John W. Rawlings

Cover Identification Correction
The cover description for the January
2001 Model Aviation was incorrect.
The Extra 300S was built from a Great
Planes kit and painted by Joe Avina of
Newhall CA. The model belongs to Marty
Vagts, who took the photo.
The .40-size Extra has custom-made
graphics by Joe Waters and a fiberglass cowl
and wheel pants by Stan’s Fibre Tech. Powered
by a Saito 80 engine, it weighs 61⁄4 pounds.
Our apologies for the error.
—MA Staff
Aeronca Champ Memories
I have read with interest the article by
Stan Alexander in the Jan. 2001 issue of
Model Aviation.
He, however, states that the Aeronca Champ
was first produced in 1944. I soloed in the
Champ in the spring of 1942. At the time, I was
a senior in high school and age 17. Incidentally,
when I soloed I did not know how to drive an
automobile, and walked to high school!
Everything he said about the Champ I
totally agree with.
Don Cameron
Tucson, Arizona
The short article about the Aeronca
Champ in the January 2001 issue brought
back fond memories.
With the assistance of a full-scale Champ
at a local airport and Paul Matt plans, I built a
scale model of this for the 1968 Nationals.
Placed 3rd in [static] judging, but with the
marginal flying skill, placed 12th or 13th.
My model sprayed water through the booms,
and was verified by one judge. It had a 77-inch
wingspan, and was powered by a Fox .74.
The windshield was a challenge. I wanted
to make the windshield with the “pregnant”
look, not the flat fold-over that is commonly
used. I used a piece of clear material, heated
in the kitchen oven and gently formed over a
male mold that I sculpted from wood, plaster,
and body putty.
It was entered in a couple meets after
that, and retired. It now gathers dust and
time warps in the tail feathers, hanging in
my garage, contemplating the glory days of
flying 32 years ago.
This article resurrected fond memories.
Richard Hansen
Cozad, Nebraska