Control-line model aviation in the Pacific Northwest has a long and lively history, going back -- literally -- to the invention of the bellcrank and the first controlled model airplane flights. Here are a few photos from the past. More will be added as recieved from Flying Lines readers.
If you have an old CL photograph that would be a candidate for this page, e-mail the photo and the information about it to the Flying Lines editor.
Photos submitted in 2007 or before can be found in Northwest CL History Gallery 1. Photo submitted in 2008 can be found in NW CL History 2008 Gallery.
The Portland Aeroliners club put up the sign in East Delta Park in Portland, Ore., which remains there to this day. The photos were submitted by Dave Gardner (wearing the blue coveralls), who recalls that the event took place in 1974 or 1975. In the group photo below, that's Jim Zehrung next to Dave, Al Zion at far right, and Pat Webb kneeling left, Larry Wilson, kneeling far right and Harry Debuhr, kneeling in white cap. Others are unidentified.
Paul Agerter, longtime owner of Eugene Toy & Hobby, pictured at one of the first Northwest Regionals held in Eugene, Ore., in the early 1970s. Paul was a permanent fixture at the Regionals until his death several years ago. He and other staff members from the hobby shop filled a truck with CL and general modeling supplies for sale at the contest. The tradition was carried on by Paul's sons, Mark and Alan, for several years, and the hobby shop is still a popular stop for modelers attending the annual Memorial Day contest in Eugene. Photo provided by Mark Agerter.
Eugene Prop Spinners newsletter editor Jim Corbett was researching club history recently when longtime member Mel Marcum came up with this clipping from a Eugene, Ore., newspaper from 1947. The paper, which no longer exists, reported on the flying activities of the Prop Spinners. The club, which remains active in 2009, has been in operation almost continuously in the 62 years since the article was published.
Send in your historic CL photo. All you have to do is e-mail the editor or mail the hard-copy photos to Flying Lines, 2456 Quince St., Eugene, OR 97404.
This page was upated June 27, 2010