Attended the 68 Olathe, Kansas NAVY NATs with my friend, Dan. We were both 17, fresh out of high school and got there by commercial air (our first) from NJ. Our models were shipped a week early via Greyhound bus. Neither of our Dads were involved in the hobby, so we paid our way, learned by observing and asking many questions. I saw Bob Gieseke fly and also recall watching an evening practice session featuring Jim Kostecky and Dave Gierke. Those guys were so nice to us!
Olathe NAS was a substitute venue for Dallas; the last held there in 1964 followed by Willow Grove, Pa (1965), Glenview ,Il (1966) and Los Alamitos, Cal (1967). That was the cycle order of the HUGE NAVY sponsored NATS held each year at Naval Air Stations(NAS). What a blast, to say nothing of sleeping in barracks with a 6 am revelee, having three square and great tasting meals in the mess hall, shooting the bull to early am hours in immense aircraft hangers , seeing in person your heros that appeared in model magazines and of course, the great Navy Airshows .
Interesting is the fact that there were two Junior winners in 1968 because as there were two junior stunt events.
Dennis Adamisin won the "regular" event that awarded appearance points and my fellow UMAC'er ,Wayne Colgan, from Rahway,NJ won the other event that omitted appearance points. Don't think the powers to be ever repeated that.