Spruce Goose Jr.
UNDER bright sunny California skies at the Prado Regional Park, the 1/20th-scale model of Howard Hughes' H-4 Hercules, urged on by eight K&B .61 engines, was up on the step, and then it lifted off-much like a cork held under water and released, popping up rapidly. It occurred so sudenly. Built by the Meyer brothers, Darrell and Merle, of Orange, CA over a 10-month period from plans furnished by Hughes Aircraft Company, this huge miniature aircraft (wingspan 16-ft., weight just over 80-lb.) had no problem in getting off the water. Total wing area is 28.57 sq. ft. (4,752 sq. in.), and the wing loading is 44.8 oz. per sq. ft.
Electroflight International Challenge
UPON COMPLETION of the U.S. Team Selection Contest for the 1983 RC Soaring World Championships (FAI F3B) held near Chicago last September, Mike Charles (who was second runner-up) contacted AMA Executive Director John Worth to inquire about the date for U.S. team trials for the Electroflight (F3E) World Championships. The rules had been approved by the FAI, officially effective on January 1, 1983. Mike was told that, so far, no Electroflight team trials had been scheduled because a World Championships for the event hadn't been scheduled. Before the
San Diego Aero Space Museum
Top Picture: The centerpiece in this view is the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XVI. It is an excellent flyable example of the airplane that materially contributed to winning the Battle of Britain in WW II. Left: With a photo mural background of flight activities, this Ryan PT-22 and full ground crew seem willing to start the day's flight training. Right: The Grumman F6F Helicat was flown and loved by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots. This airplane achieved an outstanding kill ratio against the Japanese Zero fighter in the Pacific "Carrier War."
