Vintage Stunt Championships
Bob Hunt
A few years back I visited my longtime and dear friends Dave and Marie Rees at their beautiful home in North Carolina, where we were shooting a modeling video. As a surprise, Dave and Marie treated me to a night out at a concert. The concert, it turned out, was a performance by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Dave and Marie had no way of knowing that I was a big band fan, and especially a fan of Glenn Miller’s music. What a treat!
The orchestra members are all new musicians now; none of the originals are left from the group’s heyday in the late 1930s and early 1940s. However, the band itself has not stopped performing since Glenn originally formed it.
Somewhere during the wonderful performance I heard that evening, the realization came to me: I was hearing a living legacy—a direct link to the past—and the thought sent shivers through me. I could sense Glenn’s spirit that evening, and it was a feeling I’ll never forget.
This year I got a similar feeling as I watched the Vintage Stunt Championships (VSC) change hands from its originators Mike and JoAnn Keville to the capable stewardship of the Tucson, Arizona–based Cholla Choppers club.
Mike and JoAnn started this contest in 1989 while they were living in Southern California. As I’ve mentioned in previous VSC coverage articles, Mike wanted to bring famous model-airplane fliers and famous Control Line Precision Aerobatics (Stunt) models to his back yard, and this seemed like a good idea.
Mike confided in me years later that he was sure it wouldn’t work! But work it did, and now, 15 years later, and after a venue move in 1990 to match a move of the Keville family to Arizona, the VSC has become a revered institution, much like Glenn’s famous band.
Last year Mike and JoAnn reluctantly shared the news that they had decided to move to Maine to be near family. After much soul-searching, they decided to pass the torch of running the VSC to the Cholla Choppers, confident in every respect that this group would continue on in the best traditions that this contest has become known for throughout the world.
This decision was made easier, no doubt, by the fact that the Cholla Choppers had hosted and helped with the operation of this meet since the Kevilles made the move to Tucson. Each year the enthusiastic club members have brilliantly handled the field preparations and much of the event staffing.
Mike gave an emotional and deeply moving speech at the banquet this year, thanking all who had a hand in making this contest the living thing it has become in its first 15 years. It's fitting that we who have come to love this gathering take a moment to thank Mike and JoAnn for their vision, commitment, hard work, and friendship.
Here's hoping that they can visit the VSC often and reap the well-deserved rewards of gratitude from their adopted family of Stunt fliers. Hey Mike! Build a new Old Time Stunt model and play a bit; you've earned it!
Now we look forward to the next generation of VSC family gatherings, which was kicked off this year with VSC XV. It was contested March 21–23 at Christopher Columbus Park in Tucson, Arizona.
This was a big one. There were 167 entrants in the three Vintage events: 78 in Old Time, 10 in Ignition Old Time, and 79 in Classic. I'm not sure if that's a record, but it sure felt like a lot!
As in any family, there will be heartache and grief caused by loss from time to time. It seems that the CL Stunt family has been hit especially hard of late in this respect. The passing in recent years of many Stunt greats serves to underscore the importance of these gatherings; as often as possible we must embrace and acknowledge those who made this event what it is today because they will not be with us here forever.
This past year we lost two more great spirits in the sport of Stunt, with the passing of J.C. "Madman" Yates and Ed Southwick. J.C. was perhaps most well known for his Madman and Dragon Stunt designs. He is generally credited with bringing the modern look to Stunt-model design. His Madman was years ahead of anything else on the scene in aesthetics and craftsmanship and finish when it was debuted at the 1947 Nationals.
A more complete piece about J.C. Yates' many contributions and achievements was written by Charles Mackey and published in Curt Contrata's Control Line Aerobatics column in the February 2003 Model Aviation. Consider it required reading if you have an interest in Stunt's history.
In fitting tribute to J.C., Bart Klapinski flew Don Hutchinson's fabulous replica of J.C.'s Madman in the Old Time Stunt (OTS) event this year. The model was built before the first VSC in 1989, and it is still in great shape. The pair won the OTS event, underscoring that it, and Bart, still fly well! At the banquet, Bart presented the first-place trophy to Don in appreciation. I think J.C. would have liked that.
Perhaps a more acutely felt loss was the untimely passing of Ed and Helen Southwick, who both died in an automobile collision this past year. Ed and Helen had become fixtures at these events, and their absence left a void that can never be filled. We will miss them terribly.
This loss hit Bill Byles especially hard since Ed and Helen were among his closest friends. Ed was Bill's flying buddy, and it was evident there was a close bond between them. In tribute to his missing friend, Bill flew a memorial flight between rounds of Classic on Sunday. Before the flight, the entire VSC family lined up to take turns holding the handle that was attached to one of Ed's legendary Skylark models. It was a dramatic and touching moment.
J.C., Ed, and Helen are now among the spirits whose presences are felt when attending a VSC.
Giving a flight-by-flight description of the VSC here is impossible; there's too much happening at the contest to cover it all in any sort of detail. What I will do is pass on some impressions and tell you about some of the neat things I experienced and witnessed.
For me, the VSC has been about the people and the airplanes; competition is an important element, but it's secondary in my mind. Early in the VSC saga, it was fairly easy to be the first to show up with an obscure OTS or Classic Stunt design. It is becoming a real research project to come up with something to bring that will surprise everyone.
The big winner this year in that category was Charlie Bruce, who showed up with a beautiful version of Don Yearout's 1947 Flying Star for the Ignition OTS event. This model's planform is a five-pointed star. For his efforts, Charlie captured the coveted Most Unusual model trophy.
Another unique airplane that had not been brought to a VSC until this year was Bob Howard's Senior Stunt Nationals–winning Pegasus. This high-aspect-ratio Stunter features a stylish swept-back fin. It was on many lists of "somedays," but Roy DeCamara beat us all to the punch with his outstanding model.
Roy's replica Pegasus is about as perfectly finished a model as I have seen at any VSC, and it captured the prestigious Classic Concours trophy, which the fliers vote on. To be recognized as the best by your peers is by far the most satisfying reward of all.
Another model that many of us have on our "must-build" lists for VSC is Bill Simon's Shoestring. Bob Whitely scooped us all with his gorgeous rendition of Bill's famous design. This model has special meaning for me; Bill was my mentor in Stunt flying, and I vividly remember when he built and flew the Shoestring.
In 1969 Bill and I attended the Nationals in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, and stayed for the week with stunt legend Red Rhinehart at his home in Doylestown. Bill flew the Shoestring that year, then he gave the model to me as a practice airplane because I had lost my only Stunter just before the contest.
I flew the Shoestring until I finished a new model, then I returned it to Bill, who flew it in competition on the East Coast for another two seasons. It was a wonderful model then, and Bob's version flew just as well at the contest. Bob's Shoestring was powered by an Aero Products AeroTiger .36.
Another different Classic design was Don Hutchinson's gorgeous rendition of Lew McFarland's Vega. This semiscale design was featured in the June 1962 American Modeler magazine. Don's self-tuned O.S. .40 FP–powered model was perfectly crafted and bright in its fictitious yellow Navy-trainer color scheme.
A not-so-obscure model was Ted Fancher's Aldrich Nobler. It is a popular airplane at the VSC, but Ted's version is worthy of special note because it was exemplary in craftsmanship, color scheme, and finish. It featured a mint-green paint job with dark green, red, and black trim.
The Nobler was powered by the new Merco Rustler engine that is being imported by RSM Distribution. The package looked great and flew outstandingly well to finish a credible third in Classic. However, Ted's Nobler was accidentally run over in his driveway after his return home from the VSC. I don't know all of the details of the tragedy, but I can only hope that Ted will build another one just like it.
I've always thought that it is neat to see models at the VSC that the original designers have built and flown. In the past few years there have been several, and certainly the most successful has been Bill Verwae. He has flown three of his original designs to a total of seven wins in Classic Stunt. He used his original 1959 Ares to win one VSC crown, his Vulcan to win four others, and his 1962 Ares to win the last two. That's a record that will be hard to beat!
Bob English flew a stunning version of his original I-Beam–winged Quasar this year; Bob's Quasar won the coveted Best I-Beam model award that is sponsored by Fred Carnes.
Gerry Phelps brought his outstanding Patriot again. Last year was the first outing for this replica of his two-time world-team model, and it continues to fly better and better. If Gerry gets some practice time with this AeroTiger .36–powered aircraft, he'll be hard to beat!
A popular model at the VSC these days is John Simpson's original-design Cavalier. Tom Morris's Tom's Building Service kit and Almost Ready-to-Fly versions of this design have enabled many to have a great-flying Classic design in a short amount of bench time.
John attended this year and flew his own replica of his sleek Stunter. An AeroTiger .36 did the pulling.
"Wild Bill" Netzeband flew his original-design Gold Brick, and Dee Rice flew his popular Oriental.
For the last couple of years I've attended this gathering without an airplane with which to compete, and although I've had lots of fun, I've missed flying dearly. This year I remedied that by building a replica of my Caprice design from 1967.
In the past I've taken advantage of the opportunity the VSC has presented to pay tribute to some of my Stunt heroes by building replicas of their famous models, but this time I decided to try one of my own Classic-legal designs.
To give credit where due, the Caprice is really just a slightly modified version of one of Gene Schaffer's original Blackbirds from the mid-1960s. I had always liked Gene's sense of styling, and I simply changed the wingtip, rudder, and wheel-spat shapes to suit myself. I flew the Caprice for three years on the Eastern Senior Stunt circuit, competing mainly against 1965 Junior Nationals Champion Dawn Cosmillo. I didn't win a lot ...
Gene had come up with a set of moments and areas and a wing design that produced a good-flying and aggressive airplane, at least to my way of thinking. I used those same moments and airfoils for many years, culminating in my last 35-size design: the Genesis. So the Caprice has some history!
Although the original had an O.S. .35S for power, it is pulled around these days by the potent AeroTiger .36 and is flown on 63 feet of .012 solid lines. My plan is to present the Caprice and Gene's original Blackbird from which it was derived in a future Model Aviation construction article.
The competition-flying results from this year's VSC are in an accompanying table. The special awards are, to me at least, the most interesting. They are awarded at the banquet with great fanfare.
This year's Best Appearing Old Time model was Roy DeCamara's version of Floyd Carter's original Wildman 60 (see the construction article in the April 2003 Model Aviation). James Ogg walked off with the Spirit of '46 trophy for his outstanding Go Devil Plus.
The Spirit of '52 trophy went to Jim Kraft for his beautiful version of J.C. Yates' Dragon. The Spirit of '64 award went to Bill Byles for his flawless Southwick Skylark. Stan Holcomb captured the coveted George Aldrich Memorial award.
As I mentioned, Roy DeCamara won the Classic Concours award, Bob English won the I-Beam trophy, and Charlie Bruce earned the Most Unusual model prize. Scott Danford received recognition as the Most Deserving Young Modeler, and Gary Akers was presented the Tom Lay–sponsored Most Fun award for his dead-stick wind-flying exhibition.
There are also two more serious awards given out each year. The Bob Gialdini Sportsmanship trophy is awarded each year by vote of those who have received it in the past. This honor recognizes outstanding contributions to the sport behind the scenes. This year's Gialdini Sportsmanship winner was Warren Tiahrt for his countless contributions of time and talent as many-time director of the Nationals Stunt program and of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale F2B Team Selection programs. I can't think of a more deserving person.
The most coveted of all the special awards at the VSC is the Keeper of the Flame trophy. It goes to the person who best personifies the spirit of the event. This year it went to "Dr. Spark," Floyd Carter. Floyd, who is a bit shy, accepted the award with simple thanks and started to leave the stage. He stopped and went back to the microphone and said, "Oh, and by the way, I'm not really a doctor."
It was a delight to be present at this year's banquet for Riley Wooten's induction into AMA's prestigious Model Aviation Hall of Fame. Riley is well known for his involvement in Control Line Combat flying, but he was also an accomplished Stunt flier. His Lone Star Models company has supplied many of us with high-quality balsa for many years. This was a popular induction, and congratulations go out to Riley.
John Ashford asked for a few minutes of "mike" time, and he delivered a short speech that was the most moving thing I've ever heard at a model-airplane affair.
John told us that he had been diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and that he was told he would not survive it. He said he wanted to experience a VSC before leaving this orb and went to the next year.
John has come back for several more, I'm thankful to report, and in his speech he credited the VSC in specific and the Stunt family in general for keeping him alive. He's planning on making it to many more! I can't think of a better note on which to end this report.
If you want to know more about VSC and experience the spirit for yourself, please join the Stunt family next year in March in Tucson. It's something you will never forget!
MA
Bob Hunt
Vintage Stunt Championships XV Results
Classic Stunt
- Bill Werwaga — 1118.0
- Bob Hunt — 1106.5
- Ted Fancher — 1106.0
- Keith Trostle — 1077.0
- Gordan Delaney — 1070.5
- Gerald Phelps — 1063.0
- Robert McDonald — 1057.5
- Phil Granderson — 1055.5
- Dave Sabon — 1047.5
- Bill Byles — 1045.0
- Bob Whitely — 1042.5
- Don McClave — 1034.0
- Lou Wolgast — 1033.0
- Larry Foster — 1015.0
- John Simpson — 1011.0
- Bill Wilson — 1007.5
- Larry Oakley — 1006.5
- LeRoy Black — 1002.0
- Randy Cubberly — 995.50
- Kevin Capitanelli — 989.00
- Jim Hoffman — 980.00
- Mike Pratt — 979.50
- John Wright — 965.00
- Carl Lovins — 965.00
- Warren Tiahrt — 954.50
- Gary Akers — 948.50
- Peter Peterson — 939.00
- Roy DeCamara — 936.00
- Joe Bowman — 933.00
- Bob English — 932.00
- Mike Condon — 932.00
- Don Hutchinson — 931.00
- Bob Brooks — 931.00
- Dale Gleason — 917.50
- Bud Burroughs — 912.00
- Scott Condon — 899.50
- Marvin Denny — 889.50
- Jim Goss — 879.00
- John Ashford — 878.00
- Chris Brainard — 860.00
- Glen Allison — 859.00
- Jerry Chambers — 851.00
- Mark Smith — 837.00
- Mark Gerber — 831.00
- Bill Netzeband — 821.50
- Eric Rule — 818.00
- John Callentine — 815.50
- Tom Chambers — 799.50
- David Ek — 771.00
- Rick Brannen — 770.50
- Al Shorey — 748.50
- John (Doc) Holliday — 723.50
- James Kraft — 711.00
- Richard Oliver — 691.50
- Dick Wolsey — 687.00
- Josh Condon — 686.50
- Mike Danford — 665.50
- Jim Tichy — 589.50
- Dee Rice — 457.50
- Lew Woolard — 443.00
- Arlie Prezler — 432.50
- Bill Ledden — 431.50
- Nick Trifilio — 424.50
- Nick Lemak — 417.50
- Lou Crane — 336.50
- Gerald Arana — 329.00
- Stan Haugarth — 319.50
- Pete Moskel — 300.50
- Shayne Craven — 121.50
- Robert Brookins — 88.00
- Rusty Brown
- Floyd Layton
- Dennis Ford
- Robin Sizemore
- Tyrone Marcucci
- Jim Renkar
- Dan Gates
- Percy Attfield
- Jerry Silver
Old Time Ignition
- Jim Lee — 274.50
- Roy DeCamara — 263.75
- Don Hutchinson — 260.50
- Floyd Carter — 253.05
- James Ogg — 226.80
- Bill Netzeband — 226.75
- Lou Crane — 210.25
- Lew Woolard — 79.25
- Ed Kunasch — 77.75
- Charlie Bruce — 42.50
Old Time Stunt
- Bart Klapinski — 564.5
- John Wright — 562.0
- Larry Foster — 558.5
- Keith Trostle — 545.5
- Robin Sizemore — 538.5
- Jim Hoffman — 535.0
- Bob Whitely — 530.0
- Charles Reeves — 521.0
- Lou Wolgast — 519.5
- Jim Lee — 517.0
- Bob Emmett — 512.0
- Bill Byles — 506.0
- Dee Rice — 503.5
- Ted Fancher — 503.0
- Dick Byron — 494.5
- Marvin Denny — 493.0
- Dennis Choate — 488.0
- Chris Brainard — 482.0
- Mike Ostella — 481.5
- Robert Lipscomb — 480.0
- Larry Scarinzi — 472.5
- Josh Condon — 469.5
- René Berger — 465.0
- Dale Gleason — 465.0
- Tom Luper — 463.5
- Rusty Brown — 458.0
- James Kraft — 455.5
- Bud Burroughs — 452.5
- Mike Pratt — 452.0
- Roy DeCamara — 451.5
- Jim Thomerson — 437.0
- Bill Netzeband — 436.0
- Jim Goss — 425.5
- Lew Woolard — 424.0
- Gene Hempel — 417.5
- Nick Lemak — 410.5
- Stan Haugarth — 408.5
- Glen Allison — 406.5
- Jerry Chambers — 402.5
- Eric Rule — 399.5
- Gaylord Elling — 394.5
- Thom Ryan — 378.0
- Floyd Carter — 373.5
- Rick Brannen — 327.0
- Jim Rhoades — 326.0
- Bill Ledden — 306.0
- Robert Brookins — 305.5
- John (Doc) Holliday — 302.0
- James Ogg — 302.0
- Tom Chambers — 296.5
- David Ek — 281.5
- Lou Crane — 253.5
- Scott Condon — 239.5
- De Hill — 220.0
- Gerald Arana — 196.5
- Tyrone Marcucci — 184.0
- Jerry Neafus — 182.5
- Gerald Chaney — 179.5
- Dennis Coleman — 178.0
- Vic Carpenter — 177.0
- Ed Capitanelli — 156.5
- Richard Kirk — 151.5
- Charlie Bruce — 123.0
- Gerald Boyd — 117.5
- Scott Danford — 85.50
- Frank Martin — 73.50
- Riley Wooten — 73.50
- Bruce Duncan — 69.50
- James Mears — 68.50
- Carl Lovins — 67.50
- Bill Dahlgren — 66.0
- Phillip Dunlap — 64.5
- Jerry Price — 62.0
- Pete Steinmeyer — 60.5
- Jerry Silver — 59.0
- Dale Martin — 58.0
- Dick Wolsey — 57.0
- Floyd Layton — 56.0
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
