In the Air 2014/05
Tustin Blimp Hangar Selected as National Aeromodeling Historic Site
On October 19, 2013, AMA’s Executive Council (EC) recognized the North Hangar, Building #28, at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Tustin, California, as a historic site under AMA’s National Aeromodeling Heritage Program. The North Hangar and its sister South Hangar are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks.
Constructed during World War II, both hangars were built by the U.S. Navy to house lighter-than-air reconnaissance blimps. Because of wartime material shortages, the hangars were primarily built from wood and are more than one football field wide, three football fields long, and approximately 17 stories high. They are two of the largest free-standing wooden buildings in the world.
Modelers began flying inside the North Hangar following World War II. Events held there included the Western States Open Contest, Plymouth Internats eliminations, and the Indoor Nats in 1952, 1955, 1959, 1963, and 1967. During the 1960s and 1970s, the US F1D indoor team selection events were also held in the hangar. For multiple-day events, fliers commonly slept overnight in the building.
Famous indoor modelers who were regular visitors to the site include:
- Joe Bilgri
- Bill Atwood
- NASA test pilot Robert Champine
- Clarence Mather
- Erv Rodemsky
- Warren Williams
- Cezar Banks
- Larry Calliau
- Bob Randolph
- Steve Brown
The hangar was considered to have the best flying conditions of any indoor flying arena in the world. With that combination of excellent flying conditions and great modelers, AMA National and FAI World indoor endurance records for catapult glider, hand-launched glider (HLG), and rubber power were established there.
Notable records:
- In 1973, Ron Wittman set a Category IV indoor HLG two-flight duration record of 2:58.6 (minutes:seconds), a record that stood for 36 years.
- In 1997, Steve Brown set a single-flight record of 60:01 (60 minutes, 1 second) for a rubber-powered microfilm model.
- In April 2010, the North Hangar was the location for two Category IV record flights: Jim Buxton’s HLG two-flight total of 3:29.4 and Ralph Ray’s Standard Class catapult-launched glider (CLG) two-flight total of 3:52.3.
- In May 2011, Stan Buddenbohm set a Category IV Unlimited Class CLG two-flight total of 4:31.9.
MCAS Tustin was decommissioned in 1999. The Tustin community is reviewing options to reuse the site for commercial and residential development, and to establish an 85-acre county regional park that would include the hangar.
The members of the Harbor Soaring Society, an AMA Gold Leader Club, thank the AMA EC for commemorating the North Hangar’s historic significance and for its assistance in the club’s ongoing efforts to gain permanent access to the facility.
For information about how you can help preserve the North Hangar, please visit www.1hss.org.
— Michael Smith National Model Aviation Museum Director
Hobby Shop Program Winner
Congratulations to Hobby Hut, located in Norristown, Pennsylvania! Hobby Hut was the 2013 $1,000 Hobby Shop Program winner. Each store that participates in the Hobby Shop Program within a calendar year is entered into an annual drawing for $1,000. The drawing takes place December 31.
Do you represent a hobby shop that is not in the AMA Hobby Shop Program? It’s easy to join, and you get money for signing up new AMA members!
Program benefits:
- $8 for each new Open membership, $6 for each Senior membership, $4 for each Introductory Membership (three-month trial), and $4 for each new Park Pilot Program membership.
- Each month, all new members signed (including Open, Senior, Park Pilot, Three-Month Trial, and Youth) will have one entry into a drawing for a $100 gift card to be spent at the store where they purchased their AMA membership. AMA provides the $100 to each store. These gift certificates are not redeemable for cash.
- The $100 gift certificate winner will be featured in an email to AMA members within a 30-mile radius of the store.
- Quarterly hobby shop newsletter.
- Free AMA membership materials shipped directly to the store, including applications, brochures, counter displays, and general AMA information.
- Free social media coverage upon joining the program via AMA blogging, Facebook, and Twitter.
The following stores won $100 gift certificates in 2013:
- January: Hobby Express, Cranberry Township, PA
- February: Devil Dog RC, Baldwin Park, CA
- March: KC Hobby, Archdale, NC
- April: Field’s Hobby Center, Cheektowaga, NY
- May: HobbyTown USA, West Melbourne, FL
- June: Coyote Hobby, Oregon City, OR
- July: Empire Express Hobbies and Toys, Craig, CO
- August: RC Hobbies, Huntsville, AL
- September: J and C Hobbies, Penn Hill, PA
- October: Big Boy Toys, Lafayette, LA
- November: B & B Hobbies, Spokane, WA
- December: Al’s Hobby Shop, Elmhurst, IL
What are you waiting for? Join today!
For more information, contact [email protected] or call (765) 287-1256, extension 272.
— Erin Dobbs Marketing Partner Lead
FAQs for the AMA History Program
Q. What is the AMA History Program?
A. Since the 1940s, the AMA has been interested in recording the history of aeromodeling. Efforts have been made throughout the years; however, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that the AMA History Program was developed to preserve the history of model aviation for future generations. The AMA History Program has recorded and currently maintains nearly 900 modelers’ biographies and autobiographies, as well as the histories of clubs, special interest groups, companies, and other industry associates.
Q. How can I find more information about the AMA History Program?
A. Call Archivist/Assistant Historian Jackie Shalberg at (765) 287-1256, extension 511, or email [email protected]. Norm Rosenstock is AMA’s Volunteer Historian; his telephone number is (561) 798-5154, or you can email [email protected].
Q. How do I write a biography for the AMA History Program?
A. The History Program offers a writing guide or a questionnaire form for someone who does not have the time or desire to write his or her own biography. These forms are available online at www.modelaircraft.org/museum/history.aspx.
Q. Do I have to write my own biography? What are my options?
A. You can have another person write your biography or contact AMA History Program personnel for other options. A biography can be submitted through a taped interview, on the telephone with the archivist/assistant historian, or by sending a videotape or DVD. If you plan to visit Muncie, Indiana, you can make an appointment to be interviewed.
Q. Can I write someone else’s biography?
A. Yes. Many people do this. Please include in your writing the subject’s full name and address so that person can be contacted to verify, approve, and/or update the information before it is published on AMA's website.
Q. Where do I send finished biographies?
A. Mail a copy to: AMA History Program Attn.: Archivist/Assistant Historian 5151 E. Memorial Dr. Muncie, IN 47302
Email an attachment to [email protected] or fax it to (765) 281-7904, Attn: AMA History Program.
Q. What happens to the biographies and histories? Where can I find them?
A. Biographies and histories are added to AMA's website at www.modelaircraft.org/museum/history.aspx. The AMA History Program's physical records are maintained at the National Model Aviation Museum.
Q. Is a biography like an obituary?
A. Our biographies are intended to be ongoing and updated as people accomplish more, but we also keep biographies of those who have died.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
