Rou Review: January 2011

I can think of no more fitting way to inaugurate the Rou Review online than with this fascinating pictorial retrospective of the seminal 1963 JAC airshow. The show was held on a lovely summer day at the Regular Rouing Corner (intersection of Bentwood and Elwood) in Austin, Texas. This was less than two years after rouing's glorious beginning. The event included demonstration rouing, displays of exotic weaponry (bomb dropping & rocket firing), special exhibits, and awards.

I believe all these photos were all taken by Pete Dana, father of John Dana. John handed over the original slides to me a few years ago, and I recently had them digitized. I cropped and enhanced some of the shots for better presentation here.

A huge crowd of neighbors and relatives gathered on the lush SmiiCrof lawn in anticipation of the event. Roucraft and other models were exhibited.

Above: Seated from left to right are Ted Cloer, Rex Smith, Virginia Dana, Ruth MacPherson, Ira Lauderdale, Dick Lauderdale, at least one unidentified scalp behind Dick Lauderdale, Don Lauderdale, Enid Hallock, two unidentified females behind Enid, and Verna Greenshields. Standing behind Ted Cloer is Carl Happel. Boppo's (Eugene MacPherson's) hat can be seen behind Virginia Dana's head. The head behind Ruth MacPherson may be Dorothy Hardaway or Pauline Greenshields. The man standing in the far background with a camera is Sidney Hardaway. It's sad to note that most of these folks are no longer among the living.

Here's another view of the crowd with virtually the same lineup of spectators. The walking kid in the red cap is Jimmy Duncan. Chris Happel is squatted in the left foreground. B.K. Hallock stands in the background behind Ted Cloer. Carl Happle has moved over near the curb and is holding his daughter Carla.

Things got off to an exciting start with a rouing exhibition.

Left: John Dana in the lineup. Right: Demo of a roucraft launching a rocket.

Plane in tree! B.K. Hallock uses his Rickshaw to fetch a pole.

During the intermission, attendees examined the exhibits. Standing behind the wheelchair is Boppo (Eugene MacPherson). Seated in the wheelchair is Dorothy Hardaway. Standing in the background behind Dorothy is Virginia Dana. On the other side of the table are Ann Smith in the blue dress and Enid Hallock in the white sundress. Verna Greenshields is in the background behind the camera on the tripod.

Ann Smith scrutinizes the exhibits.

Art exhibited by Don Hallock.

After the intermission, the awarding of medals. Left to right: Jimmy Duncan, Pin Croft (Larry Smith), Lloyd Bruce (Austin Bruce Hallock), Macy (Don) Hallock, Chris Happel, John Dana, Dave Smii (Domelsmith).