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.
Can't Beat This Price!
I have in my possession about 1,000 rubber vibration mounts that I would like to offer to the modeling community to help reduce noise from engines/airplanes. These mounts (see sketch) are obsolete inventory from my employer and have cost me nothing.
I will send four of these mounts to the first 250 modelers who send me $1 (for postage) and a pre-addressed peel-off label.
These mounts have a short stud on one end and a longer one on the other. The short stud probably will require a tapped hole in the engine mount, as it is not long enough to pass through a mounting surface and also accommodate a nut and lock washer. The longer stud will handle the mounting flanges of most model engines.
Anyone desiring four of these almost-free mounts should send $1 (and don't forget the pre-addressed peel-off label) to:
Jim Breese 1109 Las Pulgas Rd. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Coronet 150
Regarding the construction article of mine on the Coronet 150 in the October 1988 issue, the text was written before the SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) rules were changed. This design is legal with a .29 cu. in. two- or four-stroke power plant (or smaller) under the 1988 SAM rules. The engine size limit was shown correctly on the drawings.
Dr. D. B. Mathews Wichita, KS
The October 1988 issue about the Coronet brought back many memories of some 45 years ago. My first engine was a G.H.Q., which for hours on end I attempted to start, with nothing happening but backfires (darn near caught the place on fire!). Then came the Ohlsson & Rice .23 and the Coronet, which I promptly lost on the first flight. What's a little tank of gas? A farmer called my dad that night and said he had my airplane. I had many more learning flights with the Coronet before folding the wings; I had no one to turn to for advice. What I'd really like to know is the name of the glider of which I'm holding the fuselage framework. I didn't get to finish the glider because of U.S. Navy duty.
Donald Eggensperger Redondo Beach, CA
Upon receiving my October 1988 issue of Model Aviation, I was delighted to see the Coronet 150 on the cover. I went right to the article.
When I was 14 years old in 1945, the Coronet was my first Free Flight Gas model kit. I had already built a couple Control Line models, though. My AMA number at that time was 33332. It's still on an old Fireball that I don't fly any more.
The Coronet picture from my original plans is still pasted in my old field box. It always brings back fond recollections.
Thanks, Doc.
Larry Kraker Muskego, WI
Tomahawk's Designer
I did a real double take when I read the September issue of Model Aviation and saw Larry Kruse's article on the Tomahawk II. I thought I was looking at my own model. You see, I designed the original for Veco Products back in the early '50s and still have it stored up in the attic. I thought you might be interested in a few facts concerning the origin of the Tomahawk.
Although not a great design, it was a real challenging project. Gil Henry wanted something to compete with the Sterling Ringmaster, etc., but it had to be built to a price ($2.95), could only contain a certain amount of wood (I believe it was 1.8 cu. ft.), the balsa could be no wider than 2 in., etc. The 2-in. width was the reason for the symmetrical fuselage. It was composed of two halves joined together at the centerline, with the top and bottom halves being identical.
I did quite a bit of kit design work for Veco in those days. Other designs include the Tom-Tom (a built-up fuselage version of the Tomahawk) and the Redski for CL Team Racing. I was quite active in Control Line in those days, with my biggest claim to fame being second in Precision Aerobatics at the 1955 Nationals. Bob Palmer was first.
I have a fond spot in my heart for the Tomahawk, as I was paid $300. My son was born about a week after receiving payment, and the hospital bill was $150—and the doctor's bill was another $150. So the Tomahawk paid for the kid. He is now director of maintenance for an outfit out here called Ameriflight (which handles United Parcel Service air shipping west of the Rockies). He has 95 aircraft to keep flying.
The lightning streaks Larry Kruse duplicated on the wings was a trademark, so to speak, that I had on all my CL models.
I also did the engineering work on all of Bob Palmer's models. That is, I drew up the initial plans and worked out construction details so Bob could, in turn, sell the design to the magazines or Veco. This included the Smoothie, T-Bird, etc.
Incidentally, the original Tomahawk was basically orange with yellow trim and white striping. The checkerboard on the tail was black and white. Motley decoration—yuk, geeesh! I thought it was a pretty good looking aircraft for a profile model, and something had to be done to liven it up. I also used this paint scheme on my regular Pattern ships, and the one I placed second with at the 1955 Nationals was the same, with the exception of the basic color being orange with purple trim and white striping. K&B later used this color combination for their fuel cans, etc. This ship received high points for appearance in the judging for Testors Best Finish.
Clarence Lee Tujunga, CA
Yes, this is the same Clarence Lee whose engine column you read each month in RC Modeler.
Electrostreak
After reading your Letters to the Editor and seeing the Electrostreak construction article (November 1987 issue), I built this design with a few minor changes (such as no air scoop). The performance has been superb from the beginning.
I used the AFI 05 Cobalt motor with a K&W 7-4 folding prop and seven 900 mAh cells. Now I can land and not break the prop or bend the motor shaft.
I also recommend this model for the AFI 035 motor, six 800 mAh cells, and a Cox 6-3 prop. Both models are great fliers. The 035 version weighs 33 oz., while the 05 weighs 39 oz.
Thanks to designer Stryker for sharing this aerobatic electric model with us.
George R. Beeler, Jr. Trotwood, OH
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
