National Mall Show Day
Academy Announces Program for All Chartered Clubs
Proposal
- All AMA-chartered clubs are asked to hold a static display and model aviation orientation day on the same day in early 1984.
Purpose
- To organize a nationwide effort to publicize model aviation.
- To attract media attention.
- To serve as a rehearsal for the Academy's 50th anniversary celebration in 1986.
Goal
- Each chartered club should contact a local shopping center or mall and arrange a static display for a specific day in February 1984 (suggested date: Saturday, February 11).
- Members would display their best models all day (possibly a two-day show if mall management wants or requires).
- Club members could build models in view of the public.
Suggested features
- Clubs with videotape equipment could run video displays.
- Clubs with color-slide equipment could set up slideshows of club activities.
- Clubs could hold AMA Cub (Delta Dart) building sessions for local kids.
- Invite other aviation-oriented groups (Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, 4‑H, etc.) to increase local impact.
Publicity
- The AMA Public Relations Department will issue press releases to wire services, major TV stations, major newspapers, and the modeling press to build anticipation.
- AMA will provide chartered clubs with press release forms for local use; clubs may also prepare their own local press, TV and radio releases.
Income
- Many clubs receive compensation from malls for displays; it is reasonable to request compensation to offset local publicity costs (flyers, small ads, etc.).
Benefits
- Participating clubs will receive a certificate from the Academy stating the facts of the occasion.
- A special jacket/shirt patch will be created and made available at cost to club members who participate and help with the event.
- A combined nationwide effort could generate significant publicity, increase exposure to the non-modeling public, and help clubs secure or retain flying sites by improving community and official understanding.
Advance information
- The AMA Public Relations Department needs to know whether your club will participate to estimate quantities for certificates and patch production.
- Please have your club secretary write to Geoffrey Styles, Director of Public Relations, AMA, to confirm participation or nonparticipation.
The sport needs your support. If you love it, please plan to take part in National Mall Show Day in February 1984.
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AMA Video Cassettes — Sale Proposal
- Purpose: The video offerings support clubs’ static displays and public outreach efforts by providing high-quality footage suitable for public showings.
Three VHS tapes ready now for immediate shipment — $25 postpaid:
- Those Marvelous Miniatures
- Spectacular footage of many kinds of model flying: sailplanes over Torrey Pines (Pacific Ocean), seaplanes over Lake Brimfield, Massachusetts, and a wide range of scale models from tiny Peanut free-flights to large multi‑engine R/C craft.
- An all-inclusive cross-section of model aviation; excellent for general public showings and for modelers.
- Running time: about 46 minutes.
- Modeling's Grand Illusions
- Features various types and sizes: scale models, peanut rubber‑powered types to large R/C types, including scenes from the 1978 Scale World Championships (England).
- Running time: about 36 minutes.
- Adrift
- Focuses on air fun: free flight, indoor and outdoor flying, narration about outdoor FAI competition, and scenes of night flying.
- Filmed in Taft, California, and other locations.
- Running time: about 30 minutes.
Notes
- Professionally produced using state-of-the-art equipment; duplicate of previous AMA/Jay Gerber films.
- For the first time these top-quality productions are available at low prices.
- Sorry — no rentals.
- Order from: AMA Headquarters, 1810 Samuel Morse Drive, Reston, VA 22090.
New Addition
- MAS Productions — Build & Fly RC Helicopters (1-hour VHS)
- Sale/rental: $45 postpaid (regular $49.95).
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AMA Museum — Progress Report
- Grand opening established for 24 September.
- Initial exhibit in the central arena will feature 32 models with additional notable additions such as George Perryman's Great Speckled (title incomplete in original), Salmon's Exhibition Team RC Bearcat, Bill Bell's multiple‑winner Stinson Gullwing CL model, an outstanding static scale Eaglerock, and Ernie Greene's Taurus (built from Top Flite's first kit and flown in the UK for three years), among other artifacts and memorabilia.
Facility & collections
- Walt Stevick completed vertical display trees for suspending exhibits from roof girders.
- Bids are being accepted for a 46‑ft glass display case for small, highly valuable exhibits.
- Collections expected: Russ Barrera (California) and George Meyer (Texas).
- Maxwell Bassett, the "father of gasoline‑powered models," has agreed to exhibit his 1934 world‑record Miss Philadelphia. The Franklin Institute curator is assisting to locate the model for potential display.
Appeal to disciplines
- Response from Free Flight enthusiasts has been limited; historically significant models from Free Flight and CL stunt are encouraged.
- This is the modeler's museum; representation from all disciplines is desired.
Hurst G. Bowers, Museum Curator
- Statistics will be forthcoming in a future article.
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President's Corner
By the President of the Academy of Model Aeronautics John C. Grigg 6387 Badger Drive, Lockport, NY 14094 Home: (716) 434‑3955 — Work: (716) 631‑6200
Congratulations!
- The AMA scholarship program has helped many students. One recipient, Paul V. Munana (awarded a $1,000 scholarship in 1980), recently earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- A letter from Paul's father highlighted the scholarship's value beyond finances: the honor, inspiration, pride, and accomplishment it provided.
- Paul is an accomplished Free Flighter (holds Cat. I Senior V/A record). Congratulations and best wishes as he enters the workforce.
Two‑Meter Madness
- Attended the 4th annual 2‑Meter World Cup Contest in Modesto, CA — an excellent meet hosted by the Modesto RC Club with support from the San Fernando Valley Silent Fliers and Ed Sloboda.
- The meet was international with Canadian participation; prize list included radio systems, kits, and substantial merchandise.
- Notable improvements in 2‑meter aircraft design over the last four years; competition has driven rapid advancement.
- A highlight was the use of six near‑identical winches to ensure equal launch opportunity; combined with man‑on‑man technique, this proved effective. The author suggests FAI‑CIAM consider adopting these concepts.
Statistically Speaking
- Responding to concerns about Headquarters staff growth vs. membership growth, Gisele Jackson (Comptroller) and Carol Merfeld (Membership Director) provided data for 1977–1982.
- Over six years: average membership 75,580; average Headquarters employees 33 1/3; members per employee ~2,271 1/3; employees per member ~0.0441%.
- Anticipated membership for the current year: 86,650, which projects to about 38.15 employees (ratio ~0.0439%). Actual number: 38 employees — essentially on the six‑year average.
Soapbox Issue
- Concern over loss of flying sites while the sport is encouraged to grow.
- Clarifications:
- AMA is non‑profit; no one in AMA profits directly from industry donations aside from those employed by industry.
- The effort to increase membership stems from a genuine desire to share the hobby: members volunteer time teaching building, flying, and repairing models, and serve as club officers.
- Encouragement to continue outreach and teaching for the good of the sport.
Other notes and correspondence
- Club requests for lists (District III, District II, and all U.S. clubs) are being forwarded to Eileen at Headquarters for mailing.
- Editor patches: the current year is the first year AMA issued an EDITOR patch.
- Frank Coppola (Islip Model Aviation Society) proposed more junior-level participation and a parental consent form — a good idea.
- Philip Lehmberg reported success with Peanut model building at Pine Meadows School, French Gulch, CA.
- Closing: See you next month.
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Districts, Events, and Club News
National Mall Show Day — February 1984 (summary)
- Local publicity costs (flyers, small ads) to be borne locally.
- Benefits include certificates and special jacket/shirt patches available at cost to participating club members.
- Combined nationwide effort could boost publicity and public understanding, aiding clubs in securing flying sites.
- Clubs should have secretaries contact Geoffrey Styles, Director of Public Relations, AMA, to confirm participation.
What's Happening in District IV
- United States Marine Corps Aviation Museum announces the Fifth Annual U.S. Marine Corps R/C Aircraft Scale Model Rally (9–10 July 1983).
- Hosts: Marine Corps Aviation Museum and Northern Virginia Radio Control Club.
- Competition categories: Sport Scale Sportsman, Sport Scale Expert, Giant Scale, and the Gemeinhardt Trophy (best scale model of a Marine Corps aircraft).
- The Gemeinhardt Trophy remains on permanent display at the Marine Corps Aviation Museum; winning modelers may donate their models for museum display.
- Demonstrations by the Northern Virginia Radio Control Air Show Team and access to the museum are highlights.
- Nearby attractions: National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
RC Prop Busters Air Show Team (Waterford, CT)
- Team details provided by Jim Parker: 10 members, more than 20 aircraft (including 1/4-scale Pitts Special, Byron F-16, Kougars, twin Kougar, Flying Dog House, Fokker DR/1 Triplane, EU-1 Pattern aircraft, glider, RC parachutists).
- The team travels with a self-contained PA and music system to present narrated shows with sound effects and music where no power is available.
- 1983 highlights included a static display at New London Mall (approx. 3,000 visitors), a two-day static show at Mallon's RV Country, and an air show for 6,500 Boy Scouts at the Bethlehem, CT fairgrounds.
- Upcoming engagements included a full-scale air show in Madison, CT; parade appearances; East Lyme Appreciation Week shows; Camp Harkness evening show; and International Hamfest shows.
King‑size Syndrome and Giant Scale Events
- 1983 noted for an increase in large-scale RC contests, demonstrations, and fly-ins.
- Events mentioned:
- Millville, NJ Aero‑Thon (June 5)
- Super Scale '83 — 16th Annual Scale Contest, Pennsylvania Avenue RC Society (July 3), Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY
- 1983 Scale Rally — Southern Tier Aero Radio Society, Olean Municipal Airport (July 9–10)
- Two Giant Scale rallies on the same weekend (August 13–14): Flying Knights' Second RC Scale Rally (Hamburg, NY) and Somers RC Club's Fifth Annual Mammoth Scale Fly-In (Somers, NY).
Model Aviation Day (M.A.D.) at Rockefeller Center
- M.A.D. 8: scheduled for August 6, 1983, at Rockefeller Plaza, NYC (48th Street and Fifth Avenue).
- Bring models before 11:00 a.m.; event runs until 5:00 p.m.
- Awards for nicest models; no entry fee; parking for entrants within the complex.
Nats Notes
- Due to publication lead times, the column anticipates readers enjoyed the East Coast Nats and expresses hope that Westover AFB will become an established eastern Nats site as part of AMA’s geographic rotation policy.
Local Club Highlights and Contests
- Valley RC Flying Club: Rocket-assisted takeoffs on a Telemaster .40 with an attached shuttle assembly; successful flights reported.
- Quickie 500 race winners (June 5, Prince George's RC Club): 1st Rickie Wade; 2nd Joe Solko; 3rd Greg Spicer; 4th W. Wilson. PGRC has promoted Quickie 500 racing in the D.C.–Maryland area.
- RC Prop Busters, RC Prop Busters Air Show Team and other club activities reported across districts.
- District IX report (as of May 1983): 90 AMA‑chartered clubs (South Dakota 7, Wyoming 8, North Dakota 9, Nebraska 13, Kansas 23, Colorado 24). Quarterly district club lists available from Club Services at AMA Headquarters.
- Club-school partnerships encouraged — example: Arvada Associated Modelers adopted Witt Elementary (Arvada, CO), starting with about 25 fifth- and sixth-grade students building models.
Additional Club & Contest Notes
- Arkansas: Tenth Annual Razorback Classic Pattern RC Contest (Memorial Day weekend) and Arkansas Second Annual Jumbo Fun Fly (Morrilton, AR) reported by Bob Friedl; Jumbo Fun Fly proceeds donated to Muscular Dystrophy.
- Fort Worth Planesmen: praised for an outstanding newsletter and Free Flight leadership; contact address provided in original.
- New frequency board designed by Al Bruce (Mountain View RC Club) — engraved frequency tags and durable construction praised; article suggested for publication.
- Reminder: invite local newspaper, TV and radio personnel to club functions; host them and consider honorary membership as an effective PR gesture.
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Closing Notes
- Encouragement to continue outreach, preserve flying sites, and share the hobby.
- Final sign-off: "All for now" — wishing happy flying and community engagement.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
