Written & Submitted by CC (01/2003); Transcribed & Edited by SS (02/2003)
Career
- Has designed and built many Old-Timer models
- Currently (2003) flies gas, nostalgia, and Old-Timer
- An AMA contest director
- Started both the Flying Aces of Long Beach (California) and the Bakersfield (California) Flying Team
- Member of the Fresno Gas Model Club, the Southern California Ignition Flyers and the Bakersfield Flying Team
I was born in Denver, Colorado, on July 15, 1928 and at present (2003) I am 74-years-old. I started modeling about 1936 with some small 10-cent kits bought from a local variety store up on a hill. About 1939 I bought a 29-cent kit of Burd’s Korda. As I can recall, the wood was stringy and heavy, making the plane’s tail heavy.
Then came along my mentor and friend for many years thereafter – John Nogy. He guided me and taught me how to build better, cover better and how to trim my models. He was my very best friend until his passing in 1990.
My first successful model was a Bunch-powered Zipper and it flew away. I got it back two months later after a farmer found it in his field several miles away from our flying site. Since then I have designed and built a lot of the Old-Timers I dreamed of.
I fly modern AMA gas models, nostalgia models and, of course, Old-Timer models – both petrol and rubber-powered. I have also flown in U-Control competition and tried Radio Control (RC), but I can’t get interested in it. I am died in the wool of Free Flighter.
I am a contest director and know and have known some of the greats of modeling such as John Nogy, Sal Taibi, Carl Goldberg, Chet Lanzo, Frank Ehling, Les DeWitt, and George Perryman. I have started two clubs. The first was the Flying Aces of Long Beach (California) and the second was the Bakersfield (California) Flying Team, which is still in existence today. I am a member of the Fresno Gas Model Club, SCIFS (Southern California Ignition Flyers) and the Bakersfield Flying Team.
I haven’t done anything important like being an aeronautical engineer or graduate from MIT. I am just an automotive upholsterer – a darn good one – on Concours D’Elegance and custom cars.
I have helped modelers and beginners with knowledge of airplane, engines and other miscellaneous things as well as sundry items.
I’m just me, Chris – average and enjoying Free Flight modeling. (signed) Chris Christensen January 20, 2003
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