One of the interesting things about both classic and old time classes is that the planes fly really differently from modern stunt planes. There are obviously transition planes especially during the end of teh calssic era that fly like modern stunters, Aeres and USA1 come to mind most immediately, but in part becaue of my background. IWhen I was a kid I flew old time stunt planes but could not fly a pattern or anything more than a straight wingover and an outsde loop back when I was 11 or 12. I started building boats at age 13 and did not return to cl until my mid 30's when I began flying under the mentorship of Bob and Rolland McDonald. So the planes I learned the pattern on were state of the art modern era stutnters. When I came back this year my first plane was a Brodak oriental arf with a Brodak 40 in it. By all who know the plane it is a very competant stunt ship. To me, never having flown a classic era stunter it was abysmal. I was never so happy to see a plane die as when it did. It flew like a pig compared to what I was used to. It was from a differnet era when planes flew differently than what I became accustomed to. I then got a Pathfinder and was back in the modern era that I was used to. I have more than a little trepedation doing a classic ship, but the Profile Roadrunner has a fat wing and moments about like modern stunters and I will put in a control systems with rates that are fast as I am used to flying with. Again, what I am used to.

But that is what is cool about stunt today. You no longer have to weight every piece of wood or cut if off the blocks yourself to get light enough planes. They are pretty well available. Doesn't mean you use every piece, but you can come up with competative wieght planes alot easier today than 20 years ago. Also, highly capable modern era kits are avaialbe today. Not so 20 years ago, when every competative plane had to be scratch built. And you can fly what you like now. You can fly 4 classes if you want. If you don't like a particular era of planes you can still participate in just about any contest and have a great time. I just don't like old time planes or the old time pattern. Just a personal choice. I can still go and enjoy a contest and compete at a level that is appropriate for my flying in any class I like, wether I can build the plane or not. Its why I do not agree with the title of this thread. Its amazing how many people have come back to conrol line in the last 2 years. Its thrilling to see control line comming back. In my area there were 7 or 8 contests this year within 60 miles of Detroit. Average was about 20 fliers at each. Its great, CL is comin back!

bob