The B-25
THE B-25 has had a long and varied career, spanning the years from 1940 to the present. During World War II, it was the most widely used medium bomber and saw action in all theaters, most extensively in the Far East. It is best remembered for the raid on Tokyo led by then Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle in February 1942. Fortunately, a sizeable number of B-25's escaped the smelting furnaces at the end of the war. It was used extensively as a twin-engine trainer during the 1950's, and as utility aircraft throughout the USAF. About a dozen or so B-25's survive in private hands, and three appeared in a recent episode of the TV program Black Sheep Squadron. Every year three or four B-25's are flown at the EAA fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Hare
In our club, the Madison Area Radio Control Society (MARCS) one contest event has captured the interest of a large number of members: 1/2A pylon racing. It is an event where the beginning racer and the pro can both have a great time. For the neophyte, just trying to stay with the pack is fun. Yet, in the same race, the experienced racers are shaving the pylons and using their pet strategies. The popularity is due to a number of factors: equipment requirements and hence investment is minimal, rules preclude winning the event in a machine shop, design parameters lead to a variety of aircraft all with comparable performance, and, finally, little or no practice is necessary. Most of these points are not well understood by the competition-oriented flier. For example, nothing turns off the average member quicker than an event, such as a pattern, that requires hours and hours of practice before each contest. Some of our most successful pilots fly their 1/2A pylon racers only when there is a contest. Although the "old hands" often win, the average club member leaves the contest knowing every point was closely fought.
