'Twas the Night Before the Contest
November 1948 Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men

November 1948 Air Trails
November 1948 Air Trails Cover - Airplanes and RocketsTable 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.

In the December 2015 issue of Model Aviation, "Sky's the Limit" columnist Jennifer Lea Reynolds wrote a 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" takeoff titled "'Twas the Night Before an RC Pilot's Wish List." I cannot replicate it here since it is currently copyrighted material; however, what I can post is a similar piece titled "'Twas the Night Before the Contest" that appeared in the November 1948 edition of Air Trails. Enjoy!

'Twas the Night Before the Contest

By Ida November

(with apologies to Clement Moore)

'Twas the Night Before the Contest, November 1948 Air Trails - Airplanes and Rockets'Twas the night before the contest, and all through the house

Not a creature was sleeping, not even a mouse.

The models were placed by the chimney with care,

In hopes that no one would step on them there.

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds,

While visions of trophies danced in their heads.

And I in my housecoat, and Pop in his jeans,

Were packing his lunch of meat and of beans.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

He-sprang to the window to see what was the matter.

Tore away the curtain and blind like a flash,

Pulled at the window and almost fell out the sash.

For what to his wondering eyes should appear

But a rickety, car and eight free-flight jobs dear

To the heart of the driver, so lively and quick-

We knew in a moment it must be our friend Nick!

More rapid than eagles his motor it came,

And he whistled and shouted and called us by name!

"I've got my Hornet, McCoy, Super-Cyke, and Phantom;

And Vivell, an' Atom, an' Arden and Bantam!"

We drew in our heads, and were turning around,

In the door Nicholas came with abound.

He was dressed in coveralls from head to foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with grease and with soot.

A bundle of lunch he had , flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack

"Hey, are you ready, we've got to leave soon,

We can make good time by the light of the moon!"

Quickly the planes were stowed in the car,

And the sacks of lunch - the field was so far.

They sprang to the car, to the kids gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But they heard us exclaim, 'ere they drove out of sight,

"Good luck to you all, bring a trophy tonight !"

 

 

Posted December 12, 2015