Letters to the Editor
All letters will be carefully considered; those of general interest will be used. Send to Model Aviation, 815 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
Beginners? Choose Sides!
After reading and re-reading Ken Simpson's letter in the Dec. 1978 Model Aviation, I would like to toss in my own thoughts regarding the so-called "Junior problem."
To begin with: is this a problem to be solved, or a dilemma to be lived with? It is certainly not my wish to be thought of as the devil's advocate, but there are a number of factors present to cause me to believe that only the most stalwart of youngsters will fight their way through the obstacles to become dedicated modelers. Perhaps these are just the kids that we're looking for.
In a time when the very success of aviation has caused it to lose most of its glitter in the everyday world, we find a great deal of high-powered competition for a child's interest. We are faced, for example, with television, organized football, soccer, baseball, music, and dancing lessons. Additionally, we are faced with changes in communities; not many youngsters will be so situated that they can walk to the hobby shop or ride bikes to the flying field. It is apparent that the support of parents is extremely desirable. At the very least the kids need parental encouragement, transportation, and a place to work.
In order to obtain the support of parents, we must communicate with them. Unfortunately, the model magazines won't be able to accomplish much in this direction. After all, the only people who read model magazines are already interested in modeling. The traditional mass media rarely show anything relating to modeling. Most of the world, then, doesn't even know that we are around. To accomplish a break-out into the non-modeling world would require a massive and sustained effort involving TV, sports, and family-oriented publications.
To an extent, even the hobby industry itself has done much to discourage the young modeler. We all know too well the inadequate and over-weight rubber models, or worse, the flashily packaged "Ready-to-Fly" CL models that are, at best, difficult for even acknowledged experts to fly. What chance has our novice then? For a few fast bucks the industry has lost a lifetime customer, and the TV set gains one.
In order to attract youngsters, our collective image must be upgraded in the eyes of the whole public. It really doesn't matter that we know we have a grand hobby; we must convince the masses. We must establish that we enjoy a social status at least equal to little league baseball and similar activities.
Unless a youngster has a parent in modeling, our best shot now is the friendly neighborhood modeler, willing to take the time to help build, transport, and fly. Always ready to lend a hand, a tool, or a book.
It has been my own experience that the current generation of magazines is not too attractive to Juniors. The articles and most projects are far above their ability. In this regard then, it is inevitable that some now-extinct magazines must be mentioned because (although I freely loan out any magazines I have on my shelves), the only ones that our neighborhood kids borrow are usually the Junior Modeler, Sport Modeler, the few issues of Sig Air Modeler, and the "Tender Foot" series of projects in American Modeler. The kids want to learn, and they like novel projects, but they must be kept within their capability to understand and build.
I'm inclined to think, though, that this is indeed a Junior problem. The senior-age boys have suddenly discovered that the annoyance down the street has turned into an attractive young lady. From this new interest, it follows that automobiles and jobs (to support same) will, for a time, diminish the place of models in the boy's life.
But if we really got his attention as a Junior, later he'll come back.
Frank Scott Dayton, OH
Many letters on the beginner problem have been received in response to an item in For Openers—which was triggered by a letter to the editor from Ken Simpson. As this month's examples illustrate, there exists a wide divergence of opinions as to the true nature of the "problem." Other such letters will be printed in coming months.
We note the usual remarks about plastic ready-to-fly models—we've heard them for over 30 years now. Literally millions of such models have been sold. They do represent the finest technology and product excellence for a low price; we doubt that anything else the industry can do would work ideally either. When some members of the industry, capable of mass production, attempt to directly meet an obvious public demand from millions of people who cannot get any other kind of product that would work any better, the random kid cannot throw a glider correctly unless shown, and even an AMA Cub project requires instruction. (Perhaps we need dehydrated instructors in every CL box, on whom you sprinkle water to bring to life.) Cox has hot lines for product problems; Testors even supplies a small record to tell you how to operate the item. But will anyone admit that the vast bulk of these models is being bought as toys? Under the worst circumstances, they are better than the mountains of costly Christmas junk toys. They are capable of flight (if), and they have a real engine that runs (if). If the same millions of kids—poppas included—had to make the models before they found they, too, would not fly (for them)—being a Half A, perhaps on grass, etc.—the degree of failure and frustration would be worse. Direct help is the key—perhaps that means you, fair reader. To get the feel of it, try to convince your neighbors' boys they should be serious model builders. If you win one, there are 50 defeats on your block. However, Mr. Scott wisely presents a valid argument.
Beginners—Again and Again
Is it possible for you to provide me with the address of Mr. Ken Simpson (Letters to Ed., Dec. 1978)? I also have a group of beginners in a 4-H Club and Mr. Simpson sounds like a good source of material.
The only aeromodeling activity recognized and promoted in our state by 4-H is model rocketry. I am, therefore, trying to develop a program in model airplanes.
Our club has been in existence for 3 years (starting in 4th grade) and presently has 15 members with nine rank beginners (ages 9 to 16).
Maybe organizations like 4-H, Scouts, and others could be the instrument for developing young modelers that AMA and the industry seem to shun. This could solve Mr. Simpson's and my problem and leave AMA free to play contest games since it appears from your commentary in the Dec. '78 "For Openers" that this is all AMA is interested in.
Any help you could give me in contacting Mr. Simpson would be appreciated. I feel that I could benefit from swapping ideas with him.
Richard Stasser Haigler, NE
We regret that F.O. may have implied—to Mr. Stasser at least—that AMA is not interested in beginners, or is limited to competition. Model Aviation is evidence of the importance of the sport modeler as well—and we note that Mr. Simpson could express himself re beginners in MA, and that Mr. Stasser could express himself on the same question, and be brought through MA into contact with Mr. Simpson. AMA can do anything its members think it should do, provided money is supplied—which means you have to be willing to pay for it. (More people, more salaries.) It is to be doubted that anyone, or any group(s) in the country, private, AMA, or industry, knows what a national program should consist of, how many people would be needed, what administration provided, and the mechanics of such a program which would have to be developed by some all-knowing committee of qualified experts. When your editor produced the Junior Modeler, kids tore it to pieces in libraries, and teachers wrote touching letters. (It also contained cars and boats.) But it did not sell well enough to be a viable business proposition—and only a few companies would buy advertising. Actually, there are simple kits sold in vast quantities, many of them quite good, offering at a point of sale (erratically, alas) opportunities to those kids (those who would make models—most won't) who have many tempting modern activities vying for their interest. No one can prove that the expenditure of $1,000,000 would lastingly influence—in our favor—the environment of American youth. But, regardless, it is evident that any exposure, as by Messrs. Simpson and Stasser, is constructive and of merit—and might just show the way. And lest we forget, AMA developed the Delta Dart (AMA Club) which has been provided to kids through AMA and industry for programs involving kids in the hundreds of thousands. What came out of it? Who does what for an encore?
The Old "One-Two"
There are two articles in the February issue that I must compliment: "Let's Talk about Reynolds' Numbers" by Brad Powers, and Bob Wischer's column on scale. Mr. Powers presents a subject that is much bandied about and not at all understood by most would-be designers of model airplanes. My thanks to Mr. Powers; I hope I never read or hear another boast about a "laminar flow airfoil" on a model.
In the same vein, Bob Wischer does the best job of explaining one of the biggest reasons for the "I ain't got it" cry that we all hear at the field. I have listened to pseudo-instructors explain the loss of the student's airplane as "radio failure," when the exact reason was the situation so aptly described by Mr. Wischer.
L. F. Randolph Dallas, TX
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
