AMA Thanks Its Lifetime Supporters
The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed Life Members Adam C. Maloy, Mill Creek WA; Ralph E. Grant, Dardenne Prairie MO; Austin Fang, Woodbury NY; Kelly Scott, Lindale TX; Aaron Snyder, Tyler TX; Sidney Gates, Denver CO; Larry Kruse, Lawton OK; Francis Fanelli, Franklin NJ; Phillip Cooper, Casper WY; Vittorio Grigolo, Nesconset NY; Jeffrey Baldwin, West Des Moines IA; Charles Mason, Peachtree City GA; Anthony Anaya, San Jose CA; James Slaughter, Euless TX; Jacob Shambo, Watertown NY; John Lambert, Midland TX; Larry Yannes, San Francisco CA; Douglas Titilah, Canterbury NH; Paul Pennington, Bismarck ND; and Scott Clifford, Mesa AZ.
For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262.
—AMA Membership Department
2014 AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame
The AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame award recognizes aeromodelers whose outstanding contributions to model aviation throughout the years have improved the sport/hobby and increased its prestige and stature.
The following individuals are the 2014 inductees into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame 2014.
Allen Brickhaus (deceased)
Frank Fanelli, Franklin NJ
Sid Gates, Denver CO
Larry Kruse, Lawton OK
Jim Rice, San Antonio TX
Aaron Snyder, Tyler TX
Steve Wooley (deceased)
Are you considering nominating an individual for the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame? To do so this year, your submission must be postmarked by March 31, 2015. You can download the application for nomination at www.modelaircraft.org/files/152.pdf.
Frederick Model Aircraft Club Celebrates 75 Years
The Frederick Model Aircraft Club (FMAC) in Frederick, Maryland, celebrates 75 years of supporting and promoting the hobby. The club is the oldest known model airplane club in Maryland and one of the oldest in the US.
Originally named the Frederick Gas Model Club, it was formed December 1, 1939, at the home of William H. Weaver. Others present included Thomas Nee, Jack Kennedy, Merhl Stull, Walter Elker, Buck Shaffel, Bill Tidmore, Francis Stride, Charles Gartner, Dick Phebus, Berrard Grove, Harry Lease, Bob Perry, Lilburn Waters, and Robert Hankey.
The group held its first club contest on July 17, 1940, at the Frederick Airport. The club went on to sponsor the Mid-Atlantic Championship Model Aircraft meets held at the same location from 1957 through 1968. These meets included Free Flight, Control Line, and RC Aerobatics competitions with 150-200 contestants and as many as 2,500 spectators.
Then club president, John E. Patton, was a key organizer of the events and later became the 17th AMA president. Maynard Hill, a pioneer in unmanned and model aircraft, was an FMAC member until his death in 2011.
The club is known for its support of and participation in the hobby. Locally, the FMAC provides demonstrations and educational displays for public schools, churches, and other clubs. It is a supporter the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association youth programs and been a longtime participant in local town parades.
For more information or history, visit the FMAC website at www.frederickmodelaircraftclub.org.
Dewey Broberg
March 3, 1934-January 12, 2015
The aeromodeling community lost a leading innovator on January 12, 2015. Dewey Broberg, the creative mind behind Du-Bro Products, began his company with one single product in 1959. After more than 50 years in the industry, Du-Bro’s inventory grew to include more than 1,200 items, most of which continue to be used by modelers today.
Dewey was born in New York, and moved with his family to Chicago when he was young. Control Line aeromodeling was thriving in the Chicago area in the 1950s and Dewey’s interest was sparked. He began modeling when he was six years old and quickly became involved in several local clubs.
In those days, glow engines were started with lantern batteries attached to the engine with two alligator clips. Dewey modified a plastic clothespin to simplify the connection, and the Kwik-Klip was born. This became the staple innovation produced under the Du-Bro name.
Dewey’s enterprise and ingenuity grew from there. His business soon included all facets of modeling. He added vacuum-formed scale bodies for stock cars to his inventory, which influenced the production of ARFs in the 1960s.
Du-Bro produced the first RC helicopter kit in the US after hiring David Gray in 1972. Known as the Whirlybird, the aircraft is represented in the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Indiana.
His innovations flowed into other areas as well. Dewey started an expanded line of fishing accessories, the Pro Series, in 1982, followed by Pine Ridge archery products in 1997. Other products, including a golf club washer and birdhouses, were either adapted or developed for other uses including robotics, missiles, and even Jim Henson’s Muppets.
Dewey was one of the founders of the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association in the early 1980s and the trade show, now known as iHobby Expo, is held annually in Chicago.
Dewey retired in 1997 and sold DuBro to his children, Jim, Kathy, and Gayle. Although his family took over the day-to-day operations, Dewey was never far removed, offering new ideas and solutions to problems. Today, Du-Bro Products remains a family-run organization. Dewey is greatly missed, but his children continue his legacy, emphasizing leading-edge development and quality products.
Leonard Anthony Ball Estate Sale
An estate sale was held in memory of Leonard Anthony Ball (1959-2014) at AMA Expo 2015 in January. Leonard’s family donated his aeromodeling collection to ensure that his love of model aviation would live on through the lives of others. The sale raised $6,000 for the AMA Foundation’s Endowment Fund.
Leonard was born and raised near San Jose, California. He was an accomplished machinist, welder, and mechanic. Leonard loved to build, drive, fly, and “fix things that go,” including vintage Porches, motorcycles, and airplanes.
Leonard and his wife, Nina, moved to Siskiyou County, California, with their three dogs. Len was actively involved in his community. He was an executive board member for the Sonoma County Fourth of July celebration for seven years, and a member of the NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue Organization. Len was also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Read more about the sale by visiting http://amafoundation.modelaircraft.org/blog.
If you are interested in donating your collection or learning more about planned giving opportunities, please contact Director of Development Mandee Mikulski at [email protected] or call (765) 287-1256, extension 277.
Walt Billett Loving Cup
Have you seen the trophy in the National Model Aviation Museum that looks as though it’s a hodgepodge of metal pots and pans? It’s nearly 31/2 feet tall, and hard to miss. Have you ever wondered what it was?
For years, Bill Effinger, founder and past president of Berkeley Models, gave diamond necktie pins, tie-clasps, and Swiss chronometers to AMA members who had made outstanding contributions to AMA. These were presented during the award ceremonies at the end of the Nats in the 1940s.
Hobby shop owner and AMA advocate, Walt Billett, wanted to recognize this kindness. He created an award to present to Bill, and then to pass around to hobby industry members who helped cultivate and improve model aviation. It was made from salvaged pieces of metal including trash cans, a watering can, ducting, and a large washtub. Recipients’ names were painted on bread pans, which were then hooked to the handles of the trophy.
The award could not be presented to Bill in 1950 as Walt wanted, so it was instead given to Cal Calrow for his untiring help and devotion to the cause of model airplane activities.
Bill Effinger finally received the award on February 5, 1952, at the Model Industry Association’s Annual Smoker, held in Chicago. Tradition asked for the current trophy winner to award the trophy to the next person who, in the holder’s estimation, has achieved an outstanding record for the model airplane industry. Awardees received the trophy and an elaborate paper certificate.
The trophy was awarded at various events, first informally, and then at the Hobby Industry Association of America awards breakfast, at Flying Eight Ball club dinners, and more. Inductees began to receive free memberships in the Flying Eight Ball Club along with the trophy.
As the trophy grew, traveling with it became difficult. A miniaturized version of it was created in 1985, contained in a wheeled box. Brass nameplates were added to the doors of the container for the continued list of recipients. The Model Aviation Division of the Hobby Industry of American paid for refurbishing. This trophy was named the Walt Billet Loving Cup—Flying Eight Ball Trophy and was to be awarded for outstanding service and contribution to the field of model aviation.
Although we have the larger trophy in the museum, we do not know what happened to this second, smaller one. Do you know where it is? If so, give us a call. The museum wants to track it down.
The following is a list of known recipients of the Walt Billet Loving Cup/Flying Eight Ball Trophies. We think there are names missing from the list. If you know of others not on the roster, please contact us.
Cal Calrow 1950
Bill Effinger 1952
Ted Cloduis 1952
George Gardner 1953
Russ Nichols 1955
Matty Sullivan 1955
“Pop” Roberts 1955
John Brodbeck 1956
Al Lewis 1956
Art Hasselbach 1956
Al G. Davis 1958
Bob Reder 1959
Nat Polk 1960
Frank Smith 1960
Jay Cleveland 1961
Carl Goldberg 1961
Richard Palmer 1962
Jack Besser 1962
Eddy Manulkin 1963
Frank Ehling 1963
Robert Dunham 1964
Cdr. Paul Boyer 1964
Art Laneau 1965
Johnny Clemens 1965
Mike Schlesinger 1966
John Worth 1966
Dave Mallory 1967
Cdr. Hollenbach 1967
Prem Gary 1968
Cdr. Dick Grey 1968
Cdr. Mac Bailey 1968
Lee Blyler 1968
Capt. Joe Katz 1969
Bob Vier 1970
Frank Garcher 1971
Henry Blankfort 1972
Harold Carstens 1973
Ernest Petit 1974
Bernie Paul 1975
Walt Schroder 1976
Roy Gelber 1977
Bill Bennett 1978
Phil Kraft 1978
Bernie Cohen 1982
Bob Aberle 1983
William R. Selzer 1986
Irwin Polk 1986
Look for more about the Flying Eight-Ball Club in an upcoming issue of Model Aviation.
—National Model Aviation Museum staff
