Flying for Fun
As time goes by, the inevitable march of
time takes more of those good guys away,
leaving us with a void that can never be
refilled and a nagging sense of loss. I am
still working on the loss of Tom Runge,
then came word of Radio Control Modeler
(RCM) editor Dick Kidd’s passing.
Dick had the knack of being kind and
gracious while being particular about what
material went into his magazine. On
numerous occasions Dick called me and
advised me that my submission fell short of
his quality standards while not insulting me
or even making me feel bad or angry about
it. His guidance and suggestions invariably
led to much better pieces in the magazine.
He had a gift for interpersonal
communication that is rare in these modern
times.
Flying for Fun - 2001/05
LaSt Month I detailed Bill Schmidt’s
method of creating model-airplane
decorations using clear tape and a
photocopier.
After submitting that column, I was
trimming some areas on my current project
with UltraCote plus™ when I started
wondering if that material might take and
hold images from a copier.
I’ve tried it, and it does!
Flying for Fun - 2001/04
AnOther twiLight Zone Story:
This column has become somewhat of a
“lightning rod” for “paranormal” stories
about model airplanes. I’ve passed on some
incredible experiences in this column
throughout the years, but this one might
rank at the top.
Warren Plohr of Ann Arbor MI relates
the following:
“I grew up in The Bronx, NYC. In the
late 1930s, flying rubber-powered models
in the streets, vacant lots, and small local
parks, was the norm. When gas engines
first appeared, a larger park was needed.
Van Courtland Park was the only real
choice in the borough. I saw my first gas
model fly from The Meadows Field in
V.C.P., bounded by Broadway on one side,
and trees on the other.
Flying for Fun - 2001/03
As pArt of the World War II balsashortage-
theme column of November 2000,
I reproduced a magazine ad for Modelcraft
kits that substituted “OHONOTE” wood for
balsa. I posed the question, “What was it?”
A letter from Dave Hendrex of Los
Angeles gives the answer.
“I was fortunate to know and work for
Barney Snyder, his wife Peg, and son Jim
during summer breaks while in high school
over 40 years ago.
“Regarding your question about Barney
Snyder’s alternative material for balsa, if
memory serves me correctly, he said he
used hemlock.”
Flying for Fun - 2001/02
PREvENTIvE MAINTENANcE:
Now that we are deep into the “dark
months” (aka winter) and are hard at
work on our building projects for the
coming flying season, let’s not neglect
our flying fleet.
Above and beyond monthly battery
cycling, we need to make sure our models
are ready to go the first time a decent day
finally comes along.
You should tighten each nut and bolt
(including the servo mounts)—even the
wheel collars. Repair any rips or tears in
the covering. Check propellers for chips
and cracks, and retighten them. Check
clevises and horns for wear. Check the
tank, stopper, and tubing, and replace if
brittle. Most important of all, clean
everything thoroughly, including
transmitters.
Yes, the pin in clevises can fail; yes,
the propeller or spinner can work loose
without coming off; yes, chipped
propellers are dangerous; yes, oil and
grime can work their way into glue joints;
and yes, servo arms and even servos
themselves can work loose.
Models are subjected to intense
vibration for relatively long periods;
anything that can work loose will.
A few hours spent on preventive and
interceptive maintenance will be rewarded
with another season of good, safe flying
from your old reliables.
