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.
Still a Simitar Fan
Thanks for printing my previous letter and photos of my Simitars. It's a great thrill, and the guys thought it was great. I've even gotten a few letters from other Simitar pilots.
I've included a photo of my latest Simitar, the Leading Edge. It was built for me by some friends in Milwaukee from a new Bill Evans kit.
Homer Gibson Ripon, WI
One Small Glitch
Editorial work on my DFW-T28 article (February 1990 RC Scale column) was most successful in making it more understandable. But there was one small glitch in a photo caption that could cause trouble for readers (bottom caption, page 44). Unlike the old Jim Walker pressure regulator, the Perry pump/regulator will not act as a fuel shutoff. If the tank were mounted on top of the box, it would be gravity-feed and hence flood the engine as soon as it was filled.
Joe Tschirgi Santa Ana, CA
Safety Comes First Column
I applaud Preston and the journal for the regularity and prominence with which we are reminded to fly safely. I suspect that my being a private pilot (commercial, single- and multi-engine, 2,500+ hours) makes me even more safety conscious and more cognizant of any unsafe practices at organized events as well as in fun flying. Reduction of unsafe practices requires the constant attention of all of us, and Preston's column is just the monthly reminder that we all need. Keep it right up front!
It is also true that ours is a comparatively safe hobby, and it is quite proper for us to get and keep the facts before the public in order to better and more fairly deal with such public criticism as there is.
All this is the same problem faced by all of private aviation—and those who suggest that removal or concealment of Preston's column offers a helpful resolution of our problem are dead wrong.
Eldon E. Breazier Kingman, KS
First the Microhenrys
Just a short note to tell you how much I enjoy in particular two things in Model Aviation, the first being the Microhenrys by Ed Henry. I always look for the Microhenrys first thing when a new issue arrives.
"Enjoy" is not the correct word for John Preston's "Safety Comes First" column, but after paging through the magazine, this is the first article I read. Having worked in heavy and process industries all my life (now at age 66), I know how important it is to constantly remind people to be safe and to make them aware of the hazards waiting to inflict anyone who is not careful.
John E. Hairsine Wilmington, DE
Strange Request
Remember the Convair XFY-1 VTOL fighter nicknamed Pogo? It is truly a beautiful/ugly aircraft that gives guys like Don Berliner a fit. I've acquired an 18-1/2-in.-span Control Line construction drawing of this beauty. My plans call for double-sizing it for Control Line Sport Scale with use of a .40 cu. in. engine. Would someone want to construct an RC model of the XFY-1?
The problem: the original plan credited Furlong Model Airplane Products Co. of Furlong, PA, for the plan and for the contra-rotating gearbox to turn the props. Calling two hobby shops in the Furlong area produced no information on the gearbox.
Maybe some readers will remember (from 35 years ago) this ingenious device. I would be elated to obtain an original gearbox, but even a workable drawing from one of our noted mechanical engineers would suffice. Please help!
Dan Ciesla 13701 N. Hwy. 301 Thonotosassa, FL 33592
Model Space Shuttle
I have just received my monthly copy of the magazine, and I thought that you might be interested in seeing a photo of my original design of the Space Shuttle.
The Shuttle is powered by an HB .15 engine and a three-blade prop. The engine is mounted in the rear in the pusher mode. The wingspan is 48 in., and the model is fitted with a steerable nose gear.
Keep the news coming, and I will keep on designing, building, and flying these things. I am a commercial pilot license holder and a former military pilot. I have been building models since I was a kid.
Floyd E. Boyd Kansas City, KS
A Long Way
I wanted to write you of my approval of Model Aviation magazine. I think that it's one of the most informative magazines that I have read in all of my "lengthy" 17 years. I was enthralled with your article on propeller noise in the February 1990 issue. I was amazed at how much difference a few degrees of pitch or a couple hundred rpm make in the control of the decibel level. In closing, may I say that Model Aviation has come a long way from its first issue in 1975. Keep up the good work.
Rhonda Anne Houser Lathrop Village, MI
It's a Kirby Motor Tutor
At the risk of coming off as just a nitpicker, I'm forced to advise Don Berliner that the G-BPNF in the photo on page 98 of the February issue ("Cranfield") is not a Luton Minor. Rather, it is a Kirby Motor Tutor. Otherwise, it is a wonderful article. I'm doing this to identify a rather unusual airplane. The Luton Minor looks like the one published in the September 1983 Model Aviation and the kit put out by Flyline Models.
Dr. D. B. Mathews Wichita, KS
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
