4x a Grand Champion: 1962 Nats Trophies

Robert K. Sifleet was pretty lucky in 1962. The Nats were held at Glenview Naval Air Station in IL, which was only 15 minutes from where he was going to school. That meant he didn’t need to bother with staying on base and could commute to compete in between his summer classes. Thankfully his split attention didn’t diminish his flying focus and he walked away – again – as Grand National Champion and Open National Champion.

Bob Sifleet, wearing a bolo tie, holds a trophy in each hand. This image is in black and white and has been scanned from a magazine.
Bob Sifleet posing with both trophies he won at the 1962 Nats, photo from Model Airplane News, October 1962, copy in the Lee Renaud Memorial Library Collection of the National Model Aviation Museum.

Here’s his trophies! Turns out that this isn’t the first time they’ve been displayed, either. Bob was working part-time at Stanton’s Hobby Shop and after the Nats he showed the trophies off there!

A trophy consisting of a wood base and column topped by a loving cup topped by a victory figure. A gold-colored plate is engraved with black and white checks as well as text about the 1962 Nats.
1962 Nats Open National Champion Trophy.
A trophy on a wooden base with a wooden column topped by a loving cup topped by a model airplane. Column has a gold plate engraved with black and white checks and text about the 1962 Nats.
1962 Nats Grand National Champion Trophy.

Bob reminisced for about 15 minutes on the 1962 Nats, including a great FF chase story.  You can watch that here. But, if you’re pressed for time, click the picture below for the shorter version!

Bob speaking - this video serves as a video link.
The above pic links to a 5 minute video about Bob’s experiences at the 1962 Nats.

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

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