OLD-TIMERS
Mike Keville 31 Franklin Pkwy., Brunswick ME 04011 E-mail: mjkeville@gwi.net
Introduction
Just before the deadline for this issue I received a nice packet from David Baker of England, who is a member of SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) Chapter 1066. This group is currently quite active with small rubber-powered vintage designs. David wrote that they often fly at Middle Wallop: the "world's most beautiful flatfield flying site." As noted in the chapter's publication, The Clarion, there is much interest in 1950s designs since "the majority of active model flyers interested in rubber model types today began their competitive model flying lives within this classic period."
This agrees with my oft-stated premise that "Old Timer" is a relative term, depending on one's date of birth and/or initial involvement with aeromodeling. Also popular in the UK are pre-World War II Wakefield designs, many of which have been published in the Frank Zaic Year Books. These are truly vintage models, many with round, multi-stringer fuselages, tapered-wing planforms, and fixed landing gear. As with all Old-Time (OT) modeling endeavors, the British seem to have the delightful ability to be more concerned with creating authentic replicas than with trophy hunting. For more information about this particular SAM chapter's activities, contact David Baker, 24 Pinetrees, Weston Favell, Northampton NN3 3ET, England; Tel.: 01604-406822.
Just Getting Started?
You may have noticed Model Aviation's current emphasis on information for beginners. Although most newcomers may not be interested in OT, I suppose it is possible. Why? For one thing, the designs have eye appeal. Notice the number of ARF (Almost Ready-to-Fly) designs that have an OT appearance. Those are usually flown strictly for fun, which is the whole intent of the OT movement in the first place.
The majority of OT activity is in Free Flight (FF) and Radio Control (RC); however, there is a sizable contingent flying OT Control Line (CL)—primarily Stunt, but with growing interest in Carrier, Speed, and Team Racing. Much of the appeal is in building designs from our youth, although some just like the relaxed pace and the camaraderie among OT modelers. In all categories some designs are available in kit form, but most are built from plans.
As I noted in a previous column, I can supply a list of sources if you send me a legal-size self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). It's not all-inclusive, but it does attempt to list the more prominent suppliers. Since model building is considered an enjoyable phase of the hobby, nearly all OT designs require some construction experience. You will see a good deal of iron-on coverings in the RC categories, while pure FF and CL Stunt tend to honor tradition by using silkspan or silk with doped finishes.
There is one major difference: those who have been out of the hobby for a long time will be absolutely shocked at the prices! Newcomers who are attracted to OT designs may want to consider joining one (or more) of the AMA Special Interest Groups that cater to their tastes. A list of those organizations appears at the close of this column.
Sources for Plans and Kits
Among the sources for plans is Charles Schultz, who provides a wide range of designs from simple rubber-powered models for the beginner to advanced Scale models for the more accomplished builders. He also has gliders and gas-powered FF plans and some CL Scale designs, including many from the old Berkeley series, but his emphasis is on the excellent Earl Stahl Rubber Scale designs. All plans are black-line on white background and are exceptionally clear and well drawn.
As this was written, Charles's plans list contained more than 425 offerings on eight pages. To receive a copy of the current list, send $1 and a business-size SASE to Charles F. Schultz, 910 Broadfield Dr., Louisville KY 40207. Tell him where you read about it.
In the CL OT category there is much interest in the old Veeco kits. Plans are available for the entire line, and some are being kitted again by companies such as Brodak and RSM. Larry Richards produces custom kits for most Veeco designs, including the Redskin team racer and Bob Palmer's Hurricane and Lil' T-Bird. Larry does not make kits for commercial vendors; it is strictly a hobby for him, thus he needs at least two weeks to ship.
Larry is also cutting kits for the old 48-inch-span Midwest profile World War II designs, the profile F-94C, and the Navion formerly produced by Sterling. For more information contact Larry Richards, 26737 Chipley Ave., Hayward CA 94545; Tel.: (510) 786-0796; E-mail: richardskits@att.net.
That mention of Monogram Speedee-Bilt kits in the September 2003 column definitely got some attention. (Special thanks to Walter Legan, Orlando FL; he knows why.) I heard from several people who remember those fondly and wish they were still available.
As it turns out, reproductions of those fine, old designs are being produced by Ron Anderson. Available are copies of the original plans, CAD drawings, parts patterns, individual parts, and, yes, complete kits.
All kits contain plans and patterns, shaped "monofoil" wings and nose blocks, sheet plywood and some hardware, and are attractively priced. Some include laser-cut balsa parts, hand-cast resin and injection-molded plastic parts, canopies (where applicable), rubber wheels, water-transfer decals, colored tissue, rubber motor, and hardware.
In addition to the complete line as we knew it, Ron offers new designs which include the Globe Swift, the PT-19, the Texan, the Bonanza, the Spitfire, and perhaps others by the time this item is in print. Ron cautions that "This is a low volume, hobby operation with lots of hand processing involved in the production of individual parts. Kits are generally made up as orders are received as I have difficulty keeping a stockpile. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery."
Contact Ron Anderson directly for full details and availability: 115 Sue Ann Ct., Sterling VA 20164; E-mail: rwanderson@erols.com.
Memories of the Thermal Thumbers
Last year I noted with regret the demise of the Thermal Thumbers club in California. Roughly 30 years ago I was a member of that illustrious group, enjoying many fine times at Taft, Mile Square, and Elsinore. Way before my time, club members were part of the crowd that flew at the old Rosecrans and Western site in Los Angeles. Royce Childress (Kent WA) remembers the site well, and he sent the following via E-mail:
"To the west, asparagus went all the way to Crenshaw; to the east were only a couple of small farms between Western and Vermont. It was about the same north and south, except for a small airport just north of the model field. After WW II they used to fly P-38s, Mustangs, and PT-19s in there to scrap them.
"I knew most of the Thermal Thumbers at that time. Lud Kading was almost a father to me. A couple of fairly well-known members later were Lew Mahew and Frank Cummings, both deservedly in the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame.
"The last time I saw Lew we were on a fishing trip in Bishop, California. I used to have a first-place trophy from a club contest. Lew told me I could enter 'if I didn't enter that ... Sailplane,' so I used my Playboy instead."
Vintage Stunt Championships
The 16th annual Vintage Stunt Championships for OT and Classic CL Stunt will be held March 21–22 in Tucson, Arizona. Two official rounds are flown and those scores are added for a total, although approximately 95% of the participants are there strictly for fun. (See Bob Hunt's report on last year's Vintage Stunt Championships in the September 2003 issue.) For more details and preregistration info, contact Lolo Wolgast, 1310 E. Concho Cir., Tucson AZ 85749; Tel.: (520) 749-1812.
MA
AMA Special Interest Groups and other organizations for those interested in OT modeling
- SAM (Society of Antique Modelers)
Gene Wallock 13 N.W. Sandy Trail Ln. Lawton OK 73505 Velinak@aol.com
- VR/CS (Vintage Radio Control Society)
Scott Wallace 3621 Mathews Dr. Endwell NY 13760 www.vintagercsociety.org
- MECA (Model Engine Collectors Association)
Bob McClelland 3007 Travis St. West Lake LA 70669
- PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association), for CL Stunt including OT and Classic
Shareen Fancher 158 Flying Cloud Isle Foster City CA 94404 ShareenFancher1@aol.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
