Letters to the Editor
All letters will be carefully considered, those of general interest used. Send to Model Aviation, 815 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
More Grass Roots?
I believe that Model Aviation should have a "Letters to the Editor" section. I don't believe there is enough "grass roots" voice. If this cannot be done please explain why not. Thank you. Guy Markham, AMA 1953, SAM 096 Hanford, CA
How's this for a quick response, Guy? Actually, we've been thinking about a letters column for a long time. Trouble was that most readers have been writing directly to the columnists whose addresses appear at the end of their monthly copy, or to AMA itself. Now that we finally have a letters section, we can encourage our readers to express themselves. Just bear in mind that items related to AMA as an organization—such as rules matters, team selection, etc.—cannot be discussed on this page.
Solar Power Pioneer
I'm writing you in reference to a news article in your magazine on a solar powered airplane. I'm really glad to see that you could cover this story, and that someone finally with enough $$$ backing took an interest in this form of alternative flight. However, I have been personally working on a solar powered aircraft for a while now, and if I'm not mistaken I feel I'm the first to launch and build a solar powered airplane. The date was April 22, 1976 at 2:57 pm. The flight lasted 30 seconds. The craft was a sailplane type aircraft. The craft was powered by eight 1/2 watt solar cells, with a current of 1.2 amps at 45 volts. The motor was geared up to 40,000 rpms. Unfortunately due to my financial situation (20 years old and married), the project could never go beyond the scope it did. I feel I was part of the pioneering of solar flight. Thanks for your time—better late than never! Danny Howell, Jr Warminster, PA
On page 15, December 1976 Model Aviation appeared a photo of the solar-powered model developed by the late W. Militky and Graupe of Germany, with a long informative caption. The same item has now appeared in worldwide magazines. A 32-foot solar-powered model developed for the Air Force by Lockheed and Astro Flight flew for more than three hours during 1975, and was reported in the October 1976 issue of RC Sportsman. A detailed article on the same project by Robert J. Boucher appeared in the January 1977 RC Modeler.
Versatile Kloud King
Enclosed is a photo of me and my Kloud King RC, built from M/A plan 103. The only real change from the original plan and article is the .25 RC engine; not that more power was needed, just that I had an idle Fox .25 RC engine. In fact, full throttle is used only on takeoff; the plane can loop on half throttle; and with a little trim in the rudder you can cut to fourth throttle, lay the transmitter on the ground, and watch the plane fly in big lazy circles. Built of 3/16" square spruce and balsa, the entire model is covered in transparent red Monokote. When the Johnstown Radio Control Club held a static display at the Richland Mall this summer, the transparency of the Kloud King was a real plus feature. Not only was all of the construction clearly visible, but you could even see the fuel tank, and fuel level in the tank, and you could watch the servos operate. Radio is EK Logictrol LRB three channel, with rudder and elevator servos in the brick, and a separate throttle servo. The charging jack for the nicads is built into the fuselage side, near the switch. Charging the battery, and/or checking with the voltmeter can be done without removing the wing. The Kloud King is such a relaxing flyer that even the club's hot pattern pilots like to take a turn; and when the 4 oz. Sullivan tank runs dry the plane floats like a glider.
For anyone who wants to take the time to "build," and wants a real fun flying airplane that a beginner can fly, and an expert can enjoy, plan 103 is just the ticket.
Arthur B. Knee, AMA 17500 Johnstown, PA
Dyke Delta—Something Different
I am submitting the enclosed picture for your use in the Model Aviation magazine.
I read an article in your magazine "Model These," by Don Berliner, February, 1976 about "experimental" airplanes and the "Dyke Delta" JD-2 caught my attention as an exciting RC model to build. I asked a fellow AMA'er to draw up some rib plan structure, the rest I made up as I went along by the sketch that was in the magazine.
It measures 30" by 22" long—weighs 1.8 lbs. dry—powered by a Cox .09 T.D. and is controlled by two servos linked together. It has no wheels and has to be hand launched.
It took five nose crashes to finally break out the motor mounts and send it to the hospital for minor repairs, so it's a very tough model. It is extremely fast and a real attention getter, although it is very touchy flying.
James E. Walters, AMA 93645 Garland, Texas
Don Berliner's article covered a number of interesting homebuilts (full scale) and included five three-views of projects which had distinguished themselves for off-the-beaten track design and flying efficiency. The article was well received. The Experimental Aircraft Association address is Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Meteorology for Models?
I would like to compliment you on the fine job you're doing in publishing Model Aviation magazine.
My reason for this letter is: Will somebody write an article or series of articles on "Meteorology for Model Aviation"? We all use the atmosphere in which we fly our models. I would like to know more about it and I'm sure other modelers would be interested also. Learning about things such as wind currents, air density, etc. would be beneficial to us all.
Thank you,
Robert F. Reteare, AMA 69460 Stamford, CT
Anyone else want something on meteorology? If there is enough reader interest, we'll look into it.
Bearcat Grabs Him
While looking through the Nov. 1976 issue of Model Aviation, I just went nuts when I saw the beautiful Bearcat by Jim Lynch. I've always loved that plane and when I saw someone took its shape and molded it into a CL stunt plane I went ape.
Is there any way I could buy a copy of plans from someone, perhaps Jim Lynch, or would you have any plans of writing an article on it and selling the plans yourself?
I thank you for looking into it for me and I'd like to say your magazine is great, I've learned a lot about modeling from it. Thank you.
Mike Taschner Minneapolis, MN
We've put Mike in touch with Jim Lynch—others, too, have asked about Lynch's Bearcat. Glad to help any reader who becomes interested in a design pictured in Model Aviation.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
