District X Report - 2003/08
District X Associate Vice President (AVP) Bob Reynolds submitted the following report on the Southern Arizona 2003 spring events.
Tucson Jet Rally (March 14–16)
The Tucson Jet Rally kicked things off March 14–16 at the Tucson International Modelplex. Contest director (CD) Debbie Sherrow hosted 44 jet jockeys from all over the West. Most of the jets were turbine-powered; however, there was a large contingent of electric-powered jets. With the popularity and growth of true turbine engines, it's becoming rare to see an internal-combustion jet fly.
Tussle Over Tucson RC Combat (March 15–16)
On March 15–16, the Tucson Radio Control Club hosted the Tussle Over Tucson RC Combat event at the TRCC flying site east of town.
Top Gun Combat (same weekend)
That same weekend featured Top Gun Combat at the Silverbell control-line (CL) site at Christopher Columbus Park. The combatants put in seven rounds on Saturday and flew until 7 p.m. in pursuit of a $1,000 cash prize.
Vintage Stunt Classic (VSC) — March (following weekend)
The following weekend brought the largest CL stunt contest in the world, the Vintage Stunt Classic (VSC). Also held at Christopher Columbus Park, the VSC was hosted by the Cholla Choppers, one of the oldest clubs in the U.S. Chartered in 1947, the Cholla Choppers have been an AMA-chartered club for more than 50 years.
Attendance at the 15th annual VSC was down slightly due to the state of the economy and growing difficulties in airline travel; nevertheless, Saturday's banquet still fed more than 200 participants and guests.
One of this year's VSC events was a memorial to the recent passing of Ed Southwick, one of CL's great stunt pioneers. VSC pilots took turns on the control-line handle of one of Ed's favorite airplanes and watched as others flew.
Cabin Fever CL Racing (March 29–30)
March 29–30 brought the action back to Silverbell with Cabin Fever CL racing. The weather was a little rough on Saturday, so competitors retired to a local modeler's house for some hangar flying. Sunday brought great weather and friendly racing.
It was nice to talk with friends and competitors from California, Arizona, and Texas. In all, it was three great weeks of flying in Tucson.
Thanks, Bob. It sounds like the Southern Arizona spring events were a big success.
' Til next time... keep 'em safe and keep 'em flyin'.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
