OLD TIMERS
Clarence Haught
ANOTHER event: I can almost hear the hue and cry as I write these words. A few columns back we discussed a proposed new event. Nostalgia developed mainly on the west coast to promote models designed and flown during the period from the close of WW II to December 1956, with some encouragement from the Midwest to extend the dates to include January 1943 through 1945. Most reader comments on this event could be summed up by "who needs it?" and "there are already more SAM events than I can build for now!"
I now find myself discussing yet another "event." Actually I don't want to call it an event, as I am not advocating another form of Old Timer competition but rather another form of Old Timer fun.
If an activity brings new people into the fold, it has to be good. It doesn't have to be an official category to be flown nationally or at the Champs. It can be a form of local enjoyment. I'm referring to the flying of scaled-down Old Timers powered by Cox Baby Bee or other sport .049 glow engines.
Half-Scale OT rules and limitations
Now I realize there exists within the SAM rules, under Special Events, provisions for Half-Scale OT: "Any Old Timer model as defined in Section I but scaled exactly 1/2 size. Construction to remain the same as in the full size models. Maximum (engine) .049 cu. in. size." This category has not proved to be very popular and I suspect the hitch is the "1/2" size requirement.
For years I flew a Musketeer '42 powered by a Cox Baby Bee in the Cabin glow category. This ship flew nicely on this power but was built full size. There are many fine old designs that when built right off the plan are perfect for .049. Others would be quite suitable if scaled down (or up) slightly, say to 9/10.
Construction notes
In keeping with the original concepts of Old Timer activity, model construction should not be appreciably altered, i.e., substitution of sheet for built-up surfaces. I would suggest, however, that you may want to beef up certain areas for loads imposed by dethermalized (DT) landings, just as in the original size OTs.
Some thought might be given to wood sizes and/or species. A spruce spar substituted for a balsa one or the addition of a little fill-in sheeting in areas receiving frequent handling during flight preparation or launching can help. Some of the old designs suitable for .049 power in their original size had 3/16 in. square fuselage structures. Today most stripwood is harder (and heavier) than that commonly available before WW II, so you may want to use 1/8 in. instead. Many old designs performed poorly because they lugged around heavy ignition components; such models now get "new life" when powered by a .049.
Events and competition
Art Hemler, 146 S. Loraine Ave., Glendora, CA 91740, has been an advocate of .049 Old Timers for some time and has plans available for:
- a half-size Scram,
- a 40 in. span Lanzo Record Breaker,
- a 9/10 size Ranger.
For those of you who may still be hung up on competition, Art also reports the RC SAM 49'ers have had .049 Texaco events both at Taft and Elsinore. The SCAMPS are running an ".051 Max Fuel Allotment" event along with their annual Texaco event this year. The reason for the .051 maximum was to avoid excluding anyone who happened to use this engine size; being an "economy" event, a Baby Bee would probably beat an .051 rotary-valve anyhow. A 50 in. wingspan limit on the event keeps everything in perspective.
Rules are essential for competition flying, but for local contests or just plain flying, why tie ourselves down? Fun is the name of the game. Let's dig out some of those Baby Bees lying around the shop and put them in the air. While you are at it, give one to the kid down the block and let him in on the fun, too! After all, model aviation has been good to you—why not put something back into the hobby? Get a kid hooked on model airplanes!
Suppliers
Ira Keeler, 572 Deodana St., Vacaville, CA 95688, is putting out a list of old-time suppliers complete with addresses and offerings. Ira himself offers reprints of old catalogs dating back to the 1916 Ideal catalog. If you are interested in receiving a copy or being added to the list, send him a SASE.
Travelogue
Ever go visit friends for the evening and find yourself stuck with home movies or slides of your host's vacation? I'm not going to do that to you, but I would like to mention my visit to AMA Headquarters and Model Aviation during my recent trip to Washington, D.C. I must say I was quite impressed with the dedication, attitudes, and the small number of people involved in both entities.
One of the most frequent complaints I hear about AMA is that it is too competition oriented. AMA membership is basically made up of sport fliers, and although you've all heard the rationale that competition is the proving ground for products, etc., the silent majority doesn't participate in contest activity. The conversations and tour that I had convinced me that AMA Headquarters is a service organization dedicated to the average modeler.
Competition in any walk of life receives the publicity and modeling is no different. I do believe, however, that most modelers like to know what the competitors are doing and what products they are using. At the magazine office I discovered just how aware the staff is of the interests of the readers, and much thought goes into decisions on which events should be covered or what kinds of articles appeal to the general readership. Model designs under consideration are compared to similar, previously published articles and full-size plan sales to get a feel for acceptance. But variety also plays an important part, as it is recognized that there are many varied interests out there and high plan sales may not be good indicators in this case.
One observation confirmed by personal experience was that staff members sacrifice their own personal model building by virtue of their full-time involvement in a modeling-related job. It's hard to visualize, but when your entire day is devoted to an activity, it is difficult to plunge back into it during hobby time as well. I discovered this fact when working in full-scale aviation—I just couldn't face another coat of dope at night! I suspect many hobby shop owners have discovered this as well. If you ever find yourself in Washington, take time to visit AMA Headquarters—you won't regret it!
1980 SAM Championships announcement in Competition News section, page 90—see "Nats 'Unofficial' Events" item.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
