Free Flight: Old-Timers
Clarence Haught
SCAVENGER HUNT: Where can I find an old ignition engine? This is a frequently asked question, and the answer is not always so simple. Of course, if the enquirer is after a specific make and model, he has his work cut out for him. The field is considerably narrower and he may expect to pay a top price for an example in good running condition.
If, however, you are not quite so particular or do not have the time to acquire some "trading stock," you have a much better chance at getting just what you want. Literally thousands upon thousands of ignition engines were manufactured and sold. A large percentage of these engines is still around. Some were lost, a few worn out or destroyed, but most people are prone to stick things back in a corner, even if they are not personally interested, if the object has some apparent or implied value.
The problem becomes one of locating these engines and convincing the owner that he should transfer his interest to you.
One of the most logical sources is from previous fliers whose interest has changed. Ask the old-time members of your club, or ask around the Senior Citizens Center for names of modelers of bygone years. It's surprising who used to fly model airplanes.
Another good source is the local hobby shop. Many old engines are brought in by newcomers to the hobby, hoping to trade an old engine in on new products. Often these engines are of no interest to the hobby dealer and can be obtained at a very reasonable cost. Perhaps you can work out an arrangement whereby you can obtain these engines, either directly or through a cooperative dealer. I know one hobby shop owner who has amassed a huge collection of engines this way that unfortunately will never get out of their bulk cardboard container. A tremendous shame.
Flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, hobby shows are sources worth investigating. Boxes of odds and ends may yield a complete engine or a few parts. Sometimes parts consist of timer point assemblies removed years ago upon the advent of Ray Arden's glow plug, coils, condensers, plugs, wheels, etc.
The Old-Timer enthusiast knows that a collector has accumulated a nice array of engines through the basic hobby. Old clock repair and restoration hobby types go through succession of interests and are happy to trade off items no longer of interest.
Charity stores can hold some pleasant surprises for the alert modeler. Get acquainted with some folks who work there. Make it a regular stop. Bulletin board notices work. Try putting a small notice in laundromats, grocery stores, schools, barber shops, golf courses, camera stores — places you can think of — and you will probably turn up lots of Baby Bee .049s. It's worth the effort. Good Hunting!
Clarence Haught, Route 5, Box 16, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
