Control Line: Navy Carrier
MAY WAS A GOOD MONTH for keeping in touch with other Carrier modelers around the country-making plans for the Sig contest, Celebration of Eagles, Nats, and catching up on spring activities. I heard from Bill Bischoff that the engines manufactured by Willy Wiley are no longer in production. The Dallas contingent had been successfully using them, with left-hand crankshafts, for the last few years. There is a possibility of the design being produced again by another individual. I'll bring you up to date as soon as I get more information.
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
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
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
AS THIS COLUMN is being written (early February) the Control Line Contest Board (CLCB) is preparing for a vote on the urgent proposal to restore the two-minute starting time allowance for multiengine models. (Editor's note: Steve Kaluf, AMA Technical Director, has confirmed that the proposal passed and is effective immediately.) Two basic proposals for the 1999 rules cycle were scheduled for a February 28 vote. You should expect the results in the Model Aviation you receive in June. Proposals that pass the initial vote will be subject to cross-proposals, which must be submitted by July 15. It is unfortunate that the schedule does not allow for discussion of cross-proposals at the National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats); perhaps an extension can be agreed upon in the Executive Council. Whatever the schedule, if you want to participate in the cross-proposal discussions and deliberations, contact Pete Mazur at 5 Windsor Court, Aurora IL 60504; (630) 466-4051. Pete chairs the Navy Carrier Advisory Committee to the CLCB.
