140 MODEL AVIATION
DO YOU REMEMBER the Veco Dakota? Joe Wagner, MA’s
“The Engine Shop” columnist, designed this cute little 24-inchspan,
all-sheet-balsa biplane in 1949. Veco kitted it for many
years, until the firm’s demise.
Powered with early 1⁄2A engines (OK Cub, Spitzy, etc.), the
Dakota design flew well but not very far, so it is the perfect
candidate for small-field special events such as the one I am about
to describe.
Larry Davidson, former Society of Antique Modelers
champion and all-around good guy, will host a “Target Time”
Dakota event at the AMA/National Free Flight Society Nationals
in Muncie, Indiana, on August 5 at 3 p.m. Jim Bocckinfuso will
be the assistant event director. A number of people will donate
prizes, and there is a chance (as of this writing) that Joe Wagner
may fly in the event.
There are rules, of course, although I hasten to add that they
are intended to help ensure that this will be a fun, low-stress
event. Any glow, diesel, or electric power is allowed, and since
there is no engine-run requirement, any timer for power shutoff is
allowed, including eyedroppers strapped to the fuselage like we
used in the Good Old Days. No dethermalizers are permitted.
The target time is 40 seconds, and flights will be timed from
launch to touch down. There will be three attempts for official
flights, and the best flight will count. Any flight of less than 10
seconds will not be recorded. The difference between the target
time and actual flight time will be your score.
For instance, a 34-second flight nets a score of 6, and a 45-
second flight earns a score of 5. A 40-second flight scores 0—and
wins unless there is a tie, in which case your next best flight(s)
will break the tie. No flyoffs are scheduled.
Assistant event director Jim Bocckinfuso wrote:
“The 40 seconds came about because we felt that this would be
a good time for seeing the little airplanes run and climb for awhile
yet not go too far and have to chase them very long. Because there
is no engine run requirement, even a heavy model is not at a
disadvantage; just let the engine run longer. We want everyone to
have fun, enjoy some relaxed flying, and not worry about much.”
Among the sponsors are Hank Nystrom of Texas Timers; Brian
Malin, BMJR Model Products; Frank Tiano, FTE Enterprises;
Angelo Luongo, who will supply modeling tools; and Bobby
Geyer, who will provide plaques down to third place.
If you’d like to join the fun, BMJR produces a nice
reproduction kit of the Dakota for $39 plus $5 shipping and
handling. Contact BMJR at Box 1210, Sharpes FL 32959; Tel.:
(321) 537-1159.
If you would rather build from plans using your own materials,
excellent full-size plans are available for $8 postpaid from Bill
Schmidt, 4647 Krueger, Wichita KS 67220; Tel.: (316) 744-0378.
For more information about the gathering of Dakotas, contact
Larry Davidson, 66 Casa Mia Cir., Moneta VA 24121; Tel.: (540)
721-4563; E-mail: [email protected].
I wish I could be there, but it’s not in the cards. It sounds as
though the event will be a lot of fun, surely helping to maintain
the Old-Timer premise of building models that do not advance the
state of the art.
There was a time when we built and flew models for the pure
enjoyment of watching them fly, and we were unconcerned with a
bunch of restrictive rules designed, as many believe, to help
guarantee that the same few people cart home all the loot.
Affordable, fine-flying model airplanes are all but unknown to
today’s generation—not because they aren’t available; they are, if
you know where to look—but mostly because the youth of today
seem more interested in soccer, video games, or almost anything
except aviation. I can’t offer a solution. Others have tried, but
their efforts don’t appear to have met with much success.
Decades ago, youngsters didn’t need a push to get started in
Mike Keville, 31 Franklin Pkwy., Brunswick ME 04011; E-mail: [email protected]
OLD-TIMERS
Bruce Miller launches Foote Westerner at No-Cal meet, circa
1950. He had a hobby shop in his parents’ grocery store.
John Brownlee, 1⁄2A Civy Boy Nostalgia Gas design, circa 1990.
Yuba City CA site now has two “big box” retail outlets.
07sig5.QXD 4/23/04 10:07 am Page 140
modeling. Harry T. Fisher (Bordentown
NJ) wrote, “Your March column in Model
Aviation had a picture of a young fellow
who built and flew a Comet Sailplane at
the age of ten. He beat me by two years. I
had my Buccaneer with an Ohlsson
engine going when I was 12.” Harry’s
story is typical of the way things were.
As do many others, I remember when
CL was king and when the sound of
model engines could be heard at local
parks and ball diamonds. “Park flyers” in
those days were somewhat louder than
today’s electric lightweights—and there
were few, if any, complaints about noise.
People actually came out to watch, enjoy,
and ask questions. That was definitely a
different era!
There was also much interest in Scale,
perhaps because the standards were a bit
more relaxed. A few issues ago I aired
some views on that in a letter sent to Bill
Boss, who writes MA’s CL Scale column.
Following is the gist of it.
Although today’s entries are
exquisitely detailed miniature versions of
full-scale aircraft, participation has fallen
far below what it once was. Retracts,
electronics, and other innovations may
(repeat, may) be the culprit. Perhaps I am
wrong; I certainly have been before.
At local and regional contests in the
1950s, we often saw 15-20 CL Scale
entries. Granted, those were more suited
to a “beauty” event than true Scale since
most lacked any sort of surface detail,
weathering, or operating features.
At one contest in Millville, New
Jersey, I recall that it was called the
Beauty event. Every entry was finished
and polished to a smooth, high gloss; it
was unrealistic for warbirds, but they had
eye appeal.
But what I believe led to the heavy
participation was that the modelers were
only required to fly their models a
minimum of 10 laps to qualify. There were
no throttle controls, no retracts, no sliding
canopies, and no other gizmos.
I do believe extra points were
available for flight maneuvers such as
Loops and Wingovers because I did see
several entries try—unsuccessfully—to
July 2004 141
perform those. (A gorgeous Sterling S.E.5
was splattered all over the concrete.)
The winner was a Stinson Station
Wagon built from a Cleveland kit and
finished to perfection in maroon with
cream trim. The runner-up was an F2G
Corsair built from a Miniature Aircraft kit
(remember those?) and finished in the
orange-and-white sunburst pattern of
Cook Cleland’s Goodyear racer. Someone
even entered a Monogram Speedee-Bilt
Long Midget, finished in metallic blue
and powered by one of the “new” 1⁄2A
engines.
Numerous CL Scale entries in those
days were built from kits. Many
manufacturers contributed to the cause,
but Berkeley and Sterling were the most
popular sources. Yes, I know: Berkeley
kits contained wood that looked and felt
as though it had been run through a
washing machine, and Sterling’s wood
was often more suited to building a
workbench. (Anyone holding the rights to
those designs, please don’t sue me for
slander; I have proof stored in the closet.)
Notwithstanding the balsa selection, those
firms’ kits were wildly popular and often
used as sport fliers as well as contest
entries. All one had to do was exhibit fine
craftsmanship, apply a spectacular finish,
take off, fly at least 10 laps, and land. I’ll
bet that if we brought that back, we’d see
many more entries. What do you think?
Let me hear your views, please.
I want to address an issue that could
impact the future of this column. One
reason why it’s filled with my memories
and opinions, such as the preceding, is a
lack of contributions from readers.
We have a three-month lead time here,
so I must receive any contest
announcements well in advance.
Conversely, contest results will be
“yesterday’s news” by the time they see
ink here.
Please send your thoughts, opinions,
photos of your latest (or earliest) project,
and other Old-Timer-related items to me if
you would like to see this column
continue. That’s a hint. MA
2 ounce HandiBond CA Glue
ONLY $4.50 Thick
Thin x
Medium
07sig5.QXD 4/23/04 10:07 am Page 141
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/07
Page Numbers: 140,141
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/07
Page Numbers: 140,141
140 MODEL AVIATION
DO YOU REMEMBER the Veco Dakota? Joe Wagner, MA’s
“The Engine Shop” columnist, designed this cute little 24-inchspan,
all-sheet-balsa biplane in 1949. Veco kitted it for many
years, until the firm’s demise.
Powered with early 1⁄2A engines (OK Cub, Spitzy, etc.), the
Dakota design flew well but not very far, so it is the perfect
candidate for small-field special events such as the one I am about
to describe.
Larry Davidson, former Society of Antique Modelers
champion and all-around good guy, will host a “Target Time”
Dakota event at the AMA/National Free Flight Society Nationals
in Muncie, Indiana, on August 5 at 3 p.m. Jim Bocckinfuso will
be the assistant event director. A number of people will donate
prizes, and there is a chance (as of this writing) that Joe Wagner
may fly in the event.
There are rules, of course, although I hasten to add that they
are intended to help ensure that this will be a fun, low-stress
event. Any glow, diesel, or electric power is allowed, and since
there is no engine-run requirement, any timer for power shutoff is
allowed, including eyedroppers strapped to the fuselage like we
used in the Good Old Days. No dethermalizers are permitted.
The target time is 40 seconds, and flights will be timed from
launch to touch down. There will be three attempts for official
flights, and the best flight will count. Any flight of less than 10
seconds will not be recorded. The difference between the target
time and actual flight time will be your score.
For instance, a 34-second flight nets a score of 6, and a 45-
second flight earns a score of 5. A 40-second flight scores 0—and
wins unless there is a tie, in which case your next best flight(s)
will break the tie. No flyoffs are scheduled.
Assistant event director Jim Bocckinfuso wrote:
“The 40 seconds came about because we felt that this would be
a good time for seeing the little airplanes run and climb for awhile
yet not go too far and have to chase them very long. Because there
is no engine run requirement, even a heavy model is not at a
disadvantage; just let the engine run longer. We want everyone to
have fun, enjoy some relaxed flying, and not worry about much.”
Among the sponsors are Hank Nystrom of Texas Timers; Brian
Malin, BMJR Model Products; Frank Tiano, FTE Enterprises;
Angelo Luongo, who will supply modeling tools; and Bobby
Geyer, who will provide plaques down to third place.
If you’d like to join the fun, BMJR produces a nice
reproduction kit of the Dakota for $39 plus $5 shipping and
handling. Contact BMJR at Box 1210, Sharpes FL 32959; Tel.:
(321) 537-1159.
If you would rather build from plans using your own materials,
excellent full-size plans are available for $8 postpaid from Bill
Schmidt, 4647 Krueger, Wichita KS 67220; Tel.: (316) 744-0378.
For more information about the gathering of Dakotas, contact
Larry Davidson, 66 Casa Mia Cir., Moneta VA 24121; Tel.: (540)
721-4563; E-mail: [email protected].
I wish I could be there, but it’s not in the cards. It sounds as
though the event will be a lot of fun, surely helping to maintain
the Old-Timer premise of building models that do not advance the
state of the art.
There was a time when we built and flew models for the pure
enjoyment of watching them fly, and we were unconcerned with a
bunch of restrictive rules designed, as many believe, to help
guarantee that the same few people cart home all the loot.
Affordable, fine-flying model airplanes are all but unknown to
today’s generation—not because they aren’t available; they are, if
you know where to look—but mostly because the youth of today
seem more interested in soccer, video games, or almost anything
except aviation. I can’t offer a solution. Others have tried, but
their efforts don’t appear to have met with much success.
Decades ago, youngsters didn’t need a push to get started in
Mike Keville, 31 Franklin Pkwy., Brunswick ME 04011; E-mail: [email protected]
OLD-TIMERS
Bruce Miller launches Foote Westerner at No-Cal meet, circa
1950. He had a hobby shop in his parents’ grocery store.
John Brownlee, 1⁄2A Civy Boy Nostalgia Gas design, circa 1990.
Yuba City CA site now has two “big box” retail outlets.
07sig5.QXD 4/23/04 10:07 am Page 140
modeling. Harry T. Fisher (Bordentown
NJ) wrote, “Your March column in Model
Aviation had a picture of a young fellow
who built and flew a Comet Sailplane at
the age of ten. He beat me by two years. I
had my Buccaneer with an Ohlsson
engine going when I was 12.” Harry’s
story is typical of the way things were.
As do many others, I remember when
CL was king and when the sound of
model engines could be heard at local
parks and ball diamonds. “Park flyers” in
those days were somewhat louder than
today’s electric lightweights—and there
were few, if any, complaints about noise.
People actually came out to watch, enjoy,
and ask questions. That was definitely a
different era!
There was also much interest in Scale,
perhaps because the standards were a bit
more relaxed. A few issues ago I aired
some views on that in a letter sent to Bill
Boss, who writes MA’s CL Scale column.
Following is the gist of it.
Although today’s entries are
exquisitely detailed miniature versions of
full-scale aircraft, participation has fallen
far below what it once was. Retracts,
electronics, and other innovations may
(repeat, may) be the culprit. Perhaps I am
wrong; I certainly have been before.
At local and regional contests in the
1950s, we often saw 15-20 CL Scale
entries. Granted, those were more suited
to a “beauty” event than true Scale since
most lacked any sort of surface detail,
weathering, or operating features.
At one contest in Millville, New
Jersey, I recall that it was called the
Beauty event. Every entry was finished
and polished to a smooth, high gloss; it
was unrealistic for warbirds, but they had
eye appeal.
But what I believe led to the heavy
participation was that the modelers were
only required to fly their models a
minimum of 10 laps to qualify. There were
no throttle controls, no retracts, no sliding
canopies, and no other gizmos.
I do believe extra points were
available for flight maneuvers such as
Loops and Wingovers because I did see
several entries try—unsuccessfully—to
July 2004 141
perform those. (A gorgeous Sterling S.E.5
was splattered all over the concrete.)
The winner was a Stinson Station
Wagon built from a Cleveland kit and
finished to perfection in maroon with
cream trim. The runner-up was an F2G
Corsair built from a Miniature Aircraft kit
(remember those?) and finished in the
orange-and-white sunburst pattern of
Cook Cleland’s Goodyear racer. Someone
even entered a Monogram Speedee-Bilt
Long Midget, finished in metallic blue
and powered by one of the “new” 1⁄2A
engines.
Numerous CL Scale entries in those
days were built from kits. Many
manufacturers contributed to the cause,
but Berkeley and Sterling were the most
popular sources. Yes, I know: Berkeley
kits contained wood that looked and felt
as though it had been run through a
washing machine, and Sterling’s wood
was often more suited to building a
workbench. (Anyone holding the rights to
those designs, please don’t sue me for
slander; I have proof stored in the closet.)
Notwithstanding the balsa selection, those
firms’ kits were wildly popular and often
used as sport fliers as well as contest
entries. All one had to do was exhibit fine
craftsmanship, apply a spectacular finish,
take off, fly at least 10 laps, and land. I’ll
bet that if we brought that back, we’d see
many more entries. What do you think?
Let me hear your views, please.
I want to address an issue that could
impact the future of this column. One
reason why it’s filled with my memories
and opinions, such as the preceding, is a
lack of contributions from readers.
We have a three-month lead time here,
so I must receive any contest
announcements well in advance.
Conversely, contest results will be
“yesterday’s news” by the time they see
ink here.
Please send your thoughts, opinions,
photos of your latest (or earliest) project,
and other Old-Timer-related items to me if
you would like to see this column
continue. That’s a hint. MA
2 ounce HandiBond CA Glue
ONLY $4.50 Thick
Thin x
Medium
07sig5.QXD 4/23/04 10:07 am Page 141