Control Line: Navy Carrier
OOPS! I gave incorrect credit for the beautiful de Havilland Sea Hornet shown in the June issue. It doesn't belong to Bill Calkins at all; the Sea Hornet is the handiwork of Bill Melton of Las Cruces, New Mexico. I received notice from Bill Calkins just after the photo was published, and I was able to trace down the rightful owner through the AMA number on the wing. I'll bet the authors of the original rule requiring models to display owners' AMA numbers didn't envision that benefit. Bill's Sea Hornet is the second version of that particular prototype that he has produced. The first was built to the maximum-allowable 44-inch wingspan (345 square inches), and it ended up weighing more than the four-pound limit at that size.
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
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
There hasn't been a Nationals Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier competition like this one in quite a few years! The weather was about as close to perfect as it could get; the competition was outstanding; there were Carrier modelers that haven't been seen for a while-a few new models and some very old ones (in Class I and Nostalgia); and there was lots of excitement, including two records. Navy Carrier flying started on Thursday, July 16 with Profile. Terry Herron from Paola, Kansas had processed a new Judy, which had shown great high speeds in competition earlier in the year. Dave Rolley Jr. (Bennett CO) and Terry Kirby (Farmers Branch TX) had a couple of F4F Wildcats, and Ted Kraver (Phoenix AZ) brought out the only twin entry, a Grumman Tigercat. Many of the models had been seen at previous Nationals.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
Mystery Airplane: If you took the hint from the last column about weird aircraft likely being French designs, you were off to a good start for identifying the mystery airplane. I first saw the Aerocentre N.C. 1071 about 15 years ago, and it took me quite a bit of looking to find three-view drawings and enough additional information to confirm it as a carrier aircraft qualified for our events. I never gave serious thought to building one, but doing the research was quite enjoyable. The N.C. 1071 (I never found any reference to a name, only the number) was the first multiengine jet aircraft built by the French at the dawn of the Jet Age 50 years ago. It first flew in October 1948, so I included it in the Mystery Airplane contest as an anniversary remembrance.
