THE SOCIETY of Antique Modelers
(SAM) Spring Fling in Alaska: On May 1,
SAM Chapter 65 held its annual Spring
Fling, the no-contest contest of the spring.
This year the event was held at the Grey
Wolf airfield, home of Reeves Lippincott
and Kat Thompson about four miles outside
of Wasilla, Alaska.
The day started poorly with rain all the
previous night, clouds, and wind. Over
coffee and brownies, the decision was made
to put in some practice flights to determine
the cloud ceiling. The weather promptly
improved and progressively cleared as the
day went on.
Seven pilots flew and had a ball. There
were only two incidents during all of the
flying. Ed Cunningham had a tree landing
caused by a failed rudder control with only
minor damage.
Pat Martin attempted to get 20 minutes
of flying out of a 19-minute-and-55-second
battery. The airplane missed the strip and
flipped, but was undamaged. Last year a tree
found Pat’s B-25 on final.
Van Wilson and Bob Stephens took
many pictures.
Our thanks to Reeves for the use of his
private field and pizza lunch. Special thanks
to Kat for her world-famous brownies and
plenty of hot coffee.
• Seven pilots flew.
• Four timers and spotters helped.
• We had two photographers.
• We entertained eight spectators.
• Thanks to one fantastic cook.
Thanks Reeves and Kat.
—John J. Smith, CD
The group shot of most of the airplanes and
pilots on the Grey Wolf field runway in
Wasilla, Alaska, May 1, 2010. From left to
right are Fred Keller, Mike Mosesian, Ed
Cunningham, Pat Martin, Doc John Smith
(CD), Reeves Lippincott, and Gene Birky.
Ed Cunningham’s Old-Timer drifts by …
somewhere near Wasilla, Alaska.
Reeves Lippincott’s Lanzo Bomber on a high
fly-by.
Gene Birky’s Spook on a low fly-by.
A spectator eyes Mike Mosesian’s Playboy,
but apparently decides it’s not edible.
Famous song-and-dance man Fred Keller
showing off his Kerswap.
District XI
Bruce Nelson, District XI Vice President; nelsondxi@hotmail.com
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Bruce Nelson
Vice President
807 E. Vicksburg St.,
Spokane WA 99208
Phone: (509) 467 8348
nelsondxi@hotmail.com
Associate Vice
Presidents
Rick Allison, Issaquah WA;
joanrick@comcast.net
Darrell Anderson, Great Falls MT;
d.l.anderson@bresnan.net
Bryan Batch, Spokane WA
bbhobbies@quest.net
Al Culver, Wilder ID;
al.culver@hotmail.com
Bruce Harlow, Myrtle Creek OR;
bruceharlowjr@yahoo.com
Jerry Holcomb, Vancouver WA;
jholcomb@pacifier.com
Gene LaFond, Wenatchee WA;
rcplanker@nwi.net
Reeves Lippincott, Wasilla AK;
reeves@mtaonline.net
Mike Mosbrooker, Oak Harbor
WA; mosbrsr@comcast.net
Claude Tanner, Boise ID;
ctan366@msn.com
Frequency Coordinator
Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA;
(509) 299-5102;
phil.tallman@starband.net
District RC Coordinator
W.T. (Bill) Smith, Seattle WA;
wmtrnr2@comcast.net
Web site: www.amadistrict11.org
District XI Volunteers
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