AMA National Rally
The versatility and size of Scobie Field made it an excellent site for staging AMA's third in a series of model airplane rallies. Every conceivable type of model was represented, from a flying stop sign to a giant B-17. The format of the rally was well suited for the average sport modeler. The third edition of the AMA National Model Airplane Rally was especially significant for having been held at the relatively new Scobie Field in west Houston's Cullen Barker Park. Much time and effort went into making this model airplane flying field a reality and readying it for the June 1-3 gathering, sponsored jointly by AMA and the Houston Area Model Council, Inc. (HAMCI). The Houston facility is truly magnificent! Scobie Field has everything the model airplane enthusiast could ask for: expansive hard-surface runways, shelters, running water, electricity, toilet facilities, a permanent food and refreshment stand, picnic tables, and playground facilities to occupy the kids. Provisions for (get this!) Radio Control and Control Line, plus Free Flight, are included, with plenty of room to spare for winch or high-start Glider launches. The facility is large enough to accommodate almost any gathering of modelers.
1/2A Texaco Scale
A NEW CLASS of fun flying has appeared on the Old-Timer scene. Known as RC 1/2A Texaco Scale, it began in the East as a spin-off of the popular 1/2A Texaco event and quickly spread throughout the country. Except in the substitution of Scale aircraft for the traditional Old-Timer designs, 1/2A Texaco Scale is similar to nonscale 1/2A Texaco. Engine rules are the same: an .049 Cox with fuel capacity of 8cc. A 15-minute maximum flight is specified. The best two out of three attempts count for scoring purposes. After two officially recorded flights, a third is not allowed. The ideal score is 1,200 seconds (two flights × 15-minute maximums × 60 seconds/minute).
