FROM THE PITS…

Herman Reichert demonstrated his auto launch for electrics. It’s a long rubber band stretched until it reaches a hook on the bottom of the plane. Her steps on a release pedal and the plane is launched. He demonstrated his set up with an F-9-F Panther ducted fan. He built the auto launch himself.

Ken Ames was flying a Power Sailplane. Ken’s our ever sailplane guy.

  

SAFETY FIRST by Bob Walker

I have been to the field a number of times this season. I usually get ideas for this column from observing what people may be doing at the field. In the last two months I have NOT seen:

1. Dogs running around the field
2. Unsupervised children running around the field
3. Flyers starting planes without tie downs
4. Flyers on the old channels not taking a pin
5. Flyers reaching through the propeller to adjust the needle valve
6. Airplanes crashing from uncharged batteries
7. Airplanes flying over the pit area
8. Flying airplanes brushing back other flyers along the flight line
9. Taxiing in the pits
10. Overcharging or improperly charging LiPo batteries, causing them to catch fire

Let’s go back to 1967. Hard to believe it was 45 years ago. I was in high school building RC airplanes and a member of Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore. The field was in the Sweet Air park on the edge of Harford County. It was a long walk up a hill to get from the parking lot to the flying field. There were only 5 or 6 frequencies, plus a few on the ham band. I was usually there every weekend during the summer….usually watching.

Bob Walker with the classic 4Star60

In the world, 1967 was the year of the first Super Bowl. Green Bay beat the KC Chiefs. January of that year was the Apollo One fire, setting back the chance of a lunar landing by the end of the decade. The first Boeing 737 flew in 1967, Elvis got married, John McCain was shot down over Vietnam and became a POW. The first Saturn V rocket was launched and gas was about 33 cents per gallon. The cost of an average house was about $15,000.

In the late 60’s digital radios were becoming more common, but still relatively expensive. A Kraft radio, which was top line sold for $400… 4 channels. An offshoot company, Proportional Control Systems (PSC) sold the previous year Krafts’ for $300. The poor person’s way into the RC arena (me) was Galloping Ghost. An actuator flapped the rudder and elevator back and forth and by moving the transmitter stick, one could get proportional control. Long gone companies such as Citizenship, Airtrol and Ace sold variations of this technology. Rand sold the actuators. But there were many companies selling RC equipment. Anyone remember these: Bonner, Deans (famous now for connectors), F&M, Sterling, Orbit, Hallco, EK and even OS of engine fame?

There were many engine manufacturers too: Enya, Super Tigre, OS, K&B, Cox and Fox. Few people used mufflers in those days, but a plane with a .40 engine was considered large.

Sig was selling the ¼ scale Cub for $19.95…..and still is in production for about $200 now. Goldberg usually had two page ads for their line of Falcons and Skylarks. Top Flite had many small planes. A Top Dawg (I bought one at Lloyds in Towson) flew with a .09 engine. They also had the Schoolmaster, Schoolboy and Schoolgirl of Ken Willard design. Sterling sold scale kits, deBolt planes were popular and Lanier had the first ARF’s.

Ambroids was a popular glue for building airplanes (I still use it)…..love that smell. And Sullivan was selling their Pylon Brand Fuel tanks. There was no Tower Hobbies in those days, but the big place was American Hobby Center in NY. It was probably one of the largest mail order houses. They sold everything. You put your check, cash or money order in the mail and a few weeks later, your order usually showed up. Things have come a long way since then. But just getting a plane to fly was pretty exciting.

 

FOR SALE…

All or Part, Best Offer- Rodney Abrahams 410-378-3068

1. Case fuel , 1 case (4 gal)
2. MDS 68 Engine, new-in-the box, w/C2 carb and muffler
3. Great Planes Ultra Sport 60, w/K&B 61 ABC, w/tuned muffler, Futaba T6XA, Tx & Rx on Chn 25
4. Scale Heinkle HE-51 bipe, 72in., w/OS FS 120 Expert Tx & Rx on Chn 46
5. Ace Super Pacer stunter, w/OS 25FSR, Rx also on Chn 46
6. Goldberg Sukoi 26, 72in., w/YS120, Futaba FG Tx & Rx on Chn 30
7. Tower Uproar 40, w/K&B 40 ABC, w/tuned muffler, Rx also on Chn 30
8. Midwest Starduster 60 w/OS FS 61, Futaba 6DA, Tx & Rx on Chn 23

 

ABOUT SWAN HARBOR RC....

Swan Harbor RC meets 7 PM the second Tuesday of the month.  In the Fall and Winter we meet at the Churchville Rec Center located on Glenville Road in Churchville.  Otherwise we meet at our flying field at Swan Harbor Farm.  The public is welcome to the meetings. To fly with us at Swan Harbor flying field take Oakington Road off US 40 (between Aberdeen and Havre de Grace) and follow the signs for Swan Harbor Farm.  Be sure to have a current AMA membership card because you need it to fly.  A SWAN HARBOR RC 2012 Membership Applications  is available on line or additional information can be obtained from Steve Snyder, 410-638-2895, Steve@SwanharborRC.com.