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- Kirt Blattenberger
AMA 92498

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Kirt Blattenberger with E-flight Taylorcraft on Snow Skis - Airplanes and Rockets
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Surprise! Another Side of the Satellite 1000
May 1972 American Aircraft Modeler

May 1972 American Aircraft Modeler

May 1972 American Aircraft Modeler Cover - Airplanes and Rockets     [Table of Contents]
Aircraft modeling has undergone significant changes over the decades - both in technology and preferences. Magazines like American Aircraft Modeler, and American Modeler before that, were the best venues for capturing snapshots of the status quo of the day. Still, many things never change, so much of the old content is relevant to today's modeler.

Whether you are here to wax nostalgic, or are just interested in learning history, hopefully you will find what you are seeking. As time permits, I will be glad to scan articles for you. All copyrights (if any) are hereby acknowledged.
One of my primary motivations for making articles and other items from vintage editions of American Modeler and American Aircraft Modeler magazines available online is so that people who were involved in aeromodeling decades ago might perchance do a search and happily find either themselves, a friend, or a relative mentioned. Since starting AirplanesAndRockets.com a couple years ago, a few people have written to thank me for the effort. I'm glad to do it. I also respond to requests to scan and post any article if I happen to have the necessary copy of the magazine.

By far the coolest contact I have had so far was this one just received from Ed Aber-Song, who, while reading the article on Bill Hunter's Satellite 1000 free flight model in the May 1972 edition of AAM, was surprised to see himself in the background of the cover photo! It was from the November 1971 free flight championships in Taft, California.

Says Ed, "I was browsing your excellent website and while looking at the Bob and Bill Hunter Satellite plans, noticed that I am in the cover photo of the May 1972 American Aircraft Modeler magazine.  I was taking a photo of Bill Hunter at exactly the same moment as the photographer who shot the cover photo.  I'm wearing the funky hat standing on the other side as Bill launched his airplane.  I had no idea I was in the cover photo!   The photo I shot at the exact same moment is attached.  How strange that these two photos came together so many years later."

Upon requesting permission to post his photo and story, Ed responded, "Yes, please feel free to post the image on your website along with my name, Ed Aber (AMA 179), member of Cloud Dusters Model Airplane Club.  At the time I was flying competition free flight and friends with Bob and Billy Hunter of the San Valeers Model Airplane Club in SoCal.  Later the same year I set a C Gas National Record and shortly afterward embarked upon a career as a professional photographer and journalist."

Did you notice AMA 179?!!!

Airplanes and Rockets - May 1972 AAM cover photo with Ed Aber-Song in background



<click for larger version>
Airplanes and Rockets - Ed Aber-Song photo with cover photographer for the May 1972 AAM in background
Here is the cover photo from the May 1972 American Aircraft Modeler. Ed Aber is the guy in the background taking the picture from the other side of Bill Hunter's Satellite 1000. The photographer for this cover photo was either Paul or Mary Ortman.At virtually the same moment in time, here is Ed's photo of Bill Hunter and his Satellite 1000, showing the AAM cover photographer in the background.

INCREDIBLE!!!


More from Ed: "Here's photo of the cover photographer at the contest taking a photo of me."

Airplanes and Rockets - This is Ed with his camera, as taken by AAM photographer Ortman

This is Ed (on right) with his model, as taken by photographer Toni Beron.
Dateline: 1971 Taft Free Flight Championships


Many thanks to Ed for making this gem of a coincidence available.


Posted  5/1/2011