Control Line: Speed
Gene Hempel
BAN MODELS! Now that I have your attention, please read on.
This is the first time modelers have taken a reasonable effort to write concerning an editorial written by AMA President John C. Grigg (Editor's note: August 1984 AMA News, "President's Corner" item titled "Noise Standards"). From the letters and phone calls I have received, the editorial covers noise pollution by model engines. I have not had the opportunity to either read the editorial or converse with John concerning this subject. It appears everyone is concerned about their equipment becoming obsolete. My suggestion would be for you to write John Grigg—do not phone—concerning the noise problem. I am sure he had some justification in writing that editorial.
I would like to apologize to John Hunton (Annandale, VA) for not giving him credit for the takeoff dolly design that appeared in the August 1984 issue of the Speed column. The design works very well for an asymmetrical model and is simple to construct.
With the recent increased interest in Speed generating some activity, a few of the local Texas Speed modelers held their first Speed meet on June 9 and 10. It was enjoyable to visit with Speed modelers who had dropped out. Attendees included:
- Joe McKinzie (Ft. Worth), who teamed with George Aldrich in the early Sixties.
- Tom Blankmann (Coppell, TX), who was an active Speed modeler in the St. Louis area in the early Seventies.
- Dimmitt Perkins (Houston), whose jet model couldn't get the engine to run continuously.
I tried to get my B-speed model to release from the dolly. It was the fastest race car with wings. The speeds were nothing fantastic, but we did have plenty to eat and the "B.S." session was enjoyed by all.
Letter from Dan Burdick (Seattle, WA)
I have been into model airplanes off and on for around 20 years or so. Over the years, I've also studied how the modelers' attitudes have changed toward this wonderful sport. Sorry to say, a loaf of bread was about 40 to 50 cents back in the early Sixties, and a .049 Control Line kit was $4.95. Also, world tension was not so uptight. A 10- or 12-year-old boy was very excited to hear the buzzing of a model engine at the local school ground and would do almost anything to hang on to that handle. With that as background, I had a pretty shaking experience at my local flying field some time ago, which I must relate to you.
I fly Formula "40" speed and am very much in love with Control Line models of any kind. Anyway, one day I was testing some rework and had just landed when these young boys (who appeared to be in the 11–13 age group) came walking over to see what was going on. One kid said, "Gee, that sure is noisy," with a very angry look on his face. All of a sudden he says, "How bad would you hurt me if I stepped on your damn plane!" I said, "I'd turn ya' over my knee and tell your parents." Well, he gave the model a couple more dirty looks and said, "Yeah, it would almost be worth it!" End of story!
Gene, I don't know what percent of kids are like this, but I was in shock for quite some time! Anyway, if this kind of thing is so common in many sections of youngsters' attitudes today, then it is no wonder our sport is in serious danger.
All in all, I also feel that Control Line should be more publicized and more promotion carried out. Another problem that needs to be dealt with is R/C. How can young people get any information on C/L if all the magazines print R/C and not C/L? C/L is still an active, thriving class of model flying. Let's face it, Control Line is becoming a specialized sport and is not what it was 20–25 years ago. Bread is now $1.00 a loaf and a .049 kit is out of this world. So, here are my comments. Print them if you wish.
Some of my recent correspondence has been quite interesting and thought-provoking—but I can't print it all. Don't let that deter you from sending me your observations and opinions on Speed! I need inputs from as many modelers as possible so that I can best figure out what you readers may be interested in. Keep those cards, letters, and photos coming!
Gene Hempel 901 N. Yale Dr. Garland, TX 75042
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
