Chuck Cunningham
#1
Chuck Cunningham
Yesterday, Chuck Cunningham, a wonderful modeler and good friend, passed away in Ft. Worth Texas. For many years Chuck wrote "Cunningham on R/C" for RC Modeler. Many of us learned a lot from him. He designed the Lazy ACE, Triple Play and many other airplanes. They flew great. His company was Skymaster Industries.
Chuck started the Southwest Jumbo Flyin in about 1981 and was the first to define what a Giant scale plane was. It was a monoplane with an 80" wingspan or greater or a biplane with a 60" wingspan or greater or a true 1/4 scale airplane. The IMAA adopted these specs.
I'll never forget what happened one day. I was at Thunderbird Field and flying Chuck's own personal Triple Play. The radio died and I yelled "I don't have it". About that time the engine died and the plane made a sleight turn to the left and came in for a beautiful landing. Chuck said "I thought you said that you didn't have it". I said "Here, wiggle the sticks on the transmitter". He did and the surfaces didn't move. True story.
Chuck was a modeler's modeler. He was always willing to help a beginner or anyone else for that matter. I will certainly miss him.
Ken
Chuck started the Southwest Jumbo Flyin in about 1981 and was the first to define what a Giant scale plane was. It was a monoplane with an 80" wingspan or greater or a biplane with a 60" wingspan or greater or a true 1/4 scale airplane. The IMAA adopted these specs.
I'll never forget what happened one day. I was at Thunderbird Field and flying Chuck's own personal Triple Play. The radio died and I yelled "I don't have it". About that time the engine died and the plane made a sleight turn to the left and came in for a beautiful landing. Chuck said "I thought you said that you didn't have it". I said "Here, wiggle the sticks on the transmitter". He did and the surfaces didn't move. True story.
Chuck was a modeler's modeler. He was always willing to help a beginner or anyone else for that matter. I will certainly miss him.
Ken
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RE: Chuck Cunningham
Wow..thats really a shame..Im scratch building the 62" Ace and already have a 76" Ace..Great airplanes..Chuck was a real down to earth guy too..I talked to him several times on the phone and he treated me like an old friend..He will be missed....
#6
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RE: Chuck Cunningham
The Modeling Family will miss him........I enjoyed his column and his airplanes for many years.
Its very sad, we are losing so many and it seems to be nobody to replace them.
Its very sad, we are losing so many and it seems to be nobody to replace them.
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RE: Chuck Cunningham
Sad day here in R/C land. Mr. Cunningham was one of the all time greats in writing, personality, and ability.
He will be sorely missed.
Condolences to Friends and Family.
Jetts
He will be sorely missed.
Condolences to Friends and Family.
Jetts
#9
RE: Chuck Cunningham
Since I was a young kid, I always enjoyed his column in RCM. I learned a lot from him. Wish they still had writers like that, guys that told you how it is, not what their advertisers push them to say.
Goodby Chuck.
Goodby Chuck.
#11
RE: Chuck Cunningham
Chuck's accomplishments spread way further than his own designs... Many many of us learned how to design an airplane by following the methods and rules of thumb he gave us, and he deserves a good part of the credit for what we've accomplished since.
My sympathies go out to family, friends, and to the countless acquaintances and strangers upon whom he had such a positive impact.
My sympathies go out to family, friends, and to the countless acquaintances and strangers upon whom he had such a positive impact.
#14
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RE: Chuck Cunningham
I didn't know Chuck Cunningham personally, only through his monthly RCM columns. His articles were in an easy to read and understandable style. As a beginning modeler I was a Cunningham fan right off, and still am. I use his design parameters when laying out new designs of my own to this day. Others ahead of me on this thread have already said loads about him, and a lot of us old timers will miss him, but his influence will be around for a long time to come. So I will close my post by simply saying... Thanks Chuck, you did good.