semifinals, the bad (or good) luck is behind you and you have your best chance to show what you can do.
  1. Check your engine and tank before you leave home.

50-MINUTE INDOOR BARRIER BROKEN

First there was a struggle to break 30 minutes, then 40 minutes, and now Dick Kowalski of Warren, MI, has succeeded in piercing the 50-minute mark in official flight at an AMA sanctioned AMA/FAI Record Trial. The actual time recorded was 50 minutes and 41 seconds, and this performance is being submitted to the FAI for certification as a new World Record for Indoor Rubber-Powered Models, Ceiling Cat. IV. (The flight simultaneously establishes a new AMA National Record for AMA Stick Models in AMA Ceiling Cat. III.) Kowalski's record-setting performance conforms to the old AMA Class D specifications, having 300 sq. ins. wing area. Power came from a .20" loop of rubber .096" x .045" which was wound for 1950 turns. The flight was made on August 14 at Akron, OH, in the Goodyear Aerospace Hangar having a height of 183' to the rafters.

Credit the prodding of Erv Rodemsky for Kowalski's packing in enough turns to secure the record. According to the word we have, Kowalski was about ready to put the model away after a first flight of 44 minutes (which was well below the top) when Rodemsky called him into going on. First ceiling contact on the record flight was at the 9½-minute mark, and the model continued tapping the rafters until about the 20-minute mark. Balloon steering was used only once during the flight, this during descent to avoid a floor or obstruction. About 100 turns remained upon landing.

The true significance of this outstanding flight can readily be seen by the 14-year reign of the previous FAI World Record holder for this class, K. H. Riecke of West Germany. Riecke's record of 45 minutes and 40 seconds was established on September 22, 1962.

13 QUALIFIED FOR '77 RC MASTERS TEAM FINALS

Qualified so far are the three 1975 U.S. RC Aerobatics Team members (Dave Brown, Mark Radcliff and Rhett Miller III) and the top 10 Master Class fliers at the 1976 National Contest who had entered the program. These are Don Lowe, Centerville, OH; Michael Mueller, Chicago, IL; Steve Helm, San Marcos, CA; Phil Kraft, Vista, CA; Wayne Abernethy, Hillside, MD; Jim Whiteley, Decatur, AL; James Kimbro, San Marcos, CA; Dean Koger, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Carl Weber, Waukesha, WI; and Jim Oddino, Woodland Hills, CA.

Remaining to be qualified are the top 20 from the points part of the program which runs until October 25. Together with the aforementioned 13, they will compete for the three spots on the U.S. 1977 RC Aerobatics Team at the RC Masters Team Selection Finals in June 1977 at a site to be determined by finalists from among hosting bids that are submitted by mid-November this year. (See the October 1976 issue, page 69, for details that should be brought out in bids.)

Standings (unaudited) of those in the points part of the program as supplied by Dick Schoene of NSRCA on September 1 are as follows. Numbers within parentheses show how many meets have been flown in earning points.

  • Sal Battaglia, New Rochelle, NY (5) 43.0
  • Tony Bonetti, Emerson, NJ (7) 48.0
  • Joe Bridt, Harbor City, CA (3) 11.0
  • John Britt, Lee's Summit, MO (6) 25.3
  • Ron Chidgey, Pensacola, FL (4) 17.6
  • Denis Donohue, Bergenfield, NJ (5) 18.2
  • Alan Dupler, Millersport, OH (3) 12.1
  • Philip Gesceing, Ft. Wayne, IN (5) 15.5
  • Joe Gross, Ft. Worth, TX (4) 11.0
  • George Hill, Annandale, VA (6) 24.6
  • Ed Izzo, Holliston, MA (6) 14.2
  • Ed Keck, Webster, NY (6) 22.8
  • Robert Kelly, Denver, CO (5) 20.9
  • Daniel Kowallek, Kokomo, IN (6) 22.0
  • Fred Kugel, Celina, OH (7) 26.4
  • Ben Mathews, New Orleans, LA (2) 4.4
  • Thomas Moore, Nashville, TN (4) 8.8
  • Lloyd Nicholson, Denver, CO (3) 7.7
  • James Osborne, Lumberton, TX (4) 20.9
  • Eric Pozdilinski, Ft. Wayne, IN (7) 9.5
  • Howard Randles, Graham, NC (3) 6.6
  • C. W. Reed, Raytown, MO (6) 19.8
  • Bill Salkowski, Canoga Park, CA (1) 6.6
  • Donald Seals, Paris, IL (4) 7.7
  • Pat Shuttleworth, Chatworth, CA (4) 7.7
  • Bob Smith, Chatsworth, CA (1) 2.2
  • William Thomas, Bartlesville, OK (5) 25.3

CALL FOR 1977 FF SYMPOSIUM PAPERS

The National Free Flight Society is soliciting papers for the 1977 NFFS Symposium to be held at the 1977 NATS. Papers will be published in the 1977 Symposium volume whether or not the author is able to present his paper personally at the Nats. Papers should cover some aspect of the science or art of Free Flight models, including technical studies, practical design and engineering, as applied to models, new or unusual model aircraft developments, or historical items. Both indoor and outdoor Free Flight modeling developments are to be included. Please send proposed papers to: Robert P. Dodds, Editor, Box 436, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.

Send title of proposed paper together with an abstract of 200 words or more, or a complete paper if it is possible and hopefully within a month after publication of this notice. The editor this year would like to have a complete list of the material to be published by December 15, 1976.

FF TEAM PROGRAM NEWS

Revised Program and Budget Approved.

By a vote of 130 to 39, participants in the current Free Flight Team Selection Program have approved, tentatively, a new three-year program and budget for its implementation. We say tentatively because the new schedule and budget will not be used if the present two-year cycle of World Championships remains unchanged. The new program plan is as follows.

  • First year (same year as WC): Qualifying Trials and Regional Semifinals as per the present format, including the formula for advancement to the U.S. Team Finals.
  • Second year: U.S. Team Finals, centralized and rotating from East, to Central, to West, to East, etc., as per the present format.
  • Third year: The Program Committee, with the support and approval of AMA and in conjunction with Canada and Mexico and any other American participating countries, would stage an American Open FAI International Contest. It would be open to all FAI fliers who could enter as individuals or teams. The U.S. teams, selected in the year before, would be sent to the American Internationals with sponsorship by the FAI Program Fund.

The budget for this program is as follows.

  • U.S. Team travel to Pan-American Internationals ................................... $2000
  • Fund for staging Internationals ......................................................... $2250
  • Budget for Committee meetings ....................................................... $2000
  • Semifinals expenses .................................................................... $500
  • Mementos for Finalists ................................................................. $500
  • Team Finals Costs ..................................................................... $750

Total: $8,000

The new program plan and budget were developed by the AMA FAI FF Program Committee chaired by Bob Stalick. The new budget provides for the Pan-American Internationals by eliminating travel reimbursement for those going to the U.S. Team Finals (Blaine, MN), and it also shows an increased cost for the in-person committee meetings.

Team Manager Nominations Received.

The July FAI FF Newsletter to recent program entrants—which carried the ballot described above—also asked for nominations for the post of team manager. From among these nominations (which could be submitted up to September 13), the U.S. team members would choose. Sixty-four nominations had been received when this was written; those with four or more nominations (without any particular order of listing) were: Bill Hartl, Bob Hatscheck, Bob White, Doug Galbraith, Bob Sifleet, Bob Stalick, Tom Hutchinson, Bill Bogart and George Xenakis.

RULES PROPOSALS INFORMATION

The system for considering new AMA competition rules (see complete Contest Board Procedures in May 1976 issue) is scheduled to begin with the 1978 contest year. Proposals for new rules, changes or deletions should be submitted to the Contest Board. Proposals must be in writing and must include the exact wording proposed, a brief statement of the reason for the proposal, and the name and address of the person submitting it. Proposals affecting FAI rules should include the FAI wording when possible.

What You Can Do

Study the proposals and send your comments, either supporting or opposing them, including suggested alternative wording. Contest directors are urged to present proposals and supporting information at Board meetings. All proposals received by the Board will be published in the Newsletter so that members may comment before final action is taken.

GENERAL RULES PROPOSALS

Note: Proposals 1 and 2 were summarized in the October 1976 CN, page 73.

GEN78-3 — Cancellation/Delay of Contests. R. L. Lindy, Naperville, IL. Suggests that the present circular for cancellation or postponement of contests be amended to require that contest directors make reasonable attempts to notify entrants in the event of cancellation and that the reasons for the cancellation be reported to the Contest Board.

GEN78-4 — (Permanent) Identification. I. R. Stambaugh, Rensselaer, IN. Suggests that all free flight models be required to bear permanent identification (name and address or AMA number) applied in a manner which will not be obliterated in normal use and which will be visible at a distance. Proposed action: refer to the Contest Board for study and report.

GEN78-5 — Championship Points in FF Events. Clubs that compete which already have a local event for the US team selection or other championship purposes should be permitted to offer championship points in such events when the event is run under AMA contest rules. (Detail omitted.)

GEN78-6 — (Various editorial and clarification proposals.) (Detail omitted.)

GEN78-7 — Time Limits, etc. (Detail omitted.)

(Additional general rules proposals submitted; full text published for member comment in the Newsletter and to be considered at the Contest Board meeting.)

CONTROL LINE RULES PROPOSALS

CL-78-3 — AA Mouse & Scale Racing. R. E. C. Competitions, D. L. Linne, Naperville, IL. Proposes to add to the rules that competitive entries in the Junior and Senior AA categories are limited to engine sizes not exceeding .049 cu in and that safety and eligibility requirements be clarified. (Detail omitted.)

CL-78-4 — Navy Carrier, Profile Class. R. Platt, Mount Vernon, IL. (Proposal text omitted.)

CL-78-5 — Slow Combat, Kill Elimination. Paul P. Hurlburt, Jr., Cincinnati, OH. Proposes that in Slow Combat the entrant be allowed to initiate an elimination by scoring two complete circles or a specified action; and that a tie be resolved by the number of hits. (Detail omitted.)

CL-78-6 — Night Carrier Profile Movable Surfaces. In order to increase the chances of success for night Carrier events, movable surfaces should be permitted on profile models with restrictions on their activation and construction. (Detail omitted.)

CL-78-7 — Combat, Junior Event Engine Starting. In the belief that Combat flying should remain a personal battle of skill rather than a dependence on mechanical aids, proposes that starting devices and automatic starters not be permitted in Junior Combat events. (Detail omitted.)

CL-78-8 — Combat, Rematch in Event of Broken/Cracked Lines. Stating that the lower who loses a match by broken lines when the opponent is not at fault should be granted a rematch, proposes that rematches be allowed in certain cases where lines break under specified conditions. (Detail omitted.)

(Other CL proposals are published for member comment.)

RADIO CONTROL RULES PROPOSALS

Note: Proposals 1 and 2 were summarized in the October 1976 CN, page 72.

RC-78-13 — Quarter Midget, Deadline Date for Engine Eligibility. Proposes a change to the engine eligibility deadlines to correspond with other contest rule deadlines and to avoid confusion. (Detail omitted.)

RC-78-14 — Model Age Limits. Proposes to clarify age limits for Junior and Senior classes and to specify documentation required. (Detail omitted.)

(Additional radio control proposals published for comment.)

FREE FLIGHT RULES PROPOSAL

Note: Proposals 1 through 12 were summarized in the October 1976 CN, page 72; proposals 13 through 18 were summarized in the October 1976 CN, page 73.

FF-78-19 — Power, Elimination of Hand Launching. Jack Mordell, Lorain, OH. This proposal recommends elimination of hand launching in certain power events and clarification of launch procedures for others. (Detail omitted.)

FF-78-20 — (Other free flight proposals; details omitted.)

(Full wording of all free flight proposals will appear in the Contest Board packet and in the Newsletter for member comment.)

SCALE RULES PROPOSALS

SC-78-3 — Sport Scale, Limitation of Scale Operations. Sharl Talia, West Union, OH. Proposes to limit scale operations to those appropriate for the scale class and to require stricter documentation of scale performance claims. (Detail omitted.)

SC-78-4 — RC Sport Scale Judges. Joseph A. Nebel, Providence, RI. Proposes to strengthen judging procedures and to clarify scoring for RC Sport Scale events. (Detail omitted.)

SC-78-5 — Sport Scale, Static Judging. In order to standardize judging and to encourage the highest degree of craftsmanship in scale models, proposes a revised static judging sheet and scoring system. (Detail omitted.)

SC-78-6 — Sport Scale Documentary Presentations. This proposal seeks to require that Scale documentary presentations be limited to factual material and that credits and supporting data be submitted at the time of judging. (Detail omitted.)

SC-78-7 — CL Sport Scale Mufflers. William W. Bell, Baltimore, MD. Proposes to exempt certain muffler requirements for small CL engines used in Sport Scale models, provided safety is not compromised. (Detail omitted.)

(Additional scale proposals published for member comment.)

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All proposals published above are submitted for member review and comment. Comments should be sent in writing to the Contest Board Chairman at AMA Headquarters and must be received by the date specified in the Contest Board notice to be considered at the next Board meeting.

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