Control Line: Navy Carrier
I was pleasantly surprised a few months ago when I received Carrier-related E-mail via the Internet. Receiving E-mail isn't unusual, and most of it is about modeling, so that wasn't out of the ordinary, either. The surprise was that the message was from Lieutenant Mike Danford. He was in the Arabian Gulf on the USS Carl Vinson, flying S-3 Vikings and looking forward to returning to San Diego before the end of 1996. By the time this issue reaches print, Mike should be in Southern California flying Carrier with the San Diego CL club. He was planning to build Melvin Schuette's Curtiss XF-13C for the .15 Carrier event.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
This month's column will concentrate on relatively new products that are adaptable to our Navy Carrier events. Most of these products are intended for Radio Control, but that never stopped us before. Northeast Aerodynamics (150 Robinson Rd., Hudson NH 03051; Tel.: [603] 881-5899) manufactures kits in their Profile Warbirds series that are intended for RC sport flying. They are profile models with landing gear. All are modeled after World War II aircraft, and about half of them are eligible for bonus points in Profile Carrier. They produce an F6F Hellcat, an A6M Zero, a P-51 Mustang, and a Bf-109.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
WHEN ONE TRIES to find a word to describe the Control Line Navy Carrier competition, "Great!" is an obvious first choice. "Fantastic!" is still reserved for the meet that matches the two-decks-all-day-long 1976 Dayton Nats (if any meet can match Dayton). The competition in Muncie was exciting, and the camaraderie was outstanding. There were more contestants than we have enjoyed in quite a few years, even though some of the East Coast contingent were unable to attend. In all, there were 22 contestants for the three official classes, with some additional modelers participating in the unofficial events on Saturday. The event averaged more than 50 flights per day for three days of intense competition, with close scoring and some "personal best" performances as highlights.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
WHAT MAKES A TRUE championship aeromodeling event? There has been more than a little discussion about that subject this past year, with little actually decided. If a Nationals is a group of modelers gathered together in a spirit of cooperation and camaraderie, with a common goal of doing their best and sharing the event they enjoy, then the 1995 National Control Line Championships was truly worthy of the name. If a Nationals is experts sharing their experience with others, working together to solve other contestants' problems, and helping youngsters advance in the hobby, then this was a great Nats. If a Nationals is a competition to select the best modeler in the country in each event, then most would say the Carrier events were a true National Championships.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
Three-Line Control Systems: The September 1995 issue of Model Aviation contained an article by John Brownlee describing the construction and operation of an alternative three-line control system. By alternative I mean a handle-and-bellcrank design that could be used in place of the commercially available three-line control systems that are currently manufactured and marketed by John Brodak. These commercial units have been available for more than 35 years from various manufacturers. They are all derivatives of the same design that was originated by Bob (J. Robert) Smurthwaite.
