Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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”

I’m home again
Ron McCormick
AMA 53109
NSRCA 726

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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!!!!

Dave-

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Welcome back Ron! It is a great time to be in the hobby..

turbo

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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.

Classic Pattern is perfect for you!

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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"[8D] 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.

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

i'm 41 and i hate that i left the hobby for 12 yrs or so. but what can you do? go build!! or fly.

david

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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.

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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.

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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?

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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.

Have fun!

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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... :D

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

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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.

Good Luck and Good Flying.

Peace


Mark O
AMA 70920
SPA 337

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

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.

Ron

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Hi Ron, I also have returned to RC after about 25 years. I have been flying an old Aeromaster I bought from a hobby shop in Mattoon, IL. I'm also building a new Aeromaster. Have it painted and only need to install the engine and landing gear to be ready to fly. My son, Nick, 34 yrs, has also started flying since I started again. He is flying an old Little Stick I had given to me by Larry Drake of Charleston, IL (also an old pattern flyer, he's still active also). Hope to run into you sometime this summer.
Ralph White, Neoga, IL

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Hi Ralph,
Well I guess it's my turn to say welcome back. Sounds like you are having fun. Do you get to fly with your son often? How do you like the Aeromaster? I have one under construction, started it 30 years ago!!!
Ron

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Ron, Yes I fly with my son every time we go flying. We fly about once a week. The Aeromaster is a great old airplane. The one I'm finishing now is my 3rd Aeromaster. I plan to post pictures as so as I get it completely finished. I still have one of my old pattern planes, the Saturn, but it needs re-worked a little as it has set for 25 years. I also have a Gladiator by Ralph Brookes that is still in the box. I plan to build it sometime this coming winter. I had one many years ago and it was the best flying pattern ship I ever had. Todays new engines should really be great on it. Still have 2 of my Flitelgas P-51s also. I plan to just keep flying the old ones. My son is wanting to get a new plane. He is looking at the Goldberg Yak 54 or the Edge ARFs.
Hope you enjoy your return to modeling as much as I am.
Ralph White, Neoga, IL

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Ron,

I will pass around the hi's if and when I see the old gang.

Yeah Jerry can paint and is not a shabby builder/flier either :-D

I remember years ago that Nelson had a P8 (could have been a 7) with an Anhedral stab on it, at the time I thought it was the coolest looking plane and he could fly well. The reason I got into pattern was watching him fly and Jerry Z fly.

Anyway good that your back and maybe this summer we will meet up again at the old field (if the forrest perserve doesn't take it way like they are talking about).

Chris L.

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Hey Ron, Is that an old Quality Line Kits Curare you've got there? I've got the plans, instructions and templates plan for the QL "Super Curare"if you might need it.[8D]

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Great Lookin' Curare!! Please keep the photos coming as she goes together... :D

Chuck

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Propbuster, I have no idea who sold the kit it was 1976 when I bought it and I dont remember or have any documentation. The completion will be some what slow most likely over next winter. I will build an ARF trainer for my son and I think a QQ 69" Yak54 with OS 1.20 engine to fly this summer. I will then finish the Curare and another P7 for SPA.
Ron

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Great stuff about the old gang. Sorry to hear the field is in danger, cant imagine what that could be about. I have an interesting picture I will share with you when I return home. It's the first take off from the new black top runway.
Gotta go
Ron

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

The FP is selling off the field to a conservation coalition to make it a natural bird santuary. Nothing is set in stone but it looks to be a done deal. Of course I am no longer a member and have not been to a meeting in over a year so everything I hear is second hand and via the website.

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Im hearing the same, thats a shame, I shure hope SAC comes out ok.
Ron

RE: Returning to RC after 30 years
 

Welcome back Ron,
I too was MIA for about 18 years, and am extreamely happy flying the older stuff. 2 UOF's, one I flew at the 83 Nats, other built in 06. Also an Escape, and just got rcvr today for my 85 Tipo. Used mostly t8sgap radios, but am upgrading to 9cap.
Anyway, I am confident you will enjoy being back. If you can wrangle it, try to come to Huntsville in Aug for the BPA contest. Don Lowe flew there last year, and hoping to see him and maybe Dave Brown this year.

Dave Wenzel
AMA 39847