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.
Delta Darts Forever
Enclosed please find a photograph of something really exciting. Here is a class of 7th graders at Southwood Jr. High in South San Francisco enjoying the Delta Darts that they have just finished. Many of them had never made anything before and were a bit apprehensive at the start of the project, but after the kits started to go together, you could not stop them. Talk about motivation and interest!
It is my hope that such a photograph will inspire other modelers to get involved in a youth/model aviation program during the upcoming year. I have assisted in the construction of over 120 Delta Darts so I know that they are the greatest. The instructions are in both English and Spanish, the materials are good, and there is a teacher guide/lesson plan.
In short, the materials are available, the kids are eager to learn, and the people who can put the two together and make it work are your readers. Perhaps you can use the photo as part of an editorial on the future of the hobby and the positive effect your readers can have on the youth in their community.
Richard Pearsall San Francisco, CA
Not all Delta Dart kits include the teacher's guide/lesson plan referred to. One package intended for teachers has such information, and this extra material, not required by modelers, is available from AM4 Headquarters. Incidentally, a control-line beginner's project, similar in purpose to the Delta Darts, will soon be released. It will be as revolutionary in CL circles as was the DD for free flight. An outstanding feature is that the model is built flat on a board and does not have to be lifted until the control system is attached. Like the DD, it looks different — and it is different. Developed by AM4, the concept was years in the think tank.
Piper Pawnee
I just finished a scratch-built B-model Piper Pawnee. Used old Bird plans to start it... they were leading me wrong... had to get as much literature on the plane as I could from Piper... don't think I will jump into any more scratch work with this much headache and trouble. Took almost two years to build. Would get disgusted at times and wanted to stop. Thank goodness it was worth it... it turned out beautiful.
Weighs a tad over 7 1/4 pounds. Span 72 in., fuselage length 46 1/2 in., chord 10 3/4 in. Widest part of fuselage 6 in.
Plane is made from balsa and hardwood with fiberglass cowling. Boy, that turned out to be a bugger to make. Model silked, used Pactra Aero-gloss dope and paint. Powered by Enya 60 III, Semco Pitts muffler, radio 79 7C Kraft, CB tailwheel assembly.
Dash has full instruments. Pilot has helmet carved out of wood, sanded, fiberglassed and painted. Also this pilot wasn't tall enough to see over dash... extended pilot up about an inch. Williams Brothers... There is a spreader that goes underneath the wing in the middle of the fuselage; it was not on when pictures were taken.
Just thought I would drop you a line that all of us down here in the South aren't sitting on our hands, and tell you a little about the plane I just finished.
Robert Brown P.O. Box 109 Unadilla, GA 31091
When you wish to build another guy's airplane you know it must be excellent. The pix speak for themselves. We congratulate Bob for giving all of us this pleasure. His address is included because we know guys will wish to write him. Also because we hope some other magazine will pick up on this lovely project — our inventory is too heavy to accept it — though Bob made no offer. Merely wanted us to enjoy.
Shipp's Wing—Again
In response to your June column (F.O.), there are moments and moment arms associated with cambered airfoils such as the Walker "upside down" glider. They are shown on the attached sketch.
Trim CL on an inverted cambered wing is established solely by C.G. location. The fact that CM does not vary with angle of attack (CL) provides the mechanism for stability. At higher trim than trim CL, CLx thus becomes numerically larger than trim CL, with the result that a negative (nose-down) pitching moment develops. At lower trim CL, CMchord becomes larger, developing a positive (nose-up) pitching moment.
Is the Shipp wing aerodynamically similar? The fact that it also must do half an outside loop before "doing its thing" suggests that it is. Can a true flat plate with both surfaces of similar finish be made to glide coherently? If so, the Shipp wing would not be aerodynamically similar.
I believe the pitch oscillations are the key to roll stability, providing an energy source to react to rolling forces, but I would not bet a lot of cash on it. Neither should you bet a lot on that wire having the same drag as that airfoil at the same airspeed. No way!
John Brownlee Decatur, AL
The so-called Shipp wing has caused more controversy and correspondence than any subject ever mentioned in F.O. Some folks send little Styrofoam gliders with a reflex trailing edge to "prove" that the exposed T.E. on Warren's was, in effect, a reflex. But covered on both sides, that wing glides with the smoothest surface down, after a half outside loop if launched roughside down. Perhaps that has a reflex action. Brownlee is an engineer who rides herd on many of F.O.'s aerodynamic comments—this is a simple letter for him. But, John, Shipp's wing is flat, not cambered, so it is aerodynamically similar — but we confess one side shinier than the other may mean it is not. As to gliding a flat plate with equally smooth sides, why don't you guys try a balsa sheet rectangle with a blob of clay on the centerline at the leading edge? Will it glide? We haven't got time to find out—do advise us.
Voice from the Past
Your column evokes occasional memories and somehow proves that a good portion of one's life is based on recall. Perhaps I can stir your memory today.
Our club is not far from the area where many of us had our baptism into this magnificent sport of R/C flying. I am sure you remember Plainview, and farmer Bergmann's field with the one oak tree we all managed to hit at least once during the course of a flying season. The Nassau/Suffolk county line is still deeply involved in mini flying machines. Five clubs operate within a five-mile radius of one another, managing to stay out of each other's hair.
Our present club is called the Whitman Flyers. Perhaps if the bard were around today he would get a kick out of the bunch of us mingling with the birds in nearby Bethpage.
For one reason or another, I've been absent from this activity for nearly 25 years. It was a wonderful surprise to return to a world of R/C filled with all sorts of excellent equipment. However, now that I have acquainted myself with sticks and dual rates, I see that buttons are returning in an array of functions that may soon rival the autopilot of a 747. Why, one can almost visualize a day in the future when we arrive at the field with our portable armchair, start our planes electrically, set our flight plan before us, and happily punch away on the multiple functions of our little button transmitter. When you visit this area, please join us for a day of flying activities.
Vince Pacifico Plainview, NY
This letter is on the personal side, but Vince expressed some interesting thoughts; hence, its presence here. Besides, we often hit that infamous oak tree! And, Vince, we remember all those great guys (names deleted) and many others. Say hello to them.
Ships That Pass in the Night
I was just answering a "letters to ed" inquiry in May MA (about a 1940 mystery biplane) and thought I should take a minute to write you a thank-you note.
You write more in those days (and a few others) started me on the hobby that has been a source of great satisfaction for all the intervening years. (How could it be 40 years?)
The most beautiful model I ever saw was built by Dean Barry, the designer of the biplane mentioned above. It was a red, white, and green rubber-powered Caproni biplane, and it made such an impression that I can still picture it 40 years later. Awhile back I tracked down the plans for that plane, built it, and haven't had as much fun for a long time. I'm enclosing a picture. It may be of interest to some of your readers.
Herman J. Fuchs 23 South Pl., Leonia, NJ
Editor's note: Herman, your letter brought back thoughts of my early days, too. Nice photo.
I recently saw that ship and was pleasantly surprised to see W.W. as the designer.
Knowing the economic situation in those days, you probably thought of plans like those as an easy buck, rather than inspiration for American youth. But quality work rates a sincere "thank you," even if it is 40 years late.
Can you remember what a plans/article paid in those days?
Paul N. McIlrath Cedar Rapids, IA
Fellows, we don't want to even seem to brag, but a letter from McIlrath is a rare honor — he is known and respected by all old-time rubber fliers for little things and scale jobs. Besides, several Maxecuters have asked us about that Caproni and how it flies. We thought it was a Bergamaschi, but Caproni it is. We didn't remember. To you guys who have built many of our rubber jobs, mostly out of MAN, we apparently can recommend that Caproni. Also a Grumman biplane, the Boeing F4B-4, and a Curtiss SOC-1. There were others, but these made the greatest impression upon their designer. Although some of our designs, like Dailey's Fiat, now win big things, we rate ourselves below Earl Stahl, the master of simple, light, high-performance stuff. But you know that. (P.S. We were paid from $40 to $55, inked plans included.)
Albion's Stunt News
In reporting the results of the recent stunt contest at Albion, N.Y., Jerry Smith's name was omitted as a contestant in the Beginner class. Jerry finished third.
Howard H. Allen 1134 N. Main St., Albion, N.Y. 14803
Modeler's note: Congratulations to Jerry.
Think This Over
The first part of this letter is devoted to my opinion of a television show recently aired on one of the major networks. The show I am referring to is Hawaii Five-O. The show centered around the use of radio-controlled model aircraft to pull off an extraordinary (to say the least) jewel heist. I believe ridiculous is more than the word. The two worst parts were:
- Showing radio-controlled model aircraft being used as flying bombs.
- Having Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) on national television referring to these models as "adult toys."
I will spare the rest of the details because they were, so far as model aviation is concerned, ridiculous! Model aviation enthusiasts needed that show like Custer needed more Indians!
The second part of this relates to an ad which appeared in the April issue of MA (inside back cover). It seems that Brand A is referring to Brand B's product as an "underpowered toy." (Underpowered by whose standards?)
The reason this upsets me is that I got started in radio-controlled aircraft in May '78, and my first plane was one of those "underpowered toys." Maybe for the pattern flier it would have lacked something, but for me, the beginner, it had more power than I knew what to do with. But it did fly, and very well at that. I was one of those who had to teach myself. Probably one of the best things to learn, and least taught, is making dead-stick landings. When I finally advanced to a Senior Falcon, I had all that under my belt. You just have to be right on the approach when the fan ain't turning. Now, whenever I have to make a dead-stick landing, I am thankful for the experience that the "underpowered toy" gave me.
The point of all this is that I do not like to see these or any model aircraft referred to as toys — whether it be an .049 ARF or a Nosen Cub, be it Steve McGarrett or one manufacturer knocking another's product. And the last place it should be done, or allowed, is the fine magazine of Model Aviation!
R. B. Ryman Harrisonburg, VA
Hear, hear! We fully agree. No model is a toy. If it were, kids would need "shrinks." The editor has no control over ads. AMA and industry should have a "conscience board." We don't see how that can be done.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
