| You Can STUNT Your Rudder Plane - July 1957 American Modeler |
 For perhaps most people engaged in model airplane flying today, it is hard to imagine a time when having even a single channel of remote control was considered a giant leap in capability. Commercially available rudder-only (RO) systems came on the scene back in 1950s or so, and were common up through the 1970s. The earliest systems used tube amplifiers and lead acid batteries, but by the time they disappeared from the pages of modeling magazines transistors and nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries... |
| Bonner Digimite Radio Control System Advertisement |
 This particular page is from page 1 of the February 1967 issue of Model Airplane News magazine. Notice the Western Union telegram notifying Bonner of the type certification. This is the era when 72 MHz frequencies had not long before been assigned for model use. $455 for a 4-channel radio system is a lot in today's dollar, but it was a huge amount of money back in 1967 (=$2,951 in 2010 according to the USBLS's inflation calculator). |
| The Zero Displacement Engine - August 1971 American Aircraft Modeler |
 This is a very cleverly written article by John Burdick, and believe it or not, there were some very unflattering - even angry - letters to the editor in the following months regarding its claims. There is a slightly nuanced feature that depends on the reader being familiar with complex numbers (those with both a real part and an imaginary part). Lots of people didn't get that part of it, and wrote to condemn Mr. Burdick for being ignorant. The irony is great! |
| "Sketchbook" - September 1957 American Modeler |
 American Modeler magazine - the predecessor to the AMA's American Aircraft Modeler, featured a monthly spot called "Sketchbook." I presented a handful of helpful tips submitted by readers. Some methods are dated, but many are very applicable to today's modeling. In fact, with the ever-increasing number of people engaging in the building and flying of old-timers models, seeing the tips might help give ideas for how to recreate a more authentic version from the era. More will be added as time permits. |
| Grumman F7F Tigercat Plans and Article |
  Here is an example of the Grumman F7F, as presented in the June 1957 edition of American Modeler. Designed, drawn and described by Paul Plecan. "The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the first twin-engined fighter aircraft to enter service with the United States Navy. Designed for the new Midway-class aircraft carriers, the aircraft were too large to operate from earlier decks. Although delivered to United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat units before the end of World War II, the Tigercat did not see combat service in that war. Most F7Fs ended up in land-based service, as attack aircraft or night fighters; only the later F7F-4N was certified for carrier service. They saw service in the Korean War and were withdrawn from service in 1954." - Wikipedia |
| FPV RC Flying Article in February 2010 IEEE Spectrum Magazine |
 Being an electrical engineer, I have been a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) since my senior year in college (many moons ago). They publish a monthly magazine called Spectrum that typically has a great mix of article subjects. The February 2010 edition carries an article titled, "DIY Eye in the Sky," that talks about the author's experience with his first-person-view (FPV) model. David Schneider does a great job describing the equipment and even mentions the AMA. |
| Grumman F2F-1 Plans and Article |
 Here is an example of the Grumman F2F-1, as presented in the September 1957 edition of American Modeler. Designed, drawn and described by Paul Plecan. "The Grumman F2F was a single-engine, biplane fighter aircraft with retractable undercarriage, serving as the standard fighter for the United States Navy between 1936 and 1940. It was designed for both carrier- and land-based operations." - Wikipedia
With more than 50 years having passed since the original printing, many of the plans are not available anymore from any source. |
| Boeing B & W 1916 Biplane Plans |
 The March 1965 edition of Model Airplane News featured the Boeing B & W 1916 biplane. It was the first biplane manufactured by Boeing, in Seattle, WA. Click on the thumbnail to see the plans. There are also links to other resources for the airplane. Designed and built by Mr. Francis Reynolds. |
| Chaperoned Free Flight |
 This article on radio-controlled free flight was scanned from the July 1972 edition of American Aircraft Modeler. It generated a lot of unfriendly letters to the editor from free flight purists. Such letters, published in the reader feedback section, were much less polite than those you would see today. |
| RCRadioNetwork.com - 24/7 |
 Here is a great service for people (like me) who do most of their radio listening on the Internet.
RCRadioNetwork.com features live, interactive talk radio for pilots, with 24-hour-a-day music and a live weekly broadcast called "Air Show." It is the only live, interactive talk show on the Internet where you can participate via interactive chats, phone calls, and multimedia visuals. Air Show host interesting guests from all over the world and they are here to meet you personally.
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| Designing a Ducted Fan |
 For many years it has not been necessary to design and build your own ducted fan unit. The market is chock full of computer optimized designs for both internal combustion engines and electric motors, using some of the most advanced materials for construction. However, there was a time just a few decades ago that ducted fans were the purview of a few talented and motivated do-it-yourselfers that help to advance the state of the art to where it is today. This article, extracted from the February 1971 edition of American Aircraft Modeler, is one of the earlier treatises on the subject. |
| Designs of Tomorrow |
 Keep in mind when reading this featured article titled "Designs for Tomorrow," that it appeared in the June 1957 edition of American Modeler. The designer, Mr. Bill Martin (Ashland KY), was was ahead of his time. Every aspect of the airplane is well-thought-out and is utterly ingenuous. So, the question is, "Why are almost none of the features incorporated into today's commercial aircraft?" Did Mr. Martin never have the opportunity to pursue his dreams? |
| Why DO You Build Models? |
 This is a very interesting article in part because its author rues the disappearance of opportunities for "today's" kids to participate in types of exploration and creativity common in yesteryear --- and that was in 1957!!! Nowadays we lament about kids' faces and hands being glued to cellphones, video games, and computers all day. "... And the new nature is the world of manufactured articles, and even manufactured games and pleasures." It just goes to show that the more things change, the more things stay the same. Here is Peter. E. Siegle's assessment based on his research commissioned by Monogram Models. |
| deBolt Chief Article from 1967 Model Airplane News |
 One of Harold deBolt's Chief. It first appeared as an article in the February 1967 edition of Model Airplane News. Having recently acquired a copy, I took the opportunity to scan the article and make it available for those who wax nostalgic over such craft of yore. It was a "full house" ship with a 64" wingspan and a Merco .49 engine. An Orbit single-stick transmitter was used to fly it. Entire article now posted. |
| Secrets of Winning Airfoils |
 I recently purchased the 1961 American Modeler Annual edition, and it is chock full of great articles, plans, and other information. One article in particular, "Secrets of Winning Airfoils," presents the method of plotting airfoils based on the old NACA curve tables of ordinates. It also provides tables for a couple dozen airfoil types that were used successfully in rubber, power, and Nordic glider models of the day. You can still find airfoil tables online, or take the easy way out and buy one of the nice airfoil plotting programs available. |
| Revell Advertisement - "Win This Full-Size Gemini Spacecraft!" |
 This particular page is from page of the February 1967 issue of Model Airplane News magazine. It is the first time I can recall seeing this contest by Revell that offered to the winner a "full-size Gemini spacecraft!" In 1967, I was nine years old and was a model rocket lover. Like me, a lot of kids would all have - in the vernacular of the day - "given our right arms" to win a contest like this! Click on the image to read about who won it. |
| Like-New Blade CP+ for Sale |
 My plan is to sell the Blade CP+ and maybe move up to a larger scale helicopter. This Blade CP+ has only flown in my basement, and has never been in a crash. The entire package is in like-new condition.
Included: Transmitter, 2 Li-Po batter packs, 11.1V (I bought a spare), Li-Po charger, flybar weight set, spare symmetrical main rotor blades, landing gear, flybar, main rotor shaft, and tail rotor, training gear, Blade Pitch Gauge (E-flite). I am willing to sell it all for just $120 (firm) + shipping & insurance. |
| Vintage Advertisements from Model Aircraft Companies |
 As with almost every other endeavor, aircraft modeling has undergone significant changes over the decades - both in technology and preferences. Monthly magazines like American Aircraft Modeler have been one of the best venues for capturing snapshots of the status quo of the day. I have been working to scan and post excerpts from vintage modeling magazines. Seeing the prices we used to pay is very shocking, even though in reality inflation puts today's prices about at the same place. The first is this one for EK Products' radio control system. Next comes Du-Bro Products, Scientific Models from the November 1970 AAM, Heathkit and Royal Products from the September 1970 AAM, then Guillow's, America's Hobby Center, and Top Flite Models from December 1969, and Sterling Models from September 1970. Berkeley Models, Enterprise Model Aircraft from July 1957 American Modeler, Herkimer Tools & Model Works (OK Cub engines), and Thimble Drome from September 1957 American Modeler. Update: Hobby People, September 1970 AAM, and Carl Goldberg from January 1970 AAM and February 1967 Model Airplane News. Sig, and Tatone Products from November 1970 AAM. Jetco from July 1972 AAM. |
| Supersonic Sam Model Plans for a Jetex 50 |
 It is too bad that the Jetex series of engines is no longer being manufactured. They were a source of affordable real "jet" engines back in the 1960s and 1970s when I was a kid with only paper route money for financing my habit. If you were lucky enough to get the wire fuses to ignite the pellets, the little Jetex 50s made a great whooshing sound as they propelled your balsa model through the air. My friend, Jerry Flynn, and I mounted them to the Guillows stick and sheet dime store gliders. Here is a plan for a little more sophisticated model called the Supersonic Sam. It appeared in the June 1957 edition of American Modeler. |
Check Out an Crayola 8-Pack of Crayon Look-Alike Colored Rockets! 
How About a 2-Stage Rocket with 4 2nd Stages... and a Microcontroller. Think MIRV.
If you are a C/L aficionado, you will appreciate Sam's Stuff & Hobbies. Lots of hard-to-find kits
AeroVironment Wins $23.9M Order from Army & Marine Corps 
What a Great Hobby Shop! Action Hobbies, in Jamestown, NY
1971 American Aircraft Modeler Added to Scanable List
Thanks to Flying Models for still including the "We will remember..." emblem on the cover each month!
If you are a Peanuts fan, you might enjoy this collection of comics from The Saturday Evening Post
Take a Whirlybird Out for a Holiday Whirl
Flight of Fancy: MIT Autonomous Mini-Helicopter Solves One Tough Challenge 
WWII SBD Dauntless Pulled from Lake Michigan
Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell Unmanned Air Vehicle Sets 26-Hour Flight Endurance Record
Thanks to Larry Kruse for honorable mention of Airplanes and Rockets in the December 2009 edition of Flying Models!
Test Begin Soon for Solar Impulse Round-the-World Flight
See Jim Wander's beautiful open-frame Guillows PBY-5a Catalina model 
Check out the Model Flying New Zealand (MFNZ) website!
New Unmanned Chopper Sniffs Out IEDs
Remember the amazing Hobie Hawk Sailplane?
World's Smallest Model Train Layout - Z Scale
