Tucson's VSC

[Randy Snow]

 Hello here -- those of the greatest of hobbies---this is an honest statement -I've been involved over the years with many other forms of hobby interest -and this type of the" Art of Modeling "- has a greater brotherhood feel - I've read the reference as "The brotherhood of the Ring" I'll add " Band of Brothers". I was at the VSC in Tucson - the weekend before the contest with the help of an old(long term as well as age -lol-) friend Steve Mills I got my 14yr old virgin Super Clown in the air ( yeah 14yr old virgin - built it but life got in the way)- what happens in Tucson with the VSC has grown into something more of than just some contest - it's the same type of feeling with any model aircraft contest but the VSC has that something that puts it in a category all by it's self. It's more intimate than the NATs - maybe because it's just the Stunt Brothers of this great hobby. I recall going to the NATs with my Dad ( Ted Snow)in the early 60's when I was just a novice jr.--damn that was a long time ago -- I helped him as he flew stunt and scale -- and he helped me when I flew my first NATs in 67 - I won 1st in Navy Carrier class 1 and was a guest( along with other jr winners )of the Navy - we were flown to Pensacola Naval Station and spent time on the carrier Lexington -(after that I've always this thing for the Lexington - all those U S Navy ships that have had that name- from the three master on ) --ABC Wide World of Sports covered the 67 NATs and had the broadcast in September 67  -- told everyone at school to watch the broadcast -- that following monday  I was the IT kid for awhile --ABC had a short piece about C/L Carrier and there I was -- that more than likely was my 15 minutes of fame -LOL- but it was so cooooooooool lol -- Now Dad's gone but his Humoguos is flying - and I saw quite a number of them at the VSC -- and while at the VSC I felt a real closeness between all those there - ( damn I've got mist in my eyes from thinking about all of this- the NATs with Dad ---  helping manage the C/L aspect of the NATs on the flight line in 77-- from flier to official - to cool -- must of all Dad and this hobby that he pumped into my heart - damn mist into running water -god how I miss him) anyway -- didn't mean for this to end up like some short story -- this is the Greatest of Hobbies --  From Jim Walker ( flying three at the same time) to that which is happening now -- and yet somehow this aspect of model aircraft building and flying has reached back into it's beginning and created the VSC -- really not for the competition part of this but for getting together with other addicts and family -- building memories of planes past -- and hanging out with each other -- a Brotherhood of the Ring -- a Band of Brothers -- someone who stopped and observed the VSC said it's just boys with toy's on strings-- how can one explain to someone with such an obvious lacking in almost everything todo with that gray matter between the bone mass shell upon their shoulders -- some look upon the Grand Canyon and say -- what a hole -- I look at them and think what emptiness -- I hear -just boys with toys on strings- and think what emptiness --  again this is the Greatest of Hobbies -- and such a wonderful place to find one self such as the VSC and with those that share such a love for "toys on strings"--LOL-- Randy Snow  p.s. there was a beautiful Bearcat at the VSC who do I get intouch with about a set of plans?

[Larry Renger]

That was an Al Rabe Bearcat and the builder/pilot is Keith Trostle.  That model has well over 1000 flights and amassed a heap of trophies.

Keith is on this forum, so you can look him up easily with the member search function.

[dankar]

That was an Al Rabe Bearcat and the builder/pilot is Keith Trostle.  That model has well over 1000 flights and amassed a heap of trophies.

Keith is on this forum, so you can look him up easily with the member search function.

Keith gets very good mileage from his planes.....

[Bill Little]

Hi Randy,

Welcome to Stunt Hanger!

I do believe that both the AMA and PAMPA have plans for the Rabe Bearcat.  Keith flies the "Classic Legal" version.  I believe it was published around 1968 in American Modeler (now Model Aviation).

Bill

[john e. holliday]

So good to read your story.   I was very privalaged to get to meet your Dad.  His health was keeping him from flying.   Was a  great gentleman, I could sit and listen to his stories for as long as he wanted to tell them.  He is missed.

Now the Rabe Bearcat, if you go to Stuka Stunt and do a search you will find the build posts that Al Rabe posted over there.   A lot of construction of one of those birds with jigs.   He also sells videos of his builds.   Al is als another great gentelman.

[Gene O'Keefe]

Randy...I see this is your first post...as Bill said, "Welcome to Stunt Hangar". This site will get into your blood also and you will find yourself checking it everyday. Take your time and explore the different forums....lots of valuable
information. Also, learn the search function for alot of the questions you have.....hours and hours of reading good stuff.
Join Stuka Stunt also as Al Rabe has posted some stuff over there that you can't be without. Glad to have you back in the "Band of Brothers"