Radio Control: Soaring
Dan Pruss
Catalogs
Two catalogs that are musts for any serious sailplane modeler's desk or bench recently arrived in the mail.
One is from Hi Johnson of California and is labeled Superwings. It's full of foam-wing how-to's and includes pages of sketches for linkage installations, covering techniques, suggested wing planforms, and designs. An order form is included. If you have ideas ready to put down on the drawing board for your new Worldbeater 12, get this reference book. Available from:
- Hi Johnson Model Products, 11015 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
- Price: $2
The other catalogue comes from Tony Baker of Solent Sailplanes, England. In past columns we've covered large-scale sailplanes including 1/5, 1/4 and the rare 1/2 scale models. The original information was often in German and some details were lost in translation. Solent Sailplanes (they call themselves the soaring specialists, and justifiably so) fully describes all of the birds mentioned in previous columns, with photos and complete specs. This catalogue is 136 pages and lists not only large-scale birds but also slope racers and F3B models, including the Sitar Special. There are pages of specialized linkages not common here, and a full page with sketches on aerotowing. Special tow planes are also listed. This is a book you keep close to your favorite chair—you'll browse it over and over and always find something new. Write:
- Solent Sailplanes, 10–11 Carlton Place, Southampton, Hampshire, England
- Price: not available at this time
Vintage Sailplane Association
If you have a yen for a scale sailplane that isn't made in a mold and doesn't look like all the others, the Vintage Sailplane Association (VSA) will interest you. As the name implies, the VSA is dedicated to old-time birds: they find them, restore them, fly them, and hold a soar-in to gather them.
Their publication, Bungee Cord, contains three-views, photos, locations of sailplanes, and occasionally articles by modelers with photos of rare vintage models. For more information:
- Bungee Cord, 6053 25th Road North, Arlington, VA 22207
- Membership: $8 individual, $10 family, $15 club
Club Newsletters Worth Reading
There are a few club newsletters around the country that go beyond local gossip and include excellent technical articles (not kit reviews). With over a thousand sailplane fliers in the Los Angeles area alone—and nearly a third of the League of Silent Flight membership in California—three of these noteworthy newsletters are from California.
- Torrey Pines Gulls — Journal
- Pepper Kay, President/Editor
- Features: contest reports (Don Edberg, Alex Mladineo), humor by Al Doig, technical articles by Ken Banks (worth the subscription price)
- Write: Torrey Pines Gulls, Box 17764, San Diego, CA 92117
- Subscription: $5
- San Fernando Flyers — The Silent Flyer
- Doug Ford, President
- Editors: Bill Forrey and Blaine Rawdon
- The club has produced national winners, a world record holder, and a U.S. F3B team member. Hints and articles from top fliers (Rich Pearson, Chris Adams, Barbara Henon, Jerry Krainock, Terry Krainock) provide winning secrets and technical insight.
- The now-famous Gossamer Condor and Gossamer Albatross projects had two SFSVF members involved at the project level: Blaine Rawdon and Bill Watson.
- For subscription and rates: The Silent Flyer, Billy Forrey, Editor, 487 Mesa Road, Santa Monica, CA 90402
- South Bay Soaring Society — Silent Flyer
- Tully Simoni, President
- Editor: Joan Irvine
- Current issues include technical articles and coverage of events such as the RCM Trophy Race, with photos and interesting sailplane design concepts, including contributions from British designers.
- Contact: Joan Irvine, Editor, South Bay Soaring Society, Box 2012, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
RCM Trophy Race (South Bay)
The annual RCM Trophy Race attracted 27 fliers and produced a racer's weekend with strong winds and close competition. Four rounds of eight heats were flown on Saturday, resulting in a four-way tie among Terry Krainock, the Gerrard brothers from England (Richard and Paul), and Brian Irvine.
Tony Baker of Solent Sailplanes displayed his 1/5-scale ASW-17, which weighed 26 pounds with a 22-foot wingspan. When the wind calmed on Sunday evening, Brian Irvine took home the RCM Trophy. Paul Gerrard returned to England in second place, and Ed Holder—owner of the slope and with home-court advantage—finished third.
Final Notes
If 10-minute maxes and spot landings have put you in a flying rut, check the catalogs mentioned above and subscribe to or exchange newsletters with the clubs listed. You'll be guaranteed new horizons in soaring.
Delayed-flash department: Craig Foxgord of California, a member of the Pacific Soaring Society, became the 14th member of the League of Silent Flight to reach Level V. Congratulations.
Dan Pruss RR 2, Box 490, Plainfield, IL 60544
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
