Author Topic: Jim Coll Memorial Contest (Read 3734 times)

Mike Palko · « **on:** August 16, 2009, 02:33:43 PM »

The Eastern Shore Aeromodelers (ESA) pulled off an amazing first effort for a man who surely deserved it!

It certainly needs to be recognized.

Jim Coll must have been smiling all day as he watched us fly, talk and enjoy great memories from his past on a beautiful day! The weather was as good as it gets. Blues skies, white puffy clouds, a light breeze and a flying field that would make anyone envious.

The ESA memorial service for Jim was beautiful. A few words were said about Jim followed by a retirement ceremony for the airplane Jim flew in contests. One by one every pilot walked to the center of the circle and checked the controls "preflight" one last time, then greeted Jim's wife and daughter as they exited the circle. To close the ceremony Tim Stagg put the last flight on the Smoothie before retiring the airplane. It was a touching moment to hear the engine run out of fuel for the last time and land safely on the ground.

Jim's wife awarded the trophy's after the contest and thanked everyone for coming and supporting both Jim and herself during their hard times. Jim was an inspiration to all who knew him and should make us all feel very fortunate for our good health!

Thanks again to everyone who helped and I will certainly be back next year. Please feel free to add details and pictures from the contest if you were able to make it.

Mike

peabody · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2009, 04:56:23 PM »

A terrific site...super well run by great people....good food...
Great job...and thanks to the judges...it was sort of warm in the sun!

John Tate · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2009, 05:22:15 PM »

As stated above; the Jim Coll Memorial was a great contest. A big thank you goes out to the organizers and judges.

Five of the Norfolk Aeromodelers made the short trip up the eastern shore to the contest. Artie Jessup, Phil Spillman, Willis Swindell, Jimmy Welch and I had a great time.

The field had some of the shortest grass I have seen on a flying field. Check out the picture of Tom Hampshire and I comparing airplane sizes there in the pit area.
John Tate

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2009, 05:42:36 PM »

Sounds like it went real well. Wished I could have been there, have a couple dear friends on the Eastern Shore and Jim Coll was the guy that helped me learn the pattern.

Hi Lloyd..

tom hampshire · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2009, 06:28:04 PM »

What a great contest, and it was a first effort. Good field, eats, many wives, children and a very friendly atmosphere. I'm going back for sure... Maybe a 2 day event next year? BTW, John Tates' photo illustrates the difference between his Brodak Vector at 585 sq. inches, and mine, a Randy Smith Vector at about 630 sq. inches. There's a world of difference between the two. Tom H.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:17:35 PM »

Sounds like it was a great contest, and a good atmosphere. Looked like the weather was good too from the picture, hope the Lee contest will have good weather.

Thanks for the report Mike

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:20:51 PM »

Thank you to all who came out and participated in the first annual Jim Coll memorial stunt contest. It was a celebration of Jim's life for many of his friends both near and far. We look forward to next years event.

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:29:53 PM »

More of the flyers

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:31:32 PM »

More...

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:33:17 PM »

more...

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:35:14 PM »

more...

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:37:26 PM »

more...

Tom Taylor · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2009, 07:40:48 PM »

Last ones.

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2009, 08:57:29 PM »

Some scores
Willis

Matt Colan · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2009, 06:59:23 AM »

Thanks for the pics Tom, looks like there was a good turnout for a first contest.

Tim Stagg · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2009, 02:14:25 PM »

I would like to thank everyone again for coming and celebrating a dear friend. I would also like to thank all that helped to pull this together, especially the judges who without their help, we would have been in real trouble. I would also like to give a special thanks to The philly Flyer's, Tom Hampshire and Bob Hunt for all of their support in this as well as our RC club who gave up a day of flying to allow us to host the event. It was a beautiful Day although a little warm in the sun. I look forward to next years event, if it gets any bigger we may have to go to two days just to make sure we have time for everything. I would like to see it get to this if possible. I will keep everyone informed of progress for next years event.

Thanks all

Tim Stagg

kenneth cook · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2009, 02:56:43 PM »

Tim, you can surely count me in. We did some flying on Sunday and all that were present surely felt that the surroundings provide a great atmosphere. My son Shawn enjoyed his hand at score tabulating. I'm glad he did as well. He truly likes being involved at it keeps him occupied waiting for the next flight. The weather was terrific and I met a few new friends there. Thanks once again, Ken and Shawn Cook

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2009, 09:37:58 AM »

Sounds like a huge success. I liked Jim even though I did not get to see him much. He was an inspiration to us all. Hopefully, I can make this meet in the not too distant future, and I am glad to see that the club honored Jim.

Bill <><

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2009, 10:53:17 AM »

Hi Tim

Sounds like you had a great event. I am sorry that last minute events kept me from comming down. I will put it on my list of "must Makes" for 2010. Very Best......

Dalton Hammett

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2009, 06:40:52 PM »

I'm sorry I had to miss that one, I was on vacation and couldn't change schedules. It sounds like it was a great contest and great tribute to a fierce competitor and a fine gentleman.

jackweston · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2009, 09:12:33 AM »

Thanks to the ESA club for tribute to a valiant guy !

These are some pictures I took at the event !

http://picasaweb.google.com/jjnotsew/FirstAnnualJimCollMemorialContest8152009#

Ron King · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2009, 03:45:25 PM »

Jim was a wonderful person and great friend. I miss him a lot.

This was a great contest at a great site. I was moved by the large number of people who showed up and I'm sure Jim would have been happy to see everyone. I look forward to flying again next year.

Ron

PS _ I don't know about that two-day idea. The traffic is very bad this time of the year.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2009, 03:46:54 PM »

Thanks for the Photos, good to see some great old friends..

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** September 01, 2009, 04:21:12 PM »

Great photos and a great looking site. Take care of that radio club, especially if they shut down to let control line fly. I met Jim at a VSC several years ago, but, didn't get to know him that well. What with the number of contestants and all the things that are going on. Will this be an annual event? DOC Holliday

Clayton Berry · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2009, 02:17:04 AM »

Jim was a very good man.