Letters to the Editor
5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
VSC Correction
Great coverage on the past VSC [in the September 2002 issue]! One correction on my photo [in the lower left-hand corner of page 57]. The Drone powered model is not a Hot Rock by Shulman but is a Defender by his departed flying buddy, Fran McElwee.
The color scheme is correct according to Leon, as are the 2½-inch Heli-Arc wheels and the original Drone prop. Flies great but needs a younger driver. Excellent tribute to my longtime friend Big George Aldrich; we really miss him.
Charlie Bruce Kerrville, Texas
One Piece or Two?
In the August 2002 letters column, William H. Foth writes, "... the [Stinson] SR-9 was the only airplane in the SR series that was built with a curved, one-piece windshield. The divider in the windshield of a scale SR-9 is the first thing you see, and it's wrong."
The SR-9's windshield was indeed curved, but it was not one piece. It was formed in two pieces, joined at the center by a frame member. Fifteen minutes of Web browsing brought up a half-dozen photos of full-scale SR-9s that clearly show this divider.
Three-view drawings of the SR-9, notably the ones by William Wylam, also show this centerline frame member, plus two structural struts that are easily seen behind the windshield. So the SR-9's windshield did not provide an unbroken panoramic view, and the model that does not show these details is the one that's wrong.
Mr. Foth also says, "Starting with the Reliant SR-6 straight-wing and the SR-7 through SR-10 (or V77 military) gull-wings were mostly built with angular, multi-piece windshields." I wonder why he left out the SR and SR-5 Reliants, both of which also had multipiece windshields.
Don Tyndol Warwick, New York
Shared Perspectives
I enjoyed Dave Villwock's perspective and comments in the Radio Control Aerobatics section of the September issue [on page 100]. In a sense I've had similar "stressful and violent" professional experiences, but in my case on three space shuttle missions as an astronaut and many years as an Air Force fighter pilot and test pilot.
But I had to grin because, unlike Dave, for me the first flight of any new RC project is really more nerve-racking than any of the truly dangerous professional experiences I've had, including sitting on top of 2½ million pounds of propellant during a space shuttle launch!
Maybe it's the combination of having to pay for my RC airplanes myself and the time involved if a rebuild due to a crash is required, which gives me more concern than when my life is on the line. Or maybe I took to heart the advice of one of my Air Force instructor pilots two decades ago: "It's no use dying all tensed up!"
In any event, I've found that in model aviation, just as in tactical aviation or human spaceflight, the best confidence builders for first flights or learning new maneuvers are overpreparing, quadruple checking your equipment, and plenty of "hangar flying."
Rick Seafoss Tehachapi, California
Improve the Flow
Model Aviation has been coming to me every month for many years now, and when it comes, I take a few minutes to read my favorite articles. After Micromehanys, I read the President's Perspective, View from HQ, Focus on Competition, and Safety Comes First—not necessarily in that order, but as I can locate them. This first reading of the month gets me in the mood for all the other good articles in this good magazine.
The September 2002 issue of Gary Shaw's "Safety Comes First" prompted me to address the keyboard, and ask the HQ officers and staff to consider Gary's comments about informing the world of our accidents in hopes of spreading more safety for all of us.
Our colleagues in full-scale aviation publish their information. The accounts of accidents are made by the National Transportation Safety Board in the hopes that future accidents can be prevented. Please visit the government "Accident Synopses" -- by month at www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/Month.asp. Summaries from NTSB's aviation accident database are updated daily on the Web, and available there, sorted by accident date.
It is suggested that AMA proceed to set up a mechanism which would allow everyone access to our vital information. The threat of government regulation of our hobby is constantly upon us. We could help prevent such regulation by providing a flow of information to AMA members. It flies better with airflow!
Bob McClure Byron, New York
Measured Commendation
In nearly fifty years of AMA membership I have been moved, more than once, to submit a negative comment or two regarding the magazine content or the authors that make it work.
Please accept my sincere thanks for, perhaps, the best issue of Model Aviation in many years. The September issue hit home in that it presented extremely good coverage of the Vintage Stunt Championships and the "names" that continue to construct and fly some of the prettiest models within the hobby.
After all of these years I still gravitate to my roots and the wonderful friendships established during my period of running counterclockwise, holding the handle and guiding a model through what I hoped would be accepted as a "high score" flight. It never happened but I sure had fun. And I envied (and still do) the Bill Werwages of this hobby.
I think it not unreasonable to suggest that you pursue this avenue in future issues with interviews and picture coverage of the folks that make it happen—Al Rabe has returned and could surely provide a wealth of information relative to design and execution of a contest caliber model.
Likewise your coverage of Top Gun in the same issue! More pictures and in depth builder commentary would be welcomed in future issues.
On the downside: I was extremely depressed to learn of the passing of Ed Southwick. Your editorial comment noting Ed's disposition as "quiet" and "gentle" were right on target. As a California neighbor of Ed's I met him soon after his competition adventure in F2B and was thereby introduced to the venerable Skylark design.
His enthusiasm for U-control Stunt was infectious and when he asked me to accompany him to his Sunday morning practice sessions I jumped at the opportunity. It was there that I discovered and came to appreciate the difference between an enthusiast and a champion. He delighted in what he did, and that, at the same time, a gentleman with no secrets. I'll always treasure those days.
I have now my desk and address in Kingman, Arizona which was acquired through PAMPA during early February. Attached to the note is an admonition to myself to "write"! It was, of course, Ed Southwick's address. I now regret not having taken a few moments to say hello to Ed.
The September issue was noteworthy for its abundance of pictures, commentary, and the lack of ARF models. Perhaps there is hope!
Walt Keating Ormond Beach, Florida
Keeping It Fresh
Your mention of the many aspects of aeromodeling in [Bob Hunt's] column really sparked my interest in that one of the reasons I enjoy MA so much (and Flying Models as
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Letters to the Editor
I enjoy MA so much (and Flying Models as well) is that the many aspects are covered. All of the columns get read; they're interesting and you never know where you'll find a new or better way of doing things.
To me the idea of being able to use different ideas and techniques always keeps things fresh. Stick and tissue rubber ships are my favorite but a friend wants to get back into Control Line and I've been thinking that electric power might have some application here. An RC only magazine would probably not have brought me to consider such.
My wife keeps looking at ARF designs and our younger son always has liked helicopters. Keep it up!
Harold Bickford Auburn, Nebraska
Youth Involvement
Aeromodeling is a wonderful hobby, sport, and recreational activity for those of us who need a vent from work or an anti-stress activity. We have an opportunity at hand to remind ourselves that the young people in this country have too much idle time on their hands; as a police officer I see this every day.
All AMA members should make an effort to extend an invitation to some young folks in our communities to visit your prospective flying field and get involved. I have spoken with District V Vice President Mr. Jim McNeill about my concerns in this area and he supports the idea 100%. The educational opportunities for young people are endless and fun; the teaching rewards you can receive from helping a child are priceless.
Bud Williams Gray, Tennessee
Personnel Praise
I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the service I recently received from Kathy, one of your employees who helped me locate a back issue of your magazine. She was extremely helpful.
At the end of April, I ordered a back issue of Model Aviation (Sept. '98). After waiting nearly two months anticipating its arrival, I finally called in an effort to track down the wayward issue. I explained my situation and Kathy assured me she would look into the matter.
Within hours she called back and informed me she personally visited the department that handles back issues and it would be mailed, even though the original may have been lost in the mail. She did all this while dealing with a storm in your area that had knocked out the lights in your offices.
Within several days I received my back issue, in perfect condition. I can now construct the wire wheels described in the article, thanks to the outstanding customer service of your employee Kathy. I wish all organizations had such attentive personnel. MA
Ken Estes Lakewood, California
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
