Modeler Henry Nicholls Dies
Pioneer modeler Henry J. Nicholls has
died at the age of 90.
Henry was a leader in the model-aviation
movement. He developed the first British Radio
Control systems for model aircraft, and he was a
leading model manufacturer and retailer.
Henry was born on September 11, 1909.
He started modeling as a child; he built his
first model in 1919, and launched it on
Parliament Hill in London, England.
He was educated at University College
School, Hampstead, then at University
College, London.
Henry played a major role in combating
German flying bomb attacks on London
during World War II; he brought down
more V1 rockets than anyone else.
In 1948, Henry founded his own
manufacturing company—Mercury Model
Aircraft.
Among other accomplishments, he
became technical secretary of the Society of
Model Aeronautical Engineers in 1947; he
became president of the Federation
Aeronautique Internationale in 1962; and he
was awarded the Royal Aeronautical Club’s
Bronze Medal by the Duke of York in 1990.
Henry was successful in areas other than
modeling. He was a jazz musician, who
played the tenor saxophone, and his band—
the Henry Nicholls Dance Band—won the
All-British Band championship in 1936. He
was also a champion rose grower, a noted
photographer, and an accomplished angler.
Henry is survived by his wife Maureen
and two sons. MA
—Information from an article by Ron
Moulton
Club Rechartering Kits
2001 club rechartering kits will be
mailed out in January.
If your club has had a change of officers,
please notify the Club Secretary (Lois Pierce)
in writing, so that the pack will be mailed to
the correct person. Notification must be in
writing, and can be mailed or sent via E-mail,
to [email protected]. MA
—Colleen Pierce
Membership Supervisor
AMA Convention 2001
See the latest products, and visit with leaders
of the hobby industry at AMA Convention
2001, January 19-21 in Pasadena CA.
AMA members who plan on attending
Convention 2001 can save money and
avoid waiting in line by purchasing
advance tickets. They are $7 for members
and $8 for nonmembers. Tickets bought atthe show are $8 for members and $10 for
nonmembers.
Advance tickets must be purchased by
January 5, 2001. You must be a current AMA
member to qualify for the membership rate.
For more information and an advanceticket
form, send an E-mail message to
[email protected], or contact the
AMA Programs Department at (765) 287-
1256, ext. 271. MA
—Programs Department
Attention AMA Air Show Teams!
The second annual West Coast Air Show
Team meeting is scheduled for Saturday
January 20, 2001. It will be held at the
Sheraton Pasadena Hotel in Pasadena CA, at
1 p.m. in the Cypress Room.
This meeting is open to all AMA airshow
team members.
If you have an item for the agenda,
please let AMA Programs Coordinator April
Hathaway know, or contact Advisory
Committee chair H. Michael Harrington.
Make your travel arrangements early!
If you have any questions, please contact
April Hathaway at (765) 287-1256, ext. 271,
or via E-mail: [email protected]. MA
