Radio Control: Giant Scale
Bob Beckman
This is the first in a monthly series on big airplanes. "Oh great," you say, "another Monster Man. What are his qualifications to tell me anything about my hobby?" A reasonable question that deserves a reasonable answer.
I have been building models for over 40 years, starting with pine and balsa solid models when I was about six. Soon it was built-up rubber-powered scale models. Remember those beautiful Comet and Megow kits? Most of them cost only a dime! When I was really flush I laid out a buck or more for a Cleveland kit.
After World War II I was pretty heavily into control-line. I did a little free flight, but what was really needed was an outlet for a frustrated hot-shot pilot. It was inevitable that radio control would be next.
In 1948 or 1949 I built my first RC models, some of which were semi-successful (translation: dismal failures). Then in 1950 I moved to the San Francisco area, which had to be hog heaven for an R/Cer at that time.
While modelers in most areas of the country were still using single-channel with escapements or some form of pulse proportional, we were flying the Ed Rockwood–designed resonant-reed equipment that was the basis for the R/C explosion in the late ’50s. Add to that the influence of three-time Nats winner Alex Schneider, and you could learn a lot in a hurry.
Incidentally, the planes we routinely built and flew in those days were larger than many of today’s 1/4-scale models. With wingspans of 7 1/2 to 9 feet, the semi-scale Cub Super Cruisers I flew then would certainly qualify for today’s 1/4-scale fly-ins.
In 1956, a series of job assignments and moves that had me as far west as China and as far east as Turkey put a crimp in my modeling for about ten years. However, I maintained my AMA membership (I’ve been a Leader Member since 1948) and my magazine subscriptions, so I wasn’t completely out of touch. When I again had time to devote to this best of all sports, R/C had really come of age. For the past 12 or 13 years I’ve been an avid sport flier, reveling in equipment and accessories we never dreamed of back in the early ’50s.
In 1976, at Toledo, I had my first look at the Andy Sheber Pitts. My first reaction was, "Who needs it?" It seemed to be a lot of trouble and material just to do something different. But a seed must have been planted, because I found myself thinking more and more about big birds.
What really tipped me over the edge was fuel. Glow-fuel prices started to skyrocket, and even with gasoline doing the same, a gasoline-fueled engine started to sound good. About that time Kirby Crawford, a fellow NVRC member, bought a chainsaw on sale for about $70, threw away the saw parts and converted the engine to pull a Nosen Mr. Mulligan. The first time I saw the Mulligan fly I was hooked for good, and once I started serious consideration of a quarter-scale model the many advantages became more obvious.
One of the best aspects of the big birds is the kind of events they have generated. I was able to get to the Hill Country Fliers Mammoth Scale Fly-In last August and the Quarter Scale Association of America Fly-In at Las Vegas in October. I can’t imagine a more relaxed yet stimulating way to enjoy our hobby: beautiful airplanes, exciting flights, people to meet and talk to, and, best of all, lots of new things to see and learn.
While in Las Vegas I was fortunate enough to meet and talk to both Ron Shettler and Dick Phillips. Ron, of course, is the Quadra man and writes the Mammoth Scale column for Model Builder. Dick does "Big Is Beautiful" for RCM. When I told them I would be doing this column their reactions were identical. They both expressed pleasure that Model Aviation would be expanding coverage of the big birds, and quickly offered to help me in any way they could.
One thing is certain: there’s going to be more going on than the three of us will be able to cover. The rapid and steady growth of interest in big airplanes shows no sign of tapering off. Close to 200 big birds showed up at Las Vegas, and that has to be just the tip of the iceberg.
I am basically a tinkerer. Figuring out how to make or do something to fill a need or solve a problem is my bag. Over the next few months I’ll be writing mostly about the technical details of this new phase of modeling, taking a look at the problems involved and passing on what I learn about their solutions. Let me know about the problems you need help with and the solutions you’ve found that might help someone else. I’ll need your input, because even though I’m quite capable of stumbling onto all the problems, I’m never one to come up with all the solutions by myself.
For now I’ll leave you with a few pictures of some of my projects and look forward to seeing pictures of some of yours.
Bob Beckman 8248 Holly Grove Ct. Manassas, VA 22110
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
