The spring powered Rapidtrol Stick Box ad (at left) that was pictured in the December 2012 column. It sold for $13.95 and was produced by Ectron Products of Smryna, CA. To help celebrate our nation’s bicentennial, Futaba produced a limited edition 2-channel system (above) for $84.95. The Tx had the first adjustable angle gimbals and a commemorative plaque.
stead of silk. He had a Mini-Mambo covered with orange nylon from a 28-foot chute he bought on the base for $10.00. “I built a Jetco Trooper and installed the gear into it. Jim got stationed some place else and I wasn’t knowledgeable about tow line gliders, but there was a gravel pit on base that was about 40 feet deep and I could throw the glider off the top and get some air time across the pit to the other side. I guess you would call it “Slope Soaring” when it caught lift. The Japanese tissue did not fare well with the dried up grass and many patches later the Trooper didn’t fly so well. “I had planned to put the radio in a Ster-
ling Tri-Pacer but loaned it to a friend and 20 some odd years later it was returned minus the escapements. I have picked up some dif- ferent ones now but don’t have the wiring schematic to hook them up and was wonder- ing if you may have one for an F&M single- channel receiver. The radio should work but I never got to try it out again and I would like
to get it in something and try it out. I live out in a rural area of northern New Mexico so I’m thinking or just hoping there isn’t any- thing that will interfere on 27.255 MHz.” From Alan M. Anthony, No. Ferris- burgh, VT: “Hi Bob, just a quick one, I know you are busy. I first knew Bob Elliott in the mid ’40s in Pittsfield, MA. I have won- dered many times if Bob is still with us and thought you might remember something about him. He beat me out in a ‘beauty’ con- test with a Curtiss biplane against my Waco SRE.
“My first stick-built model, Aeronca low wing, was in 1943 at 10 years old. Long time! Still have my 1947 Super Zilch and the Atwood. Still building. “Received my FMtoday and enjoyed your column particularly (it’s always excellent) because of the memories. That’s what jogged my EK thoughts. Thanks for your devotion to your readers.”
From Jeff Stevens, Canada: “Hi Bob, I
just read your column in the April edition of FLYING MODELS, great memories. I thought you might like to see a picture of my electric Mach One I built over the winter. I decided to build a 1973 Pattern plane which was the first year I started flying Pattern. It’s pictured with my dad and his Orion.”
From Bob Aberle, Hauppauge, NY: “Bob, I thought this might bring back many memories for our VRCS members. How about this 150-square inch, 13-ounce, re- duced size version of Phil Kraft’s Kwik Fli Mk III. It has a PARK-300 motor, on three 850 cells and 90 watts input power. This will be in the January 2013 RC Micro World. “Attached is a 1970 photo of me (at age 32) with my full-size Kwik Fli Mk III built from a Graupner kit with an Enya .60. A second attached photo was taken several days ago, of the reduced electric powered version. The camera angle is the same, but 42 years later. That’s how long we have lived here in Haup- pauge, NY.”
PHOTO: JEFF STEVENS
PHOTOS: BOB ABERLE
Here we have two friends of the author from Canada (above), Jeff Stevens and his dad, Bob. The red plane is Jeff’s new electric Mach One, a 1973 Norm Page design. The Orion belongs to Bob. Bob Aberle with his original Kwik Fli Mk II
FLYING MODELS
(above center) from 1970 and his 150-square inch Kwik Fli Mk III (above left) 42 years later. Bob has been having fun by downsizing many popular designs and electrifying them.
51
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68