Roy Mayes is believed to be the first person to fly a Control Line model inverted. Mayes’ 1939 flight was with a Free Flight model converted to Control Line by the addition of a bell crank and elevator.
In 2011, Ron Wittman built a reproduction of Mayes’ model airplane for the museum’s collection. John D. Camp donated the Micro .19 engine to complete airplane. We’re hoping to have a 360 rotational view of it up soon, but until then learn more about the model by watching this Fly-By!
Fun Fact:
Roy had an interesting way of flying his CL models. Instead of the traditional placement of the handle in the vertical position used by one hand, Roy held his with both hands horizontally. He then proceeded to use his smallest fingers to change the pressure on the wire and control the flight.
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