Hi.  I hope it's okay to post on these forums, given that the last time I flew a control line plane I was around eight years old.  To be honest, I was never very talented at the sport.  Thirty years later I mostly remember sitting off to the side reading a book while my brother and Dad flew.  I will say, though, the memory of crashing a control line plane into the ground is something that never goes away.  I can still feel it in my forearm!

My Dad was Randy Hancock.  I don't know how many people here would remember him, but he was active in the sport from the 60s (or 70s) to the early 2000s.  Dad really loved model airplanes (and hobbies) of all kinds, but stunt was his absolute favorite.  He grew up a close to Lew McFarland's hobby shop in Lexington, KY; my understanding is he was a staple there as a kid.  More recently Dad helped provide some of the pictures for Wynn Paul's stunt books.

Unfortunately, Dad passed away in 2016.  I recently began to go through his old airplane collection to sell it for Mom, and it's been a really wonderful glimpse into a part of his life I only scratched the surface of when Dad was still with us.  While I don't think I'd ever get into the sport myself, I feel like I've gotten to know him a little better through the experience.  Finding things like old plaques and trophies, or him on the cover of a magazine, or finding old fuel tanks he made himself have been some of the highlights.  But even moreso it's been great reading really nice letters people sent to him, and hearing some very complimentary things spoken about Dad, who really was one of the most generous, best people I have ever known.

I don't know if Dad knew these forums existed, but I'm sure he would be happy the sport is still going strong.  If anyone is interested, I'd love to scan and upload the pictures I've been finding of people and airplanes from the 70s, 80s and 90s.  Or post about some of the cool stuff I've found, even if it's probably old news to you all.  And I hope it's okay if I ask questions now and again.  Dad's collection is pretty overwhelming, even with some tremendous help from the local airplane club.

Thank you to anyone who read this.  Sorry it got so long!  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Andrew, I knew your Dad.. He was a great guy. I grew up in Lexington, Ky. also, Lew McFarland taught me how to fly control line, and I met your Dad, Kenny Stevens, Ed Robbert & Wynn Paul and several others through the LMAC.
Your Dad was one of the kindest hearted guys I ever met. He was always very willing to help others when we were flying at Kearney Field. I went to my first Nats in Wilmington, Ohio in 1980. Randy and I were on the same circle (#3) and we launched for each other. I would have been totally lost at that event if Randy hadn't been there to show me around. I also remember when he started that Hobby Shop on New Circle Road. I had gone in the Navy at that point and had gotten out of the hobby. Wife and kids soon followed. I got back in the hobby and connected with Kenny Stevens who told me your dad had passed away. It was very sad news. PM me when you get a moment. Have you connected with Kenny or Wynn? I hope so. I'd be glad to help you in any way that I can.
Mark Romanowitz
LMAC member from 1973-1984