Control Line: Navy Carrier
AS THIS ISSUE HITS the street, the 1997 flying season will be nearing its end, except for those of you who are lucky enough to live in more southern parts of the country. With the winter building season fast approaching, it's time to start planning for that new Carrier model that will impress your flying buddies in the spring. Three possibilities for building Carrier models (just as for any other type of model aircraft) are kits, plans, and original designs. Relatively few kit models are available that are specifically designed for Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier competition, but if you start looking at Radio Control (RC) kits, particularly 1/12-scale RC Combat models, there are more options. (I have compiled a list of manufacturers as I've mentioned items in my column.)
Control Line: Navy Carrier
I HAD A WONDERFUL time in November in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Arizona Control Line Club Carrier contest. It was the first Carrier event in the state in quite a few years to feature all of the Carrier events. The Southwest Regionals had quite a bit of Carrier participation in the early 1970s when I was stationed there, but the Regionals now has only Profile Carrier. It was really good to renew old friendships. Some of the pilots and aircraft were showing the effects of a long layoff, but it was a good time; I'm looking forward to next year. Thanks to Ted Kraver for sponsoring the event and serving as Contest Director. The Phoenix event was 12-year-old David Smith's (Mesa AZ) first Carrier contest. He placed second in the .15 Carrier category, and completed a full flight with a 100-point landing on his first attempt. Well done, David. Welcome to Carrier flying.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
AS I WRITE THIS, the groundhog has just predicted an early spring. I hope it brings good flying weather and warm temperatures so we can all get out and test-fly before the contest season gets into full swing. I'm sure that many readers would like to hear about your latest creation, so snap a photo and send it to me so I can share it. I've already heard from Bill Calkins, who just completed his new Guardian for Profile Carrier; Terry Herron is also working on a new Profile; and I have an XS2C Profile awaiting a final coat of paint. What other new airplanes will be seen this summer?
Control Line Navy Carrier
THIS MONTH'S COLUMN has a distinctly English tone to it, with the photos, mystery airplane, Web site, and model descriptions-but don't be misled into thinking that everything will be British. A good number of models at the 1998 Nationals were patterned after British Royal Navy prototypes. Among them was a Fairey Barracuda by Garry Andrews, a Brewster 340 by Gary Hull, and Grumman Wildcats by Terry Kirby and Dave Rolley, Jr., which the Royal Navy flew during World War II. Leon Ryktarsyk brought out his Barracuda and Sea Hornet, but did not enter them in the competition. I hope we'll see them fly this year. This month's photos are of two other models based on British designs. Bill Calkins' Class I Hawker Sea Fury is an original design. Bill's model spans somewhat less than the 44-inch limit, and weighs in at two pounds 14 ounces, with an K&B .40S engine.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
New Address: Those of you who have been reading this column through the years might be used to seeing my address change periodically, but since I retired from the Air Force I expected to be staying in Albuquerque for a while. I'm still here, but I've moved to a different house; this one has a garage large enough to accommodate a workshop and our cars. Unfortunately, it is currently housing neither, and it is likely to be a couple more months before the shelves are in and the moving boxes are unpacked sufficiently for the garage to be anything other than a storeroom. I also have a new telephone number; you may call me at (505) 856-7008.
