James Alaback 1925-2009
Early interest and influences
James Alaback, modeler, writer, pioneer, and model club organizer, passed away on April 1, 2009. He was 83 years old.
James’ first knowledge of model airplanes came between 1931 and 1932. On his way home from school, he stopped at a classmate’s house and saw his friend’s older brother building a solid-wood scale model. James was enthralled and quickly found out where to get his own model kits.
In his AMA History Program autobiography, James wrote, “That was the beginning of a hobby that has been my constant companion for all the intervening years to the present day. It has provided me with education, a life objective, continuing challenge, many satisfactions, and even provided solace in life’s occasionally difficult times.”
He credited model magazines with promoting and sustaining his interest in modeling. In 1934 he discovered Model Airplane News and Flying Aces, and he particularly liked Flying Aces (now Flying Models) for its plans and simple, flyable designs. He also enjoyed books such as Edwin T. Hamilton’s Complete Model Aircraft Manual and Charles H. Grant’s Model Airplane Design and the Theory of Flight.
Clubs and early activities
In 1936, at only 11 years of age, James formed the Hawthorne Model Airplane Club at the junior high school in Elmhurst, Illinois. In the spring of 1937 the Hawthorne Club held its first contest for solid scale models, judged by the school’s science teacher; James won the contest. The following year the club added flying events for rubber-powered models, and James again won events flying a Curtiss Robin and a Flying Aces Moth.
Throughout the years James dabbled in many facets of model aviation, moving from solid-wood static models to free flight (FF) and gas-powered aircraft. He tried radio control (RC) but preferred gas and sport rubber models.
Military service and education
James entered the United States Navy in 1944, served in Naval Air Intelligence, and was released from active duty in 1946. He returned to Purdue University, where he had completed his junior year before entering the service, and received his degree in mechanical engineering in 1947.
Clubs, leadership, and contests
In 1957 James started the Twin Cities Whirlwinds in Benton Harbor–St. Joseph, Michigan; the club is still active as the Southwestern Michigan Whirlwinds. After retiring to San Diego, he was an active member of SAM 41, the San Diego Aeroneers, serving nearly continuously as president, secretary, or newsletter editor from 1986 until his death.
Competition highlights:
- Second place, 1984 Jimmie Allen.
- First place, 1988 and 1995 San Diego Orbiteers’ Jimmie Allen Air Races.
- Grand champion, 1991 San Diego Aeroneers Annual Invitational.
- Numerous monthly contest wins and annual club high-point trophies with the Aeroneers, Orbiteers, and Scale Scaffel clubs.
Publications and museum work
James published many plans and articles in publications including Flying Aces, Engine Collector’s Journal, Model Aviation, Stick & Tissue Vol. 2, Flying Models, and others.
Since 1986 he served as a consultant on the History of Model Aviation for the San Diego Aerospace Museum, helping plan and execute the museum’s collection representing the history of model aviation from 200 BC to the present. In his 1996 autobiography he wrote, “Although time consuming, this has been a most rewarding and educational experience.”
James Alaback accomplished an impressive amount throughout his life. He will be greatly missed. To learn more, visit the AMA History Program at www.modelaircraft.org/museum/history.aspx.
Benjamin E. Shereshaw 1913-2009
Early life and education
Ben (Benjamin E.) Shereshaw was born on March 23, 1913, in the Bronx, New York City. At age 13 a sighting in Central Park got him hooked on model airplanes. Throughout high school he read about, studied, and built model airplanes, and after graduation he entered the Guggenheim School of Aeronautical Engineering.
Design work and engines
After completing his schooling, Ben began designing gas models. From 1937 to 1940 he was credited with more than 20 different gas model designs; some plans were sold to Flying Aces and other magazines. Four of his designs were kitted by the Scientific Model Company.
His first model design, the Speedster, was kitted by Loutrel and was the first design to be produced in kit form in the U.S. Another original design, the 1940 RC-1 (twin-boom), became the first RC kit to hit the market.
In early 1938 Ben emerged from his basement workshop carrying his all-new Bantam .16 engine prototype. Production of the Bantam .16 began in late 1938. He went on to develop the Bantam .19, the Twin (3.25-cubic-inch), the .60, and a 2.6 in 1939 that never went into production.
Competitions and recognition
At the 11th annual National Championships in 1939, Ben won the newly formed Class A event flying his Bantam .19 engine. The Bantam .19 continued its success at the 1940 NATS Senior Class A, taking first, second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, and 10th places.
Ben was inducted into multiple halls of fame:
- AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame and the National Free Flight Society, 1980.
- Society of Antique Modelers Hall of Fame, 1990.
- Kit and Plans Antiquities Hall of Fame, 2000.
His son Jon recalled the hospitality of the SAMs members at the 2001 SAMs Champs and that it “brought tears to his eyes to see as many as 60 Scientific Mercurys on the flightline in Nevada that year.”
Ben Shereshaw was a true pioneer of the model airplane industry. This summary highlights only part of his many accomplishments. To learn more, visit his biography in the AMA History Program at www.modelaircraft.org/museum/history.aspx.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
