156 MODEL AVIATION
I REGRET to report that Associate Vice
President John Stare of Middleton, Deleware,
is resigning after roughly eight years of
excellent service to the hobby/sport and
AMA. Many thanks John, for all your hard
work and efforts. When you see him, thank
him and give a well-deserved pat on the back.
John has recommended his successor,
John Kirchstein. After talking to John
Kirchstein and having met him several years
earlier, I agree. Thanks for accepting the
challenge, John.
Now a little about John Kirchstein in his
own words.
“When I was about 10 years old, my
father helped me build a Comet Model of a
TG-2 glider. From that time until I left home
for college, I spent many an hour in the attic
of our house, building stick-and-tissue and
eventually glow-powered airplanes. My twin
and I used money we earned from picking
Connecticut Shade-Grown tobacco to buy our
first radio-control unit in approximately 1954.
“Success was an elusive thing, but we
tried hard. College and career intervened until
the mid-1960s when, while working at a salt
mine in Cleveland, I got my first proportional
radio: a Kraft Single Stick with the metalcased
servos that had a slide-wire
potentiometer.
“I learned to fly on my own by building
multiple copies of the same craft and
replacing anything that broke in the field.
I’ve been involved in RC modeling ever
since at one level or another. I’m not a great
builder or flier, but I enjoy the activity and
the interesting characters that are drawn to
this pastime.
“I helped found a Sailplane club (SKSS)
and have been an officer and/or newsletter
editor in two clubs over the past 15 years.”
All of the Delaware people, please
welcome the new John and make him feel at
home in his new endeavor. His contact
information is 106 De Walt Rd., Newark DE
19711; (302) 731-2813; E-mail:
[email protected].
The DCRC club had another great fly-in
September 9-11 at the Flying Circus site in
Bealeton, Virginia. As usual, the weather was
great. All who attended had an excellent time.
This year was especially memorable
because we had the most recent District IV
Model Aviation Hall of Fame member
present, Don Srull. Don brought several
airplanes to fly, but the one most seemed to
be interested in was an 80-inch wingspan
B.E.2e that was originally designed for glow
power and converted to electric by Don.
Part of the flightline of Cubs and Stearmans.
Bill Lepley and his Nieuport.
Rod Jaeger’s B-25.
Bob Klenke’s 1/3-scale Sopwith Pup.
Fred Nielsen’s Stinson Model O.
At the noon break I was honored to award
Don the Hall of Fame plaque and was assisted
by one of his good friends, John Hunton.
Several other friends contributed to the
ceremony making comments about Don’s
accomplishments and dedication to the hobby.
He even gave one of his prize airplanes to a
youngster to help him get started in model
aviation. This award could not have been
given to a more deserving person.
After the presentation, Don was permitted
to be the first in the air with his B.E.2e. Many
thanks to CD Jim McDaniel who allowed this
break-in flying to honor Don Srull, District
IV’s latest inductee to the Model Aviation
Hall of Fame.
New Hall of Fame member Don Srull and his
B.E.2e.
Bliss Teague (L) presented Don with gifts
including an AMA hat and District IV patch.
Don’s other model.
Don Srull displays his award with Bliss Teague
(L) and Don’s friend John Hunton.
Saturday night, many attended the usual
“feed fest” and prizes were awarded. Among
them were rides for three people in full-scale
airplanes courtesy the Bealeton Flying
Circus. Robert Donohue from Hampstead,
Maryland, won the JR 9303 radio raffle.
Thanks to Jim McDaniel, Andy Kane, and
all the DCRC members for a fine event.
District IV
Bliss Teague, District IV Vice President; [email protected]
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
For a listing of all District IV
volunteers, please see last
month’s column or visit the
district Web site at
www.amadistrictiv.org/ IV
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/03
Page Numbers: 156