Letters To The Editor
All letters will be carefully considered; those of general interest will be used. Send to Model Aviation, 1810 Samuel Morse Dr., Reston, VA 22090.
Where Is the Swamp Box?
In roughly 1960 I apparently published a single-channel RC cabin model called the Swamp Box. After some 25 years I have received several requests for the source of the plans, magazine of publication, etc. I thought it might have been printed in Model Airplane News. When I asked for assistance from Hurst Bowers in the AMA Museum Library, the plan could not be located in any magazine. Hurst said that he, too, had received such requests, several of them from abroad—Europe and Australia.
It is important that I locate this almost-forgotten item to satisfy my own curiosity and to assist interested people. Many readers keep reference data and card systems. If you have a clue, please address Hurst Bowers, Museum Curator, at our AMA HQ. The museum has nearly complete files of all modeling magazines.
It's a real mystery in several respects. How could the airplane fall through cracks like this? Why are people now interested in it? Is something going on? How are people learning about it if a source isn't known?
I recall the airplane as plain and simple—and a stable, docile flier. Mine was equipped with the first single-channel system ever produced by Ace RC—but it may have been published with escapements. It would be in the realm of the Midwest Champion, DeBolt Rebel, etc., and it would be a fine .05–.075 electric with a motor speed controller.
Perhaps I had used a fictitious byline, or perhaps some editor left it out of the table of contents. Any help would be appreciated. (And please address your information to Hurst Bowers, not to me.)
Bill Winter Fairfax, VA
Soloed RC at Last
I have lived aviation all my life: rubber models 1926–34, gas-powered free flight in 1934–45. I learned to fly a Taylor Cub E-2 at Pittsburgh Bettis Field in 1937. I bought five full-size aircraft: one Waco GXE (Curtiss OX-5 engine), one Fairchild Model 22 (inverted Cirrus engine), two Aero Ks (E-13 engines), and one J-3 Cub. I've had eight complete engine failures and no injury from the forced landings.
Twelve years ago I wanted to learn to fly RC. In trips from Ohio to Florida I had many instructors. I crashed here and there. I found that most instructors would not stay with a student very long.
I flew all winter here in Ohio and had more crashes and rebuilds. On March 8–9, the weather in Ohio was like summer. My instructor asked, "Ed, are you ready to solo?" I made three flights around the field, and my landings were smooth. After all this trying, success feels pretty good.
Edwin H. Orr OX-5 Aviation Pioneers E. Liverpool, OH
Zilch
Some of your readers may be interested in my Zilch control-line project; therefore a few details and pictures.
The plans for the Zilch appeared in the February 1979 issue of Model Aviation. I recently scaled the plans for my Orwick .23 on ignition (K&M replica). There were many sizes of the Zilch kitted by Berkeley Models, and I decided mine should have a 44-in. span for the Orwick .23.
I had built a Super Duper Zilch from the kit in 1949 or 1950. It was powered by an Orwick .64 on ignition. The SD Zilch flew well, but the single balsa spar let go after a few flights.
My replica model was built per the MA plans, except the spar was laminated and the cowling was made of fiberglass. The spark-ignition Orwick .23 features an electronic ignition module which I produce for Old-Timer fliers.
I duplicated the paint/trim scheme Doc Mathews used for the MA article. The wings are yellow MonoKote while the rest is K&B Superoxy white with black striping tape. I fly with .015 lines of 50-ft. length.
I find a lot of interest in O-T stunt models. The Zilch and my Orwick .64-powered Yates Madman are both crowd pleasers and great fun to fly.
Floyd E. Carter 2029 Crist Dr. Los Altos, CA 94022
Not in His Book
In John Preston's "Safety Comes First" column of the March 1987 issue, Lyman Slack describes the circumstances surrounding the loss of part of his right thumb while tuning an engine.
I am deeply sorry to learn about anyone losing part of his anatomy. On the other hand, when someone uses a screwdriver to adjust the idle mixture of a .91 engine at fast idle and says he was doing everything "by the book," I can't help but wonder what book he was reading.
Larry Parfitt, Jr. Alexandria, VA
Grateful to Instructors
I know you do not print every letter that is sent to you. You must have millions sent in. Even so, I would be pleased if you could print this letter.
I would like for your magazine to mention the names of Reine K. Smith III and David Reyes of Lockhart, TX. I feel this way because their names in your great magazine would show how grateful I am to have them as RC instructors. They taught me to fly. They are special people who always help on the field and off.
I know that your magazine receives many letters like this, but I would like your help in expressing my thanks to Reine and David for being such special RC instructors.
Hector Garcia Lockhart, TX
Rates It High
I'm enclosing a photo of a fun RC plane. It's Craft Air's Piece of Cake modified for a .15 two-cycle Fox engine and a 6-oz. fuel tank—plus a long landing gear.
It flies nicely even in a strong wind, and it is easy to handle. It's a three-channel plane.
Byron Levy New Orleans, LA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
