60 MODEL AVIATION
John Haffner brought this nicely built Phil Kraft-designed Kwik
Fli III. Graupner kitted the model in 1969.
Eric Strader brought this rendition of his dad Ted Strader’s 1963
GoWing. Ted was inducted into the VR/CS Hall of Fame at the
reunion.
Ron Morgan built this 1963 Jerry Nelson Sultan design. Jerry
was another prolific designer of the 1960s.
Dick Allen with his original-design 1963 Class II Stark Shark.
Ralph Jackson flew it to first place in Class II at the 1963 Nats.
Photos courtesy the author
February 2005 57
by Bob Noll
EVERY LABOR DAY weekend for the past 15 years, members
of the Vintage Radio Control Society (VR/CS) have gathered
somewhere in the northeast and flown their vintage airplanes to
commemorate the early years of radio control, when our pioneers
gathered at a small airport in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
The Selinsgrove gatherings, held in the 1960s, brought
together radio and model-design talent from many states to show
off their latest creations and compare experiences. Members from
Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Canada, and most of
the northeastern states attended this year’s reunion, which was
held in Endicott, New York, and hosted by VR/CS Chapter III of
the Aeroguidance Society.
Formed in 1989, the VR/CS was organized with the objective
of preserving and promoting the memory of aeromodeling
activity from the early days of RC. The society has established a
design cutoff date of January 1970, and only models designed for
RC before 1970 can be flown at its reunions and fly-ins.
Although the airplanes do not have to be built before 1970,
many old, original models are brought to VR/CS events. The
society does not require the use of original radios and engines,
but some members enjoy restoring old radios to improved levels
of reliability and using old engines. Several members have
electrified their vintage aircraft, which is acceptable to the
society and is in keeping with the move to electric power across
our hobby.
There were four AMA sanctioned VR/CS events in 2004,
Bob Gardner built this replica of Jerry Nelson’s 1960 Pegasus
Pattern design. Bob is from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Bob Noll with his original Formula II 1968 Continental 600 Pylon
Racer that Hal deBolt designed. Bob won the NMPRA National
Championships with it in 1968.
Ron Ogren brought this clean 1967 deBolt custom LiveWire to
Selinsgrove. It’s one of the classic designs of that era.
58 MODEL AVIATION
Jim Rundle built this 1963 Goldberg Skylark 56. This stylish design followed Carl
Goldberg’s popular Falcon 56.
L-R: Ralph Jackson, Bob Noll, Bob Gardner, Tony Camaratta, Perly Bowen, and Jim Quinn with their One-Design models: 1966 Ken
Willard Top Dawgs.
starting with the deBolt Reunion in Spring
Hill, Florida, in February. The Muncie,
Indiana, fun-fly was held at the AMA
National Flying Site in June; the Mid-
South fly-in was held in Holly Springs,
North Carolina, in June; and the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Reunion was in September.
In addition to open flying, members can
take part in Pattern, Scale, and Concours
judging. The Pattern classes are fashioned
after the three categories that were flown
in the 1960s. Each Pattern division is
named to recognize the pioneer who
excelled in that class.
Class I is the Jack Port and is for
rudder-only models. Class II is the Howard
McEntee, for airplanes using only rudder
and elevator control. Class III is the Ralph
Brooke, for models with rudder, elevator,
and aileron control. Throttle or speed
control is used in each class, of course.
In Scale, the models are replicas of fullscale
airplanes and are judged for
conformance to the original designs. The
Concours event recognizes the best
reproduction of an original RC design.
Since this was the year of the Ken Willard
Top Dawg model, special events were held
for the design throughout the year.
The VR/CS established a Hall of Fame
when the organization was formed, and
three new members were inducted at this
year’s Spirit of Selinsgrove Reunion. Ted
Strader of Scotia, New York, was
recognized for his many RC designs of the
1960s, several of which were flown at this
gathering.
Joe Beshar of Oradell, New Jersey, was
recognized for being one of the VR/CS
founders. The third inductee was Ken
Willard, who is deceased. He was
recognized for his extensive list of RC
designs spanning more than two decades.
Ted and Joe received their plaques at the
banquet that was held Saturday evening.
The society also recognizes members
who contribute to the vintage RC
movement by using their talents to organize
VR/CS events and reproduce vintage radios
or control systems. The Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award went to Bob Harris of
Holly Springs, North Carolina, for hosting
the first Mid-South VR/CS fly-in.
The Dr. Walter Good Technical
February 2005 59
Designer Art Schroeder (L) admires Ron Morgan’s version of his 1969 Eyeball Pattern
design. This is possibly the first in-line Pattern design.
Bob Corey built this 1954 Royal Rudderbug. It was one of the first rudder-only Pattern
designs and was kitted by Berkeley.
Achievement Award was presented to
Bob Gardner of Peterborough, Ontario,
Canada, for his reproduction of the
Rudevator control system that was
originally designed in the 1940s.
Bob’s system was designed to
improve upon the then-popular
escapement, which only provided yaw
control. His reproduction consisted of a
spinning rotary vane at the rear of the
model that could be stopped in one of
four positions, providing yaw and pitch
control. You had to see it to believe it!
I mentioned that some of the airplanes
flown at the Spirit of Selinsgrove
Reunion were originals from before
1970, two of which were my Nieuport 27
and Continental 600 Formula II Pylon
model. I rarely part with my aircraft, and
I have fond memories of flying both of
those.
I built the Nieuport 27 in 1967 for the
first Rhinebeck World War I Jamboree,
where it took first place in Scale. I took it
to several more Jamborees and collected
six of Rhinebeck’s early trophies.
The Continental 600 is a Hal deBolt
design for which I drew the plans, and I
had an article published about it in 1968.
That year I won the National Miniature
Pylon Racing Association Formula II
National Championship with the design,
and I took second place in 1969.
I campaigned the Continental in the
Northeast for many years before retiring
it to my furnace room. I made a promise
to Hal deBolt that I would get “Old Red”
into the air for the reunion. (Its nickname
came from its primary color of red.)
If you have an interest in flying some
nice model designs from the early days of
RC, find or build one of these great
airplanes, join the VR/CS, and attend one
of our events. Many of our members flew
these designs with their dads and have
fond memories of those days.
Left: Bob Gardner prepares to fly his Paul Guillow-designed
1953 Trixter Beam. It features a “Rudevator” control system.
David Merithew built this Howard Bonner-designed 1957 Smog
Hog. It features a silk-and-dope finish.
I fly modern airplanes and compete in
F3A RC Aerobatics, but there is something
special about flying some older models.
These vintage aircraft are smaller and less
complex than today’s designs, which is
convenient, and they fly great with modern
equipment.
The VR/CS is an AMA SIG. Check out
www.vintagercsociety.org for more
information about the organization. MA
Bob Noll
2317 Acorn Dr.
Vestal NY 13850
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 57,58,59,60
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 57,58,59,60
60 MODEL AVIATION
John Haffner brought this nicely built Phil Kraft-designed Kwik
Fli III. Graupner kitted the model in 1969.
Eric Strader brought this rendition of his dad Ted Strader’s 1963
GoWing. Ted was inducted into the VR/CS Hall of Fame at the
reunion.
Ron Morgan built this 1963 Jerry Nelson Sultan design. Jerry
was another prolific designer of the 1960s.
Dick Allen with his original-design 1963 Class II Stark Shark.
Ralph Jackson flew it to first place in Class II at the 1963 Nats.
Photos courtesy the author
February 2005 57
by Bob Noll
EVERY LABOR DAY weekend for the past 15 years, members
of the Vintage Radio Control Society (VR/CS) have gathered
somewhere in the northeast and flown their vintage airplanes to
commemorate the early years of radio control, when our pioneers
gathered at a small airport in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
The Selinsgrove gatherings, held in the 1960s, brought
together radio and model-design talent from many states to show
off their latest creations and compare experiences. Members from
Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Canada, and most of
the northeastern states attended this year’s reunion, which was
held in Endicott, New York, and hosted by VR/CS Chapter III of
the Aeroguidance Society.
Formed in 1989, the VR/CS was organized with the objective
of preserving and promoting the memory of aeromodeling
activity from the early days of RC. The society has established a
design cutoff date of January 1970, and only models designed for
RC before 1970 can be flown at its reunions and fly-ins.
Although the airplanes do not have to be built before 1970,
many old, original models are brought to VR/CS events. The
society does not require the use of original radios and engines,
but some members enjoy restoring old radios to improved levels
of reliability and using old engines. Several members have
electrified their vintage aircraft, which is acceptable to the
society and is in keeping with the move to electric power across
our hobby.
There were four AMA sanctioned VR/CS events in 2004,
Bob Gardner built this replica of Jerry Nelson’s 1960 Pegasus
Pattern design. Bob is from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Bob Noll with his original Formula II 1968 Continental 600 Pylon
Racer that Hal deBolt designed. Bob won the NMPRA National
Championships with it in 1968.
Ron Ogren brought this clean 1967 deBolt custom LiveWire to
Selinsgrove. It’s one of the classic designs of that era.
58 MODEL AVIATION
Jim Rundle built this 1963 Goldberg Skylark 56. This stylish design followed Carl
Goldberg’s popular Falcon 56.
L-R: Ralph Jackson, Bob Noll, Bob Gardner, Tony Camaratta, Perly Bowen, and Jim Quinn with their One-Design models: 1966 Ken
Willard Top Dawgs.
starting with the deBolt Reunion in Spring
Hill, Florida, in February. The Muncie,
Indiana, fun-fly was held at the AMA
National Flying Site in June; the Mid-
South fly-in was held in Holly Springs,
North Carolina, in June; and the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Reunion was in September.
In addition to open flying, members can
take part in Pattern, Scale, and Concours
judging. The Pattern classes are fashioned
after the three categories that were flown
in the 1960s. Each Pattern division is
named to recognize the pioneer who
excelled in that class.
Class I is the Jack Port and is for
rudder-only models. Class II is the Howard
McEntee, for airplanes using only rudder
and elevator control. Class III is the Ralph
Brooke, for models with rudder, elevator,
and aileron control. Throttle or speed
control is used in each class, of course.
In Scale, the models are replicas of fullscale
airplanes and are judged for
conformance to the original designs. The
Concours event recognizes the best
reproduction of an original RC design.
Since this was the year of the Ken Willard
Top Dawg model, special events were held
for the design throughout the year.
The VR/CS established a Hall of Fame
when the organization was formed, and
three new members were inducted at this
year’s Spirit of Selinsgrove Reunion. Ted
Strader of Scotia, New York, was
recognized for his many RC designs of the
1960s, several of which were flown at this
gathering.
Joe Beshar of Oradell, New Jersey, was
recognized for being one of the VR/CS
founders. The third inductee was Ken
Willard, who is deceased. He was
recognized for his extensive list of RC
designs spanning more than two decades.
Ted and Joe received their plaques at the
banquet that was held Saturday evening.
The society also recognizes members
who contribute to the vintage RC
movement by using their talents to organize
VR/CS events and reproduce vintage radios
or control systems. The Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award went to Bob Harris of
Holly Springs, North Carolina, for hosting
the first Mid-South VR/CS fly-in.
The Dr. Walter Good Technical
February 2005 59
Designer Art Schroeder (L) admires Ron Morgan’s version of his 1969 Eyeball Pattern
design. This is possibly the first in-line Pattern design.
Bob Corey built this 1954 Royal Rudderbug. It was one of the first rudder-only Pattern
designs and was kitted by Berkeley.
Achievement Award was presented to
Bob Gardner of Peterborough, Ontario,
Canada, for his reproduction of the
Rudevator control system that was
originally designed in the 1940s.
Bob’s system was designed to
improve upon the then-popular
escapement, which only provided yaw
control. His reproduction consisted of a
spinning rotary vane at the rear of the
model that could be stopped in one of
four positions, providing yaw and pitch
control. You had to see it to believe it!
I mentioned that some of the airplanes
flown at the Spirit of Selinsgrove
Reunion were originals from before
1970, two of which were my Nieuport 27
and Continental 600 Formula II Pylon
model. I rarely part with my aircraft, and
I have fond memories of flying both of
those.
I built the Nieuport 27 in 1967 for the
first Rhinebeck World War I Jamboree,
where it took first place in Scale. I took it
to several more Jamborees and collected
six of Rhinebeck’s early trophies.
The Continental 600 is a Hal deBolt
design for which I drew the plans, and I
had an article published about it in 1968.
That year I won the National Miniature
Pylon Racing Association Formula II
National Championship with the design,
and I took second place in 1969.
I campaigned the Continental in the
Northeast for many years before retiring
it to my furnace room. I made a promise
to Hal deBolt that I would get “Old Red”
into the air for the reunion. (Its nickname
came from its primary color of red.)
If you have an interest in flying some
nice model designs from the early days of
RC, find or build one of these great
airplanes, join the VR/CS, and attend one
of our events. Many of our members flew
these designs with their dads and have
fond memories of those days.
Left: Bob Gardner prepares to fly his Paul Guillow-designed
1953 Trixter Beam. It features a “Rudevator” control system.
David Merithew built this Howard Bonner-designed 1957 Smog
Hog. It features a silk-and-dope finish.
I fly modern airplanes and compete in
F3A RC Aerobatics, but there is something
special about flying some older models.
These vintage aircraft are smaller and less
complex than today’s designs, which is
convenient, and they fly great with modern
equipment.
The VR/CS is an AMA SIG. Check out
www.vintagercsociety.org for more
information about the organization. MA
Bob Noll
2317 Acorn Dr.
Vestal NY 13850
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 57,58,59,60
60 MODEL AVIATION
John Haffner brought this nicely built Phil Kraft-designed Kwik
Fli III. Graupner kitted the model in 1969.
Eric Strader brought this rendition of his dad Ted Strader’s 1963
GoWing. Ted was inducted into the VR/CS Hall of Fame at the
reunion.
Ron Morgan built this 1963 Jerry Nelson Sultan design. Jerry
was another prolific designer of the 1960s.
Dick Allen with his original-design 1963 Class II Stark Shark.
Ralph Jackson flew it to first place in Class II at the 1963 Nats.
Photos courtesy the author
February 2005 57
by Bob Noll
EVERY LABOR DAY weekend for the past 15 years, members
of the Vintage Radio Control Society (VR/CS) have gathered
somewhere in the northeast and flown their vintage airplanes to
commemorate the early years of radio control, when our pioneers
gathered at a small airport in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
The Selinsgrove gatherings, held in the 1960s, brought
together radio and model-design talent from many states to show
off their latest creations and compare experiences. Members from
Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Canada, and most of
the northeastern states attended this year’s reunion, which was
held in Endicott, New York, and hosted by VR/CS Chapter III of
the Aeroguidance Society.
Formed in 1989, the VR/CS was organized with the objective
of preserving and promoting the memory of aeromodeling
activity from the early days of RC. The society has established a
design cutoff date of January 1970, and only models designed for
RC before 1970 can be flown at its reunions and fly-ins.
Although the airplanes do not have to be built before 1970,
many old, original models are brought to VR/CS events. The
society does not require the use of original radios and engines,
but some members enjoy restoring old radios to improved levels
of reliability and using old engines. Several members have
electrified their vintage aircraft, which is acceptable to the
society and is in keeping with the move to electric power across
our hobby.
There were four AMA sanctioned VR/CS events in 2004,
Bob Gardner built this replica of Jerry Nelson’s 1960 Pegasus
Pattern design. Bob is from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Bob Noll with his original Formula II 1968 Continental 600 Pylon
Racer that Hal deBolt designed. Bob won the NMPRA National
Championships with it in 1968.
Ron Ogren brought this clean 1967 deBolt custom LiveWire to
Selinsgrove. It’s one of the classic designs of that era.
58 MODEL AVIATION
Jim Rundle built this 1963 Goldberg Skylark 56. This stylish design followed Carl
Goldberg’s popular Falcon 56.
L-R: Ralph Jackson, Bob Noll, Bob Gardner, Tony Camaratta, Perly Bowen, and Jim Quinn with their One-Design models: 1966 Ken
Willard Top Dawgs.
starting with the deBolt Reunion in Spring
Hill, Florida, in February. The Muncie,
Indiana, fun-fly was held at the AMA
National Flying Site in June; the Mid-
South fly-in was held in Holly Springs,
North Carolina, in June; and the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Reunion was in September.
In addition to open flying, members can
take part in Pattern, Scale, and Concours
judging. The Pattern classes are fashioned
after the three categories that were flown
in the 1960s. Each Pattern division is
named to recognize the pioneer who
excelled in that class.
Class I is the Jack Port and is for
rudder-only models. Class II is the Howard
McEntee, for airplanes using only rudder
and elevator control. Class III is the Ralph
Brooke, for models with rudder, elevator,
and aileron control. Throttle or speed
control is used in each class, of course.
In Scale, the models are replicas of fullscale
airplanes and are judged for
conformance to the original designs. The
Concours event recognizes the best
reproduction of an original RC design.
Since this was the year of the Ken Willard
Top Dawg model, special events were held
for the design throughout the year.
The VR/CS established a Hall of Fame
when the organization was formed, and
three new members were inducted at this
year’s Spirit of Selinsgrove Reunion. Ted
Strader of Scotia, New York, was
recognized for his many RC designs of the
1960s, several of which were flown at this
gathering.
Joe Beshar of Oradell, New Jersey, was
recognized for being one of the VR/CS
founders. The third inductee was Ken
Willard, who is deceased. He was
recognized for his extensive list of RC
designs spanning more than two decades.
Ted and Joe received their plaques at the
banquet that was held Saturday evening.
The society also recognizes members
who contribute to the vintage RC
movement by using their talents to organize
VR/CS events and reproduce vintage radios
or control systems. The Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award went to Bob Harris of
Holly Springs, North Carolina, for hosting
the first Mid-South VR/CS fly-in.
The Dr. Walter Good Technical
February 2005 59
Designer Art Schroeder (L) admires Ron Morgan’s version of his 1969 Eyeball Pattern
design. This is possibly the first in-line Pattern design.
Bob Corey built this 1954 Royal Rudderbug. It was one of the first rudder-only Pattern
designs and was kitted by Berkeley.
Achievement Award was presented to
Bob Gardner of Peterborough, Ontario,
Canada, for his reproduction of the
Rudevator control system that was
originally designed in the 1940s.
Bob’s system was designed to
improve upon the then-popular
escapement, which only provided yaw
control. His reproduction consisted of a
spinning rotary vane at the rear of the
model that could be stopped in one of
four positions, providing yaw and pitch
control. You had to see it to believe it!
I mentioned that some of the airplanes
flown at the Spirit of Selinsgrove
Reunion were originals from before
1970, two of which were my Nieuport 27
and Continental 600 Formula II Pylon
model. I rarely part with my aircraft, and
I have fond memories of flying both of
those.
I built the Nieuport 27 in 1967 for the
first Rhinebeck World War I Jamboree,
where it took first place in Scale. I took it
to several more Jamborees and collected
six of Rhinebeck’s early trophies.
The Continental 600 is a Hal deBolt
design for which I drew the plans, and I
had an article published about it in 1968.
That year I won the National Miniature
Pylon Racing Association Formula II
National Championship with the design,
and I took second place in 1969.
I campaigned the Continental in the
Northeast for many years before retiring
it to my furnace room. I made a promise
to Hal deBolt that I would get “Old Red”
into the air for the reunion. (Its nickname
came from its primary color of red.)
If you have an interest in flying some
nice model designs from the early days of
RC, find or build one of these great
airplanes, join the VR/CS, and attend one
of our events. Many of our members flew
these designs with their dads and have
fond memories of those days.
Left: Bob Gardner prepares to fly his Paul Guillow-designed
1953 Trixter Beam. It features a “Rudevator” control system.
David Merithew built this Howard Bonner-designed 1957 Smog
Hog. It features a silk-and-dope finish.
I fly modern airplanes and compete in
F3A RC Aerobatics, but there is something
special about flying some older models.
These vintage aircraft are smaller and less
complex than today’s designs, which is
convenient, and they fly great with modern
equipment.
The VR/CS is an AMA SIG. Check out
www.vintagercsociety.org for more
information about the organization. MA
Bob Noll
2317 Acorn Dr.
Vestal NY 13850
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 57,58,59,60
60 MODEL AVIATION
John Haffner brought this nicely built Phil Kraft-designed Kwik
Fli III. Graupner kitted the model in 1969.
Eric Strader brought this rendition of his dad Ted Strader’s 1963
GoWing. Ted was inducted into the VR/CS Hall of Fame at the
reunion.
Ron Morgan built this 1963 Jerry Nelson Sultan design. Jerry
was another prolific designer of the 1960s.
Dick Allen with his original-design 1963 Class II Stark Shark.
Ralph Jackson flew it to first place in Class II at the 1963 Nats.
Photos courtesy the author
February 2005 57
by Bob Noll
EVERY LABOR DAY weekend for the past 15 years, members
of the Vintage Radio Control Society (VR/CS) have gathered
somewhere in the northeast and flown their vintage airplanes to
commemorate the early years of radio control, when our pioneers
gathered at a small airport in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
The Selinsgrove gatherings, held in the 1960s, brought
together radio and model-design talent from many states to show
off their latest creations and compare experiences. Members from
Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Canada, and most of
the northeastern states attended this year’s reunion, which was
held in Endicott, New York, and hosted by VR/CS Chapter III of
the Aeroguidance Society.
Formed in 1989, the VR/CS was organized with the objective
of preserving and promoting the memory of aeromodeling
activity from the early days of RC. The society has established a
design cutoff date of January 1970, and only models designed for
RC before 1970 can be flown at its reunions and fly-ins.
Although the airplanes do not have to be built before 1970,
many old, original models are brought to VR/CS events. The
society does not require the use of original radios and engines,
but some members enjoy restoring old radios to improved levels
of reliability and using old engines. Several members have
electrified their vintage aircraft, which is acceptable to the
society and is in keeping with the move to electric power across
our hobby.
There were four AMA sanctioned VR/CS events in 2004,
Bob Gardner built this replica of Jerry Nelson’s 1960 Pegasus
Pattern design. Bob is from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Bob Noll with his original Formula II 1968 Continental 600 Pylon
Racer that Hal deBolt designed. Bob won the NMPRA National
Championships with it in 1968.
Ron Ogren brought this clean 1967 deBolt custom LiveWire to
Selinsgrove. It’s one of the classic designs of that era.
58 MODEL AVIATION
Jim Rundle built this 1963 Goldberg Skylark 56. This stylish design followed Carl
Goldberg’s popular Falcon 56.
L-R: Ralph Jackson, Bob Noll, Bob Gardner, Tony Camaratta, Perly Bowen, and Jim Quinn with their One-Design models: 1966 Ken
Willard Top Dawgs.
starting with the deBolt Reunion in Spring
Hill, Florida, in February. The Muncie,
Indiana, fun-fly was held at the AMA
National Flying Site in June; the Mid-
South fly-in was held in Holly Springs,
North Carolina, in June; and the Spirit of
Selinsgrove Reunion was in September.
In addition to open flying, members can
take part in Pattern, Scale, and Concours
judging. The Pattern classes are fashioned
after the three categories that were flown
in the 1960s. Each Pattern division is
named to recognize the pioneer who
excelled in that class.
Class I is the Jack Port and is for
rudder-only models. Class II is the Howard
McEntee, for airplanes using only rudder
and elevator control. Class III is the Ralph
Brooke, for models with rudder, elevator,
and aileron control. Throttle or speed
control is used in each class, of course.
In Scale, the models are replicas of fullscale
airplanes and are judged for
conformance to the original designs. The
Concours event recognizes the best
reproduction of an original RC design.
Since this was the year of the Ken Willard
Top Dawg model, special events were held
for the design throughout the year.
The VR/CS established a Hall of Fame
when the organization was formed, and
three new members were inducted at this
year’s Spirit of Selinsgrove Reunion. Ted
Strader of Scotia, New York, was
recognized for his many RC designs of the
1960s, several of which were flown at this
gathering.
Joe Beshar of Oradell, New Jersey, was
recognized for being one of the VR/CS
founders. The third inductee was Ken
Willard, who is deceased. He was
recognized for his extensive list of RC
designs spanning more than two decades.
Ted and Joe received their plaques at the
banquet that was held Saturday evening.
The society also recognizes members
who contribute to the vintage RC
movement by using their talents to organize
VR/CS events and reproduce vintage radios
or control systems. The Spirit of
Selinsgrove Award went to Bob Harris of
Holly Springs, North Carolina, for hosting
the first Mid-South VR/CS fly-in.
The Dr. Walter Good Technical
February 2005 59
Designer Art Schroeder (L) admires Ron Morgan’s version of his 1969 Eyeball Pattern
design. This is possibly the first in-line Pattern design.
Bob Corey built this 1954 Royal Rudderbug. It was one of the first rudder-only Pattern
designs and was kitted by Berkeley.
Achievement Award was presented to
Bob Gardner of Peterborough, Ontario,
Canada, for his reproduction of the
Rudevator control system that was
originally designed in the 1940s.
Bob’s system was designed to
improve upon the then-popular
escapement, which only provided yaw
control. His reproduction consisted of a
spinning rotary vane at the rear of the
model that could be stopped in one of
four positions, providing yaw and pitch
control. You had to see it to believe it!
I mentioned that some of the airplanes
flown at the Spirit of Selinsgrove
Reunion were originals from before
1970, two of which were my Nieuport 27
and Continental 600 Formula II Pylon
model. I rarely part with my aircraft, and
I have fond memories of flying both of
those.
I built the Nieuport 27 in 1967 for the
first Rhinebeck World War I Jamboree,
where it took first place in Scale. I took it
to several more Jamborees and collected
six of Rhinebeck’s early trophies.
The Continental 600 is a Hal deBolt
design for which I drew the plans, and I
had an article published about it in 1968.
That year I won the National Miniature
Pylon Racing Association Formula II
National Championship with the design,
and I took second place in 1969.
I campaigned the Continental in the
Northeast for many years before retiring
it to my furnace room. I made a promise
to Hal deBolt that I would get “Old Red”
into the air for the reunion. (Its nickname
came from its primary color of red.)
If you have an interest in flying some
nice model designs from the early days of
RC, find or build one of these great
airplanes, join the VR/CS, and attend one
of our events. Many of our members flew
these designs with their dads and have
fond memories of those days.
Left: Bob Gardner prepares to fly his Paul Guillow-designed
1953 Trixter Beam. It features a “Rudevator” control system.
David Merithew built this Howard Bonner-designed 1957 Smog
Hog. It features a silk-and-dope finish.
I fly modern airplanes and compete in
F3A RC Aerobatics, but there is something
special about flying some older models.
These vintage aircraft are smaller and less
complex than today’s designs, which is
convenient, and they fly great with modern
equipment.
The VR/CS is an AMA SIG. Check out
www.vintagercsociety.org for more
information about the organization. MA
Bob Noll
2317 Acorn Dr.
Vestal NY 13850
[email protected]