March 2001 7
In THE pAsT few years, there have been
some dramatic changes within our
hobby/sport. The move toward larger
(Giant Scale, Giant Sport, and Scale
Aerobatic) and smaller (park flier and
indoor flier) models is a significant part of
these changes.
But the most startling movement, at
least in my opinion, is the proliferation of
Almost Ready-to-Fly (ARF), Almost
Ready-to-Cover (ARC), and Ready-to-Fly
(RTF) models.
These “get into the air quickly” models
have been around for years; this is not a
new thing. What is amazing is the number
of new model airplane fliers who have had
their first successful flying experience
with them, and the level of quality many
of these “instant airplanes” exhibit.
I remember the label given to these
models when they first appeared: “rubber
duckies.” Many who had spent years
learning how to build and fly took a
superior stance in regard to those who
showed up at the field with “duckies.” (Yes,
I was among the naysayers at the time.)
By and large, these early ARFs were
not well-designed and/or -built. They were
usually heavy. The engine mounts were
not rigid, and the engines tended to run
erratically. The landing-gear mounts were
weak, and would routinely pull out during
hard landings. Virtually everything about
them was inferior to a well-built balsa kittype
model.
Basically, these were disposable
airplanes that had little hope of a long and
useful life. Some were better than others
(and even a few were way ahead of their
time, quality-wise), but they mostly
received a well-deserved poor reputation.
Those who pioneered the type must
have been made of pretty sturdy stuff to
survive the slings and arrows delivered
by many, if not most, of the status quo
of builder/flier modelers. It was not our
finest moment.
Now I believe that most of the early
suppliers of instant airplanes (Hey, I like
that!) were truly trying to produce quality
airplanes at affordable prices.
In order to hit a target price, they had
to cut some corners. The materials of the
time and the manufacturing processes
were crude by today’s standards. Still, Continued on page 174
they persevered and learned. The result
today is a new, large, and growing part
of the sport.
Many of today’s instant airplanes (IAs)
are beautifully built, and have finishes that
rival the best scratch-built models on any
field. They are strong, well-engineered,
light, and they fly extremely well. It’s easy
to see why they are gaining popularity!
Unfortunately, there are still some
who look at this as a negative thing.
Many longtime modelers with whom
I’ve chatted have expressed real concern
that the hobby of model building is
doomed—or at least on the verge of a
sharp decline. I totally disagree!
In my experience, everything runs in
cycles. The pendulum swings only so far in
one direction, then it begins to swing the
other way. We have reached a point at
which that pendulum is poised to reverse in
respect to model building, and we will owe
this swing largely to IAs. Hear me out.
At the WRAM (Westchester Radio
Aero Modelers) Show a couple of years
back, my very good friend Steve Anthony
and I were manning a booth. Steve took a
break to get some fresh air, and stepped
outside. When he returned, he said
something that really hit me.
He had observed those who were
leaving, and took note of the products that
they had bought at the show. By his count,
seven of 10 were carrying ARF- or RTFrelated
products! Of course, that was a
cursory appraisal. Maybe it was just a brief
anomaly. But maybe it was indeed accurate.
In any case, the number was large.
Maybe truly as much as 50% of what was
sold at that show was ARF-oriented. I say,
“That’s wonderful!”
There are three distinct groups involved
in this ARF and RTF movement. The first
group encompasses those who buy an ARF
or RTF model, give it a try, become bored,
Bob Hunt Aeromodeling Editor
…the process will be
complete. We’ll have
a new model builder!
Photo by Paul Vliet
Modeling Spoken Here
174 M ODEL AVIATION
and move on to the next “adult toy.” They
might be coming from golf, and are on
their way to go-karts. They are never in
one sport or hobby for long.
There is very little we can do to
influence this particular group, nor
should we waste too much time trying.
They are a restless type, and are destined
to keep moving. I can only hope that
someday they will find a pastime they
can stay with and enjoy for a lifetime.
This is the smallest of the three groups I
will reference.
The second group is made from those who
will try an ARF or an RTF, have a positive
experience, and fall in love with modelairplane
flying. Within this group are those
who, for one reason or another, cannot—or
choose not to—build their own models.
They may not have the time, the room,
or the skills required to build. They may
have health concerns that preclude them
from working with many of the adhesives
and/or materials. Or they may be allergic
to the dust created by sanding.
There may be many other reasons, but
the message is clear: they want to fly, but
not build. We can, and must, accept and
respect that.
This group will probably continue to
buy and fly ARF, RTF, and even custombuilt
airplanes supplied by
builders/modelers, and enjoy the sport for
many years.
The last group consists of those who
have a positive flying experience, then
after a season or so of participation, begin
to look beyond the flying to the fun being
had at the field by those who build their
own models.
Members of this group may—and
hopefully will—conclude that flying is
only half the fun available in this sport,
and begin building their own models from
plans or kits.
Many, if not most, of the next
generation of model builders will emerge
from this group.
If this is true, we have an unprecedented
opportunity for a renaissance in model
building. It might even equal the growth in
the early years of the hobby.
Why will these people want to begin
building their own models? There are
several possible reasons.
Pride of ownership of something they
have created is paramount.
Another reason is the ability to have
any design or type of model—not just the
ones developed by IA producers. To think
of themselves as “complete” modelers may
be important to them.
Perhaps simple curiosity will motivate
some builders.
Those of us who enjoy building our
own models know all this, and we should
share our reasons for building with this
new group of enthusiasts.
To help this along, we must pass
along the wealth of building lessons we
have learned.
The rub here is that we must present this
material to the “new” builder from a position
of respect for what he/she already knows.
The new builders will already be versed
in flying. They will know about engines,
fuel systems, propeller selection, radio
control installation, field rules, flightline
etiquette, etc. They will need building
information—not necessarily a complete
course in modeling.
This magazine will try hard to fulfill
their needs, by publishing articles that give
them the how-to information they desire.
Yes, this will mean covering some old
ground.
All modeling information should be
revisited at least every three to five years.
Not only are new modelers who have
never been exposed to this stuff reading
the magazine, but the techniques and
materials change. All modelers could
benefit from a review of basic tools and
techniques.
A group of manufacturers seems to
have figured all this out, and have started
engineering kits aimed directly at the firsttime
builder. Modern materials and
manufacturing techniques have spawned a
whole new category of kits.
For the most part, these kits feature
hyperaccurate laser-cut parts and ultraintuitive
engineering, yielding products
that are almost impossible to be incorrectly
assembled. This almost ensures a positive
first experience. I’ll call these Practically
Fall Together (PFT) kits.
After building one or two PFT
offerings, the new builder will probably
take on a more-difficult project. Perhaps
he or she will try scratch-building from
plans, or take on a more-involved
“builder’s kit.”
Either way, the process will be
complete. We’ll have a new model builder!
Kenny and Al done good! One of my
oldest friends and one of my newer friends
have done a wonderful thing, and I’m so
proud of them I could bust!
I’ve known Kenny Wills for nearly 45
years. As kids, we were members of the
Union Model Airplane Club in central
New Jersey.
Many times my mom took us to the
club field during summer vacation, and left
us there alone to fly our Control Line (CL)
models.
More often than not, we broke our
models on the first or second flight, then
we had to kill time until we were picked
up hours later (no cyanoacrylate [CyA]
glues in those days!). We still had fun just
being at the field, talking about models,
and planning how we would fly in the
Nationals someday and become
champions.
Kenny never really had as much time
to devote to modeling as he would have
liked. He has drifted in and out of the
sport as work and family obligations
have dictated. Deep inside, I know
Kenny would have become a well-known
modeler if things had been different.
I’ve only known Al Knight for a
couple of years, but I have grown to
respect him as a gifted modeler and a
giving human being. He and his wife
Mary are among the first to step up and
offer help when it’s needed.
Recently, Kenny has been sport-flying
with another old mutual pal—Larry
Scarinzi. Larry told me the story of what
happened the day they were enjoying the
action at one of the Garden State Circle
Burners’ CL meets in November.
There was a sudden cry from one of the
circles, and Kenny and Larry looked up to
see what the excitement was about. Larry
told me that before he could react, Kenny
was off like a shot across the field, to the
scene of the commotion. Al arrived
moments later.
Fellow modeler/friend Dave King was
experiencing a heart attack.
Kenny had taken a cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) course, and he
immediately put his training to use.
Apparently, Dave showed no vital signs
and Kenny began the prescribed
repetitions of 15 chest presses followed by
two mouth-to-mouth breaths.
Al saw what Kenny was doing, and
offered to help. Kenny continued the
presses while instructing Al how to
administer the mouth-to-mouth part of
the technique.
They revived Dave three times before the
paramedics arrived. They saved his life.
This is a wonderful story, and it
should serve notice that we all need to
identify those among us who have these
lifesaving skills. It might even move us
to take a CPR course, so we might be the
ones with these skills when someone
else—perhaps a good friend—is in need.
Many members of the Garden State
Circle Burners club elected to take the
CPR course because of this incident. They
also donated $100 to the Lincoln Park
Ambulance Corps.
If you or any members of your club
would like to take the CPR course, get in
touch with your local Red Cross chapter
for information on where and when
classes are held.
Dave had a successful heart bypass
operation, and is doing great. He’s looking
forward to the flying season. I’m sure he’d
be the first to tell you that Kenny Wills
and Al Knight are Champions in the truest
meaning of the word.
That’s it for this time. If you’d like to
get in touch with me to share your
thoughts on the above, or any other
model airplane-related subjects, my
address is Box 68, Stockertown PA
18083; Tel.: (610) 614-1747; E-mail:
[email protected].
Now go build something! MA
Continued from page 7
Aeromodeling Editor
