Greetings all!
I just want to say a hearty "thank you" to Leo Mehl and the Northwest Fireballs for putting on a fun contest. I had a great time participating, and flying several different events. For instance, the racing scene, three planes, all running nose to tail, pilots with nerves of steel concentrating on the close formation and high speed... ahhh what a race!
And how about those neato biplanes over at the carrier circle? Dick Salter and Mike Potter have a pair of dandys! And then there is the victors to think about. Ted Gritzmacher with a very respectable 154 mph formula 40, Dave Miller, with a 168 point .15 carrier flight, and John Thompson kicking butt over at the combat circle. Also thank you to a couple of well known names in the racing circuit, Nitroholics racing, and S&S racing, and also racing hard and having a great time, Mike Holmack.
The combat circle was busy, jumping to triple elimination to get more matches. It was a fantastic return to combat for John Thompson, and for the Snoopster. John, you are a fun opponent, tough and to the point. Ill patch the bullet holes in the ol doghouse, and live to battle another day!
Well here's a few pics of the action:
Left: Mike Potter's MO1 during low-speed Navy Carrier flight. Center: Dick Salter's Guardian makes a low-speed pass. Right: Boeing F4B4 bipes by Dick Salter (left) and Mike Potter.
Left photo: Joe Just is the official as Dick Salter's bipe makes a low-speed pass. Right photo: Mark Hansen's 80mph combat planes.
Left: Dick Salter with F4B-4 bipe. Right: David Miller with Flying Clown. Right: Mike Holmack with NW Sport racer.
Left photo: Mike Holmack launches a sport racer. At right, Kenny Johansen prepares his combat plane.
Left photo: Dick Salter prepares to launch John Thompson's 80mph combat plane as Kenny Johansen awaits the action. Below: Mike Potter at the handle of his MO1.
Below: Dick Salter's carrier bipe in flight
Nitroholics Racing Team with their Northwest Sport Racer: John Thompson (left), Mike Hazel.
All photos by Rich Salter.
For the full report on the Jim Walker Memorial, see Contest News.
This page was upated May 10, 2006