OLD-TIMERS
Contact
Mike Keville 4225 N. First Ave. #1321 Tucson, AZ 85719 E-mail: [email protected]
Gas-Type Rubber Models
In the Depression era and the years immediately prior to World War II, many modelers longed to build and fly the large gas-powered free-flight (FF) models of the day but could not afford an engine or perhaps didn't want to build something that size. Thus several manufacturers, notably the Scientific Company, offered "gas type" rubber-powered models designed to provide "all the thrills of gas model flight."
I never saw one except in magazine ads, so I can't speak with any genuine knowledge of them. Apparently they included an accessory designed to look something like a Brown Jr. or Ohlsson engine, or whatever. And although they were rubber powered, they were said to "...look, fly and sound like real gas models."
Scientific Company
Scientific—a now-defunct firm formerly located in Newark, New Jersey—is often thought of for those "hollow-log" 1/2A semi-scale CL models that were designed by Walt Musciano and are now prized by a number of collectors.
In the genuine old-time era, the company produced many popular FF kits, including the Miss America, the Red Zephyr, the Eaglet, and the Commodore. (I don't pretend to be a historian; I wasn't born until 1940 and get most of my information from old magazine ads.)
The Miss America, scaled down to a 40-inch span, cost $1.95 postpaid. The Firefly spanned 36 inches, and there was even a 24-inch-span version of Carl Goldberg's Valkyrie. Several other designs were offered, and most included a pair of M&M pneumatic rubber wheels.
Scientific's ads included claims such as "Flies one mile," which could be greatly exceeded if one happened to launch into a good thermal—or considerably decreased if one forgot to add downthrust and side thrust.
As I noted, I have no personal experience with "gas type" rubber-powered designs, but I suspect that several of you will recall them, either fondly or perhaps less so. I would certainly like to hear from anyone who would care to share his or her memories of them.
Megow
Another grand, old firm was Megow in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It manufactured an extensive line of rubber- and gas-powered scale and FF competition designs and many detailed ship models. Thanks to my good friend Don Hutchinson, I have a 1940 Megow catalog that brings back many memories of the good old days.
Old-Timers Categories and Nostalgia Events
The original Old-Timers (OT) concept encompassed FF designs powered mostly by spark-ignition engines. Glow-engine classes were added later, as were RC events for those (including me) who by then were unable, or unwilling, to chase.
Rubber-powered classes gained popularity and have become hotly contested today. Lately there is much interest in electric-powered versions of OT gas and rubber designs. The original cutoff date for OT events has generally served well, notwithstanding the fact that many designs (and fliers) exceed 65 years of age. Because categories came along at different times, some cutoff dates may seem positively recent to others—this is particularly true among the various categories.
As time passed, many modelers who were not present in the so-called "Golden Era" began to fondly recall the FF designs of their youth, which included such names as Zeek, Spacer, and Civy Boy. To their way of thinking, those were OT. The question was neatly answered with the introduction of Nostalgia Gas ("NosGas") events. Their popularity is growing rapidly. California's San Valeers club hosts an annual NosGas contest, and I very much appreciate my friend Terry Thorkildsen's sending me the annual results and photos from that one.
Old Time Stunt (OTS) and CL
Soon others wanted to join the fun, giving rise to OT events in control line (CL) and RC. Because these categories came later than FF, their cutoff dates are more recent. CL involvement apparently began when John Miske Jr. of New Jersey's Garden State Circle Burners hosted the inaugural Old Time Stunt (OTS) contest in 1970. The OTS rules were simple: designs must have been kitted or published no later than December 31, 1952. (The "kitted or published" rule remains, although any model designed by that date is eligible according to Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association rules.) Bonus points were awarded for spark-ignition power and for designs with no operating wing flaps. Actually, a flapped design won that inaugural OTS meet: a Veco Mustang flown by MA Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt.
There has been growing interest in OT (Nostalgia) Carrier, Team Racing, and Combat, but CL Stunt remains the most popular CL event by far. It even includes a Classic category for models designed no later than December 31, 1969.
RC and Vintage Events
Radio control, having come of age much later in the scheme of things, is represented by the Vintage R/C Society, whose members fly designs by Hal deBolt, Ed Kazmirski, Phil Kraft, and others from the "reeds and escapement" or early proportional eras. To them, designs such as the Kwik-Fli III and Live Wire Senior are OT. However, a large percentage of SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) members fly OT FF designs in separate RC—or, more accurately, radio-assist—events.
But the real attraction of any OT category is the more laid-back atmosphere, including competition events. To be sure, there are some to whom winning is everything, but the majority of OT participants just enjoy re-creating the models of their youth and flying them in low-key, friendly competition—if they compete at all.
Nats "Carrier Cruise" Photo
The December 2004 column featured a photo of a group of AMA officials boarding a bus at the start of the Nats "Carrier Cruise," circa 1961. The photo, sent by former Ambroid president Art Laneau, contained one subject who was unidentified. An e-mail from Harvey Shapps (Morton Grove, Illinois) may have cleared that up. He wrote:
"To the best of my ability, the man looks like my good and old-time friend Gosta Johnson, who at that time was the [AMA] District VI Vice President. Although I have not spoken to Gosta in some time, he is alive and well, residing in Arlington Heights, IL."
That name is definitely familiar since I used to live and fly in northern Illinois. Although I never met Gosta Johnson, he was well known as a leading organizer of contest activity in the district. Perhaps other readers will confirm the identity.
Cleveland Model & Supply Catalog
Sometime ago I ordered the catalog of Cleveland-designed plans from John Jacox, who is the current owner and proprietor of those legendary plans. As most old-timers will probably agree, E.T. Packard's Cleveland Model & Supply Company offered "Cadillac quality" kits and plans for many years. Mr. Jacox purchased the rights and master plans several years ago, and today he offers them to those who appreciate such things.
Plans for scale designs are available in seven sizes, from 1/32 to 1/4 scale, and include four levels of detail. FF Gas, Rubber, and Towline designs — including three Playboy sizes — are also available.
The 86-page illustrated catalog is well worth the $5 ($10 foreign). Send the money to Cleveland Model & Supply Co., Box 55962, Indianapolis, IN 46205. For a preview, assuming you're equipped with a computer, go to www.clevelandairlane.com.
Closing Note
The cover of this issue is dated April; you're probably reading this and looking for something from January's Southwest Regionals held in Eloy, Arizona, but when I wrote it the meet hadn't yet occurred. The deadline for this issue was January 10, and the words you are reading were written on Christmas Eve.
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
