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I watched for a while at the 1964.
Flew in '65, '69, and '70.

In 1965 I flew in and completed flights in at least five events, as a Senior, and still didn't win anything.  Not the automatic trophy of today. 

Those were the good old days, and very few appreciated it. 

GREAT SHOTS...
How interesting that so many of our CL flyers have come from a free flight background, huh?

Well if you check you will find CL is the baby of modeling.   

Great stuff! My first (and only) Navy Nats was 1960 Dallas. I was 14 and visiting my grandparents. I managed to talk my grandfather into dropping me off there for a few hours. It was the first model contest I had ever attended besides the club contests flow at the reservoir field in Altus, OK, where we were stationed at the time. I didn't fly, but sure was in a hurry to get back home to my airplanes afterwards!

Many firsts for me, though:

1st time to see ANY CL speed event.
1st time to see ANY RC flying.....jaw dropping/amazing stuff to my young impressionable mind...hypnotized by the Pattern flying.
1st time to see CL stunt flown really well...totally intimidating. My Ringmaster just couldn't do some of that stuff! Didn't understand how anyone could pull out so low and so consistently.
1st time to see FF of any kind.

Missed flying at any Navy Nats...First Nats as competitor was 1976 at Dayton.

Bob Redmon

What Mike Keville said is absolutely TRUE.

I attended as Rhode Island Air Youth State Champion, in 1`959 and 1960.  I went to Calif and Tex.   Then I
competed the next 2 years in Willow Grove, Pen. and Chicago, Ill. 

And that is what it was. You could see everything everywhere on the base.

And the Hanger benches !   I remember smelling nitro among the speed guys.
It was intoxicating.  I saw Lew's Shark, and was mesmerized by it's immensity
and graceful, breathtaking flights.  I remember flying against Bill Werwage, as
a Senior. Back then the scores were in the 600"s. I was 6 points behind him.
That is when I saw for the first time people wind flying. I didn't know it was
possible.  When I got home, and taught myself how to do it.

Those were incredibly exciting and innocent times.  Being on an Air Base
and feeling the pulse of it all.  The hanger, the barracks , the bathrooms and the chow.
OMG  I'd like to go back to that feeling again. 

My bud, Al Mise, had just gotten out of the Navy, I had been working on his hot rod during his last 11-month cruise, on the USS Los Angeles Heavy Cruiser.
He wanted to cruise the fenderless, channeled 'A' Coupe, so we left San Jose for points South, mainly Long Beach...
Along the way, we learned of a NATS that was being held at Los Alamitos; Al had his Navy I.D., so we were greeted! (esp. with a Hot Rod!)
We parked, and were changing clothes (to walk around cooly) and a guy came walking up to look at the car...he was underneath, over the engine, all over the car.
He looked familiar, we talked, and it turned out he was one of the spokespersons for the event. Familiar, indeed. It was Roy Orbison!
Beside music, Model Airplanes and Hot Rods were his passion. (in that order, he said)

Sadly, Roy was flying a radio control plane at his mother's house when he had the massive heart attack that killed him. 

While just browsing through, I found this old thread. Very interesting back in 2010. Just thought  I would add some final "Behind the Scenes" informational concerning the historic days of the late Navy Nats.

While I moved to Chicago-Land in 1968, new pilot UAL, I was too close to the bottom for any seniority during '68 -72 to get time to do anything needing a schedule. I flew in the '71 Nats mostly FF and helping my young sons. They each got a trophy or two, but 'ol Dad never did.

On to the purpose of this story.  Early in 1972, the Glenview Base Commander changed. After a short while HE canceled the NATs as the Navy Nats used Reserve manpower to operate the NATs. AMA Headquarters canceled the Nats for '72.

When I heard this I asked questions. I made local contacts, one being influential, and we asked the Commander if it was personnel or Base or what. It was personnel. He got far too many letters from parents questioning why their little "Johnnies" had to work at a toy airplane event, especially extra hours while doing their reserve time and/or overtime on the base. Being new he just took the easy way out to satisfy the families. Remember back then there was a draft. Many had the option of service. Sailors did not do much jungle warfare. Many were back doing reserve time to serve out their military time.

The Commander said OK to use the base for the nine days, however not one Navy person could operate any official NATS space while on active duty at Glenview. We went to the AMA Executive Director, John Worth, and said that we could do the NATs with local manpower. John said "NO".

I then contacted the AMA President, Jonny Clemens in Dallas. He said if we thought we could do it, "Hexx Yes!". Worth was so informed, by Clemens. Worth was not happy being overridden, and he never let me forget it, even when years later I was a DVP.

Then I became the '72 NATs Manpower Director. In Chicago-Land manpower was not a problem. While a few prima-donas may disagree, I was very happy about the way folks poured in to help. IMO it was just terrific. Of course many event directors had their own close-knit personnel and that was definitely a BIG PLUS.

The '72 Nats was a success. The '73 Nats at Oshkosh, WI was a whole 'nother story. Remember there were no computers back then and the AMA ED never prepared for the differences in area. Yet we did have a total off-military NATs. It did happen!

Now here is a story that even I did not know until about 5 years ago when it was revealed to me by the late Reid Simpson, a real Free Flight competition person until his far too soon leaving us. Rest in Peace my Friend.

After the Oshkosh NATS the USAF volunteered to take over the program. They had a facility in IL that could handle the program. The Colonel that had just become Commander of the department that would handle the  operation was also a modeler. He was anxious to bring the NATs into the USAF.
Well, who do you think just might have been the fly in the ointment? If you guessed the AMA Headquarters, you are correct. The Ex. Director DEMANDED that He and his Staff would have to have full Officer Rights at the Officer's Club, on base facilities (food service) Officer's Quarters, and be treated as officers. That was beyond the Colonel's authority to do so, especially O' Club and Quarters. AMA turned away a program that could have been a NATs Host for how-many-years I know not, but for a long time.

Even when I was a DVP that information never surfaced. It is still not "recognized" however I spent several hours one day, some 5 years ago, at a FF meet in Seguin, TX and Reid and I had a long talk about Old Times. This bit of history is no longer capped.

My first NATS after 64 was at the 70 Glenview NATS.  My brother had a camper installed on the pickup.  Learned real fast not to buy perishable food for the week.   Then in 72 the last of the Navy NATS according to our AMA, I drove the old Dodge wagon with the guys for the NATS.   We got there early on the Sunday or Saturday evening and couldn't get on base.   So we parked along the road with the rest that were early.   Slept on top of the wagon.  Thank goodness for a luggage rack.   Dennis A. should remember that week as stunt was being flown in the rain.   Dave Trible who was riding with me had a barn burning flight going, when all of a sudden silence.  We were all heart broken.   Trip home was nothing to talk about until the old Dodge quit running about 70 miles from home.

Being stationed at Forbes AFB when the Nats was being held at, Ithink Olathe NAS - and being sent TDY to Brasil the day before it started.

This year, it'll be 40 years since my last NATS . Was a Senior at the Glenview NAS. I recall that we had a really HUGE turnout in Fast Combat. Weather was very humid and overcast. Fortunately, my summer job paid enough to allow me to lodge at a hotel along the strip in Waukekan, Ill.

The NAVY did an amazing job . I wish there was a way for them to get involved again, but the economics, security, bla, bla, bla. I hate to sound pessimistic, but if they ever ran it again, there would probably be a bunch of 60 year old "round bellies"( myself included) and only a handful of kids.

What a shame.

After all, the NAVY NATS was all about attracting youth. In '71 at Glenview, a bunch of us volunteered to help Testors( they had just bought out Wen-Mac from AMF) teach kids on plastic "flying" models. There were lines  of kids each and everyday . It took us hours to get through them. Had just enough time to fly Senior Combat and Profile Carrier.
Wish I  could remember the  name of the rep from Testor's.
He gave  each of us  the new style McCoy 40 and some dope , colors and clear, for helping.

My one and only Navy Nats was at Olathe in 68. My buddy that ran a little hobby shop where we lived in Marysville Kansas, were both flying control line and R/C for fun, but were not competition flyers back then. We had a friend in KC that ran a hobby shop, and he got us official stickers for our cars. We had the run of the base, and my wife and kids swam in the officers pool whilst I was perusing all of the events. I was 27 years old and thinking I had been missing out on the whole world by not being at all of them before. We did do some indoor timing jobs to make our selves legal. My folks lived in KC at the time, so we had a place to stay at night. I am so glad I got to go to that one as said there is just nothing like a Navy Nats. I watched control line stunt, Jet speed, R/C scale, pattern, and pylon racing. I did spend some time in the hangers, looking at all the stuff that was going on there also. I met many of the greats in both control line and R/C. I will never forget the feelings I had that week. I almost cryed when the Navy quit sponsoring the Nats. I bet some of you did too.

Quote from: Jim Kraft on August 21, 2012, 02:10:35 PM
. . . I almost cryed when the Navy quit sponsoring the Nats. I bet some of you did too.

Yuh'd better believe it, Pilgrim!   

Never had the privelege of making it to any NATS, but I remember many reports on it.
I remember when Air Trails, and several of it's reincarnations carried multi page reports on each event, including full lists of winners and many competitors.  Even technical specs and 3 view drawings of many of the planes.
I remember a photo in FM around 1956, 1958 of I believe a young military person, doing well in I think a CL event.  The caption was words to the effect that they expected to see great things from this young man.
The young man in the photo was named John Glenn.
I remember another photo, but am a bit vague on it, from the same time period.  The man was Alan Shepard.
Another photo in FM was of one of the Blue Angels' F-11-F Tigercats: with an RC model sticking out of the side.  Apparent radio problem, maybe interference on the 27 MHz band.  They flew with one fewer plane for a while.
I remember a cover and story in MAN about after the NATS was over, a number of RC competitors were taken out on a cruise on a dummy aircraft carrier, a converted power boat, and give the opportunity to fly off it.
I remember when a single competitor would fly in a certain number of events in FF, RC, and CL, and if he scored high enough in all of them, the person was declared Grand Champion.  A number of those GCs made it into the AMA Hall of Fame.  MAybe the person didn't win in all of them, but by being an all-around builder/flyer, one could build a high enough total score.

In 64, my first NATS at Grand Prairie Naval Air Station, the big thrill was watching Wayne Meriwether excepting the Junior Chempionship trophy from Neil Armstrong.   Who would have thought that Neil would be the first man on the moon.

My first Navy Nats, 1966.

Dad had moved us from Vincennes, Indiana in mid 1964 to Lombard, Illinois near Chicago when he was hired to TWA. Dad bought some kits from a dealer and used his old engines from Japan in a few of them like Hope29's, Enya sand casts, and OS 29 twin exhaust engines in models like the Warrior, and PDQ Flying Clown. We flew in a farm meadow near our house, the farmer gave dad a card to show the police if they came by showing permission! Dad and mom had built a Ringmaster Jr. with a Hope 19 when they were first married, and that was what dad taught all of us how to fly C/L, me, my two little sisters and even mom. One time a man came by and asked dad what pattern he was flying. Dad said he was flying stunt and that he wanted to get good enough to fly in the Nationals. The man explained that there was a new pattern and that climbs and dives were no longer included! Dad Joined AMA and we got new rulebooks with all of the latest stuff. I marveled at the maneuvers described in isometric drawings that meant so much to me, and helped prompt a desire to draw, from that early age's natural desire to do so, to a more disciplined job of it.
Dad built more models, flew his Warriors to learn these modern maneuvers, and we started going to contests. I was 6 until December of 1966 and got my first AMA license. I had my rulebook, and my blue card, and rode to a few contests all over the northern Illinois, Indiana and Wisconson, area with dad, the Phillips brothers, Ron Adams and some other Stunt, Carrier and Rat Race guys.

Then dad said we are going to the Nats. 

Chris..
Thanks for sharing stories about you and your Dad! Say Hello for me to your Dad...How's he doing Hope all well with you and your's. Those truly were the days huh?
Chris...We both come a very very long way...since we took this photo of you two.

My Last Navy Nats 1971
The 1971 Glenview Nats were not only my last Nats attended but also my last control line flying until this year. What a great time my Dad and I, and all my Dayton Buzzin Buzzard buddies had traveling and flying together, (Bill Keller, Ed Wallace, Gil Reedy,Tim Zimmer and others).  I remember having to fly many rounds in open combat with my fathers (Jack), Wedge design, and then win 1st. place in my first year flying in the open class with all the older guys. I have noticed Howard Rush writing some posts in this forum and I do remember flying right through the center of a beautiful Nemesis in the semi-finals, (sorry Howard). After 40 non flying years I attended the Stunt contest in Dayton this year and was intrigued with the new electric power stunt models. Just finished my first stunt pattern since the King Orange contest in 1970 with an electric Legacy.
Jerry Haupt
Dayton, Ohio   

Great to hear from you, Jerry.  I'm old and flying electric stunt, too.

Welcome back Jerry !  Lots of OLD combat flyers are trying their hand at stunt, including myself.  Airplanes last a whole lot longer. Hope to make it down to Dayton next year. 

  The Dayton Buzzin' Buzzards meet was one of my first as a kid. The summer of 66' or 67'. My pops did well in stunt. First place I think? Jerry Phelps failed to pull out on the reverse. I bet there was never a bigger divot for Jerry. I was glued to combat however, and had to be hunted down for the trip home! What caught my eye? A child competing with grown-ups in combat. The kid won, but in air time, flying with half of a Voo Doo wing still intact. I caught several of the cut off oil soaked streamers outside the fence. I was hooked!

Among the fondest memories of the Navy Nats are the first steps inside the large Work Hangars, where literally hundreds of F/F and C/L models were arrayed on wooden benches.  The aroma of freshly-doped tissue & silkspan permeated the place -- a sensory overload.  While there, it was often possible to meet, greet and talk with such notables as Carl Goldberg, Sal Taibi, Steve Wooley (once, 1962, Glenview, while buffing-out his entry), Warren Kurth, et al.

...people actually building, covering and finishing models overnight (mostly F/F Scale and Outdoor Hand Launched Gliders)....

It was a completely different world from today's "Buy-And-Fly" R/C junk.

I miss it ... but we'll never see it again.

1962 @ Glenview was my first. All the stuff; the barracks -  my first contact with Ray Galloway, the mess hall, the work hanger, the greats of the day. Perhaps most of all was the after hours flying on the big grass lawn behind the hanger. Stunt, mass combat, you name it. I was 14.

'72 was the last year for the Navy at Glenview. I was there flying FF with my then wife and eldest son RandyII. Here's a shot of him with Miss Model Aviation, he turned 43 this past August.

Thanks Randy....What a great story and photo!