FREE FLIGHT OLD-TIMERS
Bill Baker, 1902 Peter Pan, Norman OK 73072
Photos and Old-Timers still flying
The two photos I have selected for this column have one thing in common: the designers are still active and flying their own designs from their early years.
One photo shows Herb Greenberg, the designer of the popular Red Zephyr kit from Scientific (circa 1936). He was captured indoors after flying at the 1993 Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) Championships, with a stopwatch still around his neck.
Another photo shows a vintage Control Line Stunt model designed by Floyd Carter in 1950. He still flies it in PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association)-sponsored Old Time Stunt Championships. Floyd says the emphasis is not on winning, but on having a great time, and the event attracts such Stunt greats as Aldrich, Palmer, and Hunt.
Floyd Carter and the Wildman 60
Wildman 60, the silk-covered model designed by Floyd Carter, has an Orwick .64 on spark ignition. Floyd might have been influenced by the famous Madman Yates, who saw his Orwick-powered Madman fly in approximately 1948—I am still scared: 90 mph inverted, three feet above the concrete, with the Orwick thundering away! Floyd says he would be happy to talk Old Time Stunt; call evenings, Pacific Standard Time: (415) 968-4246. E-mail: AeroPly@aol.com.
Thermal Span covering material
I received a sample of a covering material called Thermal Span. I assumed it was "just another polyester," but I learned that it is a PVC fiber. A couple of advantages are that it has no grain, so it shrinks equally, and it will stretch with heat and go around positive compound curves much better than polyester. Thermal Span is light, strong, and it takes dope well.
- Available in 16-foot x 14-inch rolls for $10 each, plus $3 postage and handling.
- Order from: Ed Harris, 2000 NW 84th Ave., Ankeny IA 50021; Tel: (515) 965-5942.
Model Builder plans now available
In case you missed the notice in some magazines' classified ads, plans from Model Builder (which recently ceased publication) are now available from Bill Northrop's Plans Service. This is important for Old-Timer Free Flight fans since the catalog includes excellent plans for Free Flight gas and rubber models. Many of the plans are expertly redrawn by Phil Bernhardt to a much higher standard than the originals.
- Bill's $2 illustrated catalog is a good buy.
- Contact: Bill Northrop, 2019 Doral Court, Henderson NV 89014; Tel: (702) 896-2162; Fax: (702) 897-7775.
- Please mention that you are interested in Old-Timers.
Superior Props and new ownership
Superior Props has been sold to Bob and Barbara Gourdon.
- New owners: Bob and Barbara Gourdon, 60375 West Spruce Ln., Lacombe LA 70445; Tel: (504) 882-6535.
- They will continue the line of carved-balsa propellers for Old-Timer and modern rubber models, and excellent rubber-model hardware.
- A SASE will get you a price list and information.
Ed Wickland says he sold the business because it was so successful that he no longer had time to build and fly. However, he has started another product line—propellers for the very small CO2 mini-electric models. He sent some impressive samples: they appear to be basswood, are well-finished, and are very thin. The propellers will be available direct from Ed at 2412 Tucson Ave., Pensacola FL 32526.
Dethermalizer lighter (DT)
Superior Props also has a battery-operated dethermalizer (DT) lighter for $12 (including postage and handling). This device, intended for lighting cigarettes, is handy for lighting fuses—useful if you don't smoke. I have been burning up more fuse for "punk" than for fuses!
K&B Infant .020 engines and replicas
A few months ago I told you about new glow plugs for the old K&B Infant .020 engines. I've learned that there are whole Infants made on CNC (Computer Numeric Control) machines, so the parts are interchangeable. The Infants will turn a Graupner 5 x 2 propeller about 10,000–11,000 rpm, and while not "competitive" with the T.D. .020 for power, they are great for sport flying—especially the classic models of the 1950s, which were designed for the power of this engine and for the other early 1/2As.
- Newly-manufactured Infant replicas sell for $75, plus $4.50 shipping and handling.
- Available from: P.A.L. Model Products, 32 Clinton St., White Plains NY 10603.
- A plastic display box is available for $5. New York state residents pay sales tax.
Flying Aces reprints
Flying Aces Volume 4 is available. Volumes 2 and 3 have been published, and it looks as though it will take six volumes to contain all of the good articles from the old Flying Aces magazine. Volume 1 will be last, which makes sense to the English publisher. It would take a huge shelf of old magazines to include the model and engine articles and humor.
- You can get volumes 2, 3, and 4 from:
- Hannans Runway, Box 210, Magalia CA 95954.
- Aerodyne Models, 11711 Coley River Circle, Suite 10, Fountain Valley CA 92708.
- Price: $19.95 each, plus postage and handling (about $3 by Priority Mail).
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
