148 MODEL AVIATION
COMPETITION FLYING is pursued by a
relatively small percentage of model
builders. That’s true of the general AMA
population as well as old-time modelers. But
competition influences our hobby/sport in a
larger proportion than the numbers who
participate.
Most noncompetitors still follow the
reports of at least some contests, and many
attend as spectators for camaraderie and the
learning experience. Competition rules have
always influenced available engine sizes,
model designs, and plans and kit availability.
And by following contest rules, a novice can
make rational decisions when trying to
match power plants or other equipment with
specific models.
The best and sometimes only way to
persuade large numbers of modelers to travel
long distances to fly together is to hold a
contest. The Society of Antique Modelers
(SAM) organization got its start with a few
early gatherings centered primarily around
competition. Later, the Vintage Radio
Control Society (VR/CS) began life with
simple, fun gatherings.
At first, the VR/CS decided against
having any “SAM-type” competition or
scorekeeping. Approximately five years into
the organization’s existence, Art Schroeder,
the newsletter editor, raised the question of
whether or not some form of competition
should be introduced. Competition events
were gradually added, and the VR/CS
gatherings began gaining momentum.
This year the VR/CS will be hosting a
full five-day event at AMA’s International
Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
It’s called the
“Celebration of
RC,” and it will
consist of a wellbalanced
program of
competition, funflying,
vintageequipment
displays,
Concours judging,
and a banquet with
speakers.
The event will
take place
September 22-26, so
there’s plenty of
time to make plans. Watch MA’s “Contest
Calendar” and other announcements for
details.
Sam Speaks, the official bimonthly
publication of the SAM organization, is a
valuable resource for Old-Timer (OT) event
information, history, how-to articles, etc.,
about vintage FF and RC activities.
SAM President Jim O’Reilly has
announced that if any non-SAM member
would like a sample copy, let him or me
know, and we’ll see that a copy is mailed to
you. Don’t forget to include your street
address. It may not be the latest issue, but
since we’re dealing in history anyway,
what’s the difference?
OT Gliders haven’t been scheduled at the
last couple of SAM Championships events.
But they will be flown at the Champs in
Henderson, Nevada, this year.
The RC special event rules are simple.
Celebration of Radio Control
Old-Timers Bob Angel | [email protected]
Also included in this column:
• Get your copy of Sam Speaks
• Old-Timer Gliders
• The Texaco event
• Arden engines
• Remembering David Baker
This Arden .19 spark-ignition engine
belongs to Tandy Walker, who maintains
pristine models and power plants.
Left: The many Wedgys in the one-design
event at the ’08 SAM Champs, including
Glen Poole’s and Mike Myers’, avoided
sameness with unique color schemes. Steve
Roselle photo.
Below: Steve Roselle submitted this portrait
of his diesel-powered Tomboy, ready for its
first flight at the ’08 Muncie IN SAM
Champs.
04sig5.QXD 2/24/09 9:41 AM Page 148
The Glider (or “sailplane” if you insist)
must have been designed or kitted before
1947. The design may be scaled up or down
to a wingspan of no more than 120 inches.
Launch will be by hi-start supplied by
the contest management or your own launch
device. You shoot for a precision total of 20
minutes with three or fewer flights.
The contest manager has also announced
that the FF Towline Glider event will allow
either a hand towline or a hi-start. The rules
for this event are slightly more complex,
especially when it comes to model selection.
The FF models must have been designed or
kitted before 1943.
If you’re serious about either of the two
events I’ve mentioned, you’ll need a SAM
rule book, which is available for $5, to get
all of the details. The “Sources” list at the
end of the column contains the SAM
mailing address at which you can request
the rule book.
The Texaco event was originally sponsored
by the Texaco oil company in the 1930s. It
was also one of the first events to be
resurrected when the OT movement began
with the first SAM meets.
The concept is to use a measured amount
of fuel to fly for the longest duration
possible. The fuel allotment is based on the
aircraft weight. That amount has changed
throughout the years, but today it amounts to
1/4 ounce per pound for FF and 4cc (just
more than 1/8 ounce) per pound for RC. It
stops at 7 pounds in both cases, although the
aircraft can weigh more than that.
Only Antique-class (pre-1939) models
are flown in Texaco, and most fliers usually
get the longest duration with the larger
aircraft. I’ve never followed an FF Texaco
flight to its conclusion, but I’ve often
wondered how the models manage to avoid
landing in the next state downwind.
RC Texaco models often fly for longer
than an hour with roughly half the fuel
allotment that the FF competitors use. I
suspect that the trick is to get the FF flights
in at the crack of dawn, before any breeze
starts. This may be one reason why FF
Texaco remains a special event that may or
may not be flown at the annual SAM
Champs.
The preceding is a description of Texaco
with only minor modifications from the
original 1930s event. There are several other
so-called Texaco contest events that are
derivatives of that original, including 1/2A
Texaco, Brown Junior Texaco, Class A
Texaco, and Electric Texaco. If you get
serious about flying any of these events in
competition, you’ll need a SAM rule book
to learn the fine points.
Arden engines are generally credited with
bringing the first really useful power to
smaller aircraft. They were, and remain,
among the best-running spark-ignition
engines in the .09 and .19 sizes.
Inventor Ray Arden recognized the need
for more compact and lighter ignition
systems for smaller airplanes. He designed
his own compact coils and even a small FF
“power pack” containing coil, condenser,
and a pneumatic FF timer.
But Arden didn’t stop there. He’s also
credited with inventing, or at least
producing, the first practical glow plugs
right after World War II.
The glow plug allowed modelers to
remove the breaker points, along with the
heavy and bulky coil, condenser, and
batteries, all of which could be
troublesome. When they removed those
then-obsolete ignition timers, most threw
them away, often to the disappointment of
today’s engine collectors.
The Arden engines, along with many
other brands, were soon modified and sold
without timers as the new glow model
engines. Some engine builders omitted the
points; others, such as Ohlsson & Rice, made
add-on covers for the cam openings, while
still others produced new and smootherlooking
crankcase castings with no provision
for points.
Within just a few years after World War
II, spark-ignition engines reached the peak of
production and then quickly faded from the
scene. Those years left us engine collectors
with most of the prized collectibles we enjoy
today.
The buildup started with the loss of
wartime production contracts, leaving
hundreds of machine shops without enough
work. An obvious market would be model
engines, which were in high demand because
they hadn’t been produced during the war.
But that need was too obvious to too many
manufacturers, and the market couldn’t
support the dozens of new engine brands.
The number of engine makers quickly
narrowed, and the glow plug finally spelled
the end of the spark-ignition era. We were
left with some great collectibles, most of
which had interesting and unique attributes.
David Baker passed away on January 1,
2009. He was well known as a primary spark
plug in the OT movement in England. I’ll let
former SAM President Mike Myers briefly
summarize David’s modeling life.
“David Baker was one of the prime
organizers in setting up SAM 35—the first
English SAM Chapter. He started the club
newsletter. He and a couple of friends
bought modeling supplies in bulk and sold
them to other OT modelers who didn’t have
a source for such things at the time.
“He later formed a second English
chapter, SAM 1066. Again, he wrote the club
newsletter, the Clarion, and tirelessly
promoted SAM.
“He promoted a series of Anglo American
50th Anniversary Wakefield contests, which
ran from about 1983 to 1989 or so. In
alternate years English modelers came to
Southern California to fly Vintage Wakefield
at Taft; then the next year American
modelers went to England to fly. Sal Taibi,
Jim Adams, Chet Lanzo, Tom McCoy and
many others from Southern California and
the East Coast participated in one or more of
those Anglo American contests.
“David was also a frequent attendee at
SAM Champs in the US and other Countries.
But his biggest contribution to Old-Time
modeling in England may have been in
securing the use of the Middle Wallop
Airfield for free flight flying on several
weekends each year.
“Those of us who have been to Middle
Wallop for the SAM European Free Flight
Champs that have been held there since circa
1990 know that it can be a modeler’s
paradise. David was one of the first
members of the SAM Hall of Fame—an
honor he richly deserved. He was a very
dear friend to many of us who will miss him
very much.” MA
Sources:
Jim O’Reilly
4760 N. Battin
Wichita KS 67220
[email protected]
Bob Angel
1001 Patterson Rd.
Santa Maria CA 93455
[email protected]
SAM
Box 542
Jonesboro LA 71251
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 148,149,151
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 148,149,151
148 MODEL AVIATION
COMPETITION FLYING is pursued by a
relatively small percentage of model
builders. That’s true of the general AMA
population as well as old-time modelers. But
competition influences our hobby/sport in a
larger proportion than the numbers who
participate.
Most noncompetitors still follow the
reports of at least some contests, and many
attend as spectators for camaraderie and the
learning experience. Competition rules have
always influenced available engine sizes,
model designs, and plans and kit availability.
And by following contest rules, a novice can
make rational decisions when trying to
match power plants or other equipment with
specific models.
The best and sometimes only way to
persuade large numbers of modelers to travel
long distances to fly together is to hold a
contest. The Society of Antique Modelers
(SAM) organization got its start with a few
early gatherings centered primarily around
competition. Later, the Vintage Radio
Control Society (VR/CS) began life with
simple, fun gatherings.
At first, the VR/CS decided against
having any “SAM-type” competition or
scorekeeping. Approximately five years into
the organization’s existence, Art Schroeder,
the newsletter editor, raised the question of
whether or not some form of competition
should be introduced. Competition events
were gradually added, and the VR/CS
gatherings began gaining momentum.
This year the VR/CS will be hosting a
full five-day event at AMA’s International
Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
It’s called the
“Celebration of
RC,” and it will
consist of a wellbalanced
program of
competition, funflying,
vintageequipment
displays,
Concours judging,
and a banquet with
speakers.
The event will
take place
September 22-26, so
there’s plenty of
time to make plans. Watch MA’s “Contest
Calendar” and other announcements for
details.
Sam Speaks, the official bimonthly
publication of the SAM organization, is a
valuable resource for Old-Timer (OT) event
information, history, how-to articles, etc.,
about vintage FF and RC activities.
SAM President Jim O’Reilly has
announced that if any non-SAM member
would like a sample copy, let him or me
know, and we’ll see that a copy is mailed to
you. Don’t forget to include your street
address. It may not be the latest issue, but
since we’re dealing in history anyway,
what’s the difference?
OT Gliders haven’t been scheduled at the
last couple of SAM Championships events.
But they will be flown at the Champs in
Henderson, Nevada, this year.
The RC special event rules are simple.
Celebration of Radio Control
Old-Timers Bob Angel | [email protected]
Also included in this column:
• Get your copy of Sam Speaks
• Old-Timer Gliders
• The Texaco event
• Arden engines
• Remembering David Baker
This Arden .19 spark-ignition engine
belongs to Tandy Walker, who maintains
pristine models and power plants.
Left: The many Wedgys in the one-design
event at the ’08 SAM Champs, including
Glen Poole’s and Mike Myers’, avoided
sameness with unique color schemes. Steve
Roselle photo.
Below: Steve Roselle submitted this portrait
of his diesel-powered Tomboy, ready for its
first flight at the ’08 Muncie IN SAM
Champs.
04sig5.QXD 2/24/09 9:41 AM Page 148
The Glider (or “sailplane” if you insist)
must have been designed or kitted before
1947. The design may be scaled up or down
to a wingspan of no more than 120 inches.
Launch will be by hi-start supplied by
the contest management or your own launch
device. You shoot for a precision total of 20
minutes with three or fewer flights.
The contest manager has also announced
that the FF Towline Glider event will allow
either a hand towline or a hi-start. The rules
for this event are slightly more complex,
especially when it comes to model selection.
The FF models must have been designed or
kitted before 1943.
If you’re serious about either of the two
events I’ve mentioned, you’ll need a SAM
rule book, which is available for $5, to get
all of the details. The “Sources” list at the
end of the column contains the SAM
mailing address at which you can request
the rule book.
The Texaco event was originally sponsored
by the Texaco oil company in the 1930s. It
was also one of the first events to be
resurrected when the OT movement began
with the first SAM meets.
The concept is to use a measured amount
of fuel to fly for the longest duration
possible. The fuel allotment is based on the
aircraft weight. That amount has changed
throughout the years, but today it amounts to
1/4 ounce per pound for FF and 4cc (just
more than 1/8 ounce) per pound for RC. It
stops at 7 pounds in both cases, although the
aircraft can weigh more than that.
Only Antique-class (pre-1939) models
are flown in Texaco, and most fliers usually
get the longest duration with the larger
aircraft. I’ve never followed an FF Texaco
flight to its conclusion, but I’ve often
wondered how the models manage to avoid
landing in the next state downwind.
RC Texaco models often fly for longer
than an hour with roughly half the fuel
allotment that the FF competitors use. I
suspect that the trick is to get the FF flights
in at the crack of dawn, before any breeze
starts. This may be one reason why FF
Texaco remains a special event that may or
may not be flown at the annual SAM
Champs.
The preceding is a description of Texaco
with only minor modifications from the
original 1930s event. There are several other
so-called Texaco contest events that are
derivatives of that original, including 1/2A
Texaco, Brown Junior Texaco, Class A
Texaco, and Electric Texaco. If you get
serious about flying any of these events in
competition, you’ll need a SAM rule book
to learn the fine points.
Arden engines are generally credited with
bringing the first really useful power to
smaller aircraft. They were, and remain,
among the best-running spark-ignition
engines in the .09 and .19 sizes.
Inventor Ray Arden recognized the need
for more compact and lighter ignition
systems for smaller airplanes. He designed
his own compact coils and even a small FF
“power pack” containing coil, condenser,
and a pneumatic FF timer.
But Arden didn’t stop there. He’s also
credited with inventing, or at least
producing, the first practical glow plugs
right after World War II.
The glow plug allowed modelers to
remove the breaker points, along with the
heavy and bulky coil, condenser, and
batteries, all of which could be
troublesome. When they removed those
then-obsolete ignition timers, most threw
them away, often to the disappointment of
today’s engine collectors.
The Arden engines, along with many
other brands, were soon modified and sold
without timers as the new glow model
engines. Some engine builders omitted the
points; others, such as Ohlsson & Rice, made
add-on covers for the cam openings, while
still others produced new and smootherlooking
crankcase castings with no provision
for points.
Within just a few years after World War
II, spark-ignition engines reached the peak of
production and then quickly faded from the
scene. Those years left us engine collectors
with most of the prized collectibles we enjoy
today.
The buildup started with the loss of
wartime production contracts, leaving
hundreds of machine shops without enough
work. An obvious market would be model
engines, which were in high demand because
they hadn’t been produced during the war.
But that need was too obvious to too many
manufacturers, and the market couldn’t
support the dozens of new engine brands.
The number of engine makers quickly
narrowed, and the glow plug finally spelled
the end of the spark-ignition era. We were
left with some great collectibles, most of
which had interesting and unique attributes.
David Baker passed away on January 1,
2009. He was well known as a primary spark
plug in the OT movement in England. I’ll let
former SAM President Mike Myers briefly
summarize David’s modeling life.
“David Baker was one of the prime
organizers in setting up SAM 35—the first
English SAM Chapter. He started the club
newsletter. He and a couple of friends
bought modeling supplies in bulk and sold
them to other OT modelers who didn’t have
a source for such things at the time.
“He later formed a second English
chapter, SAM 1066. Again, he wrote the club
newsletter, the Clarion, and tirelessly
promoted SAM.
“He promoted a series of Anglo American
50th Anniversary Wakefield contests, which
ran from about 1983 to 1989 or so. In
alternate years English modelers came to
Southern California to fly Vintage Wakefield
at Taft; then the next year American
modelers went to England to fly. Sal Taibi,
Jim Adams, Chet Lanzo, Tom McCoy and
many others from Southern California and
the East Coast participated in one or more of
those Anglo American contests.
“David was also a frequent attendee at
SAM Champs in the US and other Countries.
But his biggest contribution to Old-Time
modeling in England may have been in
securing the use of the Middle Wallop
Airfield for free flight flying on several
weekends each year.
“Those of us who have been to Middle
Wallop for the SAM European Free Flight
Champs that have been held there since circa
1990 know that it can be a modeler’s
paradise. David was one of the first
members of the SAM Hall of Fame—an
honor he richly deserved. He was a very
dear friend to many of us who will miss him
very much.” MA
Sources:
Jim O’Reilly
4760 N. Battin
Wichita KS 67220
[email protected]
Bob Angel
1001 Patterson Rd.
Santa Maria CA 93455
[email protected]
SAM
Box 542
Jonesboro LA 71251
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 148,149,151
148 MODEL AVIATION
COMPETITION FLYING is pursued by a
relatively small percentage of model
builders. That’s true of the general AMA
population as well as old-time modelers. But
competition influences our hobby/sport in a
larger proportion than the numbers who
participate.
Most noncompetitors still follow the
reports of at least some contests, and many
attend as spectators for camaraderie and the
learning experience. Competition rules have
always influenced available engine sizes,
model designs, and plans and kit availability.
And by following contest rules, a novice can
make rational decisions when trying to
match power plants or other equipment with
specific models.
The best and sometimes only way to
persuade large numbers of modelers to travel
long distances to fly together is to hold a
contest. The Society of Antique Modelers
(SAM) organization got its start with a few
early gatherings centered primarily around
competition. Later, the Vintage Radio
Control Society (VR/CS) began life with
simple, fun gatherings.
At first, the VR/CS decided against
having any “SAM-type” competition or
scorekeeping. Approximately five years into
the organization’s existence, Art Schroeder,
the newsletter editor, raised the question of
whether or not some form of competition
should be introduced. Competition events
were gradually added, and the VR/CS
gatherings began gaining momentum.
This year the VR/CS will be hosting a
full five-day event at AMA’s International
Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
It’s called the
“Celebration of
RC,” and it will
consist of a wellbalanced
program of
competition, funflying,
vintageequipment
displays,
Concours judging,
and a banquet with
speakers.
The event will
take place
September 22-26, so
there’s plenty of
time to make plans. Watch MA’s “Contest
Calendar” and other announcements for
details.
Sam Speaks, the official bimonthly
publication of the SAM organization, is a
valuable resource for Old-Timer (OT) event
information, history, how-to articles, etc.,
about vintage FF and RC activities.
SAM President Jim O’Reilly has
announced that if any non-SAM member
would like a sample copy, let him or me
know, and we’ll see that a copy is mailed to
you. Don’t forget to include your street
address. It may not be the latest issue, but
since we’re dealing in history anyway,
what’s the difference?
OT Gliders haven’t been scheduled at the
last couple of SAM Championships events.
But they will be flown at the Champs in
Henderson, Nevada, this year.
The RC special event rules are simple.
Celebration of Radio Control
Old-Timers Bob Angel | [email protected]
Also included in this column:
• Get your copy of Sam Speaks
• Old-Timer Gliders
• The Texaco event
• Arden engines
• Remembering David Baker
This Arden .19 spark-ignition engine
belongs to Tandy Walker, who maintains
pristine models and power plants.
Left: The many Wedgys in the one-design
event at the ’08 SAM Champs, including
Glen Poole’s and Mike Myers’, avoided
sameness with unique color schemes. Steve
Roselle photo.
Below: Steve Roselle submitted this portrait
of his diesel-powered Tomboy, ready for its
first flight at the ’08 Muncie IN SAM
Champs.
04sig5.QXD 2/24/09 9:41 AM Page 148
The Glider (or “sailplane” if you insist)
must have been designed or kitted before
1947. The design may be scaled up or down
to a wingspan of no more than 120 inches.
Launch will be by hi-start supplied by
the contest management or your own launch
device. You shoot for a precision total of 20
minutes with three or fewer flights.
The contest manager has also announced
that the FF Towline Glider event will allow
either a hand towline or a hi-start. The rules
for this event are slightly more complex,
especially when it comes to model selection.
The FF models must have been designed or
kitted before 1943.
If you’re serious about either of the two
events I’ve mentioned, you’ll need a SAM
rule book, which is available for $5, to get
all of the details. The “Sources” list at the
end of the column contains the SAM
mailing address at which you can request
the rule book.
The Texaco event was originally sponsored
by the Texaco oil company in the 1930s. It
was also one of the first events to be
resurrected when the OT movement began
with the first SAM meets.
The concept is to use a measured amount
of fuel to fly for the longest duration
possible. The fuel allotment is based on the
aircraft weight. That amount has changed
throughout the years, but today it amounts to
1/4 ounce per pound for FF and 4cc (just
more than 1/8 ounce) per pound for RC. It
stops at 7 pounds in both cases, although the
aircraft can weigh more than that.
Only Antique-class (pre-1939) models
are flown in Texaco, and most fliers usually
get the longest duration with the larger
aircraft. I’ve never followed an FF Texaco
flight to its conclusion, but I’ve often
wondered how the models manage to avoid
landing in the next state downwind.
RC Texaco models often fly for longer
than an hour with roughly half the fuel
allotment that the FF competitors use. I
suspect that the trick is to get the FF flights
in at the crack of dawn, before any breeze
starts. This may be one reason why FF
Texaco remains a special event that may or
may not be flown at the annual SAM
Champs.
The preceding is a description of Texaco
with only minor modifications from the
original 1930s event. There are several other
so-called Texaco contest events that are
derivatives of that original, including 1/2A
Texaco, Brown Junior Texaco, Class A
Texaco, and Electric Texaco. If you get
serious about flying any of these events in
competition, you’ll need a SAM rule book
to learn the fine points.
Arden engines are generally credited with
bringing the first really useful power to
smaller aircraft. They were, and remain,
among the best-running spark-ignition
engines in the .09 and .19 sizes.
Inventor Ray Arden recognized the need
for more compact and lighter ignition
systems for smaller airplanes. He designed
his own compact coils and even a small FF
“power pack” containing coil, condenser,
and a pneumatic FF timer.
But Arden didn’t stop there. He’s also
credited with inventing, or at least
producing, the first practical glow plugs
right after World War II.
The glow plug allowed modelers to
remove the breaker points, along with the
heavy and bulky coil, condenser, and
batteries, all of which could be
troublesome. When they removed those
then-obsolete ignition timers, most threw
them away, often to the disappointment of
today’s engine collectors.
The Arden engines, along with many
other brands, were soon modified and sold
without timers as the new glow model
engines. Some engine builders omitted the
points; others, such as Ohlsson & Rice, made
add-on covers for the cam openings, while
still others produced new and smootherlooking
crankcase castings with no provision
for points.
Within just a few years after World War
II, spark-ignition engines reached the peak of
production and then quickly faded from the
scene. Those years left us engine collectors
with most of the prized collectibles we enjoy
today.
The buildup started with the loss of
wartime production contracts, leaving
hundreds of machine shops without enough
work. An obvious market would be model
engines, which were in high demand because
they hadn’t been produced during the war.
But that need was too obvious to too many
manufacturers, and the market couldn’t
support the dozens of new engine brands.
The number of engine makers quickly
narrowed, and the glow plug finally spelled
the end of the spark-ignition era. We were
left with some great collectibles, most of
which had interesting and unique attributes.
David Baker passed away on January 1,
2009. He was well known as a primary spark
plug in the OT movement in England. I’ll let
former SAM President Mike Myers briefly
summarize David’s modeling life.
“David Baker was one of the prime
organizers in setting up SAM 35—the first
English SAM Chapter. He started the club
newsletter. He and a couple of friends
bought modeling supplies in bulk and sold
them to other OT modelers who didn’t have
a source for such things at the time.
“He later formed a second English
chapter, SAM 1066. Again, he wrote the club
newsletter, the Clarion, and tirelessly
promoted SAM.
“He promoted a series of Anglo American
50th Anniversary Wakefield contests, which
ran from about 1983 to 1989 or so. In
alternate years English modelers came to
Southern California to fly Vintage Wakefield
at Taft; then the next year American
modelers went to England to fly. Sal Taibi,
Jim Adams, Chet Lanzo, Tom McCoy and
many others from Southern California and
the East Coast participated in one or more of
those Anglo American contests.
“David was also a frequent attendee at
SAM Champs in the US and other Countries.
But his biggest contribution to Old-Time
modeling in England may have been in
securing the use of the Middle Wallop
Airfield for free flight flying on several
weekends each year.
“Those of us who have been to Middle
Wallop for the SAM European Free Flight
Champs that have been held there since circa
1990 know that it can be a modeler’s
paradise. David was one of the first
members of the SAM Hall of Fame—an
honor he richly deserved. He was a very
dear friend to many of us who will miss him
very much.” MA
Sources:
Jim O’Reilly
4760 N. Battin
Wichita KS 67220
[email protected]
Bob Angel
1001 Patterson Rd.
Santa Maria CA 93455
[email protected]
SAM
Box 542
Jonesboro LA 71251