My memory of the Tune-Hill team is from the '76 Nats held at Dayton Ohio - it was one of only two Nats that I attended. I was there with John Ross, and three of our sons, Dave, George, and Charlie. We camped nearby the base. I pulled a pop-up with my '73 Plymouth fire-engine red wagon. Our sons were 9 -10 ten-year-olds. It was at the racing circle. Junior Slow Rat was being run. George and Charlie were "competing" using Flite Streaks and g-21's (stock, not reworked in anyway.) BTW, I didn't know Tom Schaefer at the time. John and I planned to Fly Slow-rat along with Fast and Slow combat. Well, you probably guessed it! One of my sons got airborne and was immediately overtaken at an unbelievable rate of speed by the other flyer. I think it was only two up. That plane was a sight to behold. It was extremely fast and stable with quick pits. We complete the "race" and were clearing the circle. One of the men from the other team approached us - I am not sure who now. To say the least he was extremely apologetic. To paraphrase, he said that they did not come to the Nats with the intent of showing anyone up. We talked and eventually he offered to send us one of their engines. Of course, being proud guys from New Jersey, I respectfully declined. In summary I can write that the Tune-Hill team was highly competitive, but displayed sportsmanship beyond belief.
There are many memories for me of that Nats. I will conclude this entry with the note that Charlie made it to the final in Junior Slow Combat. We had switched to my buddy's(Pete Sofko) Fox CS. Duke was giving $200.00 to winners flying Fox. Charlie came down two or three times in the match. John and I got him back up. It was clear he was way behind on points. The match nearly over he's airborne. The other young man - older and taller went inverted. Out of nowhere, Charlie does a wing over, catches the knot and "kills" his opponent as the final horn sounds. I mention this because -again as I recall now all these years later - one of the first to congratulate Charlie was a member of the other team's pit crew - yes a Tune-Hill member. Another display of sportsmanship.
I will post later John Ross' and my experiences with OS 36's. For now, light wind and tight lines. George