Modeling Spoken Here
Bob Hunt — Aeromodeling Editor
Early influences
Some of my earliest recollections are of looking through model airplane magazines. Notice I didn't say reading them! I began this process long before I could understand what joys the text portion of those publications offered. My father, like most modelers, never threw out anything that had to do with model—or even full-scale—aviation. He wanted a reference library he could turn to for ideas and inspiration. That he kept it intact for me and my brother was a blessing.
Practically all of my engineering skills were learned by reading those magazines from cover to cover, over and over. It didn't matter to me what type of model was in a particular article; I didn't stop to consider that there was even a difference between types.
Even today, I can simply look at an old modeling magazine cover (if it's still attached!) and tell you what features are in that issue.
Ironically, most of my literary education came from reading modeling magazines. During my high school years, I would stuff my notebook with them and read them at every chance during the school day. I became used to how modelers communicated with each other.
The lexicon of modeling is a very interesting one, indeed. Some of the words we are used to can easily be misconstrued by outsiders. It was not unusual to read an article and be instructed to "buy some dope." Oh, how times have changed!
I truly believe that modeling is a deterrent to unacceptable social behavior, simply because those who are involved with it have little or no time to do anything other than design, build, and/or fly model airplanes. Modeling magazines are in large part responsible for that.
When I was about five years old, my father had a construction article accepted by Model Airplane News magazine. The subject of the article was his gorgeous rendition of the Travel Air sport biplane. The model was a Scale/Stunt control-line design. It was scale enough to place in competition as a Scale model, but it could also do a decent job of executing the Stunt pattern of the time. When the article appeared in December 1952, Dad was an instant celebrity at our local field. Every modeler read his article, because every modeler of the time read every magazine from cover to cover.
From that point on, and even now, I look at my father as a sort of special hero because his design was published in a magazine!
Bill Winter and editorial standards
The editor of Model Airplane News at that time was the dean of all modeling magazine editors: Bill Winter. Bill took a paragraph or two in his editorial each month to give his personal thoughts on each of the articles published in that particular issue. (Something I intend to start doing soon.) To have Mr. Winter's personal seal of approval on a design or how-to was sure and certain validation of the article's worth. If Bill said it was good, it was okay by us. We knew we were getting something of real value, and something from which we could learn.
For all of you who are new to the sport, I heartily recommend that you get a copy of the May 1999 Model Aviation and read the piece written about the late Mr. Winter by Randall Trumbull and Jim Haught. It's entitled "Bill Winter: Simply the Best." After reading that article, you will understand the well-deserved reverence longtime modelers have for Bill. His positive impact on the sport and, perhaps more important, his methods and standards of reporting on the sport serve as a beacon for us all.
I guess that's why I have such reverence for the content of modeling magazines. I have always thought that only the best should be put into print for the modeling masses. Through the years, as I've been at the helm of a magazine, I've tried very hard to ensure that each article I accepted for publication would pass muster by Mr. Winter.
The editor's role and the selection challenge
In my position as Aeromodeling Editor of Model Aviation, I have the responsibility to present content that will cover all aspects of the modeling sport and hobby. That's a tall order; modeling has grown up and out in myriad directions, and keeping track of each aspect of it is becoming more and more challenging.
Some of my decisions are easy, and some are tough. It is never easy to tell someone who has labored hard in producing what he or she thinks is a relevant article that it "doesn't suit our current editorial needs."
Everyone likes to think that his or her thoughts on a particular subject are relevant and publication-worthy. If we had unlimited magazine space and unlimited funds, that would be the case. But we don't, so a line has to be drawn at some point.
As much as it pains me to say this, not every article we receive is up to the standards established by the likes of Bill Winter. And I will not lower those standards for Model Aviation.
I receive quite a lot of mail each day, and most of it is in the form of article submissions. It's fun to be able to see what modelers are thinking about. Virtually every article submitted has some, if not great, merit. There is some really good thinking going on out there!
The types of articles most cherished by modeling magazine editors are construction features and how-to articles. Model Aviation receives a large number of each, and the vast majority are rejected for publication.
How submissions are handled
There are many reasons an article may be turned down, and it's never easy to tell an author that his work isn't up to standards. In many cases the work is fine but the timing is wrong.
We try to keep a backlog of articles for publication. Nothing is more scary for an editor than a file that is short on accepted articles of a given type. A magazine is like a wood-burning stove: it consumes a tremendous amount of material each month. And when it's used, it's gone. The material for the next month has to be ready when the time arrives.
For that reason, when a reasonable article on a particular subject is submitted, it is accepted and placed in the file for future use. When a significant backlog of that type of article is obtained, we become very picky about accepting more of the same type.
If an outstanding article is presented, we grab it—no matter how much similar material we already have. Conversely, if we are getting very little of a certain type of article, we may work closely with an author to bring his or her work up to standards in order to have some of that type of material on file.
Yes, it's a balancing act, and there is no easy answer. We just never know from day to day what is going to be submitted.
In many cases, we will commission an article to suit a specific need. Proven authors are asked to work up a special article within their scope of expertise.
I like to get out to club fields and club meetings whenever I can, and sometimes I will see a member flying or showing an original model. If the airplane has merit, I might ask the designer if he'd be interested in having it published. In a similar manner, our columnists keep an eye out for designs and article ideas that might make interesting reading. They are, in essence, design/article liaisons.
Suggestions for aspiring authors
- Remember this is a subculture, special-interest magazine. You need not be a literary master to write about your modeling.
- Be yourself. Most new authors try too hard to write perfect prose when they don't speak using those same words and phrases in normal life. Use words and phrases you are comfortable with. Look at writing as talking to fellow modelers as you might if they were visiting you in your shop.
- Try to identify a need for a particular article. Much of what we receive are remakes of work that has been published many times. Strive to be original.
- Be honest with yourself about your abilities. Many construction submissions we receive are for models that reflect subpar workmanship and finish. I don't expect everyone to be a master craftsman, but I will not accept articles for models that exhibit poor workmanship and/or finish. This is not the message we are trying to send.
- Present well-crafted and nicely finished models. We want to encourage everyone to do his or her very best. Only by showing good work will we help others build and finish better.
- Simple sport models or trainers are fine, as long as they exhibit good craftsmanship and finishing qualities.
- If you are not sure whether your idea for an article is a good one, call or write with a proposal before doing a lot of work. We may be able to suggest a slightly different way of preparing your material that will better fit our needs.
- Get a copy of the Model Aviation "Author Guidelines" and read them thoroughly. Your work must be prepared to suit the magazine requirements in a technical manner. The guidelines will give you that important information. They can be found on AMA's website (modelaircraft.org). Look for the Model Aviation link, then click on "Author Guidelines." Print these out and keep them for future reference.
Why contribute
- You can help shape the future for someone who is just starting out in modeling.
- You can add your input to the collective knowledge of a particular subject.
- You can earn a bit of money as well as the satisfaction of sharing what you've learned.
Most of the writers with whom I have had the privilege of working have been visionaries who wanted to help spread the word about modeling. They are not professional writers, for the most part, but they have a burning desire and boundless enthusiasm to share what they have learned with the rest of us.
Does that sound like you? Let's see what you have to author!
How to submit
Send your Model Aviation article submissions to: Box 68, Stockton, PA 18083
If you'd like to discuss a potential article, or anything else about the editorial content of Model Aviation, I can be reached at: Phone: (610) 614-1747 E-mail: robinhunt@earthlink.net
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
