Bill Winter: Simply the Best

Simply Best Randall Trumbull & Jim Haught Friends remember man life work touched others Ive always known grandfather important man hut until now never knew full meaning Vincent Winter William J Bill Winter Americas preeminent model aviation writer editor designer publisher died December 12 1998 leaves behind enormous collection published work seemingly limitless supply friends admirers few knew true aeromodeling legend have expressed feelings about remarkable man John ilunton Winters collaborator projects recent years Bill discussed complete satisfaction what accomplished life through model aviation truly respected men field wrote Hunton Hunton later spoke modeling articles parthular interest RC Special appeared 10 Model Aviation lJJ L L S Bill Winter September 1980 Model Aviation project defined future writing collaborations said low-key said Hunton did everythingthen changed Winter insistent fact would put text words lead articles being some popular industry emotion artist behind kind technical side said Hunton Bill Evans another collaborator spoke happy have known Winter have fortunate enough spend time Bill over past 10 years said Evans has given much model aviation . just immeasurable amount Evans also told Winter intrigued new designs Evans said someone told Winter something couldnt done hed say Lets go try highlight working Bill Carl Wheeley Winter wrote nearly 300 articles 20 books aviation modeling topicsall typed manual typewriter picking letter singly using two fingers according John Hunton Bill Winter Model Aviation Openers 1/78-8/80 Just Fun 10/80-12/86 RC Special w/John Hunton 9/80 Le Crate 7/84 Conversion Glow Electric 9/85 Spoilers RC Power 2/86 Lanzos RC-1 12/86 Simitar Slow Motion w/Bill Evans 1/87 Heron 3/87 RC Special & Now w/John Hunton 3/90 47/88 RC Special w/John Hunton 4/90 Krackerjac Mk II w/John Hunton 11/90 Akro Bat Jr w/John Hunton 4/91 Jumpin Geo w/John Hunton 11/91 Lite Bipe w/John Hunton 8/92 Aria w/John Hunton 9/92 Aria Long Wing w/John Hunton 3/93 Raptor w/John Hunton 4/94 Flicker w/John Hunton 6/95 QED w/John Hunton 3/96 Soft Touch w/John Hunton 7/96 Goblin w/John Hunton 7/97 Osprey w/ John Hunton 4/98 Ascender w/John Hunton 7/98 Jackpot w/John Hunton 10/98 Duster w/John Hunton 3/99 Article reprints available AMA Library May1999 11 Megow Wag first kitted Winter design circa 1944 John Hunton L Norm Rosenstock C Bill Winter Lightning Bug designed TD 010 early 1960s annual Winterfest flying-and-stories sessions Steve Kaluf AMA Technical Director shared hours flying Winter Steves father Bill Fredericksburg VA flying site Bill didnt like travel Dad would often pick him up bring him Fredericksburg said Winter also responsible Steves entry modeling industry wrote first letter recommendation years ago well applied AMA Kaluf said just Joe Pilot point letter made difference Carl Wheeley publisher Model Aviation Winter editor said working him very special very friendly relationship said Wheeley am trying think highlight . look back think highlight working Bill Although staff member modeling publications during career see list Winter particular fondness first place employment Air Trails life wrote 1996 epitome typical aeromodeler Dave Brown Academy Model Aeronautics president described Winter thoroughly enjoyed modeling really came through writing showed up well said Brown believe helped modelers understand him better gentle creative lovable man enriched life encouragement help friendship especially exampleDon Srull John Worth AMAs Executive Director Winter editor Model Aviation go back 1939 just kid first time met him Wakefield World Championships New Jersey [where Winter timer Dick Kordas famous 43-minute flight] flew models together times After retired chance have friendship business relationship have several models built lot airplanes would fly go something new would often give previous model say have some fun now airplanes always flew well designs appealed masses said Kaluf Yet unique purpose-built never designed model marketed Yet number Bill Winters models still kitted number Winter/Hunton collaborations among best-selling MA plans Joyce Hager longtime AMA employee current Executive Director remembered Winter different wayshe saw intellectual side Whenever spoke phone said Hager just deep would use such deep words wit would almost exhausted after speaking him typical him deep said Worth thought deeply everything always wrote things right off top head Bill would write rewrite until perfect made word important very seldom just talked off top head would think about something did decide say something would turn out very significant Hager also remembered lighter side remember would smoking pipe forgetting about conversation stick pocket burn hole pants Norm Rosenstock also touched intellectual side Winter passage book Tales Ancient Modeler Bill stood early morning light wearing sleeveless sweater against chill snap-brim gray hat familiar trademark days stood like stone statue Both hands hanging sides fists clenched face grim tense study concentration Mere words cant describe man call him visionary enough call him legend own time enough friend . brother Rosenstock Hunton prime forces behind Winterfest Winter AT WORK 12 Model Aviation ific designer builder writer editor publisher field model aeronautics John Worth annual gathering Bills friends Huntons Virginia flying field As Rosenstock relates Friend Bill Bill decided event should held first weekend October Bills intuition about weather perfect four Winterfests 1995-98 better last Bill quite sick 98 seemed fl lvi wu tern Mark Winter produced volumes about father copies $20 Mark 15340 Two Rivers Tr Lanexa VA 23089 Graphic Design Carla Kunz Bill Winters Street Smith Air Trails Model shop editor 1937 Associate editor 1937-43 Editor 1943-46 Air Trails Model Annual Editor 1944-46 Air Progress Managing editor 1942-43 Air Progress Air Trails Annual Associate editor 1939-42 Air Age Inc Model Airplane News Editor 1950-60 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company Flying Production director 1960-6 1 Publishing Career Potomac Aviation Publications Inc American Aircraft Modeler Editor publisher 1966-7 1 Junior American Modeler Editor publisher 197 1-74 Sport Modeler Editor publisher 1974-75 National Aeronautics Association National Aeronautics Editor 1973-74 Academy Model Aeronautics Model Aviation Editor 1961-62 1976-80 May1999 13 Radio RIC Inc Grid Leaks Editor 1962-66 come back year renewed invigorated started out life great person said Rosenstock cant go higher neat just watch him work said Kaluf let tell you got conversation him better pay attention truly remarkable man Bill Evans thing remember about him was always [working on] several airplanes said Don Srull always did believe kept him young years Another thing did really inspired younger guys . know wasnt feeling well later years trouble building quite tired used what referred Purple Plan No matter little activity would thing model airplane just gluing rib cutting notch would always say gotta stick Purple Plan always amazed would visit him maybe once week once two weeks got there always brand-new large RC aircraft sitting came believe Purple Plan wasnt bad idea used take him out Free Flight field Its conilsat antenna range Its big open field Beautiful open rolling grass site Its far Dulles [Airport] would often see aircraft Bill named field Shangri-la what called around now Bill first moved [to Virignia] experimenting Electric RC models became fascinated convinced would become big someday because its peaceful Thats Bill loved fly liked get model very high search thermals would lie backs grass sit lawn chairs Winters intuition about modeling impressed friends no such thing progress dont know came wrote 1998 letter Bill Hannan Progress begins remembering rememberings others gone forgotten very innovative very forward-seeing person said Srull philosophical great intuition about modeling would go really brilliant mind predicted lot what going today uncanny ability assimilate information make understandable said Kaluf No else modeling history has Bill Winters eye big picture wrote Dave Thornburg Speak Model Airplane retired regular writing hobby lost irreplaceable voice feel though have lost mentor said Kaluf such impact Its sad wont see new writing designs Bills Theres day goes dont think him Mark Vincent Winter created Bill Winter Web site http//membersxoomcom/wjwinter/ has overview Bills life well sections articles books kits Thanks friends business associates relatives Bill Winter gave freely time photographs research materials article Editors note Perhaps greatest measures Bill Winters passing almost overwhelming sense void has created Virtually us associated Bill fashion can feel absence keenly contact Bill through occasional letters 14 Model Aviation erfest held John Huntons property early October 1998 group shown Bernie Stuecker photo phone calls during time MA staff although true giant model publishing rookie comparison tone communication never condescending freely shared thoughts ideas manner free pretense single word praise Excellent wrote card accepting Candle Bill Winter continues live through designs shared wisdom~ John Hunton Wind first published design 1975 ranks among proudest moments Wow wrote something Bill Winter liked thought Bills physical health began decline mind remained sharp ever perspective model publishing unmatched advice sound reasoning unflawed due respect other editors publishers modeling lets kid ourselves Bill still us would better work rest us put together cannot replaced emulated body work fortunate have stands alone best Jim Haught 14iffiamjJ 14inter 1912-1998 William J Winter born Teaneck New Jersey lived life Long Island New York before moving northern Virginia 1966 head Potomac Aviation Publications Washington DC wrote 250 articles edited wrote 20 books aviation history technology sport flying model airplane construction electronics designed built 400 flying models licensed full-scale pilot flew 20 light aircraft often reviewing publication inducted halls fame AMA Kits Plans Antiquitous National Free Flight Society Society Antique Modelers Vintage Radio Control Society wife 61 years Alice Sylvia Dixon died 1994 survived six sons William Winter Robert J Winter Walter D Winter Stephen P Winter Michael J Winter Mark K Winter three daughters Rosemary McCoy Alice S Ritchie Jane V Palenski 31 grandchildren 22 great-grandchildren Winter Field Rixeyville Virginia gentle breeze west Ccii g upsiope liftthe best uw May1999 15

Simply Best Randall Trumbull & Jim Haught Friends remember man life work touched others Ive always known grandfather important man hut until now never knew full meaning Vincent Winter William J Bill Winter Americas preeminent model aviation writer editor designer publisher died December 12 1998 leaves behind enormous collection published work seemingly limitless supply friends admirers few knew true aeromodeling legend have expressed feelings about remarkable man John ilunton Winters collaborator projects recent years Bill discussed complete satisfaction what accomplished life through model aviation truly respected men field wrote Hunton Hunton later spoke modeling articles parthular interest RC Special appeared 10 Model Aviation lJJ L L S Bill Winter September 1980 Model Aviation project defined future writing collaborations said low-key said Hunton did everythingthen changed Winter insistent fact would put text words lead articles being some popular industry emotion artist behind kind technical side said Hunton Bill Evans another collaborator spoke happy have known Winter have fortunate enough spend time Bill over past 10 years said Evans has given much model aviation . just immeasurable amount Evans also told Winter intrigued new designs Evans said someone told Winter something couldnt done hed say Lets go try highlight working Bill Carl Wheeley Winter wrote nearly 300 articles 20 books aviation modeling topicsall typed manual typewriter picking letter singly using two fingers according John Hunton Bill Winter Model Aviation Openers 1/78-8/80 Just Fun 10/80-12/86 RC Special w/John Hunton 9/80 Le Crate 7/84 Conversion Glow Electric 9/85 Spoilers RC Power 2/86 Lanzos RC-1 12/86 Simitar Slow Motion w/Bill Evans 1/87 Heron 3/87 RC Special & Now w/John Hunton 3/90 47/88 RC Special w/John Hunton 4/90 Krackerjac Mk II w/John Hunton 11/90 Akro Bat Jr w/John Hunton 4/91 Jumpin Geo w/John Hunton 11/91 Lite Bipe w/John Hunton 8/92 Aria w/John Hunton 9/92 Aria Long Wing w/John Hunton 3/93 Raptor w/John Hunton 4/94 Flicker w/John Hunton 6/95 QED w/John Hunton 3/96 Soft Touch w/John Hunton 7/96 Goblin w/John Hunton 7/97 Osprey w/ John Hunton 4/98 Ascender w/John Hunton 7/98 Jackpot w/John Hunton 10/98 Duster w/John Hunton 3/99 Article reprints available AMA Library May1999 11 Megow Wag first kitted Winter design circa 1944 John Hunton L Norm Rosenstock C Bill Winter Lightning Bug designed TD 010 early 1960s annual Winterfest flying-and-stories sessions Steve Kaluf AMA Technical Director shared hours flying Winter Steves father Bill Fredericksburg VA flying site Bill didnt like travel Dad would often pick him up bring him Fredericksburg said Winter also responsible Steves entry modeling industry wrote first letter recommendation years ago well applied AMA Kaluf said just Joe Pilot point letter made difference Carl Wheeley publisher Model Aviation Winter editor said working him very special very friendly relationship said Wheeley am trying think highlight . look back think highlight working Bill Although staff member modeling publications during career see list Winter particular fondness first place employment Air Trails life wrote 1996 epitome typical aeromodeler Dave Brown Academy Model Aeronautics president described Winter thoroughly enjoyed modeling really came through writing showed up well said Brown believe helped modelers understand him better gentle creative lovable man enriched life encouragement help friendship especially exampleDon Srull John Worth AMAs Executive Director Winter editor Model Aviation go back 1939 just kid first time met him Wakefield World Championships New Jersey [where Winter timer Dick Kordas famous 43-minute flight] flew models together times After retired chance have friendship business relationship have several models built lot airplanes would fly go something new would often give previous model say have some fun now airplanes always flew well designs appealed masses said Kaluf Yet unique purpose-built never designed model marketed Yet number Bill Winters models still kitted number Winter/Hunton collaborations among best-selling MA plans Joyce Hager longtime AMA employee current Executive Director remembered Winter different wayshe saw intellectual side Whenever spoke phone said Hager just deep would use such deep words wit would almost exhausted after speaking him typical him deep said Worth thought deeply everything always wrote things right off top head Bill would write rewrite until perfect made word important very seldom just talked off top head would think about something did decide say something would turn out very significant Hager also remembered lighter side remember would smoking pipe forgetting about conversation stick pocket burn hole pants Norm Rosenstock also touched intellectual side Winter passage book Tales Ancient Modeler Bill stood early morning light wearing sleeveless sweater against chill snap-brim gray hat familiar trademark days stood like stone statue Both hands hanging sides fists clenched face grim tense study concentration Mere words cant describe man call him visionary enough call him legend own time enough friend . brother Rosenstock Hunton prime forces behind Winterfest Winter AT WORK 12 Model Aviation ific designer builder writer editor publisher field model aeronautics John Worth annual gathering Bills friends Huntons Virginia flying field As Rosenstock relates Friend Bill Bill decided event should held first weekend October Bills intuition about weather perfect four Winterfests 1995-98 better last Bill quite sick 98 seemed fl lvi wu tern Mark Winter produced volumes about father copies $20 Mark 15340 Two Rivers Tr Lanexa VA 23089 Graphic Design Carla Kunz Bill Winters Street Smith Air Trails Model shop editor 1937 Associate editor 1937-43 Editor 1943-46 Air Trails Model Annual Editor 1944-46 Air Progress Managing editor 1942-43 Air Progress Air Trails Annual Associate editor 1939-42 Air Age Inc Model Airplane News Editor 1950-60 Ziff-Davis Publishing Company Flying Production director 1960-6 1 Publishing Career Potomac Aviation Publications Inc American Aircraft Modeler Editor publisher 1966-7 1 Junior American Modeler Editor publisher 197 1-74 Sport Modeler Editor publisher 1974-75 National Aeronautics Association National Aeronautics Editor 1973-74 Academy Model Aeronautics Model Aviation Editor 1961-62 1976-80 May1999 13 Radio RIC Inc Grid Leaks Editor 1962-66 come back year renewed invigorated started out life great person said Rosenstock cant go higher neat just watch him work said Kaluf let tell you got conversation him better pay attention truly remarkable man Bill Evans thing remember about him was always [working on] several airplanes said Don Srull always did believe kept him young years Another thing did really inspired younger guys . know wasnt feeling well later years trouble building quite tired used what referred Purple Plan No matter little activity would thing model airplane just gluing rib cutting notch would always say gotta stick Purple Plan always amazed would visit him maybe once week once two weeks got there always brand-new large RC aircraft sitting came believe Purple Plan wasnt bad idea used take him out Free Flight field Its conilsat antenna range Its big open field Beautiful open rolling grass site Its far Dulles [Airport] would often see aircraft Bill named field Shangri-la what called around now Bill first moved [to Virignia] experimenting Electric RC models became fascinated convinced would become big someday because its peaceful Thats Bill loved fly liked get model very high search thermals would lie backs grass sit lawn chairs Winters intuition about modeling impressed friends no such thing progress dont know came wrote 1998 letter Bill Hannan Progress begins remembering rememberings others gone forgotten very innovative very forward-seeing person said Srull philosophical great intuition about modeling would go really brilliant mind predicted lot what going today uncanny ability assimilate information make understandable said Kaluf No else modeling history has Bill Winters eye big picture wrote Dave Thornburg Speak Model Airplane retired regular writing hobby lost irreplaceable voice feel though have lost mentor said Kaluf such impact Its sad wont see new writing designs Bills Theres day goes dont think him Mark Vincent Winter created Bill Winter Web site http//membersxoomcom/wjwinter/ has overview Bills life well sections articles books kits Thanks friends business associates relatives Bill Winter gave freely time photographs research materials article Editors note Perhaps greatest measures Bill Winters passing almost overwhelming sense void has created Virtually us associated Bill fashion can feel absence keenly contact Bill through occasional letters 14 Model Aviation erfest held John Huntons property early October 1998 group shown Bernie Stuecker photo phone calls during time MA staff although true giant model publishing rookie comparison tone communication never condescending freely shared thoughts ideas manner free pretense single word praise Excellent wrote card accepting Candle Bill Winter continues live through designs shared wisdom~ John Hunton Wind first published design 1975 ranks among proudest moments Wow wrote something Bill Winter liked thought Bills physical health began decline mind remained sharp ever perspective model publishing unmatched advice sound reasoning unflawed due respect other editors publishers modeling lets kid ourselves Bill still us would better work rest us put together cannot replaced emulated body work fortunate have stands alone best Jim Haught 14iffiamjJ 14inter 1912-1998 William J Winter born Teaneck New Jersey lived life Long Island New York before moving northern Virginia 1966 head Potomac Aviation Publications Washington DC wrote 250 articles edited wrote 20 books aviation history technology sport flying model airplane construction electronics designed built 400 flying models licensed full-scale pilot flew 20 light aircraft often reviewing publication inducted halls fame AMA Kits Plans Antiquitous National Free Flight Society Society Antique Modelers Vintage Radio Control Society wife 61 years Alice Sylvia Dixon died 1994 survived six sons William Winter Robert J Winter Walter D Winter Stephen P Winter Michael J Winter Mark K Winter three daughters Rosemary McCoy Alice S Ritchie Jane V Palenski 31 grandchildren 22 great-grandchildren Winter Field Rixeyville Virginia gentle breeze west Ccii g upsiope liftthe best uw May1999 15