Modeling Spoken Here
Bob Hunt — Aeromodeling Editor
In this issue you will find coverage of the 2004 FAI CL World Championships (WC) that was contested at our Muncie site in July. This particular WC was a “category” competition; there were several events being contested at one time. In this case there were four FAI CL events:
- Speed
- Aerobatics (F2B / CL Stunt)
- Team Race
- Combat
In many—perhaps most—cases only one event is contested at a WC. Category-type meets, therefore, take up more space, are better attended, and most certainly have the feeling of a multiple-ring circus. It's hard to know which venue to go to and what to watch at any given time!
The reports by our regular CL-discipline columnists give the rundown on the action and the results, so I won't repeat those here. What I do want to convey is the human side of a WC meet. There are many great stories that come out of these gatherings, and many are never passed on. Some are humorous and some are inspirational. I have a personal WC story that I would like to share, so please indulge me for a few paragraphs.
When I was a young man I read every model-airplane magazine cover to cover. Among my favorite articles were those reporting on modeling overseas. The great Peter Chinn often had reports on the Criterium of Aces contests in his very popular Model Airplane News column, “Foreign Notes.” Those meets were essentially European championships.
Among the most successful and well-known European fliers in the late 1950s and 1960s was Dr. Geza Egervary. In those days he was a dentist in his native Hungary, which was under Soviet control. Because of his station as a dentist, Dr. Egervary had a bit more freedom to travel than the average citizen, so he could make many of the European contests. I enjoyed reading about him and his models. He and his wife were eventually allowed to leave Hungary on holiday by automobile, and they chose not to return — they defected to get away from communism. Initially they went to Great Britain, but soon settled in West Germany. There Dr. Egervary started another dental practice with financial help from the government. He also returned to CL Stunt flying, and when he gained German citizenship he was eligible to try out for the FAI team.
In 1978 I made my first US F2B (CL Aerobatics, or Stunt) world-team appearance. That WC was held in Great Britain at Woodvale Royal Air Force base near Manchester. Before the contest started I went into Manchester to do some sightseeing. I saw the sign for a hobby shop and went in to see what merchandise they had for sale. I vividly remember being in that shop when a distinguished-looking man walked up to the counter and began speaking with the proprietor. I instantly recognized him as Dr. Egervary — the man I had seen and read about in magazines so many times as a youngster. It was an almost surreal moment, as if an old photo had come to life before me.
Dr. Egervary was asking the shop owner (in excellent English) if he had any Pylon-brand flying lines. The only brand in stock was not to his liking, and he seemed disturbed by not being able to get what he wanted. I had brought several sets of Pylon brand lines with me. I gathered my courage and introduced myself to Dr. Egervary. To my great surprise, he said he had read about me in the European modeling magazines! I told him I had many spare sets of lines and offered him a set. He said he'd gladly pay me, but I told him I would consider it an honor if he accepted them as a gift from a longtime fan.
All of the teams were billeted at the Carnatic Halls of Liverpool University that year, and we met each day at the university canteen for meals. I delivered the lines to him there at lunch that same day. He again offered to pay me, but I declined. Later that evening I was resting in my dorm room when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to find the entire West German Stunt team there. Dr. Egervary was at the front of the group holding a large platter of cheese and crackers and a huge bottle of expensive wine. They had come to thank me for the simple gesture of the gift of the lines!
We had a great party that evening and exchanged modeling ideas and stories until the wee hours. I knew then that we were all brothers in this sport. That's how I have come to feel about all world-class competitors: a family that gathers every two years to celebrate competition and development and to spend time together in great harmony. I count myself lucky and blessed to have those associations.
Geza has retired from competition as a pilot, but he was at Muncie this year acting as coach for the German F2B team, and we once again had a great visit. His guiding hand was evident in the performance of his protégé, Richie Kornmeier, who qualified for the finals this year and placed a credible 13th in his first Senior WC appearance.
The preceding is but one of many stories I could have related about my extended family. Hopefully it gets the point across that the only thing that is important about this hobby/sport — whether we compete or not — is that we are part of a larger modeling family that encompasses the world.
I take this opportunity to personally congratulate longtime buddy and fellow competitor Bill Werwager for his outstanding Gold Medal performance at the 2004 WC. He won Gold for the first time in 1970 as a member of his first US F2B team and defended that title successfully in 1972. Since that time Bill has been trying to regain the World Champion title in Stunt flying and has been on 15 world teams in total. His 32-year span between Gold Medals is an AMA record.
I was honored to be one of Bill's pit crew (along with Bob McDonald and my son Robby) and the launcher for his official flights.
Congratulations also to:
- Robby Gruber for his win in the Junior division of F2B.
- The entire F2B team — Paul Walker, Ted Fancher, Robby Gruber, and Bill Werwager — for their team Gold Medal-winning performance. This is the first time since 1992 that the US F2B team has won the individual championship and the team trophy.
Our Speed team did extremely well this year, placing third. Congrats to:
- Todd Ryan
- Jim Booker
- Will Naemura
- Junior member Scott Matson
The last time a CL World Championship was contested in the US was 1984 — 20 years ago. Many who attended this year's WC commented on how beautiful and well thought out our International Aeromodeling Center facility is. In light of that, I hope we won't have to wait another 20 years to have it here again.
When I'm not out practicing to make the next F2B team, I can be reached at:
- Phone: (610) 614-1747
- E-mail: bobhunt@mapisp.com
- Snail mail: Box 88, Stockertown, PA 18083
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
