VSC , World Championships or Nats

I'm trying to plan a short trip/vacation around a control line event. I'll only be going as a spectator as my flying abilities aren't up to a competitive level. I've seen the articles in the mags about the Vintage Stunt Champiionship in Tucson and it really looks like a neat event, with alot of great builders and flyers in attendance. I've also aways wanted to make it to a Nationals, and likewise the World Championships would be very interesting. Problem is I can afford time and money for only one such trip this season. Which would you choose and briefly why?

The WC may never be so close again. Take club pins and decals, and a hat to wear with some stuck on it (advertising). Talking with modelers that don't speak 'Merican is a fun adventure, and maybe you will get a chance to help one of them in some minor way. Steve

I'd vote for WC/Nats. How often does world championship take place in the US nowadays!? It's a definite must go, especially if you are a spectator like myself. Where else will you get a chance to see different schools of design and flying styles if not at the world championship!?

From what I've read about VSC is that it's a pilots contest(read not that exciting for spectators). Someone here mentioned that besides Bob Hunt and Bill Werwage, everyone comes there for fun time and flying. I could be totally misunderstanding this but this sounds like people do not prepare as hard for that contest as one would for world championship. '86 World Chamption Anatoli Koleshnikov took 2 months off work and practiced 10 hours a day!

VSC will be there in 2005, WC in Muncie won't.

Just like you, I am not that good of a pilot to be able to offer any kind of competition to most regulars here. Just like you, I am only limited to one contest away from home. I had a choice between Brodak's, VSC, Nats or WC. I chose WC this year.

>From what I've read about VSC is that it's a pilots
>contest(read not that exciting for spectators). Someone here
>mentioned that besides Bob Hunt and Bill Werwage, everyone
>comes there for fun time and flying.

While not plugging for one contest over the other for 2004, I have to say that for this spectator, the VSC is VERY exciting. The flying is high level for that early in the season, the wide variety among the multitude of classic and O.T. models is second to no other contest, and the accessibility and friendliness of pioneers and champions of the hobby/sport made my 4000 miles of driving well worthwhile. Great memories!

I think that Bill and Bob, ...and Ted, Richard, and...all enjoy building beautiful models, sharing friendships, and indulging their competitive instincts at VSC. These ideas are not mutually exclusive, and these guys seem to enjoy the comradarie as well as everyone else. It's a good time for all types.

Fortunately, I live close enough that, barring conflicts, I can get to Brodak's, the Nationas and WC.

SK

LAST EDITED ON Jan-05-04 AT 09:53 PM (CDT)
 
As great as VSC is, the opportunities to attend a World Championship are going to be few and far between for most of us. You're probably going to see the greatest diversity of planes and people at the World's so I'd vote for it. Save VSC for next year.

>As great as VSC is, the opportunities to attend a World
>Championship are going to be few and far between for most of
>us. You're probably going to see the greatest diversity of
>planes and people at the World's so I'd vote for it. Save
>VSC for next year.

Have to agree with the votes for the WCs. Great as it is, VSC is a recurring event in the states and can be planned for accordingly. The WCs were last in the states in 1984! Draw your own conclusions.

Having said that, I have to address Steven's comments regarding the spectator appeal of VSC. Yeah, it's true that only a handlful of guys really go there with blood in their eyes. Most of us go for the comradery...and the airplanes! If you've got any history of your own or have an interest in the history of the event, VSC is truly where it's at! There is a great array of flying levels, sure. But you'll see Billy Werwage and Bob Hunt and Frank McMillan and Keith Trostle and Gerry Phelps and Bob Whitely Wild Bill and (maybe) Al Rabe and Bob Gieseke and etc. etc. Believe me, there is no lack of top quality flying at VSC!

What is truly great about VSC from an historical perspective is the abolutely amazing collection of reproductions of the best stunt ships of every era of the event. Many of these ships are the equal or even better quality as the orginals. There are a couple of hundred of these beautiful, historical marvels vying for circle space for a week or more. This is a close to stunt nirvana as you can get!

The WCs in the states is a must see for all the reasons you've already seen. Yeah, that's the place to be if you have to choose in 2004. Having said that, anyone who loves stunt needs to attend at least one VSC. It's as close to a "must do" as there is in Precision Aerobatatics.

We should all bow to the East at least once a year in thanks to Mike and JoAnn Keville, the originators of VSC, who now live in Maine.

Boy tough call.

I've never been to NATS or WC, but have been to VSC (3x) and Brodaks once.

I would offer that no contest that allows you to enter should be too intimidating to fly in. And I go to fly, not really compete. The first contest I ever saw was VSC and I flew in it, had a great time. Participating sort of MAKES you get involved with the other flyers, and the comeraderie comes more quickly. No one cares how well you fly, but it is highly recommended to have your plane fueled and be ready to take the field. That's all it takes to fit right in and have a blast. Most stay at the same hotel, fun to sit around in the evening and meet folks, fix your plane, whatever.

Brodaks wasn't mentioned, but that really is a neat event as well. I can't imagine where else you're going to see such a wide range of c/l activities ANYWHERE. The NATS might have them, but they don't have the Philly guys doing all their stuff, it's a riot. Flying there is REALLY easy. Easy to do a fair amount of sport or practice flying as well.

Total competition, WC; stunt nirvana, like Ted said, VSC; unique, fun, educational, Brodaks; NATS is probably a little of all of them.

Tools

Where is the WC?
FET

>Where is the WC?
>FET

At the Muncie AMA site. You can find it on the schedule at www.modelaircraft.org Look under the Competition tab for more information, and a link to the World Champs Web page.

Ted,

Your comments about VSC agree with everything I heard about the contest. As a matter of fact, if it wasn't for WC, VSC was going to be THE contest of the year for me. Let's face it, the best pictorials in Stunt News, FM and MA this year were from VSC. My point was about contest participation. VSC sounds such a great event, I would LOVE to fly in it, not just be a spectator.

Anyways, I think I put my foot in my mouth far enough, so I'll shut up.

I would have to say NATS/WC would be something that will not come along again for a long time. VSC is every year.

Larry Foster

The WC ends on Saturday, then on Sunday the NATS starts with the unofficial events of beginner and intermediate. So bring a airplane and have some fun on Sunday even if you cannot complete the patttern. Lots of great people to help you out.
Jerry

As much as I would like to fly in the NATS this year, I cannot be gone for two weeks. Because, I AM going to the World Championships! And they are back to back in Muncie.
I don't know when they will be back in the US, and I dearly want to see at least one WC.
Bill <><

Bill,

Wish I could make the WCs/Nats this year. I will be at VSC for at least a day, but that's the extent of my long travels to contests this year.

For some of us unfortunate individuals here in the Upper Left Coast, Muncie is simply too far away for a contest. Our AMA has decided that everything will be in Muncie from now on (meaning no WC/NATS for me anymore).

I make the one long trip each year to VSC, and that's about all I can manage.

I'm going to the VSC. What goes on there interests me more than the WC or the Nats. That's just me; the WC is indeed a rare opportunity and hopefully I'll see you at the VSC next year.

Thanks guys,
I really appreciate and respect every response. I've got to make up my mind now. The VSC is really a trip for me as I reside in Western North Carolina, in other words its not an inexpensive option. I do think however that it is an event that I would find very entertaining..an opportunity to see and meet the individuals that I've read about and admired for so many years, not to mention the great models and flights I'm sure to see! Having said all that, the WC event is probably the one to see because the opportunity is so rare. The beauty of it is I will actually be off for the 4th and can drive to Muncie comfortably in one day! So maybe I can get the best of both worlds. I may not be able to make it though the final rounds but I should be able to see alot of the competition. Now Ive got to stop buying models and engines and start saving my pennies for both trips.

Hi Lynn,
I was born ion Merorial Mission in Asheville, still have family on my mother's side around Asheville/Weaverville/Enka/Lake Juna Luska area.
I get up there from time to time.
Bill <><

If you don't have two weeks, you might consider going for the finals of the WC and the first days of the Nats. That way, you would be exposed to both and only use a week's vacation time. Combat is planning a special F2D plane (fast rules) event in hopes of getting some of the WC competitors from other countries to stay for the NATS.
The event is planned for Monday I think.
Some may stay for Stunt too.

Hey Teach, just call in sick!! You must have learned a few new tricks from your students. You know, my dog held me in it's grip until 3pm. My cat got run over and I had to take it to the vet. My wife she, my brother he, etc. Think, think. Ya gotta do all three.