Great Race VII
FORGET ABOUT any modeling achievements and records you may have heard about before June of last year. Why? Because RC Soaring's greatest challenge has been met. I don't mean we should turn our heads away form individual achievements such as duration records or (when it's flown) that eight-hour LSF Level V slope flight that has eluded so many-mostly during that last hour. What happened on June 12, 1982 was the greatest team effort in RC Sailplane competition history, and the teams achieved what no others have been able to do since July 1976.
Radio Control: Soaring
IT NEVER FAILS. When this column does a feature on one type of model (or a single class of models), there are always a few cries of "foul" from other camps. Either there's too much F3B, not enough Scale, or too much Scale and not enough Two-Meter. Cross-country? "We live in the mountains and to go six miles as the crow flies, I'll have to drive 16 miles over winding roads." Twelve-volt winches? "Why don't you write about hi-starts?" Hi-starts? "Where can I get plans on how to build a winch?" This column does try to cover all bases, so just be patient and keep your suggestions coming. In the meantime, this month has a potpourri of models in the photos, but before we get into them here are a couple of new items which came on the market and can make you a better modeler.
Radio Control: Soaring
KEEPING UP with technology. Through the combined efforts of Jim Gray, RC Soaring editor of Model Airplane News, and Herk Stokely, a member of the Tidewater Model Soaring Society and editor/contributor to that club's newsletter, a brand new publication is available called Soar Tech. This first edition is a compilation of contributions from many modelers and includes the procedure for running a Sailplane performance program using the TI-59 pocket computer. There are also excerpts from Dieter Altham's recent book on model-aircraft-type airfoil sections. A contribution by Ken Bates on his experimental development in flying wing designs is included, as is a study by Al Scidmore on batteries for cold weather flying. This first issue is a fine effort and its cost is just $10. Order it from Herk Stokely, 1504 Horseshoe Circle, Virginia Beach. VA 23451.
Radio Control: Soaring
When I heard of Lee Renaud's unexpected death, I wondered how I might express my thoughts and feelings about this comrade. It seemed to me that the best way was with a post-humous letter.
February 1, 1983
Dear Lee,
Just thought you would care to know that hte last two weeks have been mighty tough on a lot of us. I hope you don't mind being told that through this column. When the sad news had to be passed on to your many friends, the reactions were like nothing you ever would have expected. First came the disbelief, then came the memories of all the pleasurable moments you and your genius for design had provided for us. Those who didn't know you personally felt they did - like the ones who first stated in this sport nearly a generation ago, telling how they welcomed your first efforts and your helping hand in the form of the Olympic 99 (back in 1969). I don't know if you realized it or not, but that kit gave more people a successful start in this sport than anything else at the time.
Radio Control: Soaring
CRAFTSMAN-an artisan or one skilled in the mechanics of his craft (Webster's dictionary). It's craftmanship that punctuates the aesthetic quality of any Sailplane. Check the top scorers at most major contests, and you'll usually see the artist's touch applied-whether it's reflected in the construction, the flying surfaces and the way they are fitted, or in the overall finish itself. Any top-notch flier knows that gapless joints such as hinge lines and wing/fuselage junctions, along with overall smooth uninterrupted surfaces, can pay off in contest points.
