OLD-TIMERS
Mike Keville, 4225 N. 1st Ave. #1321, Tucson AZ 85719; E-mail: [email protected]
POND PLANS AVAILABLE: Old-Time fans rejoiced in March at news that the former John Pond Plans Service, purchased by AMA sometime ago, was up and running. All plans, in addition to 8.5 x 11-inch three-views and John Pond's engine drawings, have been scanned and digitized.
You can find an index of what is offered in the Members Only section of the AMA Web site (www.modelaircraft.org) by clicking on AMA Plans Service. If you haven't signed up for this section of the Web site yet, the process is easy. Enter your AMA number or name and then create a password.
You can place orders by phone at (765) 287-1256, extension 507, or via E-mail at [email protected].
Long before he became a well-known RC Pylon Racer and jet Scale flier, a young Kent Nogy was fortunate to have associated with some of the top modelers in the Los Angeles Basin, including City Boy designer Paul Gilliam. Thanks to my good friend Don Hutchinson of Mansfield, Texas, I have included a photo of Kent and others that was taken many years ago at a movie-set location.
I can't be certain, but it has been suggested that this may have been during filming of an AMA promotional feature. The photo is undated, and the exact location is unknown.
Standing, left to right, are an unidentified person, noted F/Fer Bill Kreeck, an unidentified person who is thought to be Paul Gilliam's girlfriend, ex-Minnesotan Don Hutchinson, Kent's dad, an unidentified person, and Paul Gilliam on the bike. That's Kent's sister on the steps and Kent seated above. Although his face is merely a shadow here, someone reading this may be able to supply us with the date, location, and missing names.
As you may have noticed, several of the photos used recently in this column are courtesy of Kevin Sherman, who is newsletter editor of the Southern California Antique Model Plane Society (SCAMPS). Following is Kevin's report, edited and condensed somewhat, on the inaugural Sal Taibi contest held in April at Perris, California.
Old-Timers
Mike Keville
know, Sal is always ready to go first thing in the morning. Putting up the first flight is a tradition for him, and today was no exception. Promptly at 7:30, his Veco .19 roared to life. He launched his "Perris Special," and the 1st Annual Taibi Contest was officially on.
"Hal Wightman and I were co-CDs for this event. We featured three events to honor Sal's designs: the full-size Powerhouse, Brooklyn Dodger, and his most recent design, the Perris Special. We also had regular SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) events and one ABC-combined Nostalgia event.
"Forty entries were made by 25 fliers. Several contestants resurrected their old Powerhouses just for this contest. Hal Cover had refurbished his 1969 contest winner; Ted Finster re-covered his and bought an engine for it in the weeks prior to the meet.
"At 9 a.m. everyone took a quick break to pose for a Powerhouse group photo. Years ago, the SCAMPS had an annual Powerhouse event, and I am glad we brought it back. Sal was thrilled to see 10 of the designs posed together. Of course he was front and center in the photo, with the rest of us filling in behind him.
"The contest ran smoothly, despite several entrants seen returning from chases into a tall wheat field with their tongues hanging out. The most hotly contested event was Old Timer Small Rubber with 11 entries. Charles Primbs won the top spot there. There were nine entries in the 'Perris Special' event, eight in Old Timer Large Rubber, and five in Full Size Powerhouse.
"By sharing the CD duties, Hal and I were able to join in the competition. I won 'Perris Special,' Hal Cover won Old Timer Large Rubber, and my brother Don, flying in his first-ever contest, won Powerhouse. Other 'firsts' were Ron Thomas in ABC Fuselage, myself in ABC Pylon, Joe Jones in Brooklyn Dodger, and Tom Carman in ABC Nostalgia.
"The top three places received a memorable certificate signed by Sal, plus their choice of a prize supplied by Allen Heinrich of Aerodyne/17244 Darwin Unit H, Hesperia CA 92345; E-mail: [email protected]).
"We had nothing but positive feedback from those in attendance and hope to build on the momentum when we host the Second Annual Taibi Contest next year. For information on joining the SCAMPS, contact George Walter at (714) 528-0774 or write 2412 Deerpark Dr., Fullerton CA 92835; E-mail: [email protected]."
You can also contact Kevin directly at 1521 S. Normandy Terr., Corona CA 92882; E-mail: [email protected].
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
