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.
Different Strokes
Glen Lee should know better! And old F.O. should have caught the glaring error. We commonly refer to our engines as "two-cycle," but this is a contraction of the proper term, "two-stroke-cycle." A stroke is the portion of the cycle in which the piston moves from top dead center to bottom dead center, or the portion from bottom to top. The "cycle" in a "two-cycle" engine, beginning at top center, is the down-stroke, which is also the power and exhaust stroke, followed by the up-stroke, which is also the intake and compression stroke. The "cycle" is complete when the piston has returned to the start of the cycle and begins a new cycle.
In a "four-cycle" engine there are four strokes, or two revolutions in each cycle. The down- (power) stroke is followed by an up- (exhaust) stroke, a down- (intake) stroke, and an up- (compression) stroke to complete the cycle. Again, the proper terminology is "four-stroke-cycle."
Weldon Smith Barrington, IL
Mr. Smith refers to the recent two-part article "All About Two-Cycle Engines" in the January–February 1979 issues. In matters of this kind we prefer to allow the authors to make their own responses. Mr. Lee's comments follow:
As far as I can determine, the terms "two-cycle" and "two-stroke-cycle" are interchangeable. Two-stroke-cycle is more descriptive and technically correct, but few people use it. Almost all airplane modelers call their engines "two-cycle" and "four-cycle," and most automotive engineers use the terms "two-cycle" and "four-cycle."
Motorcycle people call them "two-strokes" and "four-strokes."
Webster's Dictionary defines it: "two-cycle engine, an internal-combustion engine in which there is a power stroke every revolution for each cylinder." I'll continue to use this term, along with most modelers I know.
—Glen Lee
Astrons His Dish
Since seeing the "Astron .15" in the March issue of Model Aviation, I thought I'd send you a few flicks of mine and a few comments about it.
I've had an awful lot of airplanes in my time, but the "X-wing fighter," as I affectionately call it, is my favorite. It was a snap to build and always stops traffic when I fly it.
When I built mine, I put a K&B 3.5 (.21) on the nose and added throttle. This little plane is phenomenally fast and maneuverable. It has been clocked at over 130 mph, and its roll rate is awesome! As you can see from the pictures, I've built it in chrome and in red. The little girl is my 2-year-old daughter, Brittanya.
I'm presently building two .40-size Astrons to take to the National Multiwing Championships in July at Omaha, Nebraska.
The Astron .15 is the most exciting plane I've flown and I'd recommend it to anyone. It will fly "hands off" and do the AMA Pattern like a Dirty Birdy!
K. David Herbert San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stolen Chopper
I'm writing in hopes of help in locating a Kavan Bell Jet Ranger helicopter stolen from Dependable Auto Parts, Salyersville, KY, Sunday night, January 21, 1979. I manage the store. The helicopter was just built and I didn't get a chance to try to fly it. It is red and white, has a K&B .61 engine and a Futaba six-channel radio. I have different ways to identify it and have a feeling it may have left the state. Kentucky State Police are working the case, yet have had no success. Any way the AMA can help locate it would be appreciated. The store's insurance will cover the loss but can't replace the work put into it. Can't believe a modeler would do such an act. Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else.
Danell Howard Rt. 3, Box 471 Salyersville, KY 41465 Home phone: 606-349-3885 Business phone: 606-349-5144
Shangri La—West Coast
Lake Elsinore is Southern California's Shangri La you allude to in FO, as there are few aesthetic experiences equal to wading out in clear water about a block, gently grasping a scale floatplane with rubber-wound gear, never getting above your knees, placing it on the shimmering surface, releasing it and watching as it quietly climbs for altitude, leaving only a crinkled wave in the water.
As you stand there it seems that you are suspended in a transparent sphere, as the familiar ground reference is absent. Only the distant edge of the lake gives a clue. If you're lucky, your model glides silently back to the lake's surface. Elation!
Bill Noonan San Diego, CA
Letters to the Editor continued from page 7
Wringing Our Hands?
Some comments based on Ken Simpson's letter and your For Openers article on beginners from the December 1978 issue.
Over the years (about 40), I have read with interest letters and articles on participation by young people in airplane modeling. My view is that the absence of young people today, if in fact an opportunity exists any longer for young people, is directly attributable to adult management of the hobby (sport), rather than a lack of interest on the part of young people. Moreover, I agree with you that the modeling community as a whole is not really concerned at all about the situation.
As I see it, we are simply a reflection of the nation's attitudes. With a few exceptions, no one pays any attention to kids until they get into some sort of trouble. In our case, we're too busy trimming out our super Blippo or caressing our dual-rate transmitter to really be concerned with young people who may have an interest. We simply don't have time. We have grown into an assemblage of egocentrics who have evolved the hobby to a virtually closed society.
Contributing to this isolation are such factors as the remote location of flying fields, the high level of flying that takes place and the endless list of add-on gadgetry that has saturated the hobby. The neighborhood kids may marvel as our modeler carries his super Blippo to his car for a trip to the flying field—but that is the extent of their exposure. What they have seen is essentially unattainable to them. Hopefully, they won't pick up a model magazine. What they see will certainly scare them off.
The mention of programs and dollars as a solution is naive and well worth a chuckle. We should know by now (especially Washington folks) that people respond to people, not to programs. The hope that a manufacturer will produce a suitable beginner's kit is probably futile because there is not enough profit involved.
We also ought to quit sloganizing "patronize your local hobby shop." Some hobby shops can and will help; others can't or won't. Let's not try to pass off the idea that a hobby shop is a good source of assistance simply because it's a hobby shop. Some hobby dealers regard kids as non-customers who come in only to look and mess up the store but don't buy anything. I have seen several aspiring beginners turned off by indifference behind the counter.
It's time we stopped wringing our hands about the beginner and either accept the facts as they are or make a positive move. And I feel that there is a positive course to follow. We can require each club to have a junior activity as part of its overall program. But AMA should not try to legislate the activity. Let the local guys do some thinking to develop an activity suited to their particular interests and the interests of the local community. This approach means that club members will have to contribute some of their time working with young people—a tough one for our kind of folks.
Adults (manufacturer, dealer and modeler) have designed the present situation; adults will have to change it. To do such a thing at this stage of the game will take a monumental effort by a lot of people. I'm not sure it can be done.
Roger C. Laudati Annandale, VA
Ye editor perhaps shirks "his duty" here in not making some profound comment—he already has had too much to say on this subject with previous letters inspired by Simpson's notable blast that began all this. But there is an article coming up where a man produced impressive results. His approach is different. Go to the kids. They are easily found within many active organizations. They respond. We behave as if tens of thousands of "starving" kids are banging on our door; as if all that is needed is a warm heart. If Mr. Laudati's comments make you uneasy—fine. His last paragraph rings in our ears.
That Great Picture
I have to agree with old M.B. 100%. In the pictures on the bottom of page 13 and top left on page 14, exciting things do happen during the takeoff of Joe Tschirgi's Hansa Brandenburg.
It automatically changes its wingspan (or its camouflage design size), goes from a "T" tail to a mid-rudder horizontal stab and gains an engine cowl (mock engine?) Boy, wish I could do that by dropping a takeoff dolly!
Philip Bruce Mahony Lime Rock, CT
How could we? Easy. Incidentally, this letter—and Mr. Mahony—is the only reader who looked closely enough at that chameleon Brandenburg to note that pictures showed two different airplanes—scared the bejabbers out of Monty Groves who did "Get That Action Shot" in the March issue, until he consulted his dupe captions. 'Twasn't his fault. One cannot take a Hansa Brandenburg for granted. Joe Tschirgi, who probably muttered, "Oh well," when he saw the pix, hasn't been heard from. We wish he'd go in for Mustangs, anything but those camouflaged flying mirages. The editor is in shock—'tis plain to see.
Wants a Hold-Down
Reference the photograph on page 45 of the April 1979 issue of Model Aviation which features a rear-quarter view of Mr. Tom Hazen's Martin MO-1 carrier CL model.
This particular photograph immediately caught my attention, and I am sure it possibly did the same for other CL fliers.
The photograph shows a model "hold-down" unit which allows the pilot to release the model whenever he/she is ready for the model to fly. On many occasions I have had to cancel out any CL flying due to the fact that a helper was not available to hold the model. I'm sure this is the case as well for other modelers.
Could you please inform me if this particular hold-down unit is available commercially, or if plans are available which would permit me to build a sturdy and safe unit?
Kenneth R. Polley Colorado Springs, CO
We put Mr. Polley in touch with Tom Hazen. If any of you guys are using hold-downs—stooges, that is—how about sending in some info and pix.
Aetos Forever
I would like to express my delight in seeing one of the articles in the March 1979 issue of Model Aviation. The Aetos is the first mid-sized stunt plane that I recall seeing in a model magazine in many years. I thank you and Roger Greene for this article.
I have been interested in CL aerobatics almost since I first became interested in model aviation in the early '50s, but for some reason the full-size stunters never really appealed to me. The smaller planes have always seemed more appealing and the Jr. Nobler is one of my favorite planes. Until my flying abilities come much closer to matching my dreams, I find it much easier (and less expensive) staying with planes of moderate size. I might note that I felt deserted when Dumas stopped production of their airplane line. The Warrior was one plane which I had always wanted to build but had never gotten around to. So Roger Greene's article on the Aetos served to fill a gap for me.
This brings up another subject. I realize that earlier articles are almost never reprinted, but I would like to nominate two articles for republication. My nominees are the Economound, which appeared in the April 1959 issue of American Modeler, and the Shrunken Treasure in the August 1959 issue of A.M. Of all the mid-sized stunt planes which appeared in the model magazines in the late '50s and early '60s, these two were the ones which appealed the most to me. Unfortunately, while I have the magazines, I did not obtain the plans while they were still available.
E. Wade Miner 7901 Harwood Pl. Springfield, VA 22152
We print Mr. Miner's complete address so that anyone able to help him may write direct.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
