Control Line: Speed
AT THE 1979 Nats, Charlie Davis made a proposal to consider the Oltyme Speed Society. The attraction for this type of event generated quite a bit of interest. Now is the time for all inactive speed fliers to speak up and make their thoughts known. If the speed modelers do not write and express their views, you have only yourselves to blame. It is very easy to sit back and criticize but do nothing to participate. Which category do you fit into? I would like to present Charlie's proposal in its entirety for everyone to consider. The next voice you hear will be his. It is becoming painfully apparent that the hobby we have all enjoyed for so many years is being threatened with extinction because of the lack of participation. There are a number of reasons for the lack of new blood and the constant loss of active members. To remain competitive today requires more time, money and equipment than most people can devote to a hobby. New modelers are turned away by all that is required to become competitive and the fun is gone for most of those already engaged in it.
AMA Nats Lincoln '79: CL Speed
AS I write about the happenings and the meetings of the '79 Nats, it is difficult to express the appreciation and thanks to all who helped execute and administrate the Speed events. The event director for this year's speed events was Dave Reiber with Bev and Mindy Wisiewshi as his assistants. This year's Nats were well attended and the overall speed entries were up from the '78 Nats. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the B.S. sessions flowed faster than the speeds. Let's move on to the bustling activity of Monday, July 30, which had F-40, FAI and A speed. In FAI Speed, Japan's #1 speed flier, Akeshi Kusumoto, pulled a 137.74 mph over Frank Hunt and Glenn Lee at 135.33 mph and 125.81 mph respectively. Akeshi's FAI model was powered by a prototype OS MAX 15. The outward appearance resembled a Rossi .15. It incorporated a brass sleeve with an electroless nickle coating. Beautiful workmanship. This engine may be available in the U.S. within 4-6 months.
Control Line: Speed
WHO'S Leland Morton? He is a "Joe Modeler" who appeared one day out of the woods and caused a lot of control line champions to tear up their books on engine secrets. Since then, guys like John Shannon, Dubby Jett, Tom Upton, and many others have caused me to tear up three or four books on engine secrets. Nowdays, the books don't contain engine secrets. Instead, they contain good engineering and machining principles and beyond the "state of the art" endeavors which anyone can attain if he keeps his mind open and works at it. Well, so much for history. This article is to keep people informed of activity in control-line speed. So, without further hesitation here is a rundown on Frank Hunt's contest held at Merced, California, September 3, 1978. Speed results for A and 1/2A Category (figured on percentage of record) are as follows: First place in A speed was won by the team of Fred and Joyce Margarito at 160.94 mph, second place in 1/2A was again the team of Fred and Joyce Margarito at 95.40 mph, third place was Patty Sasnett at 70.51 mph. Seems as though more and more women are getting into Speed and doing very well at it.
NATS '78: CL Speed
UPON arrival at the Nats, we proceeded to the Speed processing area located in the gym which was staffed by John Shannon the event director, Dub Jett and David Layman. After processing and renewing acquaintances, all the speed fliers gathered outside for a B.S. session, which ended in a frolicking Frisbee contest with some members limping off moaning "I quit." Monday started F-40 for the first Speed event of the week. Tom Blankman of St. Louis, using an X-40, sneaked past the team of Hempel-Upton with a K&B 40 at 160.65 mph vs. 159.94 mph. Frank Garzon made one flight and turned a 159.54 for third, with Bob Ytuarte and Leland Morton at 155.11 mph and 152.35 mph, respectively.
Control Line: Speed
THE United States Control Line Championships, held June 17-18 at Winston-Salem, NC, was attended by 160 contestants and was by far the best speed contest we have attended this year. Apparently, everyone heard the Texas gang was coming and gave up as speed attendance was down slightly from last year. All kidding aside, competition was plentiful and very keen. The weather was beautiful with an 80º high on Saturday and 89º on Sunday. The best feature was being able to spread out your attempts over both days. This gave you the opportunity to rebuild Saturday night while B.S.ing with fellow speed fliers. An interesting battle developed in Senior Formula 40 when Joseph Kall, Lakewood, Calif., having set the record at 155.51 mph three weeks before came to N.C. to try to better it. In the meantime, Dennis Ytuarte, Brentwood, N.Y., jacked the record up to 157, then Glen Van Sant, Penndel, Pa., came out on top with a record-tieing 157.01, but could not back it up. Tom Blankman, Eureka, Mo., turned 159.09 in Open Formula 40 to sneak by the record holding team of Hempel and Upton with their 158.25 mph flight. Robert Whitfield, Phila., Pa., and Leland Morton turned 153.26 and 151.33 respectively.
