138 MODEL AVIATION
Also included in this column:
• Joe Wagner sets the record
straight
• Seeking Old Box plans
• Nostalgic photos explained
Remembering some great ones who have recently passed
Old-Timers Mike Keville | [email protected]
Dave Wagner sets to launch his Elfin diesel-powered red, white,
and black So Long at Lost Hills CA. John Delevoryas photo.
John Pakiz’s replica of Herb Spatz Moth. It is covered with
tissue and uses one loop of 1/4-inch Tan II rubber. Pakiz photo.
Floyd (Dr. Spark) Carter launches Cleveland Baby Playboy at Milpitas CA, circa 1975.
He still has the model, but the site is covered with homes. Monte Groves photo.
BECAUSE OF THIS publication’s lead
time, “news” is often—well, not. By the time
this issue reaches you, the recent losses of
Dick McCoy, Roy Mayes, and Bob White
will have been known for approximately
three months. Nonetheless, a few words are
in order for those who may have been living
in a cave somewhere in Bora Bora.
Dick McCoy left this world December 30
at the age of 98. He was best known for his
legendary “Red Head” racing engines. For
many years they were the standard (along
with Dooling) in CL Speed and Team Race
events. In today’s Nostalgia FF and RC
Assist events, little compares with the sight or
sound of a McCoy .60 boring its way
skyward.
Best known for his record-setting
accomplishments in tether cars, it would be
difficult, if not impossible, to find an aircraft
modeler who is unfamiliar with Dick’s
engines. He was also a very nice man, which
is probably the ultimate compliment.
Although not as well known to the general
modeling population, Roy Mayes was among
Model Helicopter Technique Magazine
The RC Heli Authority ....
www.mht.net to Subscribe
the primary authors (perhaps the author) of
1940s-era CL Precision Aerobatics (Stunt)
rules and is often said to be the first to fly a
CL model inverted.
The founder of WAM (Western
Associated Modelers), Roy attended the
inaugural Vintage Stunt Championships in
1989, where he expressed amazement at
some of the maneuvers that were being
performed with such precision. Roy left us
December 5 at the age of 91.
Bob White passed away suddenly late in
November. Since he was a special friend,
I’m going let you know a few things about
him from a personal perspective.
Thirty to 40 years ago I flew FF
exclusively. After moving from Illinois to
California I wanted to try rubber power for
the first time. Bob was among those who
generously shared his knowledge to assist
me in that effort. Initially I was unaware that
Bob was considered to be The Man; his lowkey,
modest nature made him reluctant to
talk about his accomplishments.
Two incidents are worth noting, the first
of which occurred at a contest site bordering
Miramar [CA] Marine Corps Air Station.
My “luck factor” was high that foggy day,
and the result was that I found myself
posting equal flight times in a small Rubber
event (Coupe d’Hiver) with someone who
was destined to become a World Champion.
Before our final flights Bob came by and
asked to see my somewhat crude attempt at a
rubber-powered competition model. Having
seen its previous flight, he offered some tips
for obtaining a higher climb and tighter turn.
I recall being amazed that he would offer
advice that might increase my chance of
outscoring him, but I later learned that this
was typical of him.
As we wound our motors in preparation
for the tiebreaker, Bob looked over, smiled,
and said “Good luck.” We stepped to the
launch area together, all eyes on The Master
vs. The Upstart. Holding fully wound models
while waiting for good air, it was obvious
that the cool, damp, foggy atmosphere
wasn’t about to yield any thermal activity.
Bob must have had similar thoughts; he
suddenly launched his Twin Fin Coupe to a
chorus of cheers from the onlookers.
Climbing rapidly, it soon blended into the
mist above.
“Well, why not?” I thought to myself.
“Second place isn’t so bad.” I let ’er rip and,
as luck would have it, Bob’s model
descended first. It was then apparent to me
and everyone else that his help and advice
paid off. He was the first to walk over and
shake my hand.
But it wasn’t over yet. The event was a
combined Coupe d’Hiver/Hand Launched
Glider contest with two-minutes maxes. As
things turned out, another legendary
modeler—the late Nat Antonioli—had one
flight left with his hot-performing glider. He
nearly won but came up a few seconds short,
and I took home a first-place trophy (which I
still have), thanks in large part to Bob
White’s help and advice.
During the next two years, mostly at Taft,
California, I watched with amazement as Bob
continued to develop his Twin Fin design in
various sizes, from Coupe to Wakefield to
Unlimited Rubber. He set the standard yet
remained quiet and modest, always smiling
and willing to help anyone improve his or her
model’s performance.
At the 1972 Max Men Annual Bob and I
found ourselves tied in Coupe again, each
having posted five maxes. On our sixth flight
Bob had the misfortune of launching into a
“downer” while my poor, tired entry managed
to find the biggest boomer of the day.
I still have that trophy too—and pleasant
memories of the kind and considerate man
who was soon to become the Wakefield
World Champion and set a national record in
Unlimited Rubber (now Mulvihill), which
stands to this day.
More recently Bob became enamored with
Old Time Wakefield, having had a new model
under construction the day of his fatal heart
attack. When news of his sudden departure
flashed across this screen, I went numb. Gone
all too soon, a fine, talented, and kind man.
Retraction/Correction: Boy, was I mistaken.
(A usual occurrence around here.) My
December 2005 column contained an error
regarding 1940s-era father-and-son CL Speed
fliers Ernie Babcock Sr. and Jr. For some
reason I thought Ernie Sr. was the person who
later developed the early Babcock RC
equipment. Wrong again!
A message from MA’s “The Engine Shop”
columnist Joe Wagner confirmed what my
good friend Larry Scarinzi had already tried to
tell me. To set the record straight, following is
what Joe reported.
“The superb radio equipment you
mentioned was designed, developed, and
manufactured by Stu Babcock. He had no
connection with Phil or Ernie Babcock—who
were not only the father-and-son team who
won a full-scale Ercoupe at a New York
Mirror meet; they also ran the SNAFU
company, makers of some of the earliest
molded plastic model airplane propellers.
“Stu Babcock was the brains behind the
control equipment used by the Radioplane
target drones. His ‘BRC’ systems for models
were developed from the drone control setups
that Babcock Radio produced.
“I knew Stu and worked for him as a
consultant—along with Chuck Hollinger, Ken
Willard, Dick Schumacher, Bill Glick, and Ed
Jones. We had a great time, learning plenty
while testing such innovative Babcock RC
systems as his ‘Magic Carpet’—of which I
still have one of the prototypes.”
Darrell Miner is seeking plans for an Old-
Time FF design named the Old Box. A 1934
photo of it was published on page 39 of the
June 1984 Model Builder magazine.
According to the late John Pond, who wrote
that column, the design was a precursor to
Bob Long’s Long Cabin. It featured a parasolmounted
wing with elliptical tips.
Built by Mel Haines, the original Old Box
was lost at a 1934 Junior Birdmen contest. If
anyone reading this has more information or
can help with a set of plans, write to Darrell at
Miner & Associates, 626 S. Sherman, Olathe
KS 66061.
The photo of Floyd (Dr. Spark) Carter
launching a Cleveland Baby Playboy was
taken by Monte Groves in 1975. The location
was Milpitas, California—roughly five miles
from the Lockheed Sunnyvale plant. The site
is now covered with expensive homes.
Floyd still has the model, which was built
from Cleveland plans and pulled by a Cox
.020 Pee Wee engine. A dollar would buy the
kit in the 1940s and early 1950s. But then 23
cents would buy a gallon of gasoline too, and
our disposable income was considerably less.
John Pakiz of Omaha, Nebraska, recently
built a Herb Spatz Moth—an attractive little
Rubber Cabin design. The following note
accompanied the two photos.
“I’ve always liked this airplane and
decided to build an exact replica of the
original, working from a copy of the Mr.
Spatz plans. The original was yellow, so I
used yellow tissue. The wheels were made
using the picture on the plans as a guide. The
only thing I’m not sure about is using yellow
dope for the nose block. I did cover the wood
prop with yellow tissue to give it durability.
“The Moth flies as good as it looks. I
initially put in down and right thrust but have
removed those due to the long nose moment.
Several grams of solder glued inside the aft
fuselage were needed in order to balance the
model, which flies in graceful right-hand
circles. One loop of 1/4-inch Tan II rubber
provides just the right amount of torque for
this one.”
Go chew some Ambroid off your
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/04
Page Numbers: 138,139
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/04
Page Numbers: 138,139
138 MODEL AVIATION
Also included in this column:
• Joe Wagner sets the record
straight
• Seeking Old Box plans
• Nostalgic photos explained
Remembering some great ones who have recently passed
Old-Timers Mike Keville | [email protected]
Dave Wagner sets to launch his Elfin diesel-powered red, white,
and black So Long at Lost Hills CA. John Delevoryas photo.
John Pakiz’s replica of Herb Spatz Moth. It is covered with
tissue and uses one loop of 1/4-inch Tan II rubber. Pakiz photo.
Floyd (Dr. Spark) Carter launches Cleveland Baby Playboy at Milpitas CA, circa 1975.
He still has the model, but the site is covered with homes. Monte Groves photo.
BECAUSE OF THIS publication’s lead
time, “news” is often—well, not. By the time
this issue reaches you, the recent losses of
Dick McCoy, Roy Mayes, and Bob White
will have been known for approximately
three months. Nonetheless, a few words are
in order for those who may have been living
in a cave somewhere in Bora Bora.
Dick McCoy left this world December 30
at the age of 98. He was best known for his
legendary “Red Head” racing engines. For
many years they were the standard (along
with Dooling) in CL Speed and Team Race
events. In today’s Nostalgia FF and RC
Assist events, little compares with the sight or
sound of a McCoy .60 boring its way
skyward.
Best known for his record-setting
accomplishments in tether cars, it would be
difficult, if not impossible, to find an aircraft
modeler who is unfamiliar with Dick’s
engines. He was also a very nice man, which
is probably the ultimate compliment.
Although not as well known to the general
modeling population, Roy Mayes was among
Model Helicopter Technique Magazine
The RC Heli Authority ....
www.mht.net to Subscribe
the primary authors (perhaps the author) of
1940s-era CL Precision Aerobatics (Stunt)
rules and is often said to be the first to fly a
CL model inverted.
The founder of WAM (Western
Associated Modelers), Roy attended the
inaugural Vintage Stunt Championships in
1989, where he expressed amazement at
some of the maneuvers that were being
performed with such precision. Roy left us
December 5 at the age of 91.
Bob White passed away suddenly late in
November. Since he was a special friend,
I’m going let you know a few things about
him from a personal perspective.
Thirty to 40 years ago I flew FF
exclusively. After moving from Illinois to
California I wanted to try rubber power for
the first time. Bob was among those who
generously shared his knowledge to assist
me in that effort. Initially I was unaware that
Bob was considered to be The Man; his lowkey,
modest nature made him reluctant to
talk about his accomplishments.
Two incidents are worth noting, the first
of which occurred at a contest site bordering
Miramar [CA] Marine Corps Air Station.
My “luck factor” was high that foggy day,
and the result was that I found myself
posting equal flight times in a small Rubber
event (Coupe d’Hiver) with someone who
was destined to become a World Champion.
Before our final flights Bob came by and
asked to see my somewhat crude attempt at a
rubber-powered competition model. Having
seen its previous flight, he offered some tips
for obtaining a higher climb and tighter turn.
I recall being amazed that he would offer
advice that might increase my chance of
outscoring him, but I later learned that this
was typical of him.
As we wound our motors in preparation
for the tiebreaker, Bob looked over, smiled,
and said “Good luck.” We stepped to the
launch area together, all eyes on The Master
vs. The Upstart. Holding fully wound models
while waiting for good air, it was obvious
that the cool, damp, foggy atmosphere
wasn’t about to yield any thermal activity.
Bob must have had similar thoughts; he
suddenly launched his Twin Fin Coupe to a
chorus of cheers from the onlookers.
Climbing rapidly, it soon blended into the
mist above.
“Well, why not?” I thought to myself.
“Second place isn’t so bad.” I let ’er rip and,
as luck would have it, Bob’s model
descended first. It was then apparent to me
and everyone else that his help and advice
paid off. He was the first to walk over and
shake my hand.
But it wasn’t over yet. The event was a
combined Coupe d’Hiver/Hand Launched
Glider contest with two-minutes maxes. As
things turned out, another legendary
modeler—the late Nat Antonioli—had one
flight left with his hot-performing glider. He
nearly won but came up a few seconds short,
and I took home a first-place trophy (which I
still have), thanks in large part to Bob
White’s help and advice.
During the next two years, mostly at Taft,
California, I watched with amazement as Bob
continued to develop his Twin Fin design in
various sizes, from Coupe to Wakefield to
Unlimited Rubber. He set the standard yet
remained quiet and modest, always smiling
and willing to help anyone improve his or her
model’s performance.
At the 1972 Max Men Annual Bob and I
found ourselves tied in Coupe again, each
having posted five maxes. On our sixth flight
Bob had the misfortune of launching into a
“downer” while my poor, tired entry managed
to find the biggest boomer of the day.
I still have that trophy too—and pleasant
memories of the kind and considerate man
who was soon to become the Wakefield
World Champion and set a national record in
Unlimited Rubber (now Mulvihill), which
stands to this day.
More recently Bob became enamored with
Old Time Wakefield, having had a new model
under construction the day of his fatal heart
attack. When news of his sudden departure
flashed across this screen, I went numb. Gone
all too soon, a fine, talented, and kind man.
Retraction/Correction: Boy, was I mistaken.
(A usual occurrence around here.) My
December 2005 column contained an error
regarding 1940s-era father-and-son CL Speed
fliers Ernie Babcock Sr. and Jr. For some
reason I thought Ernie Sr. was the person who
later developed the early Babcock RC
equipment. Wrong again!
A message from MA’s “The Engine Shop”
columnist Joe Wagner confirmed what my
good friend Larry Scarinzi had already tried to
tell me. To set the record straight, following is
what Joe reported.
“The superb radio equipment you
mentioned was designed, developed, and
manufactured by Stu Babcock. He had no
connection with Phil or Ernie Babcock—who
were not only the father-and-son team who
won a full-scale Ercoupe at a New York
Mirror meet; they also ran the SNAFU
company, makers of some of the earliest
molded plastic model airplane propellers.
“Stu Babcock was the brains behind the
control equipment used by the Radioplane
target drones. His ‘BRC’ systems for models
were developed from the drone control setups
that Babcock Radio produced.
“I knew Stu and worked for him as a
consultant—along with Chuck Hollinger, Ken
Willard, Dick Schumacher, Bill Glick, and Ed
Jones. We had a great time, learning plenty
while testing such innovative Babcock RC
systems as his ‘Magic Carpet’—of which I
still have one of the prototypes.”
Darrell Miner is seeking plans for an Old-
Time FF design named the Old Box. A 1934
photo of it was published on page 39 of the
June 1984 Model Builder magazine.
According to the late John Pond, who wrote
that column, the design was a precursor to
Bob Long’s Long Cabin. It featured a parasolmounted
wing with elliptical tips.
Built by Mel Haines, the original Old Box
was lost at a 1934 Junior Birdmen contest. If
anyone reading this has more information or
can help with a set of plans, write to Darrell at
Miner & Associates, 626 S. Sherman, Olathe
KS 66061.
The photo of Floyd (Dr. Spark) Carter
launching a Cleveland Baby Playboy was
taken by Monte Groves in 1975. The location
was Milpitas, California—roughly five miles
from the Lockheed Sunnyvale plant. The site
is now covered with expensive homes.
Floyd still has the model, which was built
from Cleveland plans and pulled by a Cox
.020 Pee Wee engine. A dollar would buy the
kit in the 1940s and early 1950s. But then 23
cents would buy a gallon of gasoline too, and
our disposable income was considerably less.
John Pakiz of Omaha, Nebraska, recently
built a Herb Spatz Moth—an attractive little
Rubber Cabin design. The following note
accompanied the two photos.
“I’ve always liked this airplane and
decided to build an exact replica of the
original, working from a copy of the Mr.
Spatz plans. The original was yellow, so I
used yellow tissue. The wheels were made
using the picture on the plans as a guide. The
only thing I’m not sure about is using yellow
dope for the nose block. I did cover the wood
prop with yellow tissue to give it durability.
“The Moth flies as good as it looks. I
initially put in down and right thrust but have
removed those due to the long nose moment.
Several grams of solder glued inside the aft
fuselage were needed in order to balance the
model, which flies in graceful right-hand
circles. One loop of 1/4-inch Tan II rubber
provides just the right amount of torque for
this one.”
Go chew some Ambroid off your