VR/CS Hal DeBolt Reunion
by Jim D. Slaughter
THIS YEAR'S HAROLD deBolt Vintage R/C Society Reunion, which is hosted annually by the Hernando County R/C Club of Spring Hill, Florida, became the Harold (Hal) deBolt memorial. Famed modeler Harold "Pappy" deBolt passed away February 10, 2005, just 16 days before the event, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Hal deBolt was a modeler, designer, manufacturer, author, competitor, and CD. He was inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame in 1976. He began his modeling career in 1927. Throughout the years Hal competed in Rubber, FF, CL, Speed and Precision Aerobatics, and RC Pattern and Pylon Racing. He won numerous Nats events and was on US FAI teams in 1960 and 1973. He also held a number of world records.
Hal was recognized worldwide for the excellence of his designs, kits, fuel tanks, landing gear, and early radio servos. He designed and manufactured many innovative ideas and products that improved the hobby. He is perhaps most known for his extremely successful line of kits, having sold an astonishing 365,000 of them in a 30-year period.
Hal was a visionary leader in modeling and promoting the hobby. He introduced new ideas and helped form clubs and committees. He belonged to and held offices in numerous clubs throughout the years and left his mark wherever he went.
In 1959 Hal was successfully nominated by Walt Good as an AMA Fellow and Life Member. Through the years he served on the AMA Control Line Contest Board, the Radio Control Contest Board, and was an AMA vice president. He was instrumental in writing rules for CL, RC Aerobatics, and Pylon Racing. He also wrote countless articles in numerous modeling publications.
Perhaps the most lasting legacy that "Pappy" left was his instigation of the Vintage Radio Control Society. In 1988 he contacted Joe Beshar (current AMA flying site coordinator) to ask if Joe would mentor the society. Hal, John Worth, and Bill Winter envisioned an organization based on the early developments of RC aeromodeling. Joe gladly accepted.
Hal was the Golden Age columnist for Model Airplane News at the time, and he wrote about the concept in the November 1988 issue. The response was tremendous. Joe assembled the "troops" who would take the organization forward; John Worth was president, Joe was treasurer, and Al Rossi created a logo.
Knowing that no organization can function without communication, Joe asked Art Schroeder, editor of Model Airplane News, to publish a newsletter. Art graciously agreed.
"Hal planted the seed and Art cultivated the spark that ignited the path for the Vintage R/C Society's success," said Joe.
That success is thriving today, as evidenced at the Hernando County R/C Club's Potters Field February 26 and 27. Nearly 40 pilots and 75 airplanes flew Saturday, which dawned cold and overcast with a wicked wind. This was not the Florida weather that participants such as Ron Morgan of Pennsylvania or others were expecting.
Nonetheless, everyone braved the weather and flew. It was a joy to watch the large number of deBolt designs fill the air!
One of the highlights of the meet was the scrapbook that Hal deBolt's wife Arlene assembled. Tom McCoy, who was perhaps Hal's closest friend for many years, brought it to the fly-in. The book featured photos of Hal competing, magazine ads for his products, and a great deal of other memorabilia. Thanks, Tom!
He also brought some of Hal's old radios, medals, and other items that were for sale. The proceeds went to Arlene.
One of the funniest things at the event was when Joe Beshar brought out his famous—or infamous—"Hazardous Waste," which is a 50-year-old Andrews H-Ray. This thing looks like it went through several wars and survived! It was the topic of many jokes and memories.
Joe tried to get Art Schroeder to fly the Hazardous Waste, but every time they tried to take off with it, the engine would die. I tinkered with the needle a bit and Joe put the transmitter in my hands. I swelled with pride as I flew this piece of—well, this vintage airplane. Art was then shamed into trying it again. He finally got the model airborne and did rolls, snaps, and loops—everything he could think of to finally doom this noble aircraft—but to no avail.
At the banquet Saturday night, Tom McCoy gave a moving tribute to Hal. Joe Beshar was the honored guest and was presented with the Dr. Walt Good Lifetime Achievement Award.
Walt Good's wife Joyce was presented with the Spirit of Selinsgrove award (named for a small town in Pennsylvania where the VR/CS was founded)—not only for supporting her famous husband, but representing all of the wives who give so much support to their husbands specifically and the sport in general, and to those who have contributed the most to vintage aeromodeling.
Other awards were:
Best Old Time Freeflight: Cavalier—Joe Fife
Best Basic (rudder only): Live Wire Senior—Tom McCoy
Best Intermediate (rudder and elevator): Live Wire Trainer—Tom Smith
Best Advanced (full house): Taurus—Joe Fife
Best DeBolt Airplane: Live Wire Senior—Tom McCoy
Best of Show: Schneider Cub—Tom McCoy
One Design Awards for Champ or Cub: Bruce Egolf and Don Ogren
Best Static Award: DeBolt Super Cub—Bruce Egolf
Pattern awards: Jack Port Award: Class I: Lancer—Dick Allen
Howard McEntee Awards: Class II: first, Live Wire Champ—Don Ogren; second, Live Wire Cub—Dave Bauerman; third, deBolt Super Cub—Bruce Egolf
Class III: Stark Shark—first, Dick Allen; second, Paul Schmitz
As a parting shot, Joe Beshar presented the venerable Hazardous Waste to Art Schroeder for all his years of efforts and contributions to the hobby and to VR/CS. I'm not sure Art was exactly thrilled, but it was good for many laughs and a moment to treasure.
Everyone was ready to do it again Sunday, but Mother Nature decided otherwise. The day dawned wet, windy, and cold, and the rain continued throughout the day.
However, Saturday was worth it all! It seemed as though Pappy looked down and said "These guys gotta fly!" and held back the rain.
What a memorial and reunion! It was an honor for me to meet so many of the great participants. There was a lot of "vintage" at the gathering, and few old airplanes showed up too! But fear not; a few youngsters were among the pilots.
The lure of the old airplanes combined with the wealth of knowledge to be gleaned from the seasoned pilots and their truly heartfelt camaraderie will certainly ensure the continued success of VR/CS.
For more information about the VR/CS go to www.vintagersociety.org. MA
Jim Slaughter 5723 Golden Owl Loop Land O' Lakes FL 34639
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
