Model Boat Record Breakers
July 1957 American Modeler

July 1957 American Modeler

July 1957 American Modeler Table of Contents

These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

When most people think about control line (CL) models, airplanes are what comes to mind. However, prior to the advent of miniature, reliable radio control (RC) systems, model boats and model cars also ran on control lines, as reported in a 1957 issue of American Modeler magazine. Most of the time they went in circles, just like model airplanes do; however, some hobbyists stretched out long sections of straight line in order to get maximum speeds from their craft. Unlike with model airplanes where an operator in the center of the circle exerted control of the elevator (and sometimes throttle), the control line boats and cars generally ran with no form of control. In fact, usually the models were tethered with a single line in the center of the circle and the operator handled the boat or car from the outside.

The North American Model Boating Association (NAMBA) has a list of the current record holders (as of 2014).

Record Breakers

"Record Breakers, July 1957 American Modeler Magazines - Airplanes and Rockets

 

Max Biederman slows 'er down with hatful of water - Airplanes and Rockets

Max Biederman slows 'er down with hatful of water. Home-made CL B 30cc engine was running hot. Max, a factory production line planner, holds Cl. A record of 78.26; Cl. C at 85.71. Hez NYC Model Power Boat Club Commodore.

Modified McCoy .60 powers Pete Yanczer - Airplanes and Rockets

Modified McCoy .60 powers Pete Yanczer's 85.71 mph record D. He's from St. Louis.

Catamaran type is Vano by France's M. Devauze - Airplanes and Rockets

Catamaran type is "Vano" by France's M. Devauze. Hornet powered craft has done 65 mph.

Korean vet (Signal Corps) Jack Scholl of NYC - Airplanes and Rockets

Korean vet (Signal Corps) Jack Scholl of NYC turned out original engine. Four ports (double exhaust, double transfer) allow use of flat-top piston which can be turned from solid stock. Note throttle.

Henry Parohl, watchmaker - Airplanes and Rockets

Another original; this by Henry Parohl, watchmaker, is 30cc - 3 times size of plane's .60! Knob is needle valve, arm in slot is throttle adjust, 1/16" stranded steel line attached to bridle support.

Manderville boat; home-built ball-bearing strut, universal - Airplanes and Rockets

Manderville boat; home-built ball-bearing strut, universal. Metal block balances, lowers boat. Rear swivel for bridle.

Detroit's Bob Chaffee with 60 mph Class F - Airplanes and Rockets

Detroit's Bob Chaffee with 60 mph Class F (5cc, .29 cu. in.).

Mike Succarde, Detroit - Airplanes and Rockets

Holder of CL A steam record (68.18 boiling miles per hour!) is Mike Succarde, Detroit. Double gasoline blowtorch generates 500-lbs pressure in steel tubing boiler; 2-cylinder engine has water cooled head.

Craft and engine by Charles Watkins - Airplanes and Rockets

Carved balsa job has plywood bottom, holds B mark with 81.81; 9 1/4-lb craft and engine by Charles Watkins, Chicago MPBC. Length, 3'; beam, 10".

Philadelphia's Walt MacWilliams; former model race car fan - Airplanes and Rockets

Famous designer is Philadelphia's Walt MacWilliams; former model race car fan, he electrified MPBC'ers by modifying long-accepted Harry Traband hull and setting two new records. Traband-MacWilliams hull is now "it." Engine is home-made; Walt's an expert on Navy steam catapults. Majority of boats are 3-point, surface-propelled racing hydroplanes that actually operate on 2 points: aft, bottom edge of outside sponson and prop tip.

Max Biederman's home-built "A" mill - Airplanes and Rockets

Some hunk of machinery: Max Biederman's home-built "A" mill; bore is 1.5"; stroke, 1.122"; glow plug used.

 

 

Posted December 20, 2023
(updated from original post on 11/19/2016)