VSC 2K3 The kid

The heartwarming reciprocal to Charlie Bruce's homage to the past was the presence and work of a young man who gave us a glimse of the future.

I didn't get his name--someone can fill in the details--but a couple of photos tell a wonderful story.

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Cleaning the model.

I first saw him early in the day, cleaning the wing of a basic silkspan covered Magician, lavishing it with the same care Charlie Bruce was taking of the elaborate Flying Star, not 50 feet away. Looked like Norman Rockwell to me. Note the Junior Flite Streak kit laying nearby, no doubt the next step in this young man's career.

Later on, as we walked around, the fledgling flyer flagged down Serge, requested and got an autograph on the wing. Somehow, the kid sensed the history around him and wanted to capture it in his own way.

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Ready for judging.

By the end of the day, the silkspan was covered with the autographs of the famous, near famous and unknown stunt pilots at VSC XV. In that simple manner, it lay in a far corner of the courtyard at the Rodeway Inn awaiting appearance judging, an unpretentious but sincere participant in the pot-luck flying museum that is VSC.

No, it was not the most sophisticate paint scheme on the grass. It was, however, the best this young man had to offer and in a way might have been the best use of materials and ingenuity on display. We all know that there are two autographs that will never be on the simple stunt ship, but it struck me as a wonderful piece of work by someone genuinely enthused by the sport, willing to contribute what he could and cognisant of the history around him.

I can see that model hanging on a wall 50 years from now--a priceless piece of memorabilia from the good old days at the turn of the century. I only hope he has the presence of mind to shoot a couple of coats of clear dope on top of the signatures in anticipation of that day.

WOW! Life doesnt get much better than this!

Thanks! Bruce

>No, it was not the most sophisticate paint scheme on the
>grass. It was, however, the best this young man had to
>offer and in a way might have been the best use of materials
>and ingenuity on display. We all know that there are two
>autographs that will never be on the simple stunt ship, but
>it struck me as a wonderful piece of work by someone
>genuinely enthused by the sport, willing to contribute what
>he could and cognisant of the history around him.
>
>I can see that model hanging on a wall 50 years from now--a
>priceless piece of memorabilia from the good old days at the
>turn of the century. I only hope he has the presence of
>mind to shoot a couple of coats of clear dope on top of the
>signatures in anticipation of that day.

Real shame that he couldn't have bought one ready-made...

Brett "couldn't resist" Buck

Out of the mouths of babes...

What a story! Thanks!

Hi folks,

The kid in the story is my son Scott Danford, 9 yrs old. The plane is a Brodak Flying Clown that grandad (my father) got him for his birthday two years ago. He's been on this forum before flying his Bi-slob, which he was awarded by Marvin Denny last year at VSC (Marvin said he wanted to see him back this year flying, so...).

Having learned last year that Clowns are quite weight sensitive, and sensing this plane may not last a long time, looks were traded for weight and time savings. The plane never flew till we got there Thurs afternoon. He's quite a sport, we finished packing up the planes in a big box by about 10pm eastern. Up at 4am, out of the house by 4:15, on a flight out of Atlanta (2 hr drive) by 8:50. Test flew the plane in lots of wind, only did a few loops. Up the next morning and flew his round of OTS being about 5th in line. No practice flights! Did his climb, dive, (forgot the wingover), loops, inverted and square. I was so proud I nearly cried.

I want to thank everyone for signing the plane. I was surprised so many seemed so surprised to be asked. It's not a who's who of stunt, but rather, as mentioned, his trophy of this event, his second contest. Even got Hib's buddy, a top fuel motorcycle drag racer, to sign it!

So now the big question is: Who's the most spoiled? How many kids are lucky enough to get to fly to a contest nearly 1.5K miles away, first class both directions, and get treated like a king? I kept calling him spoiled, however, he cleaned my plane after every flight, just like you see him doing above, I never had to get my own drink or egg sandwhich, and even had a guaranteed "great flight!" waiting for me after every round, the list goes on and on. It just may be that I'm the spoiled one! In any event, we don't take this forgranted, we know we're very lucky.

He's a great kid, how you all treated him helped to make the trip a smashing success. My goal was for him to fly and to want to come back again next year, which he does. Thanks again, hope to see you all again next year, perhaps at Brodak's.

By the way, Bruce, THANKS for the story also, it's an awesome tribute for a father to read.

Couple more things, Scott was very involved int he building of the plane, however, at the very end, the flying season was over, his interest was waning a bit, I didn't push him and finished the plane just recently so he could fly it at VSC.

You're right about the Jr Flite Streak, belive me, his interest is VERY rekindled (spelling?). Got another Fox .15 from Mike Pratt to power it.

Thanks for the pics also, would love to get the original digital photos if it's alright, my email is [email protected] (it's a zero, not an O).

Thanks,

Tools,
Everyone involved with VSC owes you a vote of gratitude. Your son is an inspiration. He takes many of us back to the days of our first contests. If this sport of ours has a future, he is the future. Marvin Denny's donation of his All American is consistant with what I remember when I started back in the late 1950's. The real stars were passing on their 'stuff' to us kids.
Steve