I go to contests for several reasons. They are fun, I meet the nicest people, and, more important, I develop great memories.
My first contest was a free flight contest in the summer of 1950. I was still in high school and had finally convinced my father that I was a good enough driver to be trusted with the family car for a trip to far away Winston Salem. I came home with a first place trophy and Junior-Senior High Point trophy. I was hooked. In the summer of 1953, I was able to attend the Nats in Philadelphia. I had been accepted for pilot training as an Aviation Cadet and was waiting for orders to report. I was able to see all the RC models and flyers I had only been able to read about in the magazines. There was very little RC flying and most of the contestants spent the days trying to get their cranky radios to work. Made me feel better about not being able to get the Berkley Airtrol radio that I had bought a few months earlier to work. But my most pleasant memory was discussing my modifications to a Jim Walker 10 cent glider with Jim Walker at an impromptu midnight contest in the Navy hanger. I was also able to spend a total of 3 weeks on temporary duty in the summer of 1956 while flying in the Air Force Model Airplane Championship. That was the only time I was paid to fly models. I remember listening to Phil Kraft playing piano at 2 AM in the bar at the Holiday Inn at the Glenview Nats in 1973. I met Bob Champine at the 1983 Nats in Springfield. It was several years before I found out that he was one of the NASA test pilots who flew the X1 and other experimental aircraft. One of my most prized possessions is a photograph of Carl Goldberg discussing winglet design with me at the 82 Nats in Lincoln. Then there was the bull session with Joe Wurts, Skip Miller, and others at the 83 Nats at Vincennes. It isn't necessary to be a good flyer to develop memories like these. You just have to be there. I feel sorry for those who go to contests with the philosophy that second place is the first loser. They have already lost a wonderful hobby. What kind of memories can you develop with an attitude like that? I don't know how much longer I will be able to fly but you can be sure I will be going to contests as long as I am physically able. I no longer check to see if I won. I look to see who I beat. Winning isn't necessary but a high place sure does make contests more fun. Chuck Anderson RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
