In the Air - 2008/02

INtheAIR
February 2008 9
AMA HEADQUARTERS AND MEMBER NEWS
Plan Now to Attend the 2008 Nats!
The AMA Executive Council has approved the schedule for
the 2008 National Aeromodeling Championships. The FF Indoor
events will be held May 28-June 1 at the East Tennessee State
University Mini-Dome in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The outdoor events will be held at AMA’s International
Aeromodeling Center. The dates are as follows.
• RC Scale Aerobatics: July 7-July 10
• RC Combat: July 11-14
• CL (Navy Carrier, Precision Aerobatics, Racing, Combat,
Speed): July 13-18
• RC Pylon Racing: July 13-18
• RC Helicopter: July 15-19
• RC Aerobatics: July 21-25
• RC Soaring: July 27-August 3
• RC Electric: August 4-7
• FF Outdoor: August 4-8
• RC and CL Scale: August 8-10
If you have participated in
the Nats within the last two
years, you will receive an entry
form at roughly the first of the
year. For more information or to
obtain an entry form, visit
www.modelaircraft.org/events
or call (765) 287-1256, extension 224 or 293. MA
—AMA Headquarters
Andy Lennon: 1914-2007
Andrew “Andy” Lennon, 93, died from a
massive stroke on November 24. When I
became acquainted with Andy, he was
already an octogenarian; he impressed me
with his mental acuity, wit, and enthusiasm
for anything that flew. When I spoke with
him a few days before his passing, my
opinion hadn’t changed—the man was
amazing—and the body of work he left
behind speaks volumes.
A ceramics engineer by vocation and a
model aerodynamicist by avocation, Andy
wrote 48 design articles and 18 construction
articles. In his spare time he wrote three
books, one of which is still in print.
His second offering, dealing with canards
(tail-first designs), is considered to be the
“bible” for those who are lucky enough to
possess a copy. The late Bob Kress—the
father of the F-14 Tomcat—wrote the book’s
introduction.
Throughout our all-too-brief 13-year
friendship, Andy could be found unearthing
the unknown aspects of model aviation. His
well-known nomograph simplified the
selection process for propellers. His articles
helped beginners cope with the complexities
of aerodynamics.
Andy was inducted into the Canadian
AMA (MAAC) this past August—a longoverdue
recognition of his genius. The
wording on the plaque sums up his
relationship with model aviation. It reads
“In recognition of lifetime
achievements, leadership, guidance and
contributions to local and national
organizations in the field of model
aeronautics.”
Andy was lucky to have had a long
life that allowed him to be at the top of
his game, intellectually and creatively,
until the end. It is bittersweet to
recognize that longevity came with a
price; he outlived many of his
contemporaries who recognized and
respected the magnitude of his
accomplishments and contributions to
the advancement of our hobby.
Our lives as hobbyists have been
enhanced by Andy’s work. Our hobby
has lost a kind and dear friend.
To view a full list of Andy’s
accomplishments, visit the AMA’s
Museum History Program at www.mo
delaircraft.org/museum/history.aspx. MA
—Dave Gierke
District II
Attention Snowbirds!
If you head south each year when winter arrives in the northern
parts of the country, AMA has a benefit for you!
Call (800) 435-9262 or E-mail [email protected]
and provide your summer and winter addresses and the dates you
leave and return. When you do this, you never have to worry about
receiving your membership card or MA; it will be mailed to the
correct address.
Don’t wait; call now! One of our representatives will be glad to
assist you. MA
—Membership Department
F3A World Champion
The 25th F3A World
Championships, for RC Aerobatics,
was held in Argentina November 8-
18, 2007. This was a highly
emotional contest for champion JR
pilot Quique Somenzini; winning
the contest had been his goal for
years, and he finally did it!
After 10 rigorous days of flying
among the world’s best aerobatic
pilots, Quique progressively added
points to his scorecard to finish the
event with first-place honors.
Congratulations to Quique for
reaching his goal and for an excellent demonstration of precision
flight. MA
—AMA Headquarters
02sig1.QXD 12/20/07 9:03 AM Page 9INtheAIR
10 MODEL AVIATION
• On the cover, Henry Haffke’s daughter,
Karen, holds the Gee Bee R-1 Super
Sportster: the subject of this month’s RC
construction article (which is the first of a
two-part series). The R-1, piloted by Jimmy
Doolittle, was the Granville brothers’ 1932
National Air Races victor.
• Paul McIlrath’s all-foam, flying-wing FF
Hand-Launched Glider design is featured. It
is easy to make from a supermarket-foam
tray, and, best of all, the full-size plans are
in the magazine.
• Powered by two .049 engines, the Bell
YFM-1 Airacuda is a CL Sport Scale
version of a neat 1930s airplane. Dave
Haught designed it to be easy to build and
great fun to fly.
• L.F. Randolph shows how to construct a
flat yet pin-friendly building board using
plywood and Fome-Cor. Larry Kruse’s
article, “Brace Yourself,” explains how
to use tried-and-true techniques to add
strength to your models with little weight
gain.
• Don Lowe reports on the Tournament of
Champions in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Notable among the competitors were
Hanno Prettner, a three-time winner, and
Dave Brown: third-place finisher and
District III vice president.
• Bob Aberle, chairman of AMA’s
Frequency Committee, announces that
the Federal Communications
Commission approved 11 new
frequencies in the 72 MHz band for
model aircraft and more for surface use
in the 75 MHz band. This is good news
for the RC community because the new
frequencies will coexist with the old
frequencies for the next five years. The
plan is to add even more in the future.
25 Years Ago in MA: February 1983
• Dan Pruss
reports on
the 47.2-mile
“Great Race”
that the
SOAR Club
held. The
event had 75
competitors.
• The
NMPRA Championship Race was held in
October at Seguin, Texas. Bill Hager
reports that Dave Shadel outflew everyone
to win the championship ring.
• Model Aviation Hall of Fame inductees
for 1982 include William E. Atwood,
James Dale Kirn, Joseph S. Ott, Edward L.
Rockwood, Wally Simmers, and Stephen
Calhoun “Cal” Smith. MA
—Rich LaGrange
AMA Librarian
During the 2007 JR Indoor Electric Festival in Columbus,
Ohio, held November 2-4, 2007, the prestigious Frank and John
Zaic Memorial Award was presented to one of AMA’s leaders:
Bob Aberle.
Originally from Europe, brothers Frank and John Zaic settled
in New York City in the mid-1930s, where they ran a hobby shop
under the name JASCO: the Junior Aeronautical Supply
Company. The two became famous for producing unique modelairplane
parts, high-quality balsa wood, and model kits.
Outstanding Aeromodeling
Contributions Recognized
Frank was one of AMA’s organizers in 1936, and he produced
the first editions of MA. He also created annual Year Books
containing famous model designs and the science behind them.
The books are available from AMA.
When the brothers died, they left money to AMA in a special
fund to recognize outstanding achievements in model aviation;
thus the Zaic Memorial Award was conceived, and four have been
presented. Besides a plaque, recipients receive a check for $1,000.
Bob Aberle received the AMA Distinguished Service Award in
1981; the AMA Fellowship Award in 1982; the Howard McEntee
Award, including induction into the Vintage R/C Society, in 1982;
and was inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bob was given the Zaic Memorial Award based on his
incredible aeromodeling history. He has served on the AMA
Frequency Committee, as chairman and member, since 1975. He
wrote many articles for Flying Models magazine and served as its
technical editor for 20 years.
In 2003 Bob was a contributing editor for Model Airplane News
and Backyard Flyer. He is currently editor-at-large for RC Micro
World and MA’s technical editor. In addition, Bob has written two
books: A Guide to Electric Powered Flight and Getting Started in
Backyard Flying.
The wording on his award plaque reads:
“In recognition of extraordinary contributions to the Progress,
Promotion, or Preservation of Aeromodeling in the United States
of America.
“Presented in the year 2007 to Robert F. Aberle For exceptional
service in maintaining, furthering and expanding the cause of radio
control aeromodeling for the benefit and enjoyment of all
participants and the technical advancement of the science
involved.”
Congratulations, Bob, and thank you for everything you have
contributed to the hobby of model aviation. MA
—AMA Headquarters
Bob Aberle holds the Zaic award presented to him by John
Worth, a former AMA president.
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February 2008 11
The Spirits of St. Louis R/C Flying Club’s Seventh
Annual Open House was held September 29, 2007. Cecil
Whitrock oversaw registration and the transmitter impound,
Greg Bohrer was in charge of the concession stand, and
Gene Jones managed the raffle.
The wind was stronger than the fliers would have liked,
but all registered pilots had an opportunity to fly. Charlie
Booker, Chris White, Patrick Crouch, and others put on 3-D
demonstrations, and other aerobatic fliers performed their
specialties. Many members and spectators sat back and
enjoyed the show.
In preparation for the gathering, advertising flyers were
distributed to all area hobby shops. The St. Louis Post-
Dispatch ran an article about the upcoming event.
In addition to a new Futaba spread spectrum radio and
other great raffle prizes, all registered pilots were eligible to
win a Spirits 2008 family membership. Mark Twain Hobbies
(Saint Charles, Missouri) and HobbyTown USA (O’Fallon,
Missouri) were partial sponsors of the event.
Plans are already being made for next year’s Open
House. MA
—Walt Wilson
District VI
Patrick Crouch flies an Edge 540 as part of
the 3-D demonstration for spectators.
Welcome,
AMA Life Members!
The Academy recently welcomed new Life Members
Mike DeBoer (Marietta GA), Scott Geerholt (Winchester
KY), R.F. Swenson (Milwaukee WI), Earl A. Brown III
(North Hampton PA), Nicholas Windsor (Salisbury MD),
Ray Vernic (Las Vegas NV), Brian Chan (San Mateo CA),
David Indyke (Waldorf MD), Philip R. Stone (East
Syracuse NY), Philip R. Stone Jr. (East Syracuse NY),
David Beach (Amherst NH), Bob Jervis (Blacklick OH),
Jonathan Leehey (Wayland MA), and John W. Robinson
(Statesville NC).
Also James Gatwood (Huntingburg IN), Robert Sikora
(East Patchogue NY), Richard Everett (East Haddam CT),
Aaron Kahn (Arlington VA), David Nyce (Apex NC),
Kenneth D. Smith (Land O Lakes FL), Mathew Woods
(Urbandale IA), Tim Renaud (San Luis Obispo CA),
Thomas Layton (Chandler AZ), Fred Sheplavy (Eastlake
OH), Paul Wilson (Mount Dora FL), Gary Rice (San
Antonio TX), Steven Westervelt (Deerfield Beach FL),
Sergio Rico Jr. (La Jolla CA), and Sidney Grant (Pasco
WA).
For information about becoming a Life Member,
contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262. MA
—AMA Membership Department
FMA Direct Relocates
FMA Direct opened facilities at a new location Monday October 15, 2007. The offices and warehouse had been separate for
eight years, and the move to new quarters brought all operations under one roof.
Founded by Fred Marks, FMA Direct began serving aeromodelers in 1972. In recent years the company has come to be
recognized for innovative products of the highest quality and caliber of performance.
Starting its own distribution business in 1996, FMA Direct has developed an excellent reputation. More than 300 products
are available to businesses and hobbyists through the product catalog, and the company serves more than 30,000 customers, with
more than a half million products in the field.
The new facility is located at 5713 Industry Ln. Suite 50, Frederick MD 21704. The telephone ([800] 343-2934) and fax
([301] 668-7619) numbers have not changed. MA
—AMA Headquarters
Spirits of St. Louis Open House
02sig1.QXD 12/20/07 9:07 AM Page 11INtheAIR
12 MODEL AVIATION
Before RC came along, solid scale airplane models
were exceedingly popular among model builders. Never
meant to fly, they were mostly exercises in craftsmanship.
They let modelers build and display 3-D representations of
their favorite airplanes: Gee Bees, Grumman Gulfhawks,
Sikorsky Clippers, P-38s, Schneider Trophy racers,
Spitfires, B-25s, Stukas, S.E.5s, Spads, Fokker triplanes,
etc.
Yet some solid models had more practical purposes.
Many were used as training aids for military-aircraft
identification. Others were attention-grabbers in travel
agencies and airline-ticket offices.
In mid-1952 it was my good fortune to work with three
other expert modelers—Howard “Hi” Johnson, Clarence
Lee, and Bob Palmer—to design and construct unusual
scale model airplanes for the US Air Force. We weren’t
especially well known at that time, but each of us was
eventually inducted into AMA’s Model Aviation Hall of
Fame (not for our solid-model project, but for later
contributions to model aviation).
We built three models of the Douglas C-124A
Globemaster. At that time it was the Air Force’s newest
and most capacious cargo carrier. It could lift more than
37 tons of payload: trucks, tanks, earthmovers, motor
cranes, and much more.
However, the airplane could hold far more than it was
capable of taking off with, and placement of heavy items
such as bulldozers and tanks was crucial for keeping the
loaded C-124A’s CG within safe limits.
The Air Force used our yard-long Globemaster models—
The “working side” of the C-124A model with the hinged, transparent side; nose doors; and ramps. Also shown are
some of the model vehicles.
built with outer wing panels omitted—for training ground
personnel to properly load the big transports. The models’
fuselage sides were formed from Plexiglas, with one side
transparent and hinged at the top to allow access to the
interior.
The clamshell doors at the nose were operable, as were
the collapsible nose ramps used for loading vehicles. The
models’ interior decks were marked with the locations of the
various anchor points and cargo attachment fittings of the
full-scale airplane. Even the aft cargo elevators worked.
A series of scale model vehicles that accompanied
each C-124A model allowed easy demonstration of the
required loading and unloading techniques. For instance,
the 30-ton motor crane needed its boom raised and
lowered to various positions as it traveled up and down
the loading ramps, to clear the interior bulkheads.
Clarence Lee did all the metalwork. He made the
ramps, nose-door hinges, landing gear, and propellers. Hi
Johnson built the heavy felt-lined mahogany cases for the
C-124A models and their accessories.
Bob Palmer constructed much of the first two
airplanes, and I made all the vehicle models and painted
most of the finished project. (Bob left to go back to work
for Lockheed partway through this four-month project,
and I completed the last Globemaster.)
I’m hoping that at least one of these magnificent
“training models” still exists—and that it could be
acquired for display in the AMA museum. MA
—Joe Wagner
District V
Hall of Fame Members’ Solid Models
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