Prime Cut

THIS AIRPLANE is my shot at a large, quick-building sport model that's also a capable flier. For a good deal of my sport flying activity. I prefer big airplanes, I think they really do fly better. Big airplanes need big engines and the large gas engines available today have proven to be economical and reliable. The Quadra 35 and 40 or the Zenoah G-38 are practical choices. At the moment I don't want to go any larger or heavier, in either engines or aircraft.

Hal deBolt's Classic CL Stunters

CONTROL LINE modelers have been taking to Old-Timer Stunt flying (OTS for short) in greater numbers in recent years. The OTS event rules call for aircraft designs dating prior to December 31, 1952, and the aerobatic pattern flown is the one outlined in the 1951-52 AMA rule book. The popularity of nostalgia and vintage events cuts across modeling categories. Control Line OTS is paralleled by the SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) Old-Timer events in Free Flight and Radio Control. Interest in early RC models prompted the recent formation of the Vintage Radio Control Society.

Charlie's Bird Flies Again

BACK IN the mid-1930s, modelers were pioneers. Each new design was an experiment. There was always something new to learn: stability, balance point location, area relationships, airfoils, overall proportions, structural requirements, wing loading. Almost-ready-to-fly models didn't exist, and few commercial kits were available; you made your own from scratch and learned as you went. These were the men and women who got our hobby going.

Valmet Redigo

ONE reason for scratch-building a model, whether from your own design or another builder's plans, is to have something a little different at the field. Mustangs and Cubs are nice. They also can be plenty of fun. But when your airplane looks so distinctive that your flying buddies come up and ask you what it is-well, that's fun, too. "That's the Valmet Redigo," you oblige, adding that the design is based on a two- or four-seat trainer prototype from Finland.

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