2004 Flying Aces Nationals-2004/12

2004 Flying Aces Nationals

by Dennis Norman

“RAIN, RAIN, go away ...” So begins a childhood ditty that had renewed meaning for those gathered in Geneseo, New York, July 16–18, 2004, for the 14th biennial celebration of what has become the world’s greatest free-flight (FF) Scale meet. The Flying Aces Club (FAC) continues to grow and represents a unique group of individuals who proudly continue to develop one of the earliest forms of model aviation.

All U.S. participants are members of the AMA, which sanctions all FAC contests. The FAC Nationals has been held every two years since 1978. In the “off years,” the club holds a slightly smaller “non Nats.” Both events are held in Geneseo.

The weather is usually superb in mid-July, but this year’s gathering saw rain or “scattered showers” July 16 and 18. However, spirits were high despite the precipitation. If anything, the weather provided more time to visit and “hangar fly” with friends who see each other only at this event.

Actually the fun began July 15, the day before the official start of flying, when the contestants brought their models for static judging. This started at 2 p.m. at the Days Inn and continued until after 10 p.m. During this time, people met, vendors displayed their wares in air-conditioned comfort, and plans unfolded for the contest. There were hundreds of beautiful models on display and opportunities to chat with their builders.

Orville Olm of GizmoGeezer Products walked past me carrying a beautiful scratch-built Bf 109G with an outstanding airbrushed finish. I complimented him on it, and he stopped, thanked me, and told me that he used to hate airbrushing because he found it difficult to use frisket paper. He said the commercial paper did not adhere well. Orv's solution was to use Japanese tissue as his masking paper. He adhered it to his model using a Scotch removable glue stick. This gave him a mask that followed the contours of the airplane and assured sharp separation lines. Orv said that he could remove the tissue mask cleanly, flip it over, and reuse it to paint a symmetrical pattern on the other side of his model.

Dave Mitchell of the D.C. Maxecuters joined the conversation and readily attested to the merits of Scotch low-tack glue sticks. As we chatted, Dave shared how he joined the FAC. He said he had been building FF Scale models for years. As do many of us, he worked alone without much contact with other modelers (I call this the "Lone Eagle" phase of modeling).

Then Dave met Hurst Bowers, a former curator of the AMA museum, who took him to a meeting of the D.C. Maxecuters and introduced him to master modelers Don Srull and Stew Meyers. With Hurst, they mentored Dave and brought him, as he put it, "out of the stone age" and into the excitement and wonder of contemporary FAC modeling.

One of the younger pilgrims at the FAC Nats was 22-year-old Kelcy Bell, who came all the way from Alberta, Canada. Like Dave Mitchell, Kelcy built and flew alone and had no personal contact with other modelers until he met Chris Parent (Boston, MA), Rich Weber (Cleveland, OH), and others on the Internet at www.smallflyingarts.com. Using the Internet, Kelcy was soon receiving tips from some of the most gifted FAC builders and fliers, which led him into a continuing period of growth as a modeler.

Although it meant taking a long and expensive flight, Kelcy traveled to Cleveland, where he stayed with Rich Weber and saw the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, before driving to Geneseo. Rich was unable to make the trip, but his kindness to Kelcy is typical of the spirit shown by many FAC members. Kelcy's Gosence project was a scratch-built, rubber-powered Pitcairn Autogiro that flew beautifully.

During the flying portion of the contest, 85-year-old Earl Stahl strolled the flightline and marveled at the quality and beauty of today's models. He is a living legend and is credited with inspiring generations of FF Scale modelers with his many designs in the 1930s and 1940s. Earl was thrilled to see not only the increasing numbers of FAC contestants, but also that women and children have joined their ranks. Marcy Green, Marie Rees, Juanita Reichel, and Jane Smith entered and flew models. Marie won FAC Powder Puff Scale flying a Vega.

Thirteen-year-old Christian Buck won the Phantom Flash Junior event, and 14-year-old David Wenzel finished a close second. The Most Outstanding Junior competitor award went to 17-year-old Dennis "D.J." Ruhland. Charles and Karin Slater came to Geneseo with their beautiful children Jolie (9 months), Sorin (5 years), and Morgan (7 years). The Slaters reside in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They traveled by train from Orlando to Washington, D.C. From there, they drove to Geneseo in their 1965 Porsche bus.

Charles has been flying models since his teens and knew the dynamic Doc Martin of Miami quite well. In the mid-1980s, Charles met FAC star Richard Miller at a big meet. Saturday, Richard charmed everyone by playing his tin harmonica while dancing on the flying field with baby Jolie.

Charles bought a couple of simple models Saturday, built them overnight, and returned with the family on Sunday. To Morgan's and Sorin's delight, the models flew well. Richard Miller was there to help with the trimming and test-flying.

Mike Midkiff of Texas stopped by to chat with me on the field. He is currently using his substantial creative talent to help Daree Design and Engineering. He has moved into a happy and busy retirement and says that FAC activity is growing rapidly in Texas. Many years ago, Mike lived in Erie, Pennsylvania, and did much to help with the early growth of the FAC in the Pennsylvania/Ohio area. His models are always well constructed, handsome, and fly well.

Ted Allebone of England told me that he has a friend in England who is trying to build the Havilland Mosquito that I had published in the December 1966 Model Airplane News. Ted's friend wanted to know if my model ever flew. I told him that the pulley power arrangement was inefficient and that it produced a powered glide from shoulder level for approximately 100 feet at best.

Ted also reminisced about his introduction to FF Scale in England. He said that as a child he went as an observer to British flying meets. On one of his outings he had the pleasure of seeing Phil Smith, who designed the Veron series of kits. Phil showed up in a small, dilapidated van full of Veron prototypes. He cordoned off a piece of ground that was large enough to display all of his models, and then he flew them, to the delight of all present.

Ted said that Phil was a "real gentleman" who would take time to speak with onlookers—especially children—about building and flying model airplanes. As such, he was a precursor to today's FAC types. Ted credits Phil, who is still flying in his 80s, with being a major influence that led him to a lifetime of happy modeling.

Some of the best moments of this year's FAC Nats happened after the contest ended, on July 16–17. On both days the rain stopped, the skies cleared, and the winds calmed. Under these pleasant conditions, modelers trimmed and flew until dark.

D.C. Maxecuters Don Srull and Pat Dailey gave impressive demonstrations of their RC electric-powered Grumman Wildcat and Curtiss P-1 Hawk fighters. These were not FF models, but they were flown after the contest.

Although the weather was unpleasant during the contest, it did not dampen the wit of those present. While approaching the General Headquarters (GHQ) tent where Ross Mayo, Juanita Reichel, and Roy Cortney and his wife Diane were busy processing flight scores, Dave Stott gleefully chirped, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the FAC record stars." Then he added, "And would you believe it, none of them has ever set a record?"

Gordon Roberts saw me working on my wound and asked, "Busy composing Dennis?" When I said that I was, he quipped, "Well that's better than decomposing. Hawww!" "There will be time enough for that," I replied.

Ed Novak and I watched the tribute to the late Bob Thompson at noon on Sunday. Ralph Kuenz gave a stirring toast, complete with complimentary cups of wine for everyone who attended (there were an estimated 300 people at this event). Dave Stott released a colorful bunch of helium balloons tied to Bob's Comet Heinkel (less motor and propeller). As the model floated upward into the clouds and disappeared, Ed turned to me and said, "Bob never could get that model to fly, and when it reaches him he's gonna say, 'They finally got it to fly to me, but those jinks forgot my motor and prop!'" Such is the way of the FAC.

If you want more information about the Flying Aces Club or if you want to become a member and receive the club's bimonthly newsletter, contact Colonel Lin Reichel, Commander-in-Chief, FAC at FAC-GHQ, 3301 Cindy Ln., Erie, PA 16506. Membership is $15 per year (U.S.), $20 per year (Canada), and $25 per year (overseas).

MA — Dennis O. Norman 11216 Lake Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102

2004 FAC Nats Facts

• The contest consisted of 37 events.
• There were 167 competitors.
• A total of 217 Scale models were judged. (There was a limit of two models per Scale event per contestant.)
• There were 1,650 official flights made during the contest (190 more than in 2002).
• There was one special “happening”: a spiritual send-off for the late Bob Thompson.
• FAC members with perfect Nats attendance as of this contest were Vic Didelot, Ross Mayo, Jack Moses, Fernando Ramos, Dave Rees, Marie Rees, Juanita Reichel, Lin Reichel, and John Stott.

— Dennis Norman

FAC Nationals Mk XIV Awards and Honors

• FAC Rubber Scale — Frank Rowsone — Lippisch P-13
• FAC Peanut Scale — Tom Hallman — Martinsyde Buzzard
• FAC Hi-Wing Peanut Scale — Tom Hallman — Clipped-wing Cub
• FAC Jumbo Scale — Bill Henn — Arado E 530
• FAC Giant Scale — Chris Starleaf — Dash 8
• FAC Powder Puff Scale — Marie Rees — Lockheed Vega
• FAC Old Time Kit Scale — John Houck — Leopard Moth
• FAC Dime Scale — Dan Kane — Arado Ar.96
• Pioneer Scale — Jack Kacian — Wright Flyer "A"
• WW I Combat — Al Lawton — Fokker D.VII
• Golden Age Civil Scale — Herb Kothe — Stinson 125
• Fairchild 24 Event — Jack Moses — Fairchild 24
• Golden Age Military Scale — Bill Henn — Dornier Do H Falke
• WW II Combat — Chris Starleaf — Fairey Barracuda
• AT-6 Endurance Event — Ed Pelatowski — AT-6
• Modern Age Civil Scale — Bill Henn — Helio Stallion
• Modern Age Military Scale — Gene Smith — MiG-9
• Contra Prop Scale — Jack McGillivray — Koolhoven F.K.55
• Shell Speed Dash Race — Paul Boyanowski — Chambermaid
• Thompson Trophy Race — Chris Starleaf — Cessna CR-3
• Greve Race — Jack McGillivray — Mr. Smoothie
• Bendix Trophy Race — Dave Rees — Mr. Mulligan
• Aerol Trophy Race — Ed Pelatowski — Folkerts SK-3
• Blur Race — Ed Pelatowski — Folkerts SK-2
• Goodyear Formula Race — Tom Nallen II — Who Knows
• FAC Fiction Flyer Scale — John Houck — Joy's Racer
• FAC No-Cal Profile Scale — John Stott — Sweet Pee
• Power Scale Single Engine — Tom Hallman — D.H.2
• Power Scale Multi Engine — Joe Barrish — Horton Wing
• FAC Embryo Endurance — Herb Kothe — Go Devil
• FAC Old Time Stick — Herb Kothe — Gollywock
• FAC Old Time Rubber — Herb Kothe — Double Feature
• FAC 2 Bit Old Time Rubber — Herb Kothe — Blue Flash
• FAC Jimmie Allen Event — Herb Kothe — Bluebird
• Phantom Flash, Open — Jack McGillivray — Phantom Flash
• Phantom Flash, Junior — Christian Buck — Phantom Flash Jr.
• FAC Old Time Gas Replica — Ray Trabbic — CAVU

Awards

• Earl Stahl Award (best Scale model) — Tom Hallman — Mitsubishi M1-F
• Walt Mooney Award (best Peanut model) — Bruce Finley — Heinkel 1007
• Cole Palen Award (WW I combat winner) — Al Lawton — Fokker D.VII
• Earl Van Gorder Award (best WW II model) — Orville Olm — Bf 109G
• Angus McSchaenfauer Award (best FAC high-wing cabin) — Tom Hallman — Cessna C-38
• Aerol Trophy Award (for losers of other races) — Ed Pelatowski — Folkerts SK-3
• Cheetwell Cup (misinterpreting a rule) — Allen Schanzle — —
• Best Scale Crash (into an automobile) — Tom Nallen II — Gee Bee QED
• Best General Crash (after surviving a midair) — Al Lawton — Mr. Smoothie

• Blue Max Awards: David Franks, Mark Isermann, Geoff Phillips, and Lincoln Ross

• FAC Hall of Fame Inductees: Leon Bennett, Walt Mooney, Jack Moses, Dave Niedzielski, Gordon Roberts, and Len Wieczorek

• Most Outstanding Junior: Dennis "D.J." Ruhland

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.