Control Line model flying got its start with the Miss Shirley, a model airplane built in 1937 by Oba St. Clair. Over the course of the last two years, museum volunteers have been researching and building a reproduction of the original Miss Shirley. (Pictures of the model in progress can be seen in this blog post). On July 20, 2012, the reproduction was debuted after a brief talk on Control Line history by Charles Mackey (presenting via video conference from his home in Oregon) and Michael Smith, with comments from Ms. Shirley St. Clair (Oba’s daughter, whom the model is named after), Bob Hunt and Tom Morris. If you weren’t able to make it to the event on the 20th, you can watch the video of the presentation on Youtube, or below.
Watch a video of the presentation. Also found at https://www.modelaircraft.org/museum/missshirley.aspx.
Charles Mackey (on screen) and Michael Smith present on Control Line history.The covering hiding the Miss Shirley reproduction is removed.Miss Shirley revealed
The Miss Shirley Control Line model airplane reproduction.
The completed Miss Shirley reproduction. If interested, for more views of the model, fast forward the video to the 26:27 minute mark.
The Miss Shirley model airplane, along with the team of museum volunteers involved in the reproduction. From left to right, Don Sanqunetti, Alan Hokenson and Scott Cheslik.
Would be nice to see the plane as well as the folks. Certainly one photo of the backs of people’s heads is enough. But thanks for the coverage.
Hi, Mr. Crane,
That’s a good point. Originally I hadn’t put any pictures of the model in because there are some really nice views of it in the video. As per your suggestion, however, I did add a few photographs of the model in to the blog post for those who do not want to watch the video.
Would be nice to see the plane as well as the folks. Certainly one photo of the backs of people’s heads is enough. But thanks for the coverage.
Hi, Mr. Crane,
That’s a good point. Originally I hadn’t put any pictures of the model in because there are some really nice views of it in the video. As per your suggestion, however, I did add a few photographs of the model in to the blog post for those who do not want to watch the video.
Thanks for your comment!
Maria