Vintage Stunt Championships
By Frank McMillan
The US Postal Service has a motto: "Neither rain nor snow nor sleet shall deter us..." Because of the unusual weather patterns this year, the Vintage Stunt Championships (VSC) held in Tucson, AZ last March experienced a variety of severe weather conditions that affected the normal progress of this wonderful event.
Because of an increasing number of entries, VSC competition was extended from three days to four. Unfortunately, the weather forced cancellation of two days' flying and affected another day. But like the Postal Service, we carried on with the spirit that has become VSC. It's all about the people who come from all over the world simply to take part.
International competitors and notable arrivals
Klaus Maiks visited us again from Germany with a relatively simple color scheme (for him) — an all-yellow PT trainer seaplane. We owe Klaus sincere thanks for his series of articles in Stunt News on how to lay out dramatic color schemes. Klaus is well known in international stunt circles as a member of the German team.
Another well-known international flier, Henk DeJong, joined us this year, sporting a nicely constructed Argus in natural wood finish with dark-blue trim. One of the aircraft's primary features was the take-apart construction, which facilitates transportation. When the final competition day was rained out, Henk showed us how this model was designed to break down and where he had reinforced the interior structure. Henk's approach was straightforward and light.
Geoff Reeves and Dennis Percival traveled from Australia to compete. Their Thunderbirds had similar color layouts that incorporated their national flag; they also flew very well. Geoff had a Precision Aero side-exhaust .40 in his, which had nice characteristics and power. Geoff's wife Ginny accompanied him; many remember her as a respected Nationals judge in the 1980s. Dennis was awarded the Spirit of '52 for his All Australian Old-Time model.
As always, we had a few first-time visitors.
After many years of cajoling, we were privileged to have "the Bear," Bob Gieseke, in attendance. He brought a new copy of his last world championship Gieseke Nobler, powered by a new edition of his famous Fox .35. Talk about seeing your past! It just brought chills watching Bob put the red Nobler through the pattern, just as he did thousands of times before. No wonder he was selected to receive the Spirit of '64 award.
Newly elected PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) Hall of Fame member Lew McFarland flew his refinished Shark .45 +10%. Watching pros like Lew and Bob is as close to truly reliving our heritage as it can get. As Bob said, "watching Lew took me back to 1964. This was worth the trip."
Highlights, winners and notable models
Carl Schoop's Belfry Bound was judged Most Unusual. It is a Dale Kirn design.
Little-known Imperial Ringmaster, with outstanding finish, was by Robert Brookens and accented by gold-leaf lettering.
Bill Werwage posed with the great-flying Vulcan, which predates his Ares. This is a D-tube design but has been built in I-beam form.
Charles Mackey and Bob Hunt showed off Bob's rendition of the classic Mackey Lark — one of the dominant airplanes at VSC.
Dennis Percival proudly displayed his T'Bird Classic and the Spirit of '52 award-winning All Australian.
Jerry Silver's Neptune was Best Appearing I-Beam. Jerry was also awarded Keeper of the Flame.
The Lee family (L-R Todd, Jim, and Lila) celebrated Jim's clear-cut Old-Time victory. His model was a brand-new Stunt King.
Ray Firkins produced one of the most beautiful Classics: the Concours-winning Dick Williams Electra.
The Bill Ebejer Neptune, flawlessly executed by Jerry Silver, caught everyone's eye. Many remember Jerry's Tempest, but the Neptune surprised us. Jerry was awarded Best Appearing I-Beam and was also recognized with the Prestigious Keeper of the Flame.
There were some unusual entries and awards:
- Charlie Bruce sponsored the Best Fireball award, which Frank Macy earned.
- The most unusual entry was the Dale Kirn Belfry Bound by Carl Schoop — a wild-looking airplane that actually flew quite well.
Old-Time event
The turnout in Old-Time sets a new norm every year. With 73 contestants and the loss of the first day because of high wind, the usual complete-round-each-on circle had to be adjusted. The new approach — one round and the top five from each circle flying a second-round top-ten flyoff — provided some drama.
In Old-Time, the big names don't always do well. With everyone watching the flyoff, Jim Lee won hands-down. Jim had a new airplane this year that he had kept a secret: a Stunt King. It showed his usual fine craftsmanship, in transparent yellow with red trim. Larry Szarczinski said it resembled a certain Veco design, which stirred some family debate while watching Jim in the flyoff. There was no question that this was his year. He was very clean through the pattern and was a clear winner.
Keith Trostle, first PAMPA president and a Hall of Fame member, is once again appearing frequently in the winner's circle with an elegant example of a very pretty design, the Gyrator.
Although best known as our Nationals Event Director, Warren Tiahrt is a skilled builder and a very good flier. Last year he was recognized as having the best-appearing Old-Time model with a Trixter Invert. This year he made the top ten in Old-Time and got to experience the thrill of flying in the select group. Congratulations, Warren, for all your hard work.
This year's award for best-appearing Old Timer went to Roy DeCamara for his rendition of the Veco Squaw.
Ignition Old-Time
Flying Ignition Old-Time is a real challenge. As one of the winners said, "When you fly ignition, you realize why the glow plug became an instant success!" Nonetheless, ignition draws a couple more competitors every year; there were 12 entries this year.
Top finishers:
- Don Hutchinson — clear winner with his Torp .29-powered Madman Senior. As with all of Don's models, this was a beautiful example that flew very well and was reliable.
- Jim Lee — finished second with an O.K. .60 in a Zilch that Jim has campaigned for many years.
- Floyd Carter — third, flying his Wildman powered by a Henkin Okrak .64.
Classic event and weather impact
Although we didn't know it when Classic started Saturday morning, our contest was to be short-lived. With 74 fliers, the two circles had rounds of 32, and everything started off well, with great and interesting flying.
As the morning progressed, the air changed dramatically, forcing a halt to flying at approximately flight 19. With airplanes of that era, it doesn't make sense to risk a good model for fun — the wind just got too strong, gusty, and turbulent.
The final day was cold, with heavy rain and strong winds, so flying was canceled for the contest. As a result, some entrants never got to fly, but that didn't seem to matter; most came for the people, so the flying was secondary. Places were awarded based on the top five in each circle.
It didn't matter who flew and who didn't — Bill Werwage was the class of the field. In a flight that would have won many Nationals, he blew everyone away. He used the Vulcan design, powered by a Randy Smith Thunder Tiger .36. This machine has custom parts, such as a sleeve from Henry Nelson. At slightly more than seven ounces, it is strong and has great characteristics. The airplane drove through the pattern on rails.
The closer one looked at Ray Firkins' Electra, the better it was. The color scheme of basic white with turquoise trim was simple and elegant. He was justifiably recognized as the Concours winner.
AMA Class B resurrection
There was an added dimension this year with the resurrection of the old AMA Class B. Kenn Smith is the moving force, sponsor, and pitman extraordinaire. This was a test event, and it was popular enough to draw 12 entries. The variety of well-executed recreations bodes well for the future. Unfortunately, the weather forced cancellation and we didn't get to watch the fun.
Impromptu seminar and thanks
After the events were canceled on Sunday, an impromptu Tech Seminar was held in the hotel meeting room. Henk DeJong, Ted Fancher, Bob Hunt, and Tom Dixon made presentations that were of great interest to all. I hope the forums will be a part of future VSCs.
Congratulations again to JoAnn and Mike Keville; each year just gets better.
Thanks to the judges:
- Bob Burroughs
- Jon Holloway
- Marvin Denny
- Glen Kaler
- Tim Meek
- Bill Howe
- Lee Wolland
- Rusty Brown
- Doug Taffinder
- Dee Hill
Pits: Kenn Smith Chief runner: Al Heiger
We look forward to next year, and to who will be the next great to show. Till next time!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
