162 MODEL AVIATION
THE CURTISS ROBIN FLIES AGAIN:
On June 4, 1935, Fred and Algene Key set
the flight endurance record in a Curtiss
Robin J-1 Deluxe aircraft. Their record
flight was 653 hours and 34 minutes. They
were refueled and received supplies in flight
452 times.
The brothers traveled an estimated 52,320
miles—twice the earth’s circumference.
These men had a true passion for aviation
which is shared by many modelers today.
The full-scale Curtiss Robin, although not
one of the most attractive airplanes, turned
out to be one of the most storied aircraft of
the Golden Era of flight. It was noted for the
strength of its fuselage and large area of the
passenger cabin. It was a very reliable and
rugged aircraft, suitable for flight training and
for carrying passengers and packages.
The airplane that held the previous
endurance record was also a Curtiss Robin
that flew 647 hours and 28 minutes. Another
of its noted achievements was a transatlantic
flight from New York to Ireland.
On September 10, 2005, 70 years after
the Key brothers’ historic flight, Dick Rose
and Shawn Kappner from near Cincinnati,
Ohio, flew a scaled-down version of that
historic duration flight. They flew 653
minutes (10 hours, 53 minutes, 34 seconds)
which was one minute for every hour the
Key brothers flew.
They commemorated the accomplishment
in a model of the J-1 Curtiss Robin that had a
99-inch wingspan. The scale aircraft was
flown with a 38cc motor (roughly the size of
a chainsaw motor) and a 22-inch propeller.
Much custom engineering went into the
model. Unlike the full-scale Curtiss Robin,
there was no in-flight fueling so two onegallon
gas cans were used.
The two pilots took half-hour shifts
which began at 8:05 a.m. and ended at 6:58
p.m. Their first two attempts ended short of
the goal but the third attempt proved to be
the charm!
If you are interested in hearing more about
the project, please E-mail Shawn at
[email protected].
Dick Rose and Shawn Kappner with their
Curtiss Robin.
Keeping cool for the record attempt.
Matt Turowski, an associate vice president
from Pennsylvania, has a new telephone
number and E-mail address. Contact him at
(570) 788-0661 or [email protected]. Matt
has submitted the following information from
his area in northeast Pennsylvania.
“The Wyoming Valley R/C Flyers of
Wyoming, Pennsylvania, held its fifth annual
Wings Full of Wishes Air Show and Car
Cruise. The benefactor of this event was the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of northeast
Pennsylvania.
“The highlight of the show was an Army
National Guard Black Hawk helicopter flown
in from Fort Indiantown Gap. The fundraising
events included a bake sale, face
painting, event T-shirts, and food concessions.
Corporate sponsors included Oscar Smith
Company and Digital Graphics.
“Model demonstrations from the West
End Wings, the Tuscarora RC Club, The
Black Sheep Squadron, and the Wings Over
Williamsport RC Club were enjoyed by the
spectators. The proceeds from the event
totaled $4,000. In the five years the fliers have
raised more than $17,000 for the Make-AWish
Foundation. Congratulations to all those
involved in this great project!”
The kids had their airplanes to fly.
The Black Hawk drew plenty of attention.
Ralph Pennetti provided the following
picture of the Greater Pittsburgh Aero Radio
Control Society (ARCS) display at the Wings
Over Pittsburgh Air Show. Dean Shaffer and
Mark Palmer coordinated the event.
This shows the ARCS’ display
The Black Sheep Squadron recently
sponsored a radio-control model aircraft
display at the Wyoming Valley Mall in
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Bill Jones, Keith Hazleton, John Mudrian, and
Al Arnal staffed the Black Sheep display.
District III
Bob Brown, District III Vice President; [email protected]
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Associate Vice Presidents:
Randy Adams, Fairfield OH;
(513) 858-3154;
[email protected]
Mike Barbee, Delaware OH;
(614) 891-1643
David H. Ellis, Cross Lanes
WV; (304) 776-1408
Nelson Gould, Macungie PA;
(610) 395-9159
Donald Klopp, Myerstown PA;
(717) 866-6469
Dan Luchaco, Sayre PA;
(570) 888-1856;
[email protected]
Leo Rodriguez, New Stanton
PA; (724) 925-0159;
[email protected]
Matthew Turowski, Drums
PA; (570) 788-0661;
[email protected]
Joseph S. Vislay, Maumee OH;
(419) 893-9537;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Ron Morgan, Scotland PA;
(717) 264-7425;
[email protected] D
Volunteers
