Old-Timers
Jack Bolton
IT'S ALWAYS anti-climactic to try to resume normal modeling after attending such a superlative happening as the SAM Champs. But things do ultimately sort themselves out and gradually settle into their normal order (utter chaos—kits and pieces strewn about the typical modeler's work area). So we will try to continue on with our bi-monthly effort of convincing non-believers of the beauty and joy of Old-Timer modeling. Hopefully we do this without appearing to be preaching to the choir. 'Tis written "the joys of modeling are great and double are the joys of those who wallow in the pleasures of Old-Timers." Now all you choir members nod and murmur, Yea!
That is not what this column is about (although admittedly it lurks just below the surface, and breaks through occasionally). What we hope to do is provide some knowledge for the modeler who might just like to give Old-Timers a go but doesn't have a complete grasp of what's required. Of course the first thing we recommend is that the potential Old-Timer builder join SAM. SAM attempts to assist the newcomer in every way to get set up in the Old-Timer movement. Additionally, AMA also has helped by publishing the current SAM rules. So, come on out there, get in on and join us! You won't regret it.
Contest Notes
Out of the cold north of Chicago we receive a report of the Chicago Aeronuts Oldtimer Spring event. Our able correspondent, who was volunteered by Aeronut President Rudy Schuh, is "marvelous" Mary Jaster. Rudy's very soft and tactful plea to his crew was, "one of you volunteers has got to help the various model editors fatten up their columns with a word or two of our great ol' club happening." Amen!
Mary cites the contest day as a freeflight-best type of day—temp in the 80's and the wind 2-12 mph out of the southwest. Early morn was calm with gradual buildups as the day progressed. The three-minute max created sighting problems later in the day—particularly with the .020's. Many ships went off the field while DT'd. Korda Wakes took first, second and third in ROG cabin. Korda Stickers prevailed in rubber stick—six out of nine entries with a 1, 2 and 3 win. There were 37 contestants with most flying multiple entries. Highpointers were Lou Levine and Bob Yurkowski. The affair was outstanding but I realize that there ain't no RC assist involved, but we're all together in the Old-Timer thing and we should cross-pollinate.
And now from the great state of Texas—Hico to be precise, comes Leon York who writes, "...most of the Old-Timer fliers in Central Texas are RC'ers that have switched from pattern and have discovered how relaxing this kind of flying can be."
RC Old-Timers/Bolton
Leon continues and relates particulars of an Old-Timer contest held on his ranch. Meet rules were per SAM except that the max was seven minutes and the engine run was 20 seconds Old-Timer and 30 seconds Antique. A spot landing bonus was also used. RC sailplanes also competed using the basic rules, but off of a winch. In Antique there were eight entries—all Quakers (I do believe that M&P is in Texas), and in Old-Timer there were four entries—three Buzzard Bombshells and one Comet Sailplane that was Ohlsson .60 ignition powered. Leon writes, "...thermal conditions were good...but the ten-second extra motor run given the Antiques was too much as the Old-Timers could not score as high, on the average, as the Antiques. Thirty-five seconds would be better for both types and run the cabin Old-Timers right along with the Antiques."
Leon did not provide a list of winners but did list the scoring breakdown.
Antique Old-Timer
Highest Score 890 631
Average Score 631 502
Longest Flight 7:00 mins. 7:00 mins.
Please permit a comment Leon, on your observations. This is not to cast any criticism on your efforts nor the participants and, if things down there would remain static, on the choice of powerplants and methods of flying. But, they won't remain static and you can bet your bottom dollar next year someone will be running ST .35's, ABC .29's, OPS .29's, and the like in those Buzzards and the fellow with the Sailplane will stick a McCoy .49 or .60 or an Orwick in it and there goes your ball-game. I flat guarantee a Buzzard with a ST .35 or .29 turning a 9/4 or 10/3.5 prop, on 40/40 fuel, will be out of sight in a 35-second motor run. I don't recall the wing area on the Quaker but I doubt if it is legal over .56. The Antiques in developed competition simply will not compete with a good Old-Timer without a handicap. I predict that next year (in your area) you won't be able to recognize the level of performance as compared to this year. We certainly recall George Hilliard and Bruce Norman taking notes at the Champs, so look out. Leon, don't change your handicap—although a better method is to permit the Antique its allocated motor run as determined by the Antique rules. We're off the soapbox now. And please don't misconstrue the above comments—I'm not an advocate of power, just a realist. Please check the info on the John Pond Memorial.
Pot Pourri: And from the pen of Dr. Dee Mathews comes the threatening news that he's about to harass you guys with another great sport Old-Timer. Dee builds super models and is addicted to sport modeling. Consequently his efforts are directed toward flyability and rewarding construction. Dee modifies the designs accordingly and warns that the structure may not meet strict SAM rules, i.e., sheet in lieu of built-up control surfaces. It makes no never mind as the competitor can go ahead and build up those surfaces for competition purposes. Dee writes, "...in the article on the Old-Timer I take a swipe at SAM competition—degenerated into two or three dominate designs powered by Schnuerle Screamers. SAM leadership is sensitive to the problem and is working toward solutions. Good luck guys!" Dee continues, "...I'll be damned if I go to a pylon racing engine or a Rossi to be competitive, that has no appeal to me at all. I quit active free flight because it was a hassle and no fun." Food for thought, gang. Dee is an outstanding modeler, designer and flier, and is concerned with where we are going. The problem is that it's man's nature that a horserace is a horserace and to win demands horsepower, all things being equal. Most guys want to be in that top three. Remember Confucius say "Close is only good in horseshoes and hand grenades." Letters: One of the very great pluses one receives by taking on the task of contributing editor is the receipt of enthusiastic correspondence from "born again" modellers. It's almost atypical that the initiator of this correspondence is a man in his late forties or greater, was a prior free flighter, had been out of the hobby for years, and invariably has just undergone an extended hospital session. It's during this forced incarceration (OK Coseil?) that the gent returns to the modeling fold, and when he discovers that, by golly, they are still building and flying Zippers, that our returnee comes completely unglued. Such is the case of one Don Jenkins from Indianapolis. Don relates that he started modeling in the 30's and 40's and left the fold via Uncle Sam and Korea—the land of the morning calms (great for rubber scale). Seems while he was enjoying his paid vacation, his friend with whom he had entrusted his pride and joys proceeded to remove the hardware and burn the remainder. Don doesn't say what the friend did with the "hardware", but he was overheard to mutter "shucks." He goes on to relate his experiences at the Dayton "Champs" and efforts at trying to get up to speed. Don ends up with "...there you have it...another old recap, back into free flight with real engines (DeLongs, O&RC's)! And it's great to be back!" Don it's great to have you, and all others like you, back with us.
Contest: And now from Tom Bristol out of San Carlos, Calif. comes the word on the Second Annual John Pond Commemorative O/T Radio Control Assist Meet. By the time you read this it will be history (November 7 is the date), but we are rather proud of the projected meet administrative procedures. SAM 21 and SAM 26 are running the meet very much along the lines we use down in Pensacola. To wit: Two classes, Class I—.000 to .289, and Class II—.290 and up (this split in displacement goes back a long way in Old-Timer competition): engine run for Old-Timers is 20 seconds glow, 40 seconds ignition; Antique entries are awarded engine runs by seven seconds per pound for glow and 14 seconds per pound for ignition. Old-Timer cabin entries are awarded an extra five-second engine run bonus. Both Old-Timers and Antiques compete together in the Class I and Class II breakouts.
They are using a five-minute max with time overflow to be deducted from the total. A spot landing bonus is also incorporated. Texaco will be run along the SAM rules guidelines. Sure sounds like a fine contest.
Received word from Gene Wallock (P & W Model Service, 220 W. Leroy Ave., Arcadia, CA 91006) of several new antique parts kits that are forthcoming from his shop. His latest is the Scientific Mercury, Shereshaw's beautiful big cabin machine, and Gene has 24 of these ready to go. Shortly he will be shipping parts kits for the Dallaire Sportster (won RC Antique at the '76 SAM Champs), the Trenton Terror, Miss America, and the beautiful seven-foot Buccaneer (not the Super Buccaneer). All of these are oldies, goodies and biggies.
Postscripts: We will end up this month's column with our bi-monthly plea for inputs from the readers. Next column we will report on the results of the "Scotty" Murray Memorial Annual from Pensacola.
Although my home is still in Pensacola, I am working in Washington, D.C. Please address all correspondence to:
Jack Bollon, 8007 Ferncliff Ct., Springfield, VA 22153, phone (703) 455-3089 and please include a SASE.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
