Letters to the Editor
Send your letters to: Model Aviation, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
A Question of Geography
Due to my youthful exuberance, or old-age senility, or perhaps somewhere in between, I made a mistake in the National Stearman Fly-In article in the November 1993 issue.
Naval Auxiliary Air Station Cabaniss is not at Dallas, Texas, but is at Corpus Christi, Texas. Hope the cards and letters from Texas do not flood your office on this one.
The layout is great, and I sincerely appreciate the very professional appearance of the article, even though I wish my glaring mistake was not contained therein!
Ken Wilson Evansville, Indiana
For the Birds?
This is the second time in two years The Microhenrys has featured a bird chase episode. Knock it off! Life is tough enough for the RC modeler without the environmental zealots getting hold of something like this.
Bob Thornton San Diego, California
P.S. I do like the series, but please edit things like this!
Behold the Microhenrys
I like the Microhenrys! However, I have no quarrel with those who do not appreciate Ed Henry's brand of humor. After all, humor, like beauty, is largely in the mind of the beholder. However, to impugn the Microhenrys on the basis that they might adversely affect safety and the public perception of RC modelers is ridiculous!
Cartoons are intended to caricaturize the human condition and allow us to laugh at our foibles! As the Microhenrys illustrate, there are only two types of RC modelers: those who have crashed and those who will.
At 73 years of age, Ed Henry is the only person who has been a continuous member of the McDonnell Douglas RC Club since its inception in 1956! He is a man of many talents, but his first love, after family, is model aviation. Ed has always been a vociferous and active promoter of safety and good public relations for our hobby.
However, Ed knows Howard, Claude, Jacque, Carl, etc., represent us; a little introspection is good for the soul. So lighten up, Microhenry critics! You don't have to read them, and the general public could not care less!
Don Dickerson Florissant, Missouri
Memories...
Having been away from model airplane flying for about four years, and only intermittently involved for the last decade or so, last Sunday I resurrected an Aeromaster that I had built years ago but had never gotten around to flying.
The next day I made my first visit to a model store in years to purchase some repair material, and just by chance bought a copy of the December issue of Model Aviation. Quite a case of deja vu all over again!
On page six you talk about reversed servos. Since most of my flying years ago was with reeds and an Orbit, the modern transmitter conveniences were not really familiar to me. The reason for the trip to the store for glue was because of a reversed aileron servo not properly preflighted.
On page 135 you had an article about Sal Taibi, and a picture of Creedmoor, Long Island. In 1936 I was a twelve-year-old who used to ride the 7th Avenue subway up to 242nd St. in NYC and freeze my hands watching the "big boys," including Mr. Taibi, flying their Buccaneers. Creedmoor was a four-hour subway and bus ride from where I lived (upper west side of Manhattan).
In 1939 or '40, Leon Shulman, also mentioned in your article, worked at Polk's on 34th St. near Broadway. I always remember the kindness with which he answered my questions, helping me to get my first free flight completed (a Maxwell Bassett Streamliner by Scientific).
My only claim to fame in those years was that I built a Goldberg Sailplane in my room in the barracks at West Point. My photo in the 1948 yearbook shows me holding a half-size Comet Zipper that I flew from the Academy parade ground on Sunday mornings.
Mrs. Maxwell Taylor's farewell comment to me at the Graduation Dance was, "Oh, you're the one with the model airplanes." Well, I can't say we're sorry to see you go. (General Taylor was then Superintendent of the Academy, and their quarters overlooked the parade ground.)
If all that nostalgia wasn't enough for one issue, I then turned to an article about Alexander P. de Seversky. While stationed in Japan in 1964, I escorted Major de Seversky and a Mr. "Bingo" Gilbert, who were on a business trip and participated in the Olympics that year as members of the U.S. sailing team.
I still have a flyable Astrohog, using an Enya engine bought in 1964, and the Orbit radio purchased in 1968.
You touched on many of the bases in my life in just the first issue I have read in years. I can hardly wait for the next one.
Donald D. Kavanagh Sun City West, Arizona
And From the Source...
With the recent comments about safety relative to the Microhenry cartoons, it is ironic that I wrote the original AMA Safety Code. That safety code is still used today, with the original words still in the code as I wrote them. Items have been added to the code, and the present code is about twice as long as the original.
I received several phone calls from members critical of Mr. Charles V. O'Donnell's short letter in the November Model Aviation. Mr. O'Donnell does not like the Microhenrys, but that does not bother me. You can't please everybody. I still have plenty of cartoons.
Maybe I could cut down on some of the crash scenes. What do you think?
Ed Henry St. Peters, Missouri
A Public Thank-You
Recently, one of the true leaders of the AMA resigned: Vince Manakowski.
It seems only appropriate to thank him for the years of dedicated support he gave to the AMA. One would think the top brass would give Vince the courtesy of saying thanks in the magazine. However, since this was not the case, I would like to express my thanks to Vince for all of his efforts, not only as AMA's Executive Director, but as a concerned AMA member as well.
Vince, thanks again for all you have done for model aviation and the AMA. Best of luck to you in your next endeavor.
Shane Zikmund Lincoln, Nebraska
Having Fun
Mr. Stroth's response (October 1993 "Letters") to Mike Keville's July letter raises some interesting issues, but I think Mr. Stroth missed the point. Mike Keville isn't implying that RC is not fun, gratifying or worthwhile. For those involved in this sport, it is all these and more. Rather, I think he's making the point that there's an alternative to the expense and hassles of RC. There seems to be a perception among many modelers today that if it's not RC, it's not fun, and that radio frequency problems have the potential to destroy the hobby. Mr. Stroth, the hobby will outlast all of these technological teething problems, and today's state of the art will no doubt be tomorrow's obsolescence.
I have little doubt that long after we've all tired of flying model airplanes from metal boxes whose controls feel the same or a ducted-fan F-14 as they do for a Telemaster, there'll be ever more sophisticated simulator-type cockpit control contraptions, using telemetry and other wonderful microprocessor-controlled feedback features that let you feel the control forces in your stick and rudder while you watch a holographic depiction of the world as seen from the cockpit of your Ugly Stick.
The radio problems we're fighting about today will be only a memory, or if history serves, not even that. Meanwhile, I'll be having more fun, getting all the feedback I need through the red plastic grip of my EZ-Just.
Tom Hagler Oroville, California
Letters
Continued from page 22
Piggyback
Enclosed you will find pictures of my recently completed and flown glider-carrier plane. The carrier plane is a Sig Cadet Senior, powered with a K&B .61 engine. The glider is a small plane of .25 size converted to glider configuration, and it is also RC.
The glider holder and release device is my own design, and I might say it works beautifully. All flights to date have worked out fine. It is a real show-stopper to see this plane carry the glider up to altitude and make the release. It requires two pilots: one to fly the carrier plane, and one to fly the glider back to the airfield. If anyone would like more information on the details of the release device I will be glad to send more details.
Mack Stevens Kingman, Arizona
Drake II
I enjoyed Robert Munn's article in the October issue, "Covering With Silk." Apparently I've been doing the correct things for the past 54 years, because I still frequently cover my models with tissue and silk, and pretty much follow the same techniques.
A helpful tip I always use is to iron tissue and/or silk just before use. It will lie in place better and be much easier to handle and cut.
The enclosed photos show my Drake II which was constructed from MA Plan 314, October 1980. All open framework is silk covered, and most of the sheeting is covered with silkspan paper. Nitrate dope and polyurethane paint is the final finish. It's too bad we lost Ken Willard, the designer. I do take umbrage with the manufacturer that is producing a kit of the Drake under a different name without giving the designer credit.
Desert Flying
Even though our desert provides great flying sites for wheel types, we were blessed with a dandy small lake after last year's heavy spring rains, and were able to fly off the water for about six weeks. Other than FF R.O.W. (I once held the Unlimited Rubber R.O.W. record), that was my first R.O.W. experience using R/C — it was great fun!
Herb Shields Hesperia, California
Heat Seeker
You are right! The cover photo on the December issue of Model Aviation is a good action shot. I thank you for selecting that one.
I would like to give credit to the guy launching me (I am the one with the red suspenders). Launching me is Carl Raichle, a fellow Pelican Soaring Club member.
It's a good angle of the Heat Seeker, but I believe it is Carl's body English that makes it an action shot.
Leon Kincaid Webster, North Carolina
An Ambitious Junior Writes
Hi, my name is Jeff Gray. My friend Jim Enyard and I are real airplane freaks. I am a member of AMA and have been flying CL airplanes for six years. Jim is not a member, and has never flown. I have five airplanes and am building two of them. I am wanting to teach Jim to fly on a Sig Buster that has a .10 engine in it, but because of the cold weather, we haven't been able to get out.
Let me tell you about myself. I am 11 years old and love airplanes but not girls. I mainly fly for fun, and haven't entered any competitions. I live at 20 N. Meadow, O'Fallon, Missouri 63366. I have thought about R/C a few times, but just don't have the money. The reason I'm writing is that I need some information about Navy Carrier and where the Nats will be in '94. First, I would like to know what the rules and regulations are for Navy Carrier, the dimensions for a carrier, and how to make and transport one. I would also like to know the rules and regulations for the CL Nats and where they will be.
I hope you can answer some or all of my questions. Thanks for your time.
Jeff Gray O'Fallon, Missouri
Jeff, I'm forwarding your letter to Dick Perry, our Carrier columnist. I'm sure he can give you the full scoop on getting started.
The Nats are July 16–24, 1994, in Lubbock, Texas.
How about some of the rest of you?
Continued on page 48
Letters to the Editor
Writing to Jeff to help him out? Such ambition and interest in our younger members should not go to waste!
More Helicopters?
I need to write this concerning my feelings about an issue. I've been flying helicopters for over 10 years, and decided to get insurance with you because it includes the Model Aviation magazine. To my disbelief, the magazine is geared towards the airplanes only.
Myself and 32 other members feel this is just a little too biased and will be switching to another organization until such time as this stops.
You gear up and go after the helicopter enthusiast, so how about something in return in your magazine? Why do you not even have helicopter advertisers supporting you?
Edw. McWilliams Berlin, Maryland
Likes Nats Coverage
As an AMA member, model airplane fanatic and model airplane magazine junkie, I want to congratulate you and your staff on the December issue of Model Aviation magazine... especially the reporting of the 1993 National Championships.
Beginning on page 16 with the 1993 Nats Scrapbook, and continuing on through the magazine to page 147 with the report of the 1993 NATS/U.S. Indoor Championships, the coverage was excellent.
Finally, pictures of model airplane contestants and their airplanes showing some real human interest of the modeler. Some of our publications, in reporting what is going on in the way of events, have become very scarce and what is reported has about the same interest as reading the back of a Campbell's soup label.
Our AMA members should be proud of our publication and the direction in which it is going. We need this type of positive reporting and thinking, not only in our publications but journalism in general.
Jim Van Loo Grain Valley, Missouri
A Rough Summer
The summer of '93 has not been good to the Muscatine Miniature Aircraft Association #739. Our field was better than three-quarters under water all summer long. Thanks to the dedicated members of the club, we are just now getting the field back to good flying shape. They drained, cut grass, raked and rolled the field. There still is a long way to go, but we will have the field back to what we are used to flying from.
As a side interest, MMAA worked with Governor Branstad and got him to declare the month of June "Model Aviation Month" in the Hawkeye State of Iowa.
Though not much flying was done this summer, MMAA was still very active with the community by helping the flood victims in the area.
Robert Thompson Muscatine, Iowa
Sal Taibi's Co-Worker
I too was selected to work at NACA Langley in 1941, and Sal had arrived somewhat before me. He drove a Model A Ford and a 1934 Plymouth.
The prop blades had been made and installed in the 16-foot tunnel across the street from the prop shop, and outside the prop shop was a shed containing vast quantities of quarter-sawn Sitka spruce and piles of balsa planks.
Because I was a bit older and more experienced, I was assigned to various tasks using some of the more complicated woodworking tools. One day we reported for work to find that the new props in the 16-foot tunnel had been wrecked by an instrument tearing off a wall, and a whole new set of props had to be made.
The jigs and fixtures were ready to use, so countless spruce laminations had to be precision planed to exactly .750 and then cut to outline. Piles of spruce, enough to build a house, were turned each day; the scrap from this daily stint of making one of these blades each day was enormous. My special job was handling the planing and edge-ripping of each giant board of 20 inches by about 20 feet. The late afternoon of each day was a gluing-up party as these laminations were glued up in the jig. Sal worked with a gang to rough the blades down with an air-driven plane.
Finally the surfaces were hand-sanded and given coats of green lacquer primer. I might mention that we were never impressed by the prop shop boss—he was just a supervisor.
The surprise came when all the prop blades were finished. I was assigned to a crew to install them in the tunnel. Beside the fun of working on a scaffold 25 feet above the steel tunnel floor, the hours assigned in the rush of war were eight hours on, eight hours off—seven days a week—for regular pay, with the draft board waiting if you didn't like it.
I finished the stint eventually and was transferred to the engineering drafting room. Sal and others were sent to be apprentice tool makers. That stint in the tunnel was the deciding factor for me to eventually leave NACA. As time went on all the modelers at Langley were drafted into the army, but some were assigned to their regular jobs—but in uniform. And the many who came to Langley to dodge the draft!
I saw Sal last at Bong at a SAM Nats (1984). Nan was also there, as were a few others, now gone, whom we had known at Langley.
Langley was a modeler's dream; just about every modeler that I ever have heard of worked there. Frank Zaic worked nearby at Fortress Monroe. We were all to end up in military service. Today at 76, I am recovering from a stroke and getting farther away from modeling each day, and after 66 years in the hobby.
Jim Noonan Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Glider Was a Change of Pace
I had to write so I could share some of my enjoyment of RC model soaring. I have a Wanderer with a removable .049 power pod. I fly it all kinds of ways: handlaunch, hi-start, .049, and slope. And I fly it all kinds of places: parking lots, powered RC club sites, schools, parks, at the cliffs by the ocean (Torrey Pines), and on a hill (Tierrasanta).
I've been a powered RC flier since 1978. Therefore, my Wanderer was a big change of pace. I did not expect, however, for it to be so exciting to fly. The thrill of finding and riding a thermal is probably what I enjoy the most, but there are many other pleasures I've discovered.
One surprise was the remarkable flyability of my Wanderer. Take its maneuverability, for example: I can turn small circles on the landing approach to bleed off a little extra altitude, or (with a little luck) I can land in my hand. Take its tolerance for conditions: I have slope-soared in four-mph winds and in 14-mph winds (with 6 ounces of ballast).
Finally, I must mention how much I enjoy the scenic sites at which I can fly my Wanderer. Once I went for a drive on the edge of town, and I tried to fly from a hill that I found. I couldn't find enough wind, and had to step around a snake. I suppose it was foolish to go flying by myself, but what an adventure it was!
Joseph Rosevear San Diego, California
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
