[Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles
from
Popular Electronics,
published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.
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Having worked at many different electronics companies in the last 30 years of both commercial and defense product
nature, I do not recall ever knowing of more than a couple people at any one location who were active R/C modelers.
Compare that to the large number of guys in this 1960 Popular Electronics article working for ITT in New Jersey,
who were involved in R/C boating and aircraft. There were probably also some with R/C cars who were not covered
in the article. At least part of the reason for the camaraderie had to be due to the need for groups of experts
to pool their talents for success since the availability and reliability of equipment was much lower than it is
now, or even a couple decades ago. Probably no one in this article ever dreamed that the state of the art in both
prefab models and electronics would reach the point it has today where even the rankest of amateurs can buy a ready-to-run
model car, boat, or airplane and be able to operate it successfully. Compare today's success rate even to the percentage
of Cox control line models that never made a full circle in the air before being unrepairably smashed into terra
firma. As with most aspects of society, engineering has assisted people in becoming more independent from neighbors
and workmates - indeed a two-edged sword.
Operation Radio Control
Engineers at ITT relax and have fun with radio-controlled model boats and planes.
Technician William Hudson puts his beautifully detailed aircraft carrier through its paces.
Senior technician Richard Lachenauer - called "Cap'n Dick" by the boys (above) - is equally
at home when checking out a Loran-C navigations simulator in ITT's avionics laboratory or designing control systems
for model boats (below).
1 Engine's revving up just right ... the radio gear's all checked
out ... so
 2
... off she goes! Chuck does the launching himself; a friend handles the controls until
Chuck can get back and take over.
3 The launch was successful and the plane is climbing steadily now. Looks like it's going to be a good flight.
crazy over model boats...
On a lake near Nutley, New Jersey, a model aircraft carrier backs slowly out from shore, swings around, and majestically
sails away. Accurately detailed down to the planes on its landing deck, the miniature craft responds to every electronic
command from shore.
A few miles away, a model plane climbs into the air. It circles, goes through a series of acrobatic maneuvers,
and finally comes in for a perfect landing. Again, its every action is controlled electronically from the ground.
These scenes are duplicated countless times on any sunny weekend from Maine to California. But the enthusiastic
electronic hobbyists that control their models near Nutley, N.J., are unique in at least one way. During working
hours, they design and develop some of Uncle Sam's most complex electronic hardware. All of these men are employed
in International Telephone and Telegraph's electronic defense research laboratory. Their jobs entail work on radar,
satellite tracking and communications equipment, navigation aids, and hush-hush electronic counter-measures gear.
Designer Seymour Glassner has a mighty serious look on his face when he's behind his drafting
board (below), but when he prepares to launch his model freighter (above), he breaks out in smiles. The freighter's
hull, by the way, sports 15 alternating layers of lacquer and elbow grease. Although the ship looks almost perfect,
Seymour says he will put another year's work into it. In the meantime, it's fully seaworthy, and Seymour enjoys
sailing it.
Since they are engineers, technicians, and designers, most of the ITT modelers have greater technical knowledge
than other hobbyists. But they still run into problems with their R/C boats and planes.
One day last summer, for example, technician Dick Lachenauer wished he had never heard of radio control. It all
began when he tried to be helpful. A small boy's boat had drifted out into the middle of a lake, and Dick sent his
radio-controlled tug out to nudge it back in to shore. Apparently the tug nudged it a little too hard, because the
boat sank! Dick ended by rolling up his trousers and going wading.
But, as with most modelers - and particularly with those who have been bitten by the radio-control bug - such
minor difficulties are quickly forgotten. Not long ago we went out with the ITT radio-controllers and came back
with these pictures - which prove that electronic hobbyists, be they amateur or pro, have more fun than the proverbial
barrel of monkeys!
After making some control adjustments (above), John DiCiccio carefully fits the superstructure
back onto his sleek model cruiser. If you look closely, you'll see scale-sized passengers on the deck. This cruiser,
like most model boats, is driven by an electric motor. But at least one craft in the ITT fleet is powered by a gasoline
engine, and one goes still further toward realism with a miniature steam engine.
...and model planes, too!
KINGPIN of the ITT modelers' "airborne division" is veteran radio-control enthusiast Chuck Kenny. The possessor
of college degrees in both electrical and mechanical engineering, Chuck specializes in packaging - that is, cramming
more and more parts into less and less space. Like most of the other ITT modelers, Chuck designs and builds most
of the 27.25-mc. control gear used in his planes. Here are some recent shots of Chuck and one of his planes in action.
4 A few minutes later, Chuck takes over the controls and puts the plane through a series of fancy aerial
acrobatics.
Posted December 8, 2012
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