Lineup of some of the Precision Aerobatics planes on Sunday; Bruce Hunt's Stiletto in the foreground. Rex Abbott photo.
Another suntastic Fall Follies weekend
Oct. 5-6, 2013, Bill Riegel Field, Salem, Ore.
The 27th annual Fall Follies lived up to its reputation as a perfect season-ender for control-line model airplane competition in the Northwest, with two days of nearly perfect weather, fine flying and friendship, not to mention the traditional barbecue (which attracted some folks who flew all the way down from Canada in two airplanes just to chow down on the hamburgers!).
Classic, Old-Time and Profile Stunt were the Saturday events and the four classes of PAMPA Precision Aerobatics were on Sunday. Saturday also hosted the finale of the Chehalis Cup Combat series, with High-Performance 1/2-A Combat on the grass field.
There was quite a bit of spectator interest in the contest, which was held at Bill Riegel Model Airpark at the Salem Airport, which is right near the intersection of a couple of fairly busy streets.
A total of 64 official flights were made over the two days, plus an unknown number of practice flights that began on Thursday or Friday, and four rounds of Combat. A number of the flights also contributed to the worldwide Ringmaster Fly-a-Thon.
Howard Rush captured the Expert Precision Aerobatics crown, and Floyd Carter captured the Advanced trophy. In Saturday events, John Thompson topped Classic Stunt and Dave Royer won Old-Time. Mike Hazel captured a hotly contested Sportsman Profile Stunt class. John Thompson won the 1/2-A Combat event.
The Follies is also the place where the annual Vintage Stunt Trophy race is awarded to the top scorer in the Flying Lines Northwest standings in combined Old-Time and Classic Stunt. This year's trophy, sponsored by Flying Lines, was won by Pete Peterson. Pete was not present at the Follies but had amassed an insurmountable lead in contests earlier in the year, flying both Old-Time and Classic. Previous winners have been Bruce Hunt (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010), Scott Riese (2005) and Pat Johnston (2007) and Pete Peterson (2011), and Alan Resinger and John Thompson (2012, tie).
Contest staff:
Field mowing: Mike Hazel
Field setup: Mike Hazel and Craig Bartlett
Registration: Mike Hazel
Pull-testing: Rex Abbott and Tim Wescott
Tabulation: Mike Hazel
Score runner: Kyli Lee
Sunday barbecue: Mike Hazel
Contest Director: Mike Hazel
Thanks also to many others who helped out with various chores and details!
Sponsor: Western Oregon Control-Line Flyers
Fall Follies Results
NW Standings points in parentheses
Editor's note: Airplane data is provided where known, but is incomplete. E-mail the editor with info and we will update the data.
CLASSIC STUNT (6 entries)
1. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore., Ares, Brodak .40 -- 492.5 (6)
2. Mark Scarborough, Pullman, Wash., Avenger, Magnum .53 -- 477.5 (5)
3. Tim Wescott, Oregon City, Ore., Ringmaster, O.S. FP .20 -- 475.5 (4)
4. Rex Abbott, Sequim, Wash., Strathmoor, 4-stroke -- 459 (3)
5. Gordon Rea, Eugene, Ore., Ringmaster, O.S. LA .25 -- 456.5
6. Jim Johnson, Olympia, Wash., Oriental -- 181.5
Judges: Steve Helmick and Dave Royer
NOSTALGIA 30 STUNT (No entries)
OLD-TIME STUNT (5 entries)
1. Dave Royer, Portland, Ore., Humongous, Dixon Merco .61 -- 282 (5)
2. John Thompson, Ringmaster, O.S. .26 4-stroke -- 275.75 (4)
3. Alice Cotton-Royer, Portland, Ore., Firecat, O.S. FP .25 -- 212.75 (3)
4. Rex Abbott, All American Sr., Forster .29 -- 206.75 (2)
5. Tim Wescott, Ringmaster, O.S. FP .20 -- 201.5
Judges: Steve Helmick and Bruce Hunt
SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (5 entries)
1. Mike Hazel, Mehama, Ore., Cardinal, O.S. FP .40 -- 492 (5)
2. Tim Wescott, Sister Jenny, O.S. LA .46 -- 477 (4)
3. Mark Scarborough, E Jet, electric -- 475.5 (3)
4. Gordon Rea, Ringmaster, O.S. LA .25 -- 453 (2)
5. Marc Winz, Edgewood, Wash., Pathfinder, O.S. LA .46 -- 452
Judges: Dave Royer and Bruce Hunt
EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (2 entries)
1. John Thompson, Scrub J (Cardinal), Evolution .36 -- 478 (2)
2. Steve Helmick, Renton, Wash., Banshee -- Disqualified, falling parts. (1)
Judges: Dave Royer and Bruce Hunt
Advanced Precision Aerobatics judges John Leidle (left) and Jerry Eichten at work. Dean Rea photo.
BEGINNER PRECISION AEROBATICS (1 entry)
1. Jerry Olson, Clackamas, Ore., Super Clown, O.S., LA .25 -- 232.5 (1)
Judges: Howard Rush and John Thompson
INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AEROBATICS (3 entries)
1. Marc Winz, Pathfinder, O.S. LA .46 -- 446 (1)
Judges: Howard Rush and John Thompson
ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (6 entries)
1. Floyd Carter, Eugene, Ore., Tiburon, Stalker .51 -- 494.5 (6)
2. Mark Scarborough, Avenger, Magnum .53 -- 492.5 (5)
3. Tim Wescott, Sister Jenny, O.S. LA .46 -- 484 (4)
4. Mike Hazel, Cardinal, O.S. FP .40 -- 466.5 (3)
5. Gordon Rea, Ringmaster, O.S. LA .25 -- 446.5
6. Rex Abbott, Legacy, 4-stroke -- 408.5
Judges: Jerry Eichten and John Leidle
EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (7 entries)
1. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash, Impact, electric -- 583.5 (10.5)
2. Bruce Hunt, Lake Stevens, Wash., Stiletto, Stalker .51 -- 560.5 (9)
3. John Leidle, Kirkland, Wash., Songbird, SuperTigre .60 -- 543 (7.5)
4. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash., Sultan, electric -- 536.5 (6)
5. Keith Varley, Vancouver, B.C., Sultan, electric -- 512.5
6. John Thompson, Vector 40, O.S. LA .40 -- 489.5
7. Steve Helmick, Eagle -- 477.5
Judges: Jerry Eichten and Dave Royer
HIGH-PERFORMANCE 1/2-A COMBAT (5 entries)
1. John Thompson -- 2 wins, 2 ties (5)
2. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. -- 2 wins, 1 tie, 1 loss (4)
3. Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash. -- 1-2-1 (3)
4. Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore. -- 1-1-2 (2)
5. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. -- 1-3
Results of this contest are included in the Northwest Control-Line Competition Standings.
Fall Follies Combat report
By Buzz Wilson
The 2013 C-Cup finished the season with a Half A contest at Salem. When the C-Cup was set up, we picked Chehalis, Wash., as the location because it is halfway between Seattle and Portland. For the final contest of the season, we decided to have it in Salem as part to the Fall Follies.
It was a perfect fall day for combat. Five fliers showed up to fly in warm sun and light winds. Going into the day, Robert Smith had a half point lead over Jeff Rein and myself. John Thompson had an outside chance to win the cup.
With five fliers and John flying on the stunt circle, we were shorthanded. This meant that the judge would also have to be pitting. It was agreed that once both engines were started and the pilots were at their handles the match time clock would start. Airtime would not be counted and that ties would occur. Everyone would fly each other once.
John continued on his victory roll from the Bladder Grabber and finished the contest with two wins and two ties to give him first place. Robert had two wins, one tie, and one loss, the loss coming at the hand of John and giving him second place. With one win, two ties, and one loss I got third.
When the day began, Robert had a half point lead over Jeff and myself. When the day ended, Robert had 11 points, I had 10, and Jeff had 9. Congratulations to Robert for winning the 2013 C-Cup.
Fall Follies photo gallery
And click here for an extensive photo gallery by Alan Beeler
Mark Scarborough's Avenger in flight. Flying Lines photo.
Floyd Carter brought two airplanes; in background, the Tiburon that he flew to first place in Advanced Precision Aerobatics. In foreground, the brand-new Thunger Geezer. Dean Rea photo.
A closer look at the Thunder Geezer. The 80 indicates that the builder, Floyd Carter, would turn 80 a few days after the contest. The plane is Floyd's version of David Fitzgerald's Thunder Gazer. Rex Abbott photo.
John Leidle and his Songbird. Dean Rea photo.
Left photo: Taking a look at the scoreboard after the events ended were (from left) Bruce Hunt, Jerry Eichten and John Thompson.
Right photo: Jerry Olson flew his Super Clown in Beginner Precision Aerobatics. Dean Rea photos.
Mark Scarborough starts the engine on his Avenger as Steve Helmick holds. Dean Rea photo.
Several Ringmasters made flights that counted in the global Ringmaster fly-a-thon. At left is Tim Wescott's and at right is Gordon Rea's. Rex Abbott photos.
Tim Wescott flies his Ringmasgter. Rex Abbott photo.
Mike Haverly's Sultan in flight. Flying Lines photo.
Mark Scarborough flies his Avenger. Flying Lines photo.
Floyd Carter's Tiburon passes overhead as Bruce Hunt (left) and Jerry Olson chat. Rex Abbott photo.
Gordon Rea flies his Ringmaster. Rex Abbott photo.
Marc Winz flies his Pathfinder. Rex Abbott photo.
Jim Johnson returned to competition after a long hiatus. Here he's flying his Oriental.. Rex Abbott photo.
John Leidle flies his Songbird. Rex Abbott photo.
Floyd Carter puts in the winning flight in Advanced Precision Aerobatics. Rex Abbott photo.
Alice Cotton-Royer at the handle of her Firecat in Old-Time Stunt. Rex Abbott photo.
Old-Time Stunt judges Bruce Hunt (left) and Steve Helmick watch the action. Rex Abbott photos.
Mike Hazel flies his Cardinal to first place in Sportsman Profile Stunt. Rex Abbott photo.
Mike Hazel cooks up the barbecue lunch... Rex Abbott photo.
... and the fliers enjoy it! Rex Abbott photo.
Flying Lines home page
Back to Aerobatics section
Back to Western Oregon Control Line Flyers page
This page was upated Oct. 12, 2013