Letters to the Editor
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Model Aviation, 5151 East Memorial Drive, Muncie, IN 47302
Goblin Information
Bill Winter telephoned MA to say that the plan for his Goblin design (July 1997) indicated an incorrect prop diameter of eight inches; the correct size prop for the Goblin is nine inches in diameter and seven inches in pitch.
More on Clubs
I have been reading your magazine for over a year. I have enjoyed all of the good ideas that your magazine brings.
However, I have one concern. When I read your magazine, I noticed that you cover all of the major fly-ins, the recent one being Florida Jets, but not enough attention is going to the people that organize their own clubs. This is the starting point to the hobby and should not be forgotten. It is very important because this is where all of the pros first got their start. It is an important beginning to the sport.
Jeremy Hubel Burnsville, Minnesota
Hal de Bolt Speaks Out
Having repeatedly heard the question, "Why are not young people attracted to model aviation?" and having seen many efforts to do so with limited success, I offer the following observations. As one who was there, my experience may have some value.
First, understand that a major portion of today's membership falls into senior generations; they entered model aviation long before today's atmosphere. I believe that whatever is in the spotlight is of major interest.
Recall that in the time frame that evolved there was no TV, and youngsters searched out and found interesting things to do. They did it by themselves.
In the '20s, model aviation existed in a dormant state. Modeling was possible, but few sought it out. Without many involved, progress was slow and flying models were very rudimentary. In the mid-'20s, aviation came alive. Fabulous, for the time, new aircraft made the headlines. Air races and record-making were spotlighted. Aviation was the wonder of us all and dominated the news. Many wanted in; a ride with a barnstormer was the thrill of a lifetime.
Youngsters marveled at aviation, and—like young people everywhere—wanted a part of it. Times were hard; most young people could not afford real aviation, but the desire was great.
Then the Lindbergh era came, and aviation interest really exploded. Quite naturally, a few business types saw the opportunity to take advantage of the publicity. Model cost would be within reach of multitudes. Soon solid-wood scale kits, and a bit later built-up flying-model kits, started to appear in hardware stores, department stores, and later even five-and-dime stores. Best of all, they sold!
Most of us got started with a 10-cent kit from one of these sources. One led to another and the interest grew. With few other attractions, this helped; the mystique of modeling and the act of creating built interest and desire.
Beginning in such a simplistic way, progress, gains, and improvements were natural. Many youngsters gave modeling a try, and the numbers involved created continuous new ways and means. It was a snowball effect; one development led to another and the young modeler was hooked.
Forty- to fifty-, even sixty-year spans of model involvement are now common. The constant progress was the incentive. From "solids" to "flying" and "free flight," followed by U/C and now RC, there was never a dull moment. The point seems to be that this continuous development created today's AMA strength; it is our heritage, but it has largely been lost.
Perhaps there are lessons here that can inspire new ways to make model aviation attractive once more. Good luck!
Hal de Bolt Sun City Center, Florida
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
