Written by AMA staff/JD/JA (03/1998 & 01/1999); Formatted by JS (11/2005), updated by JS (09/2006, 10/2007, 06/2012), Reformatted by JS (02/2010)
Keith Storey
Keith Storey, AMA #9 from Los Angeles, California, brings to the [Model Aviation] Hall of Fame a “story” not only of model dedication, but more importantly, of model promotion. While he was involved in Free Flight, gliders and rubber-powered models prior to World War II, his competition career began with his first Nats in 1946. From 1947 to 1949, he placed in the first four in every Control Line Speed event held at the Nats. During the East-West Challenge, a meet held in St. Louis, Keith won various events and set new AMA records.
Keith started the First All Speed Team (FAST) club in 1946. The group originated the concept of Team Race and Goodyear look-alike designs. This later became a prototype concept for RC Pylon racing. He began selling the concept of Pylon to Eastern and Midwestern modelers and magazines. When Pylon was established as an event at the Nats in 1957, Keith won it three times. Plans for his “Gold rush III” were published in 1962. It featured many innovative ideas emphasizing, among other things, special bell cranks for differential aileron travel.
In 1953, Keith was elected president of the AMA and this signaled a change in his modeling life from competitor to administrative and promotional concerns. During the 1950s, he became associated with the Disney Studios in Burbank. This resulted in a serial to be the theme of a TV segment for the Mickey Mouse Club program. The four-part serial featured a boy who wanted to be an airline pilot and a girl who dreamed of being a flight attendant. Keith assisted the producer, Sterling Silliphant, in the modeling aspects, using FAST club members and equipment.
Ultimately, starting in 1955, he became a Disneyland employee and performer in Tomorrowland, flying 8 shows a day, seven days a week. This job of hiring the crew, setting the routines, announcing and flying continued for two years. A number of other activities filled what little time he had left. These included not only performing, but helping in club field acquisition for such sites as Sepulveda Basin, Whittier Narrows, and Mile Square. In the 1970s, he suffered burnout. However, by 1990, the “urge” to participate returned and Storey’s story continues! The following selection was written by Dave Brown, a portion of the President’s Perspective column, Model Aviation magazine, November 1999.
“President’s Perspective
“…Keith Storey, AMA #9, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Keith was a very young man when he was the AMA president from 1953 to 1956. He was one of the heroes of my youth, as a member of the FAST club, and is generally credited with creating the Control Line Racing events.
Keith was the prime mover for the Control Line facility included in the original Disneyland theme park. I got to know Keith well since I became president, and his advice, wisdom, and even his ability to argue with me will be sorely missed. Keith occupied a unique position in the history of AMA… [signed] Dave Brown AMA President”
Model Aviation magazine cover, September 1955
“To the victor goes the spoils, and no greater honor could be bestowed on Willard S. (Woody) Blanchard, center, Grand National Champion, than to have the championship trophy presented to him by Navy Secretary Charles S. Thomas. Keith Storey, left, AMA president, did a fine job of MC’ing the championship presentations.
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