Posts: 12
Joined: 2/14/2008 From: Joliet, IL, USA Status: offline
Hi everyone, I’m getting back into RC after being away for thirty years. That’s 30 years. I have been reading all the different forums and trying to get caught up on “the new stuff”. I'm slowly buying new equipment and hope to fly this spring. I read the post by grimgrinnin about the maiden flight of his Dads pattern ship and realized how much I have in common with everyone on this forum. I have kits and partly built planes, Curare 75% complete, P7 in the box, Mach 1 in the box, Aeromaster bipe 70% complete
I was very involved with pattern competition in those years (70s if you did not do the math) and loved it. I learned to fly with a Senior Falcon followed by a bunch of Kaos (would it be Ki’s???) and then my greatest love the Phoenix series by Don Lowe, I built two every winter for the next contest season. I finished in the top 3 of every contest I entered and quickly went up the classes. I was going to enter the Master division the year I took leave from the sport (I refuse to say quit) I live in the Chicago area and we had a great bunch of pattern fliers back then… Jim “Jimmy” Grier, Gean Vincaguera, Nelson Kadwaller are just a few that come to mind. We were all members of Suburban Aero Club “SAC” I will try to attach a picture of my last #1 plane, I gave the #2 plane to a friend. I dont think I got the picture of the P7 attached right.
My interest was rekindled by an incident at work a few months ago. A co-worker brought a laptop to work with Real Flight G3 on it. Several people took turns crashing different planes and laughing at each other’s efforts, someone said “Ron you said you used to fly RC come give it a try”. I was totally shocked by what I saw on the computer screen. (I did not know they made RC simulators) A red, white and blue Yak 54 sitting on a runway. I move the controls and the control surfaces moved, I blipped the throttle and a sweet sound came from the speakers. I pushed the throttle WFO the plane shot down the runway easy back on the stick lift off, hard right then a little down pressure and it’s inverted 10 feet off the deck , let it run out a little inverted then push to vertical at 200 feet snap roll, spin down and land. My heart rate was twice the normal rate and my thumbs were shaking. I felt like a long lost love had wrapped her arms around me, gave me a kiss and said “welcome home Ron”
Posts: 635
Joined: 1/17/2002 From: Carrollton,
VA, USA Status: offline
Lucky for you, the Phoenix series is still halfway available. The P5 is available new again from wing manufacturing. The 7's and 8's come up for sale fairly often for 'normal' prices, not like MK kits. Welcome back! Jeff
Posts: 7
Joined: 4/19/2008 From: Nashua, NH, USA Status: offline
Hey Ron...........WELCOME BACK!!! You must certainly be impressed with all the latest technology to RC. It's forever changing and pretty expensive if you want to stay ontop of things. I am new to the RC community as my Dad who flys heli's and planes has taken me under his wing. He is 82 yrs young and enjoys every second of flying RC. The first time he had me try my hand at the controls I was hooked. At the present time I have three helicopters I enjoy flying. All have been outfitted with upgrades so I decrease damages and the costs they incurr. I enjoy making videos of the time we fly. I have two posted on this site now. One being a M.A.S.H heli my Dad built and he's at the controls. He's an avid RC buff who loves to fly. Again Ron welcome back. I know you'll have an enjoyable time. See you in the air!!!!
Posts: 1022
Joined: 2/21/2007 From: East Haddam, CT, USA Status: online
Your G3 tale made me smile, it could have been me - I have returned after about 20 yrs, and yes, flew Masters class back then, just pre-turnaround days. I had the same "welcome home" feeling, too.
Posts: 1055
Joined: 10/6/2003 From: Black Mtn,
NC, USA Status: offline
Welcome Back Ron! And, welcome to the Forum as well. Here you will find the most knowlegeable bunch of guys regarding our old cherished planes and designs from the "Good old Days" Anything you could need to know about classic pattern you can find here. Also check out the Senior Pattern Assoc. http://www.seniorpattern.com/ My Dad who just turned 75, recently returned to flying after a 35yr hiatus. His instructor last yr was in his early eighties.
< Message edited by propbuster -- 4/27/2008 2:29:18 PM >
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Posts: 3032
Joined: 5/25/2004 From: _ , USA Status: offline
Welcome home Ron. I’ve been an active RCer for the last forty-two years, so it has been interesting to experience the changes in our hobby first hand. I believe that of all the technologies we use, you will find that our radio technology has made the most progress with great features and reliably. Many will tell you that pattern flying lost its way in the late 90s, but for the last few years many flyers have been returning to the ballistic pattern aircraft and flying styles that we all love the most. Thanks to RCU we have a great forum to discuss and share all the cool stuff.
Posts: 114
Joined: 4/7/2003 From: Bolivia,
NC, USA Status: offline
Ron, do your self a favor and fly a modern 2 meter FAI plane too. Aircraft and powerplant design has progressed just like radio technology. These modern planes fly so much better than the old 70's & 80's design. I like building & flying the older designs too and SPA contest are a lot of fun but these new designs are a real joy to fly.
Posts: 117
Joined: 11/5/2002 From: Burbank,
IL, USA Status: offline
Hey Ron I think I may know you, I have been a SAC member since '73 and flew pattern back in the day. I flew with Nelson, Chuck Mack, Bruce Rebichiney (bad spelling) and a few other. My uncle is Jerry Worth(not blood related but that another story). I have been out f the hobby myself for the last few years but I have vowed to get back into it this summer. I remeber the plane you posted, I think you gave the other to Bruce?
< Message edited by cllaurit -- 4/27/2008 7:56:04 PM >
Posts: 1468
Joined: 5/29/2007 From: Omaha,
NE, USA Status: offline
Welcome home! I'm surprised nobody has mentioned his airplane. That's a beautiful bird you have there! I loved your G3 story too. I'm glad to see you are getting back in.
Posts: 1084
Joined: 2/15/2003 From: Cartersville, GA, USA Status: offline
Welcome!! Love the G3 story...Beautiful Aircraft in your photos!!
Lotta Great Guys in these forums who are just packed full of information and willing to share...
Glad your long lost love is reeling you back in...
Have Fun...
Chuck
P.S. Would love to see that Curare when you get back going on her...I have a short kit that I'm itching to get to but have some stuff to do ahead of it...I just got a new Webra Speed 61 which is sitting on the shelve waiting it's turn to fly...he he
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Posts: 254
Joined: 1/2/2003 From: Oakdale,
CT, USA Status: offline
Welcome back Ron:
Good to have another guy back on board. I hope your your Phoenix quest works well for you. You should try Win MFG. or one of the other suppliers on the SPA links or forums. The kits keep on coming back and getting better and better.
Your AMA number must be from the early 70's because my original number was 55722 and that was in 71 or 72. When I went off to school in 76 I let it lapse for a few years and when I rejoined my new number is 70920. It's good to have another "graybeard" into vintage pattern.
I was out at the field today with my Intruder and WEDJ and his son came out with their Sr. Falcon and Rob Larson was out with his Kaos 60. Just like the "Good Old Days". Then I had an IMAC guy come over asking for SPA call sheets after 1 flight on Rob's Kaos.
Posts: 12
Joined: 2/14/2008 From: Joliet, IL, USA Status: offline
Man, I’m overwhelmed, I can see the sport still has great people in it. I remember meeting some of the friendliest people I have every known in any sport. Thanks for the comments everyone.
I intend to fly some classic pattern, Im going to join SPA ASAP. I will leave my “old” P7 on the wall and build a new one, I just looked and I have three P7 kits. I will finish the Curare first since it’s been on the bench for 30 years! This time around I will fly just for the “love of the game” no more serious competition. I also look forward to trying the new stuff maybe a 50cc Yak or Extra 260
I have an eleven year old son named Ryan and he can’t wait to get started. It will be a ball teaching him to fly RC. He read all of the post you guys made out loud and then said “ wow Dad these are nice people”. We are building a Sig Kadet LT-40 for Ryan.
CLLAURIT, I remember your Uncle Jerry Worth, he was an icon and his paint finishes were nationally known. He taught me to use the paint I finished my planes with (catalyzed acrylic enamel). If you see me around SAC or anyplace come over and say hi and tell any of the guys I said hi if you see them. The plane you mentioned I gave to Nelson and I think he gave it to Bruce. It was the sister to the P7 in the picture.
I attached a few pictures of the Curare in case anyone is interested. It’s funny that with the mixing we can do now the anhedral stabilizer is not necessary anymore. Back then that stab looked sexy, kind of F4 Phantom like. If I remember correctly Dave Brown flew a Curare after many Phoenix.
Again thanks to everyone for the post and messages.
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Returning to RC after 30 years - 
Anything you could need to know about classic pattern you can find here. Also check out the Senior Pattern Assoc. 
