Letters to the Editor
All letters will be carefully considered; those of general interest are used. Send to Model Aviation, 815 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
Hangs in There!
I was just reading Model Aviation and saw some of the pictures, so thought I would send these to you with a little story.
The first RB-47, scratch-built in 1958, is still hanging in the ready room of the 9880 Reserve Squadron in Coral Gables, FL. It was on display with the real B-47 at the Homestead AFB open house in 1958. It flew great.
The second picture is of the same fellow 20 years later—still going strong with RC. I am a CD. I have started two clubs, been president of two others, and am now president of the Central Georgia Radio Control Aircraft League. Other pictures were taken of our static display at the open house of Robins AFB here in Warner Robins, GA. A couple of months ago we were privileged to have flown on the same field as the Thunderbirds. There were 35 to 40 models represented here, most from our own club. We had a tremendous turnout and flew our pattern ships and biplanes for some 40,000 people and on TV. Most of our club members are either in service or retired; I am retired from the Air Force and enjoy our model field built for us by the base here. We have some 30 active members. Our club is known as C.G.R.C.A.L.
By the way, I won the King Orange International Scale event (U-control) in 1959 with an Fw‑190.
My eyes are not what they used to be, but I still do my thing with the club every weekend.
Ernest C. Mullikin Warner Robins, GA
A "Simple" Question
Enjoyed your February article on "Reynolds Number" and hope you'll keep on publishing technical info like this from time to time. I am a serious modeler now that my son is 13, CL active for numerous years, and into RC for 1½ years.
Question: How can one predict various items like takeoff and landing speeds, glide angle, etc., knowing plane and engine characteristics and flying weights? This is pure technical, but also fun, as I am an experienced engineer.
C. W. Farley Hockessin, DE
Editor: Time has a way of blurring things, but one of the big objectives in the minds of the AMA's founding fathers in 1937 was the dissemination of scientific information—hence the word "Academy" in the AMA name. We do have interesting scientific things to publish—such as Dave Robelen's article about a miniature spin tunnel—and Brad Powers will continue his excursions into the basics of design.
His Dish—Profile RC Aerobatics
Please allow me to commend you and the staff of Model Aviation on your selection of planes featured in building articles. In my relatively short experience with the magazine it has become apparent that your screening procedure allows only the best designs to reach the publication. Since my area of specific interest is profile control-line aerobatics, I have been particularly interested in Frank Scott's articles on the P.B.A. Special (Plan Nos. 175 and 179), which were a great help in learning the basics of flying inverted, and the Spitfire (No. 226), which showed many innovations in construction of a profile sport plane. I know that you are bombarded with requests from all of the special-interest groups, but I would like you to follow up the two mentioned articles (on beginners' profile trainers and a "stand-off scale sport/aerobatic profile") with an article on a full-house competition profile plane. This would round out a nice series on profile planes when considered along with the Bobcat (Slow Rat semi-profile) and the other sport planes featured.
Ennis G. Lamay III East Point, GA
Editor: As a matter of fact, the editor would like to see a good aerobatic profile, too, and would like to hear from experienced designers. Frank Scott, incidentally, keeps a low "profile," but he has a long record of both orthodox and unconventional published designs, including canards and swing-wings, and comic designs like a flying sleigh for Santa. Testifying to the regard held for his work, even the long-time English editor, Ron Moulton, obtained plans for the P.B.A. Special for himself and son. Frank is almost done with aerobatic champ (full scale) Loudenslager's Laser 200, for near-future publication. It is interesting that this reader considers John Kilsdonk's Bobcat a sport airplane—perhaps Slow Rats have wider application?
He Found a Gold Mine
Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoy MA each month. Although I am involved in RC and an editor of my club newsletter, I also enjoy all the other articles on FF, CL, etc. Many RC modelers don't realize that valuable tips on building, finishing, etc., can be had by just glancing through the other areas. Anyhow, your magazine has printed some really interesting aircraft to date—keep up the good work.
Thomas Bilheimer Bethlehem, PA LSF 507 NSS 72-376
Editor note: The editor is an R/Cer and finds much of interest and a steady flow of important info in articles and columns on other subjects. Modeling, taken as an entity and not a splinter-group hobby, is one of MA's building blocks.
Rubber Bombshell?
In your July 1978 issue (page 62) there is pictured a Buzzard Bombshell, electric powered and RC. Could you tell me if the Buzzard Bombshell can be made for rubber power? If so, where may I obtain a copy of the plans?
Michael D. Laurie 31 W. Green St. Mascoutah, IL 62258
Editor: We have advised Mr. Laurie that the Bombshell, being a short-nosed gas model design, is not well-suited to rubber. It could be made to fly, but would require a very short motor, or much nose weight, which would limit performance. There are no such plans, that we know of. Mr. Laurie's complete address is given—if you can help him.
What Is It?
Enjoyed the article in MA for May 1978 about the old magazines and kits. Sometime between 1946 and 1950, one of the magazines, I think Air Trails, gave away a model kit for subscribers. The plane was similar to the Buzzard Bombshell, and Miss Delaware. The plane had a 48" wingspan and was designed for Ardens and other smaller engines. I still have some snapshots of me as a skinny teenager holding the "bones" before covering.
Do you have any idea what the plane was called and where I could get a set of plans? I would appreciate help.
James A. Hill New Castle, PA 16101
Editor: Air Trails had a series of subscription premiums:
- Cahill's Clodhopper Wakefield
- a 1/2A Buzzard Bombshell
- the So‑Long FF (which we think you refer to), something like a Bombshell, but prettier
John Pond's Plan Service, Box 3113, San Jose, CA 95156, probably has plans for both the Bombshell and the So‑Long—though in original big size.
Perky Profiles
Enclosed are pictures of three planes built from Midwest profile kits—P‑63 Air Cobra, Skyraider, and P‑40 Warhawk. My son Phil and I discarded the profile bodies and practically rebuilt a full‑size body on them. We obtained three‑view drawings of the planes from the library. Using the profile dimensions we constructed the three‑dimensional bodies. If you would be interested in putting these pictures in your magazine I would appreciate it.
Salvatore Amico Mount Sinai, NY
Editor: Since this idea will interest many CL fliers, we are pleased to show three of Mr. Amico's many interesting photos.
Welcome!
I picked up the January MA because I was interested in the Wright Flyer drawing and found that it contained much else of interest. I am mainly interested in free flight and scale, although everything else takes a close second. The Indoor World Championships were especially intriguing. I am mainly interested in pioneer, experimental and research machines. Recently, I have been working on a model autogiro. I am converting a Sterling Fokker EIII back to a Morane‑Saulnier prototype, to be flown CL just for fun. It is far from scale! More usually I am studying pre‑WWI aircraft. I made a 1/12th scale model of the 1902 Wright Glider No. 3 which is flown as a 2‑line controllable kite. I would like to become a member. Please enroll me.
Gary J. Hinze San Jose, CA
Editor: Mr. Hinze is one of many modeling people who have encountered Model Aviation—often through full‑scale material—and then have become an AMA member. Like that of many sport fliers, his modeling world sounds pleasant.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
