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.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
THIS MONTH'S COLUMN includes a little-known twin that qualifies for the multiengine bonus instituted this year, a new source of Navy Carrier kits and hardware, and some editorial comments about some ideas I've heard for improving CL Navy Carrier events. North American PBJ-1H for Carrier: Those of you familiar with US Navy aircraft designations can easily determine that the PBJ-1H is a patrol bomber-a later variant of the first patrol bomber design accepted by the Navy from North American. However, these bits of information probably don't help identify the aircraft, and they certainly don't help identify it as a carrier-based aircraft. Patrol bombers are almost exclusively shore-based aircraft-too large for carrier operations (especially aboard World War II-era carriers). The only aircraft from North American that would seem to fit the designation is the B-25 Mitchell bomber.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
GETTING STARTED IN CARRIER: The Control Line Navy Carrier event has been around for more than 45 years, having been introduced at the US Navy-hosted 1950 Nationals in Dallas, Texas. Through the years, Navy Carrier has provided modelers with a challenging and enjoyable form of competition. The original rules were written by the Navy as part of the recruiting program of which their Nats sponsorship was a part. It was not until the 1957-58 competition season that the rules were modified by an AMA committee and included in the rule book as an official event.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
F7F TIGERCAT: By the time you read this month's column, John Brodak will have completed work on his newest model, the Grumman F7F Tigercat, and it should be available direct from Brodak Manufacturing and Distribution Co. (100 Park Ave., Carmichaels PA 15320). The model is one that was envisioned by Bob (J. Robert) Smurthwaite when he designed the F4U Corsair, F8F Bearcat, and AD Skyraider kits. (These kits are also being manufactured by Brodak.) The Tigercat kit did not reach production before Bob encountered health problems and sold his Control Line kit production to John Brodak.
