The Haught Corner

William R Haught Jr Dad died December30 age 79 have struggling describe relationship what has meant modeling Dad among thousands inspired ifights Lindbergh others like boys era fascination model airplanes lasted lifetime Throughout Depression service World War II raising family after war interest remained strong Dad Free Flight purist modeling years never saw knew him building another type model truth known dont think thrilled RC Vindicator either Like fathers sons 1960s 70s disagreed almost everything modeling included Dad never seemed enjoy flying much thought should Once started contest flying winning interested him also quite rigid about what models fly fly clashed dines over designs trimming contest strategyyou name times felt bit jealous success hurt him known Jim Haughts father rather own accomplishments knew Id made bit progress Dad stopped complaining about desire fly original designs starting flying success further complicated after older brother William R Haught Ill died Hodgkins Disease age 20 Bill excellent flier own right after gone though fulfill Dads desires victory both sonsas though contest wins two other people led situation awards are/were kept parents house simply dropped off whatever Id won since last visit left Dad also pushymore models trophies everything No accomplishment sufficient won Sweepstakes US FF Champs 1975a major ever onethe first words out mouth Now can come back next year try again sort thinldng led split flying inactive few years Eventually retumed modeling because enjoyed itnot anyones approval dream-fulfillment something Ive kept mind coach sons sports teams Dad simply went separate ways flying field best solution Ive stated before now enjoy modeling ever later years simply became impossible Dad things necessary fly competitively wouldnt come out help run contests just visit flying buddies fly sport rare exceptions Hying winning everything think lot attitude bom frustration Dad wanted go engineering school like MIT Depression cost him chance college wanted pilot World War II found eyesight wasnt good enough early postwar years spent raising family cut modeling activities So think felt lot make-up Dads biggest contribution success three us building first Ramrods Ron St Jean design lam launching column logo instant success model led brother myself trying also having instant success reached point created set templates size can used kit model almost no time through years built total 80 Ramrods among three us Dads modeling dreams have three us sweep top three places contest flying Ramrods Mainly because brothers illness never happened would take three us flying Ramrods team against three other fliers time Another contribution success workshop well-stocked times long wanted build competition model could use wood needed always competitive engines support equipmentno questions asked Just dont build junkers sport models hed say also got solid foundation model building built own stuff rebuild things Dads insistence reached level Dad laughed someone teased about flying Daddy-builts another flier stepped said Daddy doesnt build good C 0 R N E R Despite turbulent relationship certain things undeniable would writing column able make living hobby Dad get started long ago competitive desire chameled bit differently hereditary still fly Ramrods Nostalgia events sometimes watch model go am reminded Dad brother what have meant Its linka bond three Flying Haughts have sharedand lam very proud us memorial services couldnt help thinking about movie Lion King seemed Circle Life come around again said goodbye Dad youngest sontwo-year-old William R Haught IVhas already shown just crazy about airplanes dont think its coincidence Im glad Dad got chance see interesthe thrilled Im also glad Dad made peace about modeling last encounters pleasant think both needed timing fathers passing made d17icult make contact modeling friends just receiving news wish remember him please make donation name National Free Flight Society treasurer Duane Renken 2154 S 7th Ave Ann Arbor MI 48103-6143 Haught Managing Editor 168 Model Aviation s Dad 1961 Nationals during finest moments won Outdoor Hand-Launched Gliderat age 45