Old-Timers
Mike Keville | [email protected]
Remembering some great ones who have recently passed
Because of this publication’s lead time, “news” is often—well, not. By the time this issue reaches you, the recent losses of Dick McCoy, Roy Mayes, and Bob White will have been known for approximately three months. Nonetheless, a few words are in order for those who may have been living in a cave somewhere in Bora Bora.
Dick McCoy left this world December 30 at the age of 98. He was best known for his legendary “Red Head” racing engines. For many years they were the standard (along with Dooling) in CL Speed and Team Race events. In today’s Nostalgia FF and RC Assist events, little compares with the sight or sound of a McCoy .60 boring its way skyward.
Best known for his record-setting accomplishments in tether cars, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find an aircraft modeler who is unfamiliar with Dick’s engines. He was also a very nice man, which is probably the ultimate compliment.
Although not as well known to the general modeling population, Roy Mayes was among the primary authors (perhaps the author) of 1940s-era CL Precision Aerobatics (Stunt) rules and is often said to be the first to fly a CL model inverted. The founder of WAM (Western Associated Modelers), Roy attended the inaugural Vintage Stunt Championships in 1989, where he expressed amazement at some of the maneuvers that were being performed with such precision. Roy left us December 5 at the age of 91.
Bob White passed away suddenly late in November. Since he was a special friend, I’m going to let you know a few things about him from a personal perspective.
Thirty to 40 years ago I flew FF exclusively. After moving from Illinois to California I wanted to try rubber power for the first time. Bob was among those who generously shared his knowledge to assist me in that effort. Initially I was unaware that Bob was considered to be The Man; his low-key, modest nature made him reluctant to talk about his accomplishments.
Two incidents are worth noting, the first of which occurred at a contest site bordering Miramar, CA Marine Corps Air Station. My “luck factor” was high that foggy day, and the result was that I found myself posting equal flight times in a small Rubber event (Coupe d’Hiver) with someone who was destined to become a World Champion. Before our final flights Bob came by and asked to see my somewhat crude attempt at a rubber-powered competition model. Having seen its previous flight, he offered some tips for obtaining a higher climb and tighter turn. I recall being amazed that he would offer advice that might increase my chance of outscoring him, but I later learned that this was typical of him. As we wound our motors in preparation for the tiebreaker, Bob looked over, smiled, and said, “Good luck.” We stepped to the launch area together, all eyes on The Master vs. The Upstart. Holding fully wound models while waiting for good air, it was obvious that the cool, damp, foggy atmosphere wasn’t about to yield any thermal activity. Bob must have had similar thoughts; he suddenly launched his Twin Fin Coupe to a chorus of cheers from the onlookers. Climbing rapidly, it soon blended into the mist above. “Well, why not?” I thought to myself. “Second place isn’t so bad.” I let ’er rip and, as luck would have it, Bob’s model descended first. It was then apparent to me and everyone else that his help and advice paid off. He was the first to walk over and shake my hand.
But it wasn't over yet. The event was a combined Coupe d'Hiver/Hand Launched Glider contest with two-minute maxes. As things turned out, another legendary modeler—the late Nat Antonioni—had one flight left with his hot-performing glider. He nearly won but came up a few seconds short, and I took home a first-place trophy (which I still have), thanks in large part to Bob White's help and advice.
During the next two years, mostly at Taft, California, I watched with amazement as Bob continued to develop his Twin Fin design in various sizes, from Coupe to Wakefield to Unlimited Rubber. He set the standard yet remained quiet and modest, always smiling and willing to help anyone improve his or her model's performance.
At the 1972 Max Men Annual Bob and I found ourselves tied in Coupe again, each having posted five maxes. On our sixth flight Bob had the misfortune of launching into a "downer" while my poor, tired entry managed to find the biggest boomer of the day.
I still have that trophy too—and pleasant memories of the kind and considerate man who was soon to become the Wakefield World Champion and set a national record in Unlimited Rubber (now Mulvihill), which stands to this day.
More recently Bob became enamored with Old Time Wakefield, having had a new model under construction the day of his fatal heart attack. When news of his sudden departure flashed across this screen, I went numb. Gone all too soon, a fine, talented, and kind man.
Retraction/Correction
Boy, was I mistaken. (A usual occurrence around here.) My December 2005 column contained an error regarding 1940s-era father-and-son CL Speed fliers Ernie Babcock Sr. and Jr. For some reason I thought Ernie Sr. was the person who later developed the early Babcock RC equipment. Wrong again!
A message from MA's "The Engine Shop" columnist Joe Wagner confirmed what my good friend Larry Scarinzi had already tried to tell me. To set the record straight, following is what Joe reported:
"The superb radio equipment you mentioned was designed, developed, and manufactured by Stu Babcock. He had no connection with Phil or Ernie Babcock—who were not only the father-and-son team who won a full-scale Ercoupe at a New York Mirror meet; they also ran the SNAFU company, makers of some of the earliest molded plastic model airplane propellers.
"Stu Babcock was the brains behind the control equipment used by the Radioplane target drones. His 'BRC' systems for models were developed from the drone control systems that Babcock Radio produced.
"I knew Stu and worked for him as a consultant—along with Chuck Hollinger, Ken Willard, Dick Schumacher, Bill Glick, and Ed Jones. We had a great time, learning plenty while testing such innovative Babcock RC systems as his 'Magic Carpet'—of which I still have one of the prototypes."
Plans sought
Darrell Miner is seeking plans for an Old-Time FF design named the Old Box. A 1934 photo of it was published on page 39 of the June 1984 Model Builder magazine. According to the late John Pond, who wrote that column, the design was a precursor to Bob Long's Long Cabin. It featured a parasol-mounted wing with elliptical tips.
Built by Mel Haines, the original Old Box was lost at a 1934 Junior Birdmen contest. If anyone reading this has more information or can help with a set of plans, write to Darrell Miner & Associates, 626 S. Sherman, Olathe, KS 66061.
Photos and notes
The photo of Floyd (Dr. Spark) Carter launching a Cleveland Baby Playboy was taken by Monte Groves in 1975. The location was Milpitas, California—roughly five miles from the Lockheed Sunnyvale plant. The site is now covered with expensive homes.
Floyd still has the model, which was built from Cleveland plans and powered by a Cox .020 Pee Wee engine. A dollar would buy the kit in the 1940s and early 1950s. But then 23 cents would buy a gallon of gasoline too, and our disposable incomes were considerably less.
John Pakiz of Omaha, Nebraska, recently built a Herb Spatz Moth—an attractive little rubber-cabin design. The following note accompanied the two photos:
"I've always liked this airplane and decided to build an exact replica of the original, working from a copy of the Mr. Spatz plans. The original was yellow, so I used yellow tissue. The wheels were made using the picture on the plans as a guide. The only thing I'm not sure about is using yellow dope for the nose block. I did cover the wood prop with yellow tissue to give it durability.
"The Moth flies as good as it looks. I initially put in down and right thrust but have removed those due to the long nose moment. Several grams of solder glued inside the aft fuselage were needed in order to balance the model, which flies in graceful right-hand circles. One loop of 1/4-inch Tan II rubber provides just the right amount of torque for this one."
Go chew some Ambroid off your fingertips. I'll be back in two months.
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
