October 2003 97
D.B. Mathews
F l y i n g f o r F u n
909 N. Maize Rd., Townhouse 734, Wichita KS 67212
HOW ABOUT THAT? Sharp-eyed reader Sam Phillips wrote
to ask if the signature of Rear Admiral J.S. McCain on the Navy
certificate for Brad Harrington’s identification-model work (in
the July 2003 column) might be related to Senator John McCain
of Arizona. Frankly, I had paid no attention to the signatures,
and a fun story line almost got away.
Yes, Rear Admiral (later four stars) John Sidney McCain is
indeed John McCain’s father. Not only that, but the senator’s
grandfather also was a four-star admiral.
Even farther into the story, the senator was well on his way
to becoming the third-generation admiral in his family, but he
had been so mangled by his captors in Vietnam that he was
declared physically unfit for further service after his release.
The Center of the RC Universe? That’s a hyperbole, but the Joe
Nall Giant Scale Fly In held in western South Carolina might
come pretty close for a few days each year. Other writers in the
magazines are going to describe this year’s event in terms of
entries, flightline activities, commercial exhibits, full-scale
aerobatics demonstrations, visiting world-level RC pilots, the
Friday-evening barbecue, and so forth. I thought you might like
to hear what I found of interest instead.
The field is totally different from the Muncie, Indiana, flying
site, in that it is designed only for Radio Control (RC) and fullscale
flying; therefore, it is smaller while providing much more
parking space for spectators.
The venue is a new facility that replaces the previous
parklike site, which has become a golf course. The 460 acres
have been cleared of trees and brush. They are contoured so that
one enters at the top of the elevation, and the flying field itself is
down in a leveled valley on the opposite perimeter of the field.
The entry road descends in a series of loops and switchbacks
to create parking lots that are in a clever terraced arrangement.
Each parking lot, the concession area, the commercial exhibits,
and the administration gazebo are stair-stepped above the flying
field, providing nearly unobstructed lines of sight from almost
any position.
Henry Mausolf built his 33-pound, 100-inch-span Cessna T-50/UC-
87/Crane/Bobcat/Bamboo Bomber from Don Smith plans.
Joe Lemermeier built his 39-pound Curtiss Goshawk from his
own plans. It spans 95 inches, is powered by a Quadra 52.
Doug Imes built his 50-pound Grumman Widgeon from a GP
Enterprises fiberglass kit. Robert Walker is on the left.
Stephan Thomas’s extraordinary Yak-11 built from a FiberClassics
kit has been used in television specials and movies.
98 MODEL AVIATION
To accommodate more than 600 entries, and who knows how
many models, the pits nearly extend from one end of the 4,000-
foot sod runway to the other. The full-scale aerobatic aircraft are
parked on the end farthest from the pilot stations.
Those airplanes are not just static demonstrators or for doing
flyovers. The width and length of the runway is sufficient for the
Federal Aviation Administration to allow full-scale unlimited
aerobatics to be performed over it. How would you like to see four
AT-6s performing formation acrobatics or a CAP and an Extra
Rusty Roark restored and modified his father’s ancient Free
Flight Buhl Pup into a four-channel Radio Control model.
Joe Lemermeier’s scratch-built Supermarine Walrus spans 77
inches, weighs 173⁄4 pounds, and has a Saito 150.
Jay McGuire built his 1911 Avro D from George Marsden plans. It
is powered by an English Laser 150 four-stroke engine.
David Johnson and Brandon Richardson are hard at work
changing engines in their Sig Manufacturing Four-Star 40.
flying up a storm every day? It’s little wonder that the Joe Nall
fly-in has grown to be the world’s largest RC modeling event.
As one would expect, large numbers of the big Extra models
and clones were put through their 3-D paces. However, between
these look-alike flights were several out-of-the rut models. I’ve
included photos of some that caught my eye, but not shown are
incredible projects such as a gorgeous (and huge) Lancaster
bomber, a fully aerobatic B-29, an excellent-flying B-36, a lovely
Grumman Wildcat, etc. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. MA
Did You Know …
That any donation you make to AMA is tax-deductible?
AMA is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit association. This means that any funds you donate beyond your regular
membership dues can be deducted from your taxes.
Please consider donating to AMA. Your gift will help us continue our efforts to improve your organization.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/10
Page Numbers: 97,98
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/10
Page Numbers: 97,98
October 2003 97
D.B. Mathews
F l y i n g f o r F u n
909 N. Maize Rd., Townhouse 734, Wichita KS 67212
HOW ABOUT THAT? Sharp-eyed reader Sam Phillips wrote
to ask if the signature of Rear Admiral J.S. McCain on the Navy
certificate for Brad Harrington’s identification-model work (in
the July 2003 column) might be related to Senator John McCain
of Arizona. Frankly, I had paid no attention to the signatures,
and a fun story line almost got away.
Yes, Rear Admiral (later four stars) John Sidney McCain is
indeed John McCain’s father. Not only that, but the senator’s
grandfather also was a four-star admiral.
Even farther into the story, the senator was well on his way
to becoming the third-generation admiral in his family, but he
had been so mangled by his captors in Vietnam that he was
declared physically unfit for further service after his release.
The Center of the RC Universe? That’s a hyperbole, but the Joe
Nall Giant Scale Fly In held in western South Carolina might
come pretty close for a few days each year. Other writers in the
magazines are going to describe this year’s event in terms of
entries, flightline activities, commercial exhibits, full-scale
aerobatics demonstrations, visiting world-level RC pilots, the
Friday-evening barbecue, and so forth. I thought you might like
to hear what I found of interest instead.
The field is totally different from the Muncie, Indiana, flying
site, in that it is designed only for Radio Control (RC) and fullscale
flying; therefore, it is smaller while providing much more
parking space for spectators.
The venue is a new facility that replaces the previous
parklike site, which has become a golf course. The 460 acres
have been cleared of trees and brush. They are contoured so that
one enters at the top of the elevation, and the flying field itself is
down in a leveled valley on the opposite perimeter of the field.
The entry road descends in a series of loops and switchbacks
to create parking lots that are in a clever terraced arrangement.
Each parking lot, the concession area, the commercial exhibits,
and the administration gazebo are stair-stepped above the flying
field, providing nearly unobstructed lines of sight from almost
any position.
Henry Mausolf built his 33-pound, 100-inch-span Cessna T-50/UC-
87/Crane/Bobcat/Bamboo Bomber from Don Smith plans.
Joe Lemermeier built his 39-pound Curtiss Goshawk from his
own plans. It spans 95 inches, is powered by a Quadra 52.
Doug Imes built his 50-pound Grumman Widgeon from a GP
Enterprises fiberglass kit. Robert Walker is on the left.
Stephan Thomas’s extraordinary Yak-11 built from a FiberClassics
kit has been used in television specials and movies.
98 MODEL AVIATION
To accommodate more than 600 entries, and who knows how
many models, the pits nearly extend from one end of the 4,000-
foot sod runway to the other. The full-scale aerobatic aircraft are
parked on the end farthest from the pilot stations.
Those airplanes are not just static demonstrators or for doing
flyovers. The width and length of the runway is sufficient for the
Federal Aviation Administration to allow full-scale unlimited
aerobatics to be performed over it. How would you like to see four
AT-6s performing formation acrobatics or a CAP and an Extra
Rusty Roark restored and modified his father’s ancient Free
Flight Buhl Pup into a four-channel Radio Control model.
Joe Lemermeier’s scratch-built Supermarine Walrus spans 77
inches, weighs 173⁄4 pounds, and has a Saito 150.
Jay McGuire built his 1911 Avro D from George Marsden plans. It
is powered by an English Laser 150 four-stroke engine.
David Johnson and Brandon Richardson are hard at work
changing engines in their Sig Manufacturing Four-Star 40.
flying up a storm every day? It’s little wonder that the Joe Nall
fly-in has grown to be the world’s largest RC modeling event.
As one would expect, large numbers of the big Extra models
and clones were put through their 3-D paces. However, between
these look-alike flights were several out-of-the rut models. I’ve
included photos of some that caught my eye, but not shown are
incredible projects such as a gorgeous (and huge) Lancaster
bomber, a fully aerobatic B-29, an excellent-flying B-36, a lovely
Grumman Wildcat, etc. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. MA
Did You Know …
That any donation you make to AMA is tax-deductible?
AMA is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit association. This means that any funds you donate beyond your regular
membership dues can be deducted from your taxes.
Please consider donating to AMA. Your gift will help us continue our efforts to improve your organization.