Letters To The Editor
All letters will be carefully considered; those of general interest will be used. Send to Model Aviation, 1810 Samuel Morse Dr., Reston, VA 22090.
Aerobatics WC in Hungary
Having just read Don Berliner's very interesting article about the 1984 Aerobatics World Championships in Hungary (September 1985 Model Aviation), I feel I must grab my word processor and provide some more information.
As a political refugee from Hungary, I have been living in the U.S. for almost two years now. During my high school years in the 1970s, I belonged to one of the Hungarian glider clubs, and I have been very interested in aviation ever since. There is the point where those mysterious things, namely the sledgehammer and submachine gun, come into sight. Their meaning is, unfortunately, not so mysterious as sad: there is no flying in Hungary without guns. This statement, of course, is a bit exaggerated but by and large true.
The emblem mentioned in the article is not that of the national sports organization per se. Things are a lot more complicated on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain. This ominous emblem is that of the Hungarian Defense Association. This is sort of a paramilitary youth organization overlooking all kinds of sports activities in the country which have any military use. On the top of the list are, obviously, flying (small-engine and gliding), parachuting, hang gliding, sharpshooting, and similar groups. The only way one can start flying is to join the association. It runs all the airfields, flying clubs, etc.
If one sticks with gliding or hang gliding, it is not that bad. At that level, the organization is relatively civilian. Beyond that, the road to small-engine flight is through military training camps. When I was there, this was the sole reason I never had the chance of getting a small-plane license. Joining the Hungarian Army was too high a price for me, even for the flying.
This, in short, is what the submachine gun has to do with aviation in Hungary. I think it is very unfortunate that Western aviators are not aware of this fact. The officials in Hungary can take advantage of this lack of knowledge, and indeed they do whenever they have a chance.
There is another organization in Hungary, the Hungarian Aviation Association. This is largely a propaganda operation addressed to the West and is tightly controlled by the military. It has, to my knowledge, no airplanes, airfields, or anything. To its credit, though, it organizes the collection of aviation memorabilia in the country.
Writer's name withheld by request.
More on Trade Deficits
I must take exception to Mr. Chan's letter to the editor in the October Model Aviation which criticized the purchase of imported hobby products out of a concern for the U.S. trade deficit. If he is genuinely concerned with foreign buying power in our economy, he should speak out against our foreign civil and military government aid and grant programs which serve only to perpetuate the existing foreign governments which are often very socialistic. International free trade, however, bolsters the civilian economies both here and abroad, as both countries profit from the receipt of goods which the market finds more valuable than the exported goods exchanged therefor.
As a practicing business attorney who majored in economics, I am proud to also be an importer of foreign model diesel engines. The monies I send to purchase model engines from India, China, Spain, Czechoslovakia, and England come back to provide American jobs in our own export industries. I am a patriot to the American free enterprise system and know that, with every engine I import, I also export seeds of goodwill and some support of international understanding and peace.
Edward R. Carlson Carlson Engine Imports Phoenix, AZ
Without taking sides whatsoever, Mr. Chan's only request was for the nation of origin to be mentioned in advertising and product packaging.
Praises Recall Concept
The International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) extends a hearty "well done" to Sig Mfg. Co. for the recent "recall" of their Morrissey Bravo kit for the vertical tail surface problem. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time an aeromodel manufacturer publicly declared to the modeling world that a "defect" had been found to exist in one of its products and offered to provide parts free of charge to correct that defect—further recommending "grounding" of the model until the repairs were accomplished.
We of the IMAA are particularly pleased with the actions taken by Sig since the Morrissey Bravo aircraft, being 1/4-scale, is one very likely to have been purchased, constructed, and flown by some of our members. The recall enhances the probability that the aircraft will be safe to fly once repairs are made—to the benefit of all concerned.
IMAA sincerely appreciates the integrity and honesty of Sig Mfg. Co. in issuing the "recall" and in continuing to conduct tests of its products after initial manufacture. The company is to be commended. We are in hopes that all manufacturers of aeromodeling products will follow the course set by Sig. Quality and safety should be the prime concerns of everyone.
Don Godfrey, IMAA President Binghamton, NY
For Standardization
Why oh why cannot all connectors of electrical equipment be of one design? I suppose manufacturers believe they have you trapped with equipment of their own design in connectors. I don't think so, but I know it is a darned pain.
For example, my batteries need replacement. Does the store have batteries with my fittings? No! They have to send out for my batteries or charge me more to solder on my fittings. It is small potatoes and perhaps a sneaky way of earning a few extra dollars.
My power panel requires adaptors for each radio set I own. That is extra and unnecessary work.
I sure would like to see standardization of electrical connectors in the modeling field.
S.J. Caulsen Commack, NY
Belated Notice
There's an odd letter on Page 128 of the November MA. Why Ernest Melcher should have written so late, I don't understand. 'PE' Norman died in July 1964.
For many years his son, Marcus, carried on the great work started by his father of ducted fans and free-flight scale with pendulum controls. Many of 'PE' Norman's hell-for-leather free flighters, such as the 1944 Nats racer, have become popular conversions to RC in honor of the great man. He is always well-remembered at the annual all-ducted-fan meet at RAF Abingdon.
We count ourselves fortunate that Marcus should be so very much like his pop—except for one thing. Marcus has now taken to full-scale aerobatics. For 'PE' a fast MG sports car was enough.
R. G. Moulton Model & Allied Publications England
We can only wonder if Mr. Melcher was thinking of the anniversary of 'PE' Norman's death, which was July 5. Another noted modeler, S. C. "Cal" Smith of the U.S., passed away on the same date.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
