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As I have written many
times, the lack of proportional representation of women and girls in the model
airplane realm is not because when they do show up, no attention is paid to
them. In fact it is just the opposite. Go to any flying field of any type - R/C,
C/L, or F/F, and watch what happens when a girl shows up with a model if you
doubt it. In 1960 and in 2022, and all the years in between, the fairer sex is
sought out and highlighted by model aviation magazines. They are never
exploited, ignored, or criticized - just the opposite. You can be sure that any
female model builder/flyer and/or contest official receives due attention and
credit. The 1959 Academy of Model Aeronautics Nationals (Nats) is a prime
example of that which I claim to be so. Many other examples can be found in the
articles posted here on the AirplanesAndRockets.com website.
That Feminine Touch - Caution! Ladies at work.
Thurly Schoenky holds .049 Clipper Cargo entry.
The California Nationals had its fine weather flying, its model talk, Disneyland,
Knotts Berry Farm, the ocean, old friends, and the best natured females in the world
- those that either fly or help at the model airplane championships.
We need more feminine flyers and helpers. How much easier it must be to take
in a Nationals when the wife or girl friend is interested. Take note men.
Here is an actual case to prove my point.
Three months before the Nationals, Jack Block introduced Carol Weiner to her first
model contest. He started her out as a helper. Carol learned about the different
classes you could fly in. She did a lot of looking and asking. She became interested.
Three short months later her own towline glider was built, tested, and ready
for the Nationals. Carol was one of the few women contestants. While she didn't
win a place, Carol has enough enthusiasm to try many more contests. And she got
the fun of joining in.
Other new faces at the Nationals include Pat Barrera of Manhatten Beach, California.
She flew four events in the Junior age class. Pat is only thirteen and has a fine
start toward becoming a top modeler. She flew four events in the Junior age class.
Pat is only thirteen and has a fine start toward becoming a top modeler.
Betty Bell of Fort Worth, Texas, may be new at the Nats but she has been winning
and flying for six years. Betty likes variety. Her events include rat race, combat
and free flight gas. Betty placed sixth in open ROW this year. The men had better
keep their ships tested because Betty was the Senior Champ at the Southeastern Championships
in only her second year of flying!
Shirley Adams and her U-Control fleet.
Mrs. Bob Hawkins lights dethermalizer fuse on son Brian's PAA-Load
model.
Carol Lyn Weiner with her first All glider - she's a school teacher
when she's not out flying in contests!
Another first-timer at the Nats is Shirley Adams, a Junior from San Diego, California.
Shirley flies U-control and I do mean fly. At this Nationals she competed in seven
events and won such things as a third in A speed, fourth in B speed. Very nice for
a gal with but three years of building and flying behind her.
One of the new gals this year was Judy Norris from Denver, Colorado. She helped
her husband Ken on helicopter day. It takes a smart crew to operate his semi-scale
Jet Jeep. It has two Pee Wee engines for power, and while he starts them, she holds
down the fort.
Parnell Schoenky has no trouble getting sister Thurly as a helper. She likes
California scenery and Thurly makes pretty good scenery herself. Par's sister is
a great help to him at any contest, and especially at the Nats. She's an experienced
shutter snapper and has many hundred feet of movie film credits. The Shoenky team
is from Kirkwood, Missouri.
Mrs. Bob Hawkins is another contest goer and helper. She must be a very understanding
wife. Most modeling homes have only one balsa chipper at work. The Hawkins fliers
number three. What a monstrous pile of shavings!
Jane Deitchman has a bit of a different role to play at the Nats. In addition
to helping husband Norman, she does her bit officiating. Jane and Norm have run
an event at the Nats for the past few years. Norm is interested in free flight scale
and the Nordic events. They came from Oak Park, Illinios, to work and fly.
Judy Norris is "crew man" for hubby Ken on helicopter day.
Jane Deitchman holds Norm's A/2 towline glider (they've settled down in California
since the Nats).
Betty Bell with her Torpedo 19 powered "Senator" free flight plane.
The 59 Nats are way in the past now, but the Dallas Nationals are coming up.
Here's your chance, gals, for a most interesting vacation. Surprise that boy friend,
or husband, by really getting into action. Dallas, here we come. - Dorothy Conover.
Posted October 1, 2022
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