OldtimerTopics
by mike myers You can reach Mike Myersat 911 Kilmary Lane, Glendale, CA 91207, or via e-mail at
mikemyersgln@charter.net
PHOTO: PETER MICHEL
Dave Lewis of SAM 51 (at left) holds a Speed 400 sized Red Ripper. Dave’s a nice guy and an old friend, but he sometimes has a crusty “make my day” stare as he enters a contest. We’ve come a long way baby! English ladies (above) in the late ’20s or early ’30s display rubber powered models. English modeler Peter Michel says that the spruce and wire models were covered with silk. With a geared rubber motor and in expert hands the models were good for a minute long flight.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE MYERS F
amily matters, some sad, and some glad have meant that I’ve spent the first 8 months of the year traveling. Fortunately I was able to attend two flying sessions at SAM 27’s flying field in Petaluma and a ½A Texaco/Speed 400 contest at SAM 21’s DWARFS field in San Jose. And this summer I hope to take in a contest at either Port Meadow at Oxford, England or at the SAM European Free Flight Championships at Middle Wallop. For a fellow like me who mainly flies in
the dust and desert(s) of the Southwest, go- ing to flying fields that are nice and green is a treat. Why I’ve even seen tall grass at Mid- dle Wallop and at Petaluma. I thought tall grass for trimming was just a storybook tale told by modelers from the Mid-Atlantic states! But the best part of visiting other fly- ing fields is the nice people you meet there. And the second best part is familiarizing yourself with the terrain and layout of a new field.
DWARFS are actually inside the San Jose
city limits but it is “way out there”. On the morning of the contest a club member, along with two horses and a mule (I kid you not), waited at the gate off the country road. Once you were past the very friendly equine hosts, you drove a third of a mile down a dirt road and across a wooded creek and you were there!
An additional benefit of flying at DWARFS field was the flock of turkey vul- tures that hovered around the field, pointing out thermals for the observant among the
Chuck Kime and Dave Harding (above left) sort their models and dream of this year’s SAM Champs. Chuck is holding an 1100-square inch Stardust Special. Dave holds the tail of his Boehle Giant, and a big Lanzo Bomberis at right. All of the planes in the photo have put in contest winning performances at earlier
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SAM Champs. Loren Kramer of SAM 27 (above right) holds his Speed 400 Playboy. Loren makes very nice Speed 400 motor mounts. He’s an experienced machinist and will occasionally take on “custom” work for bits and pieces of model airplanes.
JULY 2013
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