In late July 1960, almost 1100 modelers descended on the Dallas Naval Air Station.
Bob Sifleet, of course, won Grand National Champion, but what else was going on? The museum’s collection gives some clues!
The contest’s program gives a pretty good overview of what all the contestants expected to happen.
Frank H. Scott was one of the contestants.
LeRoy Weber was also there as a scale judge. He apparently put some hard work into it, as Model Aviation reported, “it was evident that this was the most accurately judged Nats Scale event in many years. Not only were the dozens of tiny details of each model taken into consideration, but the models were also judged on scale finish” (October 1960).
The Blue Angels had a performance planned, but the FAA grounded them saying the airspace was too crowded in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Ah, well, hopefully everyone enjoyed the base swimming pool instead!
It was also hot. Bob remembers it as “beastly hot,” but a Texan put it “powerful warm.” However, you describe it; the temperatures were reaching about 125 degrees on the runways, according the magazine articles. Ouch!
Stay tuned for #SifleetFriday every Friday this summer! And, don’t forget, you can see Bob’s trophies in person at the museum between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2018.
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For more information on the National Model Aviation Museum, including our location, hours and admission fees visit: www.modelaircraft.org/museum