Planes of Slav Malovan (left) and Russ Hester battle in 15 Fast Combat on Sunday at the Jim Walker Memorial. Flying Lines photo.

2024 Jim Walker Memorial

April 26-28, Jim Walker Memorial Control-Line Field, East Delta Park, Portland, Ore.

The traditional Northwest control-line competition season opener was again ably hosted by the Northwest Fireballs, the Portland-based flying club

The contest ran smoothly under Contest Director Jim Cameron and an energetic staff that included the registration/tabulation crew of Barbara White and Robin Gearn, Stunt Director Tim Wescott, Combat Director Gary Harris, Carrier Director Mike Potter and Speed Director Mike Hazel.  Jim Cameron directed the racing events.  Assisting were may other Fireballs and friends including chef Doug Powers, Don Curry, Darrin Bishop, Terence Bardue, Mark Crouse and others.

The only downside was a second consecutive year of low attendance possibly attributable to a poor weather forecast.  Weather actually turned out much better than the forecast and all events proceeded without significant delays or mishaps.

Best-attended event was Combat, which had seven entries in 80mph Combat and six in 15 Fast, both of which were won by Russ Hester.

A tasty lunch was provided both weekend days and coffee and pastries were available every morning.

Watch this space for reports from the contest director and event directors, which will be posted as they come in.

Carrier Report, by ED Mike Potter

Pretty low turnout I assume the weather was a factor. As it turned out the misty rain wasn't bad and the lack of wind was a plus. The airplane-eating tree didn't get any victims this year. Jim Schneider laid out the circle center with precision being the victim last year with two tree strikes.

2024 Jim Walker Memorial Results

Compiled by Barbara White
(Pts. column indicates Northwest Standings points)

Jim Walker Memorial photo gallery


Gary Harris (left) and the 80mph Combat contestants on Saturday (from right): Russ Hester, first place; John Thompson, second; Gene Pape, third; Slav Malovan, fourth; Robert Smith, John Knoppi and Jim Green. Photo from Facebook.

Contestants and workers in 15 Fast Combat gathered for a group photo on Sunday. From right: Russ Hester, first place; Gene Pape, second; Slav Malovan, third; John Knoppi, fourth; Jim Green, fifth; and workers Terence Bardue, Gary Harris and Mark Crouse. Flying Lines photo.

Two Classic Stunt planes await flights: Jim Cameron's Rebel in the foreground (a Leo Mehl design built by Don Curry) and Jim Schneider's ARF Nobler. Flying Lines photo.

Doug Powers (left) and Leighton Mangels tune the engine on a Clown Racer. Flying Lines photo.

Gary Weems flies his Vector 40 in Precision Aerobatics before judges Robin Gearn (left) and Tim Wescott. Flying Lines photo.

80mph Combat Pits on Saturday during a lunch break. Flying Lines photo.

Racing planes and participants in the pits. Flying Lines photo.

Mike Hazel tunes the engine on his new Artesian for Northwest Sport Race. Flying Lines photo.

Contest Director Jim Cameron administers a pull-test. Flying Lines photo.

Russ Hester (left and Slav Malovan battle in 15 Fast Combat. Flying Lines photo.

Aftermath of a line tangle. Flying Lines photo.

Gary Harris officiates a Combat match. Flying Lines photo.

Slav Malovan heads to the handle for a 15 Fast Combat match as crew member Ken Burdick prepares to launch. Flying Lines photo.

Doug Powers launches a Dallas Sport Goodyear plane. Flying Lines photo.

Racing pilots Leighton Mangels and Ken Burdick. Flying Lines photo.

John Knoppi pits a Northwest Sport Goodyear entry. Flying Lines photo.

Racing pilot Leighton Mangels shows good takeoff form. Flying Lines photo.

Two planes in the Classic Stunt pits: At left, Jerry Eichten's Oriental, and at right, John Thompson's Gypsy. Flying Lines photo.

Russ Hester's fleet of 15 Fast Combat airplanes. Flying Lines photo.

John Thompson's Crossfire was the only airplane entered in Expert Precision Aerobatics. Flying Lines photo.

A hearty lunch was served on Saturday and Sunday. Barbara White photo.

How do you know a Combat plane won its match? The opponent's string wound up in the prop! This is Gene Pape's 15 Fast plane. Gene Pape photo.


New Northwest Combat flier Slav Malovan and family enjoyed the picnic provided by the Fireballs. Ken Burdick photo.

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This page was updated May 5, 2024