Letters to the Editor
From little acorns . . .
The May 1990 issue of MA contained an article on building a CL twin-.049–powered P180 Avanti. The photo shows Ribcracker member Don Cohagen with the version that he built: a twin-.05 electric-powered RC model. To date it has not flown, as Don has migrated southward toward warm winter weather. Many of us Ribcracker club members await the summer thaw and Don's return to see the Avanti's maiden voyage.
It should be noted that Don took up RC modeling after he retired and that this is only about the eighth plane he has built.
Daniel R. Wamboldt Ribcrackers Model Airplane Club West Bloomfield, MI
The flying Cunnynghams
We believe we may be the first and only four-generation family to be AMA members. In the photo are (L–R) Ken, Vic Jr., Vic Sr., Kyle (front holding AMA cards). Father Vic Cunnyngham Sr., 73 years old, is still a very active modeler. Vic Sr. started building in 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri, and was a member of NAA/AMLA before the AMA existed.
Vic Cunnyngham Jr., 48 years old, has been an active builder-designer since the early fifties. His son Ken Cunnyngham and grandson Kyle are shown. Another son, Jeff Cunnyngham, is also an active modeler and is the holder of the Junior-class Mulvihill Rubber National Record set in 1977, which still stands. Jeff is an air traffic controller with the FAA.
Interest in aviation obviously came early; exposure to model aircraft made us active free-flight fliers. Vic Cunnyngham Jr., Covina, CA, is building a Mohawk and needs help. We have recently become interested in building a model Grumman OV-1D Mohawk, a plane that flew with the Army. It's a rather ambitious project—two engines, three tails, some interesting angles—and we are hoping readers might know where plans are available.
R/C Beginners
This is a very upbeat hobby. Once you have learned, you will probably be hooked on it for life. But soloing is the problem. Our hobby loses at least half of its potential fliers because they fail to successfully solo — AND IT ISN'T THEIR FAULT; IT'S THE PLANE'S FAULT.
It is one disgrace of our hobby: the aeromodeling industry is not required to provide safe trainers. Trainers are of no value to the beginner if the plane can't be seen, or if it is so unstable or sensitive that it will not allow you to crash and live to fly again before becoming successful. Trainers — not just some but most of the advertised trainers — are impossible for the beginner to solo with, even with help from an instructor! It seems the norm to crash and ruin four or five planes before becoming successful. This is basic and costly, not to mention a real "turn-off" for the new student. And quite unnecessary; YOU COULD SOLO YOUR FIRST TIME UP — with or without an instructor!
Thanks to the most extensive flight-testing ever conducted in this hobby, you can now know in advance which trainers are easy to fly and which are not; which are stable and hands-off stable (easy enough for even Grandma), which are just so-so (intermediate), and which ones do not deserve the "trainer" label by any stretch of the imagination.
Send $3.00 plus 45¢ postage for "EASE-OF-FLYING RATINGS OF R/C TRAINERS." Over 40 currently available trainers evaluated, including ARFs. Also included: grades, flying characteristics, and addresses to contact about specific trainers. Answers to questions such as: Which trainer will be easiest for you? Which trainers are over- or under-rated? Why does no one warn you?
Guarantee: Your money back if you do not say this is the most eye-opening, candid, enlightening, time-saving, money-saving, frustration-sparing publication you have ever read!
Jim Waterman 3618 Deerfield Dr., Dept. ML San Antonio, TX 78218
Someone who has done this before
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Douglas C. McElfresh 9819 Sardis Oaks Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 Tel: 1-704-847-8075
Pilot Training Class 52-G: Calling all members!
I am an AMA member. In addition, I am a member of USAF pilot training class 52-G. A 40th-year reunion is being planned for 1992. If there are uncounted members of this class who are also modelers, call 1-904-932-5472 for information.
Ed Farrell Thousand Oaks, CA
Any more fans of Bob Underwood?
Great magazine, the only one I presently read on a regular basis. The only suggestion I would like to make is that I think Bob Underwood's column is a sleeper. It's entertaining and informative — I'd like to see it have more up-front presence in the magazine with Preston Myers and Henry (I miss Bill Winter).
Harold Clemens Amesbury, MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
