Author: B. Baker
Edition: Model Aviation - 1999/05
Page Numbers: 128

FREE FLIGHT OLD-TIMERS

By Bill Baker, 1902 Peter Pan, Norman, OK 73072

SAM Champs Honoree

The 1997 SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) Champs honored Earl Stahl with special events for his designs, and the 1998 SAM Champs honored Sal Taibi with a Pacer event (gas) and Ernie Linn with a Kansas Wakefield event (rubber).

This year the honoree is Joe Elgin, with events for the Playboy and the Cleveland Gull Wakefield. The Gull is a diamond-fuselage, shoulder-wing, polyhedral design that I think is rather pretty.

Plans and Parts

Jim O'Reilly has made accurate CAD plans for these models, which will enable Bob Holman to make accurate laser-cut parts that really fit. I assume that, as in the past, the plans will be available from Jim and the parts from Bob.

  • Jim O'Reilly — 4760 N. Battin, Wichita, KS 67220; Tel.: (316) 744-0856.
  • Bob Holman — Box 741, San Bernardino, CA 92402; Tel.: (909) 885-3959; Fax: (909) 889-9307.

Jimmie Allen Postal Contest

The 1998 Jimmie Allen Postal contest was won by the team from SAM 27 of Napa, California, who posted six maxes in nine flights. They will have the honor of sponsoring the 1999 contest.

The 1998 contest drew 13 team entries from across the nation. It seems that the Skokie has replaced the Bluebird as the most popular model, with 11 entered. Jimmie Allen models were named for a popular 1930s radio program sponsored by Skelly Oil, which sold several designs as kits from its retail outlets.

For more information about the 1999 event, contact:

  • Jerry Rocha — 3583 Ruston Lane, Napa, CA 94558.

Correction

I received a letter from Charles Klivans reporting that the modeler in the photo with Frank Zaic in the January column is Roy Marquart.

Videos from Robin's View Productions

Robin "Bob" Hunt, president of Robin's View Productions, has a number of videotapes for sale that are very helpful and instructive. The latest is Randy Randolph's "Texas Tips," a 57-minute video priced at $13.95 plus $3 priority mail fee (note: shipping price may vary).

In the video, Randy shows a number of practical building techniques with simple fixtures to speed up construction and increase accuracy. It should be good for a club meeting, or to pass around to your flying buddies.

Another excellent tape covers how to tissue-cover models, featuring Larry Kruse. I also enjoyed a George Aldrich interview (priced separately) because I learned that he broke even more Control Line models than I did while learning to fly inverted.

Contact Robin's View Productions:

  • Box 68, Stockertown, PA 18083; Tel.: (610) 746-0106; Fax: (610) 746-9638.

Note: The Randy Randolph tapes are not specifically about Old-Timers, but the construction methods apply, as does the tissue-covering video.

New Book — Flying Models

Don Ross, who wrote the definitive introduction to rubber power, has a new book called Flying Models. It has chapters on powering small free-flight models with rubber, CO2, and electric motors. There are construction chapters, including how to use foam and other non-traditional materials, and even a chapter on micro radio control.

The book is competently written. Buy an extra copy for school and community libraries. The paperback price is $19.95. Suggested source:

  • Hannan's Runway — Box 210, Magalia, CA 95954. Credit cards accepted. 24-hour fax: (916) 873-6329. Tel.: (916) 873-6421.

Al Lidberg Plans Service

A.A. (Al) Lidberg continues to add to his line of tiny versions of classic Old-Timer gas models sized for smaller CO2 and electric motors. These make fine small-field fliers in calm weather.

The latest additions include:

  • Shereshaw Champion
  • GHQ Sportster
  • Debby (a cabin design by Nick Limber)

Al says he will send a free kit to any of the original designers who would like one.

A departure from these tiny models is a somewhat larger Cleveland Viking with about 115 square inches of wing area and nearly a 30-inch span. It can be powered by electrics such as HiLine Mini-6, VL HY-70, or various CO2 motors of 120 size.

The smaller models are 60–75 square inches in wing area and are powered with the HiLine Micro 4 or smaller CO2 engines of 80 to 100 size.

A complete illustrated catalog is available for $2 from:

Al accepts credit cards or checks in U.S. funds.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.