Whether your controline contest travel is limited to British Columbia, or if you travel to the U.S.A. - you won't find many modellers that haven't competed against Frank Boden at one time or another.

       My personal first experience with Frank Boden was as an observer watching a combat match in 1956 at Brockton Point Oval in Vancouver. Frank loved to fly combat.  He was paired in a finals match, which quickly ended in a midair collision, which destroyed his opponent's aircraft. Judges determined that the match should continue.  His opponent did not have a "back-up" ship and Frank would win the match "by default". However, Frank refused the option and immediately provided his opponent with his best combat ship to continue the match!  I don't recall the final Results of that match - but in my mind Frank Boden taught me a huge lesson about sportsmanship and from then on - it was clear that Frank and the Controline Sport were the real winners! 

        Prior to Frank's controline days - WW II was still raging in 1943 and Frank was only 17 years old, living in Vancouver.  ON a breezy afternoon - having completed his Giant Box Kite with his name painted on the outside - Frank set out to test fly his pride & joy out of his back yard.  Unfortunately, someone some distance away spotted the Monster Kite with the strange writing and immediately reported that an "enemy airship was spotted over Vancouver!!!“.  

        During the war years paranoia was rampant - and a Squadron of Fighter Aircraft was immediately ordered from the Sea Island Airport  "to intercept the enemy airship".  The fighter aircraft soon located this formidable enemy - and within minutes several police cars arrived at Frank's home to deal with the enemy threat to this quiet Vancouver neighbourhood!!!  The local press got wind of this story and Frank managed to avoid incarceration in the local brig - but not without securing a place in Vancouver's history! 

        Frank proved to be a formidable combat flyer, but he also participated in other controline events such as Speed, Stunt, Scale, Naval Carrier, and Racing events plus Fee-flight and R/C .He always made a point of entering as many events as possible k- not to win, but to provide support & success to the contest!  He recognized that clubs do not succeed unless all members are willing to work together to plan, organize, publicize, and then fully participate in club programmes.