Some pics from the southwest regionals in Tucson.

[Dane Martin]

Here's some pics I took. They're posted full size on the PAMPA FB group. Jim Hoffman took more pics. I'm sure there will be a nice write up in SN.

[Dane Martin]

More pics

[Dane Martin]

Pics

[Dane Martin]

My experience at Tucson was a wonderful one. There seemed to be plenty of help for set up. After set up, everyone came and introduced themselves, or friends introduced me to all the local legends. After my first flight failure, Rick Green helped me get my engine tuned up and singing. My second flight I got a 440 with my stock twister. Chris McMillan came up and introduced himself and told me the plane would fly much better on shorter lines and get rid of the rudder offset. Of course that made it better!
Second day, I flew int. with the primary force. After my practice flights, Chris explained how I would be giving up points by starting the manuever too high. He said also my shapes are too big, but keep working on making them consistent first. We talked quite a bit. I think I did well with his advice. I did a 453.5 and backed it up with a 451.5.
Chris wasn't the only one with great advice obviously, I'm just pointing him out. Rick Green helped immensely by calling for me for 2 rounds. That was really cool!
We will be back in Tucson for VSC!

[Wayne Collier]

Enjoyed the pictures. Got a kick out of the one with a rag on the nose. Reminds me of my youth. My brother and I kept a stash of old tube socks handy for wrapping engines to keep out dust, grit, grass clippings, and other debris between flights and flying days.

[Randy Powell]

Ever notice that guys in Arizona are wearing coats when it's 70+ degrees. It's what you get used to, I guess.

[Randy Cuberly]

Ever notice that guys in Arizona are wearing coats when it's 70+ degrees. It's what you get used to, I guess.

Yeah, there's definitely some truth in that statement!  However remember it's the Sonoran Desert, and that typically means cold nights and very warm days.  At 8:00 AM on Saturday it was about 40 degrees.  By 9:00 AM it was about 60, and by 10:00 am around 70+.  Typical winter day in Tucson!

I will admit that at 50 degrees I wear my Parka!

Randy Cuberly
PS:  I think I saw Jim Hoffman's Beautiful Impact shivering on Sunday Morning...It's used to Phoenix temperatures which are significantly warmer than Tucson!   

[john e. holliday]

I remember the first year I got to VSC and stayed at Aunt Betty's place.  One of the places she took us to was called the Ranch.   A kind of dinner - playhouse restaurant.  The Son of the Pioneers were there and she knew I was a country and western music fan.   The owner said he could tell who the out of state people were and if we were from the north or south.  He said when they relocated from Colorado they were building the place in Tuscon during the winter wearing nothing but light jackets or T shirts depending on time of day.  Now he said we wear over coats like the rest of the locals.   I miss the area even though I remember little Vanna sitting in the ruck and I had my overcoat on because it was cold.   By the way thanks for the pics.

[FLOYD CARTER]

The SW Regionals brings back memories!  I flew at the 1951 SW Regionals.  It was then in Phoenix, at the airport.  My first big car trip.  388 mi. from Los Angeles.  I drove it solo at age 17.

[eric david conley]

     The first time I went to the SWR was in Tempe at a airport. We had driven to Tucson and told it wasn't there it was in Phoenix so then drove there and then found that it was in Tempe. We did this all over a weekend, couldn't leave till after work on Friday and had to be back to work on Monday. We were all (four of us) in our early 20's and didn't think anything of it.

[Chris McMillin]

Nice meeting Dane, he really shows good building and flying practices along with understanding the principals. He's a Racing, Speed and Combat flyer so has experience in modeling already. I judged in Classic/Super 70's and watched him drive along on 60 footers with a Magnum Pro 28 powered Twister and saw him showing some good flying. Afterward that event closed I was able to give him some advice after asking if he wanted some. He is a quick study, I am glad to have a young man interested in Stunt in this region. Looking forward to seeing him at VSC.

My first time at the South West Regionals was 1968, 50 years ago. Dad and Jim Mayfield drove through a blizzard on I-10 in the tracks of a big rig truck in mom's Highland Green 289 Fairlane Country Squire with the Shark AMA-68 on a sheet of plywood across the wheel well humps and Jim's Playboy underneath on the station wagon rear deck. My Flying Clown was stashed somewhere in there. It seemed like a huge adventure, we even stayed in a motel.
It was at Buckeye Airport, cold and windy, I won Jr Stunt by doing a normal wingover, three insides and take off and landing. Noel Hess had his shiny plate covered P-35 in Scale along with his son flying an Me-110. As for Stunt, Dad and Jim, Gordy was there, and Bart. Maybe the Colliers too.
Chris...

[Jim Hoffman]

This was the 68th annual Southwest Regionals.  I thing that is a VERY big deal.  My first SWR was Jan 1980 where I first met Jim Armour, Robin Sizemore, Jerry Silver, Lucky Pyatt, Bart Klapinski and Bob Whitely. 
 
Nice to have some new and returning folks in the stunt circles this year. 
•   Dane Martin from Las Vegas
•   Paul Hruby from Phoenix
•   Charles Carter and Mike Meadows from California.
•   This may have been Al Hieger’s first SW Regionals, but he is a VSC regular.
•   Scott Dinger flew very well and continues to be a great builder and finisher
•   Steve Stewart of Tucson is becoming a regular at the stunt circles

The weather was wonderful and I always enjoy the Sat. nite open house get together at the home of Rickii Pyatt and Mack Davis. 

Cheers,  Jim Hoffman