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Kirt Blattenberger BSEE - KB3UON My Engineering Web: RF Cafe Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!) Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which all began in Mayo, MD ...
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Candid Camera at the '59 NATS
September 1959 Model Aviation News Bulletin

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.

Here are a few more photos from the 1959 AMA Nationals, in continuation of coverage in the July and August issues of Model Aviation magazine. Some are behind-the-scenes shots rather than just flight line action. Vintage unbuilt kits of a lot of the airplanes you see in these pictures are selling for a small fortune today on eBay. BTW, this series of Model Aviation is completely different than and precedes the current incarnation of Model Aviation that followed the American Aircraft Modeler and American Modeler titles. Its size is just 8½" high by 5½" wide, and were typically only about 20 pages. The February 1959 issue has about twice as many pages because it also contains the 1950-1960 "Official Model Aircraft Regulations Governing Sporting Model Aviation in America." I have all 12 issue from 1959, and don't know if others are available.

There must be somethin' wrong with the plans, this piece just won't fit - Airplanes and Rockets

There must be somethin' wrong with the plans, this piece just won't fit!"

The sleepy-eyed audience seems determined to hear the end of this thrilling episode - Airplanes and Rockets

"There I was, upside down, and out of gas ..."The sleepy-eyed audience seems determined to hear the end of this thrilling episode. despite the late hour.

Must be gremlins in the transmitter - Airplanes and Rockets

"Well, it worked O.K. out on the field today. Must be gremlins in the transmitter!"

G. A. Sanderson prepares his large model for entry in the Senior Class B Free Flight Gas - Airplanes and Rockets

G. A. Sanderson, Anaheim, Calif., prepares his large model for entry in the Senior Class B Free Flight Gas event at this year's. ats.

Posted August 15, 2022
(updated from original post on 4/3/2012)

Vintage Model Aviation News Bulletin Articles:

American Telasco Limited Ad
January 1959
Cessna 150 3-View
May 1959
The "Builder of Model" Regulation
January 1959
'59 Nats Hailed Great Success
July 1959
More NATS Photos
August 1959
Candid Camera at the '59 NATS
September 1959

Plastic Scale Model Kits - Airplanes and Rockets

Candid Camera at the '59 NATSSeptember 1959 Model Aviation News Bulletin

Candid Camera at the '59 NATS
September 1959 Model Aviation News Bulletin