Control Line
Fred Cronenwett
The 25th Annual Control Line Northwest Regionals were held May 24–26 in Roseburg, Oregon. This contest is the largest of its type on the West Coast, attracting Control Line enthusiasts from California to Canada. First run in 1972 on a concrete circle and three grass circles, the contest has grown over the years. With the move to Roseburg Regional Airport the event attracted many spectators and participants alike and the flyfest ran from Friday through late Sunday.
Event site and organization
Organized by the Umpqua Valley Modelers and the Eugene Prop Spinners, the contest is an example of city government and local clubs coming together. Faced with losing their flying site at the Eugene airport, the clubs found a new site in Roseburg. Dave Shrum of the Umpqua Valley Modelers took the lead in organizing the event.
Roseburg Regional Airport personnel allowed use of a portion of the ramp area. Three concrete circles were laid down after full-scale aircraft were cleared; the combat area was held on the grass at the edge of the ramp. A carrier deck was located nearby, and McDonald’s was only five minutes away. Club members worked Thursday to set up the field; final preparations were completed Friday morning as competitors arrived to register.
Registration and awards
At registration, contestants received a surprise from Dave Shrum: hand-made photo bases crafted from real Oregon wood. As fliers registered, photos were taken of models and the photos were inserted into the wooden bases. Metal plates were awarded at the ceremony; if a participant placed first in three events, they could mount three plates on the base instead of receiving three separate trophies. Dave Shrum, a custom cabinet builder, worked many long hours to make the photo bases.
Juniors, Mouse Racing and support
There was a large junior and senior turnout. A Mouse Racing group called Wings Like Eagles, coached by Larry Hyder from Madras, Oregon, brought seven excited kids. The group began three years earlier, training members to build and race models; older kids help new members learn.
A group from Hoquiam, Washington, organized by Alan Olsen of Hoquiam High School, also participated in Mouse I and Clown Racing. Chuck Eads sponsored the students’ hotel room and the Windmill Hotel picked up a second room; without this sponsorship the group could not have attended. Open-class racers reorganized heats to give the juniors more time on the circle.
Precision Aerobatics
Nearly 50% of the 103 registered contestants flew Precision Aerobatics. Categories included Old Time, Classic, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. The field included serious competitors such as Paul Walker, Ted Fancher, and Dave Fitzgerald. Paul Walker flew his Impact to first place in Expert.
PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) had a booth for merchandise and recruiting; its bimonthly newsletter Stunt News was on display.
Saturday night dinner and special awards
The traditional Saturday night dinner was held at the Roseburg Country Club, featuring a buffet and a pre-dinner cocktail hour. Guest speaker Dave Brown, President of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), spoke about the upcoming Nationals and AMA efforts to encourage junior participation. AMA District XI Vice President Ed McCollough also attended.
Mel Marcum and Morrie Gilbert of the Eugene Prop Spinners received Distinguished Service Awards from Dave Brown for their long service promoting Control Line activities. Door prizes went to juniors Robbie Liddle (Precision Aerobatics kit) and Travis Morgan (Dremel Moto-Tool), to great applause.
Vendors, hangar and on-site services
Eugene Toy and Hobby had a rolling hobby shop at the Regionals. Previously run by Paul Agerteter (in whose memory the NW Regionals is now named), the store is now run by his son Mark Agerteter, who received a special award for 25 years of service.
Other on-site vendors included:
- Bargain Bin Hobbies of Roseburg (first appearance)
- B-Y&O Props (propellers and related items)
Jim Cunningham of OMNI Air Service opened his hangar for three days to house registration, results boards, and the on-site hobby shops.
Results
On Sunday at 5 p.m. the winners were announced:
- Open Grand Champion: Roger McIntyre
- Senior Grand Champion: Todd Ryan
- Junior Grand Champion: Euan Edmonds
The prize table included handles, several kits, fuel, and other Control Line items.
Acknowledgements and invitation
A large share of the credit goes to Dave Shrum, who was the backbone of the contest. Moving the Regionals 70 miles south to Roseburg required extensive planning and cooperation. Thanks to the city of Roseburg; Roseburg Regional Airport; Jim Cunningham; Mr. Eads (owner of several McDonald’s); the Windmill Hotel; the many volunteers; and the Umpqua Valley Modelers and Eugene Prop Spinners.
The clubs invite anyone who has not attended the NW Regionals to come next year — plans are already underway to make it even better.
Fred Cronenwett 7352 Independence #201 Canoga Park, CA 91303
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
