The Magic certainly hasn't enjoyed the same reputation as the Curare primarily because it wasn't considered to be as good a flyer and also because the Curare was the quintessential '70's pattern model while the Magic was a transition '80's pattern design with Hanno (and the FAI) changing design philosophy shortly thereafter with the Calypso and all subsequent models for the '80's during which he won first place consistently. Having said that, Hanno's models, from what I've been able to see from pictures such as the ones above were always well built and well engineered with his father being the support mechanic and also behind the engineering that they brought to Hanno's models.

The Magic was also Hanno's most complex model in terms of controls, features and systems. Based on this, and some careful examination of the "replica" model in the modern photos above it was clear at first glance that this wasn't Hanno's original model. I suppose anything is possible and that he might have left a model there and the new owner(s) might have mistreated it over the years and left it looking like the replica that we see. What I think is a more likely scenario is that someone in Mexico, probably around the time of the worlds during the '80's, built a replica of Hanno's model to the best of their abilities and it resulted with a newer version of the model we see. I grew up in Mexico during the '80's and there were pattern (now classic) models in every club and many were not very well built. The ones that were special, were also quite rare and you knew that model from far and away - you could even "feel" it coming as the cars drove into the club. I remember Mr. Luis Castaneda from those days as I used to fly in one of the same clubs as he did - he always had all the cool toys which I drooled over as a teenager. The formula one guys were another matter - their models were always painted to perfection and were a sight to behold. Those were the hard core guys. I guess they still are (but so are the pattern guys these days).

Not only that is a clue but if you look at the logos and decals closely you see that they are not in the same place nor are the same ones in the model Hanno is shown with. The lines don't flow as they should and the canopy looks like it has been replaced several times thereby not fitting as well.

Roberto is right in saying that Hanno took two Magic's (at least) to Acapulco. I think taking a backup model was in general the norm in F3A but more than that I recall reading in an English model magazine an article where Hanno discussed the issue he had with the early Magic prototype which had an upright engine. The engine overheated and so did the pipe. The final configuration, as we know it, had the ST X61 TST (as shown by Bo in the pictures above with the MK varioprop) mounted inverted with an S-shape header that rose to the pipe and then the pipe muffler in the top deck of the model. That article might be the same as the primary Magic article (RCMB I believe) where the plans were published and Hanno discussed his engine issues. He also talks about the inverted configuration and the "engine flooding" issue which he describes as being absent despite the inverted carb. With the carb at a lower position than the crank intake to the cylinder, it is understandable why the engine didn't flood.

I believe that Hanno's backup Magic might have had a slightly different power configuration from the primary model but I can't recall clearly. I seem to also recall that his engine had in flight fuel mixture control - a feature I've never seen on a ST carb but common on Webra carbs (e.g., Dynamix) which he was using on the Curare and Super Sicroly (except for Italy '73 when he apparently used a Rossi 60) before that.

The Acapulco meet must have been a fun event to attend. Wish I had been there. Would have loved to take a "fresh" Magic or a Mystic 60 to the event...

Thanks for posting this thread Roberto - bien hecho y saludos desde Montreal!

David.