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old timers look here must be 50+ years only

Old 12-03-2014, 07:16 AM
  #51  
GallopingGhostler
 
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Originally Posted by Scotch75034
Brings back all kinds of memories for my Gents. I'm 51, didn't get started in RC until the mid 70's. My comment is one of how times have changed for me. My first modeling experiences were when I would take a Comet, or Guillows kit with me to elementary school along with a building board, pins, white glue and ...... an XACTO knife! Can you imagine the response in some schools today if a student brought an Xacto to school? Or CA? I would stay inside during recess and build models that were, well, hmmm. Pretty paper weights. Thanks for starting this. Its been great reading about everyone's early experiences.
Back in the mid 1960's, we had the Junior Police Officer corps at my elementary school. If you had academic excellence and was selected, you could be a JPO. 5th and 6th graders were allowed to participate. Students manned the crosswalks at the school and would stop cars with hand held stop signs. Another student would escort students across the street. One teacher was supervising students. We didn't have parent volunteers stopping traffic with no child involvement like today. Talk about learning responsibility early!

In 4th or 5th grade, I brought a cigar box to school with single edge razor blades and was cutting out die printed parts from my Comet stick and tissue kit during spare moments. Nowadays, kids can't even bring a pocket knife to school.

Originally Posted by donnyman
WoW!!!!!!! I am flabbergasted by the responses, G/ghost it's passed your bedtime. that mambo looks real nice, I had one when I first arrived here in texas. Well I am not the oldest in this thread some one said he was 80, got me by seven years. It's passed 1 in the morning see ya later.
I'm pretty sure I went to bed before midnight. I don't know what gives, have my time zone correct in my profile settings. I met a healthy 78 YO still riding a 2 wheeler Honda Goldwing on my way to the Golden Aspen motorcycle rally in Ruidoso, NM last September. He uses his spare time to help widows with repairs to their houses. By his age, many I know have had to give up motorcycles or ride 3 wheelers because their health won't let them ride 2 wheelers. It reminds me of:
Originally Posted by Acts 20:35 (WEB)
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Does make you wonder that helping others needing help is not a bad idea for good health. I'm helping the Salvation Army by bell ringing, already put in 31 volunteer hours bell ringing with my sax.
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Last edited by GallopingGhostler; 12-03-2014 at 07:19 AM.
Old 12-03-2014, 07:34 AM
  #52  
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My first build was a Guillows Hellcat in 1962, my first rc build was a Midwest Esquire in 1966, my first "modern" rc build (meaning with monocote, reliable 4 channel gear, etc.) was an Eaglet 50, and my current "build" is Phoenix Sonic High Wing .25. After building and crashing probably more than a hundred planes over the years, I'm now guilty of picking up an ARF for a paltry sum to do my crashing with.

Last edited by lflf; 12-03-2014 at 07:39 AM.
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Old 12-03-2014, 07:52 AM
  #53  
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So old, I can not remember my memories !
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Old 12-03-2014, 08:01 AM
  #54  
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Welcome, welcome, welcome, reading this thread is a absolute blast. I will go back to page one and start over. reading of planes and radio's that I never knew existed

In all truth The age thing in this thread is not a rule but a guide. Everybody has memories and I think sharing those memories before they are lost to all of us is golden. G/Ghost you hit the nail on the head!!

Does anyone remember the FUBAR free flight? I have one built from plans, I was too chicken to fly the one I had in my teen years in New York (not much space) but I intend to get some air under this ones wings....if I ever finish it.
Old 12-03-2014, 08:04 AM
  #55  
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Grandpooba

Welcome..................Tell us what you do remember You are amongst friends here!
Old 12-03-2014, 08:10 AM
  #56  
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RODNEY

(my brothers name.) I had a condor too and recently got a set of plans for it. I always thought it most beautiful still do. hope I live long enough to build another

Tell us more you can't say too much here.
Old 12-03-2014, 08:19 AM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by j.duncker
Born in 1947 and before I was 10 I was spending my pocket money on the famous Keil Kraft Flying Scale kits



of course I never got the Spitfires and FW 190s to fly but did have some success with the more sedate Luton Minor and Piper Cubs. Some good Pirelli rubber donated by an older modeler improved the perfomance dramatically.

The Keil Kraft Senator was a big step forward and made many a 2 minute flight on summer evenings.



I built a Hill receiver as a physics project at school and with the help of the fairly mad physics teacher resurrected an ED ground based transmitter. The combination had about a 100 yards range so I flew in left hand circuits around the TX.



I was about 16 when transistors became affordable and a home brew TX and RX was built as another school physics project and instead of a 60 inch 35 powered monster I built a 27 inch monster called a Sharkface, an Eric Clutton design. I had a huge amount of fun with that and wore out at least two small diesels.

There has been a resurgence of interest in the UK in flying by pressing a single button. The radio link uses modern 2.4ghz stuff and the rubber driven actuator is replaced by a modern servo but it is still pure button pressing at it's most basic. If I was in reach of those clubs I would be in there with a Sharkface and reliving my youth http://www.singlechannel.co.uk/
.
http://youtu.be/oYXPy8hBjBg
Where can I get a rig like that. I have transmiters
Old 12-03-2014, 08:39 AM
  #58  
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Toolmaker

that senator is fantastic good looking bird. As I watched the vid I remembered I could never remember what blip came next, one, two, quick, and remembered less the closer the bird got to the ground my face is hurting from smiling.

that receiver looks sterile compared to what I've done. the tube will show the youngsters, what us old buzzards dealt with back in the days of yesteryear. gimme more!
Old 12-03-2014, 08:42 AM
  #59  
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G/Ghost
I am tickled by the picture of you with that sax.......................where'd ya get the hat?
Old 12-03-2014, 08:56 AM
  #60  
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I hate to rain on every ones parade but RC in the past was not a basket of roses. Engines that hardly ran and electronics with a failure rate of 95%. Without Japan we would still be in the dark ages. I had my trials and tribulations like so many others but I stayed the course.
Old 12-03-2014, 09:10 AM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by donnyman
G/Ghost I am tickled by the picture of you with that sax.......................where'd ya get the hat?
That is a Vietnam era cold weather helmet liner. I can unroll it and it becomes a hood covering my ears and neck. In 1972, all my friends at my rural high school in Hawaii was joining the military services. Army recruiter told me that I was qualified for anything the Army had based on my test scores and suggested military intelligence. I told my dad that, who was a WWII and Korean War veteran. After he explained military intelligence to me, I got the impression it was an oxymoron.

I asked the recruiter, "What about band?" He told me, "No problem, I'll take you to the 264th Army Band (headquarters band at Fort Shafter, Honololulu) and if you pass the audition, I'll sign you up for the band option." 3 weeks later I was on an airplane to basic training at Fort Ord, CA as a 02J Clarinet Player. Tough job but someone had to do it.
Old 12-03-2014, 09:21 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by GallopingGhostler
Donnyman, you mean this engine?



Testors McCoy .35 Red Head. recent flights on my Sterling S-1 Ringmaster.
Dammit, you brought tears to these old eyes with that Mccoy 35 and a Ringmatster (I myself was more a Flite Streak, VooDoo kid!) Dad bought me my AMA in 1958, and I still have the same number.
Old 12-03-2014, 09:24 AM
  #63  
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Does anybody remember a plastic toy set that snapped together to make many different jet airplanes depending on which component parts you used? This would have been available in the late '50's.
Old 12-03-2014, 09:50 AM
  #64  
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Flycatch

Rain on our parade???? the failures is what motivated me to keep going, I knew in my heart I'd get something to Run/fly if I could just.............................................. .....

And as far as radio's not working! None of mine functioned until I got a wenmac single channel unit ..Never flew it.

Last edited by donnyman; 12-03-2014 at 10:04 AM.
Old 12-03-2014, 10:02 AM
  #65  
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G/ghost
I now recognize the hat, us jet tech's didn't get one. it was too hot in NAM. anyway.

OL55
I couldn't resist so I now have both The red head and ringmaster in my shop along with my Nobler. and fox 35 rc I used on controline birds.


Highplains

In a word NO! but tell us more.......
Old 12-03-2014, 10:28 AM
  #66  
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I love threads like these! Me, I can blame my Dad.

He'd flown Fireball CL back in the 40's. My first was a Wen-mac yellow plastic Corsair C/L, actually not much more than a rock on a string. But I had fun with it.

Then I got into C/L on a bit bigger scale. First were the Flite Streaks, Ringmasters, (many of them succumbed to a dirt bath when I forgot down was up when inverted....). Anyone remember the formed balsa fuselage C/L Stunters? I'm thinking Midwest maybe....
Finally got a Nobler with Fox 35, then a Shark 45, and just about flew them till they couldn't fly anymore!

Then a guy moved in across the street from us who had an old Veco White Cloud with a K&B .19, 3 channel F&M Propo. I learned to fly that thing with his help. Once I got that down, it wasn't long before i built a Taurus, stuck some citizen-ship 4 channel in it and had a ball. Took a few years off to marry and raise kids, then back at it with a TF Contender and Futuba. These days it's 50cc Ultimates, Extra's, etc...

Many many planes have come and gone since those C/L days, still have a few engines, some worthless futaba xmitters, servos, etc.

Even found an old Aeromaster Too kit in the rafters last summer (hmmmm, I do need a Winter Project).

Thanks for the Memories guys!
Old 12-03-2014, 10:32 AM
  #67  
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flycatch

I had 1963 to 1968 single channel superhet and super regen , escapments and Royal servos, Min-X 6 channel reeds , OS and McCoy engines never ever had a a radio faiiure and my engines always started. I don't know what problems you had but everyone in our club had pretty much the same luck-skill. The only radio related crash I had was with a super regen receiver when some one turned on a transmitter and shot me down.
Old 12-03-2014, 10:36 AM
  #68  
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Fox engines, I was so sorry to hear they stopped production this year. Hopefully their business will improve and they can start up their engine production sideline again.
Old 12-03-2014, 10:39 AM
  #69  
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welcome on board dwmcike
I remember that wenmac rock on a string thing still have the wenmac, hard to get running...........you sound like you live in my shop.
Old 12-03-2014, 10:53 AM
  #70  
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Ahhhh, something that warms my heart. I am 59 years old now and started flying first with one of those Jetco hand launched glider--Thermic B and it was such a sloppy work because my Dad and Grandad believed I should learn how to built the plane! Both flew way back in 30's with Megow Ranger and Zomby an some U/C Bipe with a twin plug Super Cyke (I still have the engine and it still runs after a careful rebuilt!) Anyway, I will dig up picture of my first real "job"--Sinbaid the Sailer covered in orange tissue with royal blue trim. I believe Henry Struck designed that one and then I'm trying to remember a model==a stick and tissue job designed, I think, by Chet Lanzo. Left the hobby during 70's and 80"s. Family and children. My mom threw out built but unfinished U/C models--grrr. It was an AT-6 Texan kitted by Sig and Jetco Sabre with Merco .35. I remember the biggest disappointment (still is) was crashng a Jr. Nobler with plain bearing Veco .19! I always went to a hobby shop run by a couple but the woman--I loved her--her name was Rose-- and she let me open the kits and look at it. The shop was located on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue S in Brooklyn, USA! Dad always went out to Hicksville by bus with others to fly back in the 40's and 50"s before the land was developed. I flew the gliders and rubber jobs and U/C at Marine Park in Brooklyn.

Today, I hate seeing those RTF whatever you call them. No appreciation of the blood, sweat, and tears put into building and then flying the planes. Sigh...

Now, I'm hoarding kits but flying mostly backyard flyers at school yard near home in Maryland.

Last edited by rcnut42; 12-03-2014 at 10:55 AM.
Old 12-03-2014, 10:59 AM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by lflf
My first build was a Guillows Hellcat in 1962, my first rc build was a Midwest Esquire in 1966, my first "modern" rc build (meaning with monocote, reliable 4 channel gear, etc.) was an Eaglet 50, and my current "build" is Phoenix Sonic High Wing .25. After building and crashing probably more than a hundred planes over the years, I'm now guilty of picking up an ARF for a paltry sum to do my crashing with.
The eaglet 50 provided my son and I many days of fun behind the house. it flew 43 minute with a six oz. tank feeding a tired K@B 20 w/muffler we rarely took it above 100 feet. rudder, elev, throttle, what a blast.
Old 12-03-2014, 11:04 AM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by FlyerInOKC
Fox engines, I was so sorry to hear they stopped production this year. Hopefully their business will improve and they can start up their engine production sideline again.
The electric revolution caught up to many manufac. co. thats what got this thread going. The times, they are achangin!!!!!!!!
Old 12-03-2014, 11:15 AM
  #73  
donnyman
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Originally Posted by rcnut42
Ahhhh, something that warms my heart. I am 59 years old now and started flying first with one of those Jetco hand launched glider--Thermic B and it was such a sloppy work because my Dad and Grandad believed I should learn how to built the plane! Both flew way back in 30's with Megow Ranger and Zomby an some U/C Bipe with a twin plug Super Cyke (I still have the engine and it still runs after a careful rebuilt!) Anyway, I will dig up picture of my first real "job"--Sinbaid the Sailer covered in orange tissue with royal blue trim. I believe Henry Struck designed that one and then I'm trying to remember a model==a stick and tissue job designed, I think, by Chet Lanzo. Left the hobby during 70's and 80"s. Family and children. My mom threw out built but unfinished U/C models--grrr. It was an AT-6 Texan kitted by Sig and Jetco Sabre with Merco .35. I remember the biggest disappointment (still is) was crashng a Jr. Nobler with plain bearing Veco .19! I always went to a hobby shop run by a couple but the woman--I loved her--her name was Rose-- and she let me open the kits and look at it. The shop was located on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue S in Brooklyn, USA! Dad always went out to Hicksville by bus with others to fly back in the 40's and 50"s before the land was developed. I flew the gliders and rubber jobs and U/C at Marine Park in Brooklyn.

Today, I hate seeing those RTF whatever you call them. No appreciation of the blood, sweat, and tears put into building and then flying the planes. Sigh...

Now, I'm hoarding kits but flying mostly backyard flyers at school yard near home in Maryland.
Brooklyn? wow I grew up in Brooklyn. Fort green housing projects by the navy yard. in the 40's joined the A/F in 59 do you have any memories of the Mirror meet held at the naval station I flew combat there (controline)

Welcome ..................HOMEY!
Old 12-03-2014, 11:24 AM
  #74  
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Hi guys. I am 73. I built my first model in 1949 for the Cub Scouts. I have never since stoped building. In 1953 I got for Christmas a RTF control line plane with an OK Cub .049 engine. I still have the engine. Never did get the plane to fly so that summer I built a 1/2A plane from plans in AAM. It flew and for the next 20 years I was hooked on c/l. In 1973 I decided it was time for RC. I bought a Kraft 7 Channel single stick radio, a RCM Trainer kit, and a Fox Eagle .60 engine and learned how to fly. Still doing it 41 years later. I am out at the flying field 3-4 times a week when the weather is good. Right now I have a GP Ultra Sport on the building board for an OS .61 SF engine and also assembling a SIG TCraft 70 with an OS .62 V four stroke. Life could not be better!

Bruce
Old 12-03-2014, 11:24 AM
  #75  
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Thank you, Brooklyn will always be my home no matter where having lived in four different parts of the country over the years--non military--mostly social services and education work. I grew up in the furthest corner of Gravesend section--Avenue P and Ocean Parkway. Loved riding my bicycle on Ocean Parkway and sometimes I would cycle over to Marine Park holding my model and everything else was in a so called back pack as it was jerry rigged to be like one hanging by my back with a loop around my neck and shoulders-heh!

Nope, I might have gone there--I will ask my Dad as he is still around at 80+ In fact he still cuts wood for me when I want need it done and that is what keeps him busy. I supply the wood and he creates kits. I have several of them and should sell to folks on this posting...anyway. Fort Greene is now a gentrified area and we cannot afford to live there! (I think so!) Thank you for making me feel welcome!

Last edited by rcnut42; 12-03-2014 at 11:28 AM.

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