Radio Control: Old-Timer
THE HISTORY OF RC. We have arbitrarily divided the development of RC into four eras. Although many of the true experts might take exception, for purposes of personal perspective and convenience, the four are the Ham, Exam-Free, Multi-Control, and Modern (or Proportional) eras.
Radio Control: Old-Timer
This month, we are returning to our traditional format in order to catch up on a number of items more genuine to SAM-type Old-Timer activities. Next time around, we have a bunch of interesting things from the Reed Era of RC. Long before Thimble Drome. It seems ironic, somehow, that the most popular Old-Timer designs of the pre-War era are seldom seen at Old-Timer contests today. Take the Dallaire as an example: I am unable to locate a single advertisement for the kit in my rather extensive magazine collection, yet it is extremely common today. The reason is, of course, obvious - competiition success.
Radio Control: Old-Timer
SAM CHAMPS. The 1983 Society of Antique Modelers Championships are scheduled for July 19-21 in La Junta, CO. La Junta is a small city with a population of about 8,000, located near the exact center of the southeast quarter of the state. The Sangre de Cristos range of the Rocky Mountains lies rougly 120 miles directly to the west. A former Air Corps field lies three miles north of the city and has three intersecting runways of 8,000-ft. length. Field altitude is 4,238 ft. Surrounding terrain is essentially flat and treeless; however, the area is extensively irrigated, and many canals run through and along the fields. This is the home of the famous Rocky Ford cantaloupe, although they are not harvested until later in the season.
Luton Minor Prototype
SOMEHOW, this designer is attracted to ugly full-scale subjects. Perhaps the nearly always phenomenon of ugly aircraft having good flying qualities is the reason. Whatever the motivation, our modeling friends are often heard to say, "He'll never pick that for a subject; it isn't ugly enough." Admittedly, our attraction to such less-than-svelte aircraft as Stitts Junior, Farman David, Baby Bomber, Wittman Big X, etc., may be perverse. Nonetheless, we certainly enjoy seeing such ungainly and ugly creatures fly so beautifully. The Luton Minor prototype is a near-perfect example of our perversity; she may be ugly as sin, but she flies like an angel.
Radio Control: Old-Timer
REMINDER: SAM membership is due for renewal, if you haven't done it yet or wish to join for the first time, send $10 to Society of Antique Modelers, 4269 Syoko Circle, San Jose, CA 95136. Plecan Simplex. Our model of the month is one of the most popular Old-Timers in Australia, yet one that is rarely seen in its home country. Airborne, the excellent Australian magazine, ran a construction article several years ago, and the Simplex has been built and flown both as a Free Flight and as an RC by a large number of Australians and New Zealanders.
