Old-Timers
Bob Angel | [email protected]
The new columnist explains how to get started in vintage modeling
Also included in this column:
- 2.4 GHz radios and spark ignition
- Electric Old-Time models
- Taft in trouble
- No vintage CL at SAM Champs
Getting started
Getting started in one of the branches of Old-Time (OT) modeling is fairly straightforward and not unlike getting started in any other specialized activity. Find and join an active organization, start hanging out with the members, collect some reading material, decide where you'd like to begin, and just do it. Sure, you'll make a few mistakes, but they're all correctable. They can be minimized by taking advantage of the good advice that is readily available from those who have been there and done that.
I'll start with some insight into information that is available from the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) and include other major OT organizations with points of contact. In upcoming columns I'll spend time on every organization, with help and input (I hope) from those who are more active in each. Mike Keville introduced SAM in the December column, so I'll try not to duplicate too much.
Society of Antique Modelers (SAM)
The SAM web site — www.antiquemodeler.org — is loaded with information about activities, schedules, contest reports, chapter newsletters, books, magazines, and, most important, listings with suppliers of specialized goodies needed for our branch of the hobby. From the home page you can access extensive listings of suppliers offering OT plans, kits, covering materials, new engines, old engines, reproductions of old engines, parts, and ignition systems. You can also download a membership application.
There are more than 50 SAM chapters in the U.S. and more than 30 in foreign countries. Most chapter members are also national SAM members, although neither group requires membership in the other. Many members belong to more than one chapter, mostly to receive some of the excellent newsletters. Chapters and their contacts are listed on the SAM web site.
SAM membership is $25 yearly for residents of the U.S. and Canada and $40 for those in other countries. Those prices include the house organ, SAM Speaks, which will keep you up to date on activities within SAM and a few other OT organizations. SAM Speaks contains much of the same information as the SAM web site. Those who supply needed specialty items advertise there, and individuals can run wanted or available ads for a modest fee. If you don't have Internet access, you can get a membership application from SAM Secretary John Hire at Box 600206, Saint Paul, MN 55106; Tel.: (651) 776-8458.
Model Engine Collectors Association (MECA)
MECA is a particularly valuable source for finding old spark-ignition engines. Prices are often better than on eBay, and the reliability of the sellers is excellent. Many have been members of this same fraternity for years, and membership includes a pledge to uphold the Code of Fair Practices and Ethics.
MECA produces a bimonthly bulletin/swap sheet, which is loaded with engine history, restoration tips, etc. The swap-sheet portion has hundreds of engines of all types and vintages for sale or trade. Restoration parts and services are available to complete engines with damaged or missing parts. For-sale or wanted ads are free to members.
MECA is more than a trading spot for parts and engines; it's also a repository for the history of common and rare engines. Gatherings called "Collectogethers" are held for members to meet, get acquainted, and exchange engines, parts, services, and lore. Many "Collectos," as members call them, feature displays of certain types or families of engines, and trophies are awarded for best displays.
MECA dues are $35 yearly in the U.S. and Canada and $50 elsewhere. You can download application forms and other information from the web site — www.modelengine.org — or contact Treasurer John Lorenz for an application at 704 Flamingo Cir., Burleson, TX 76028; Tel.: (817) 295-8209; E-mail: [email protected].
Kits and Plans Antiquitous (KAPA)
Kits and Plans Antiquitous (KAPA) is somewhat like MECA but devoted to buying, selling, trading, and the history of— you guessed it — model kits and plans. You can get four issues of the KAPA newsletter for $12 a year. E-mail [email protected] or write Morris E. Leventhal at 1788 Niobe Ave., Anaheim, CA 92804; Tel.: (714) 535-6570.
Vintage Radio Control Society (VR/CS)
The Vintage Radio Control Society keeps the history and early days of RC alive by flying the models of the early era (1969 and before). Many of the members built their own radios in those days and helped pioneer development of the equipment as we know it today.
Dues are $20 in the U.S. or $25 in foreign countries. You can find more information and an application form at www.vintagerc-society.org or contact Secretary Terry Terrenoire at 101 Smithfield Dr., Endicott, NY 13760; Tel.: (607) 748-8146.
Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) and National Free Flight Society (NFFS)
PAMPA and NFFS promote vintage flying along with their modern control-line (CL) and free-flight (FF) activities, respectively. PAMPA provides rules for Classic Stunt (pre-1970) models and Old Time Stunt (pre-1953).
PAMPA dues start at $35. The group's informative web site is www.control-line.org or you can write to PAMPA at 158 Flying Cloud Isle, Foster City, CA 94404.
The NFFS often runs nostalgia events as part of its contests. Dues are $10 for Juniors, $25 for U.S. residents, and $29 for foreign residents. Contact the organization at 22 Pine St., Homosassa, FL 34446 or E-mail [email protected].
If any group feels left out, let me know and you'll receive mention somewhere, sometime. Thanks.
2.4 GHz radios and spark ignition
Those new 2.4 GHz radios may have a couple of advantages that have not been mentioned in their ads. OT spark-ignition engines usually use a 10,000-ohm resistor in the spark-plug wire to prevent or reduce radio interference. Since the spread-spectrum radios claim immunity from such problems, we may be able to reduce the resistance value or even eliminate that resistor. Time and experiments will tell.
Wiring failures at those resistor solder joints or failure of the resistors themselves have been the most frequent causes of ignition-system troubles.
Another problem the spread-spectrum radios might solve is the varying frequency requirements between countries. Fliers who visit the U.S. and other countries often have to beg, borrow, or buy new radios on completely different frequency bands. I assume that spread-spectrum will be legal in most or all countries and solve this pesky problem.
Electric-powered models in the OT movement?
Electric-powered models in the OT movement? Some cry sacrilege, but it's unavoidable. Most RC newcomers and a few FF newbies are starting with inexpensive ARF electrics. Although few will probably graduate to "real" models (our terms), we can certainly use them.
A few electrics were flown before World War II, and they have been entered in special SAM events for several years. Now I hear that Cox is going to make a small RC electric Playboy ARF, and I've already heard rumblings of plans to make a special OT event for it. The idea is to attract a new class of fliers with a low-key, entry-level special event and possibly have fun while doing so.
Along those lines, Ed Hamler brought back an idea from a trip to Europe and formed it into an entry-type electric event called "Speed 400." It uses fairly small and inexpensive hardware, including an "old-fashioned" Graupner Speed 440 brushed motor. For a set of rules contact Ed at 3379 Crystal Ct., Napa, CA 94558; E-mail: [email protected].
Taft in trouble
The spacious flying site at Taft, California, has seen many championship competitions through the years and has often been called the world's best FF site. Many OT RC meets have taken place there and still do, along with modern, Nostalgia, and OT FF.
The major oil-company owner sold a huge amount of the acreage to a local investment group, which plans to turn a profit somehow. The price per acre is exceedingly low because of the limited immediate possibilities for the desert land.
A few years ago a good samaritan purchased a similar large property to the north called Lost Hills, and it was turned over to a governing FF group for present and future use. Wouldn't it be great if something like that could save the flying site at Taft?
While we're rescuing things, here's a heads-up about bringing OT CL Stunt back to the 2008 SAM Championships. This year's event at Las Vegas, Nevada, will be missing it.
Planning for the annual SAM Champs begins early in the year, and no one volunteered to be contest director (CD) of the event early enough to make it happen. One or more offers came in, but it was too late to get it off the ground.
Next year the Champs will probably be held again at the AMA site in Muncie, Indiana, in the fall. I'm sure there are people who would volunteer to be CD or assist as long as the word gets to them, so here's the word.
Let any of the SAM directors know this year if you would like to work as or with a CD for OT CL Stunt in 2008. A good contact for this is right at the top: SAM President Mike Meyers, 911 Kilmary Ln., Glendale, CA 91207; E-mail: [email protected].
The 2007 SAM Champs will be October 7–12. I plan to be there as CD for the RC end of the field.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
