S.A.M. Old-Timer Nats
Jack Bolton Photos by Mike Bolton
JUST WHAT is there about a Nationals or a SAM Champs? Is it a feeling of nervous anticipation? Apprehension? Excitement? Or perhaps some other hard-to-put-your-finger-on emotional feeling or attitude? It's really hard to say, but sunny anticipation appears to be the front runner, at least for this writer. This is the anticipated happiness of seeing old friends, examining the models, the checking out of new trends or refinements, and the impending competition. Whatever, these are good honest feelings and you can bet they will be satisfied and perhaps, satiated during the course of the meet.
This feeling of anticipation seems to grow proportionately as you near your destination (or should we say inversely proportional). It sort of culminates and steadies out into a feeling of just being glad to be there; and, then, that feeling intensifies and gives no sign of letting up until you have the opportunity of grabbing the hand of the first old acquaintance and renewing the friendship and fellowship that goes with the modeling fraternity. Things sort of level out at that point as you continue to experience the pleasure of meeting old friends. Modeling is a great world-wide fraternity. Membership in this fraternity is open; the prerequisites for membership merely a love for these cantankerous little flying machines (and the associated paraphernalia).
But the identifying symbols are many and involve all the senses — the symbols are abundant at all meets but much more so at the "Champs": the smell of dope throughout the dorms; gas and oil fumes at the site; balsa dust; the lugging sound of an old ignition motor turning a 14/6 prop; the scream of a high performance engine; the sight of a properly adjusted machine in its power climb — and its attendant drifting glide. All of these evoke the strongest feeling of pleasure and nostalgia in a modeler and is the heart of why they return year after year to the Champs. It's truly great!
The Tenth Annual Society of Antique Modelers Old-Timer Championships held at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio was no exception and provided all the above ingredients for satisfying the whole range of modelers' emotions. The three-day affair was superbly organized and run by Old-Timer members of the Central Ohio Free Flighter Club. The lead man as Contest Coordinator was Bill Hale of Columbus.
S.A.M. Nats
Ohio, and the Overall Contest Director was Dick Smith of Worthington, Ohio (his first job as CD!). Dick was ably assisted by Walt Chambers—Free Flight Director, and Woody Woodman—RC Director. The thoroughly professional Free-Flight processing system was designed and set up by Dick Beck who also designed the timing cards, made the tally boards and did most of the sign painting. The fantastic Wittenberg quarters and the best-ever banquet was arranged by Bob Lazbourne. Those who attended the banquet (must have been over 300) can attest to the beautifully prepared, varied, and presented feast of ham, chicken and steamship round, plus a fine selection of salads and vegetables. It was just super. And we also thank Mrs. June Lazbourne for the activities scheduled for the ladies and non-fliers.
All in all, a fine effort by the many workers of the Central Ohio Free Flight Club! SAM salutes you!
Bean Fest
Friday night at 7:30 p.m. the Bean Fest got underway at the Student Union Rathskeller. Beer, beans and BS was the order of the day as the old-timers renewed their many old friendships and made new ones. This writer had the pleasure of seeing his old shipmates from the Old-Time Eagles of New Jersey, and all the guys from Florida. That way. He was also thrilled to meet and talk at length with such boyhood heroes as Chester Lanzo, Joe Elgin (Playboy), Sal Taibi, Leon Shulman, and others that provided the great designs of yesteryear. Talked at length with Cliff Schaibel (New Jersey Texaco whiz) about his transistorized ignition system that, coupled with his knowledge and experimentation with powerplant running, has revolutionized the RC Texaco event (how about a 37-minute engine run on one flight to give him a 48-minute flight to win Texaco on Sunday?). Seems he is about to reveal his secrets to the world through Randy Carmen, fellow SPOTS member and Old-Timer correspondent for the West Coast Girlie magazine. Also got to talk with Dick Mathis, M&P head, and he revealed he is going to kit the Dallaire (Saturday's winner in Antique) and the Clipper Mk I. The Dallaire will come with an original set of plans—Dick has located 600 sets—and the wood should market for under $50.00. As the evening went on your writer enjoyed meeting with many Old-Timers that were known through contact in Sam Speaks. The entire evening was just great!
First Contest Day
Our first contest day started fittingly with a rather dense haze covering the Dayton area, but around noon it broke up, lifted, and the sun was out to stay for the next three SAM Championships Days! (Note please: We know it went down at night.) The air was nice and cool up through high noon each day and warmed up to the low 80's. Winds were negligible, ranging from zero to seven knots most of the time. All told the weather was just outstanding for the Champs.
Action started hot and heavy in the Free-Flight area, but was a little slow over in RC Assist as Texaco was in progress for six to nine a.m., and the participants seemed to be sandbagging, waiting for good air. Texan George Hilliard was first in the air in Texaco with his Taibi Powerhouse on ignition. Over in Free-Flight numerous Zippers were in evidence in "C" Pylon and Mk I Clippers were the standard in Antique and some in "B" Cabin. The real surprise was the non-appearance of the converted glow engine! Most all events were dominated by the original ignition engines.
S.A.M. Nats/Bolton
Second Contest Day
The beautiful weather continued with blue skies and light and variable winds. The Free Flighters were situated across the field from the RC'ers due to the prevailing drift. Many people remarked that they missed having the two groups, more or less, together, as during the first day. Perhaps in the future the RC gang should migrate with the Free Flighters as the situation warrants.
RC Texaco boomed off on time with many beautiful models and flights. Newcomer to RC Assist, George Hilliard, allowed his Powerhouse to drift too far downwind and was unable to bring it back. Happily we can report he recovered it from the finder the next day some three miles from the field. New Jerseyite Cliff Schaible blew Texaco wide open with his 44:33 flight. His engine ran over 37 minutes!
Third Contest Day
Again bright and booming! Only Free Flight today as other radio events had started for the 50th Nats. The Free Flighters are again situated toward the southwest corner of the field and enjoy excellent flying conditions. So good, in fact, that the comedy team of Banaszak and Spielmaker — Team BS (as explained in great hilarious detail at the banquet later that evening) broke out their super hot "Hobart Cabin Models" powered with the mighty "Whirlwind" compressed air engines. Tim's model, which weighed all of 16 ounces, posted the high time of 55 seconds to win the event. Spielmaker and Collins were right behind, second and third respectively. The only word for these models is "majestic." They flew low and slow, but gracefully. Many eyes watched them and we are sure there will be more next year.
Banquet
That was the end of competition but not the end of the Champs. As was mentioned earlier, it was topped off by one of the finest banquets ever attended by the SAM membership. After hearing words from the various leaders seated at the head table, the trophies were presented along with the special awards. Perpetual awards were: Dick White Trophy (C Cabin) to Bruno Markiewicz; Ernie Schaller Award (B Pylon) to Leslie Norman; and the Frank Ehling Award (Antique) to Larry Boyer. The Free Flight high-point winner was Bruce Norman (who was beaten by Leslie in three events) and the RC winner was Hugo Mercoli. The youngest competitor (regular competition) was 10-year-old Bill Henn, Jr.; the oldest was Ken Koeppel, 67. The farthest traveled competitor was Ian Henry from Christchurch, New Zealand (Ian flew a Garami Skylark in "A" Pylon). Loved my tour in ChCh, Ian.
The Tenth Annual SAM Champs had 191 contestants with 21 states represented, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Canada. The best state representation was tied at 32 apiece from Ohio and New Jersey.
It was a great Champs and the Central Ohio Free Flighters are to be commended for a great effort.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
