Hi,

My name is Ara Tidwell. I'm 24 years old and I have been an RC aircraft enthusiast for more than half my life now. Ever since I was a toddler I've always been fascinated by flying and aircraft. Before I was old enough to drive, I recall getting excited by the fact my parents were going to purchase a pickup truck. Growing up it was the first "brand new" vehicle my parents had purchased. I suppose there would be a lot of reason for a young pre-licensed teenager to get excited about their parents purchasing a new vehicle, but my reason was simply that now that my parents were going to have a pickup truck, I could now have them drive me to the flying field with BIGGER AIRPLANES!!! I believe this was in 1997 making me about 14 years old. I was quick to purchase a Hangar 9 1/4 scale Cap which I flew for some time... and then went on to a Sig 1/4 scale cap.

Finally after much research and many many online posts trying to speculate what my dream airplane would be, I had finally come up with the funds (and inherited pickup truck) for my "dream plane". If I recall correctly, it was fall of 2001. That that time I would have been 18 years old. I was working at a local hobby shop and we had just finally received the long awaited 1/3 scale Hangar 9 Cap 232. I paid the extra price over cost instead of opting for the discount in order to get the first unit available, even though it turned out to be the upcoming spring of 2002 before I could afford the engine.

What engine would I chose? The BME 102 "EVO". I was pretty set on purchasing that engine and I had called BME to inquire. The person I spoke with on the phone was named Kieth in which I would later find of who is actually "Kieth Baker" of "Baker Model Engines". I recall on the phone asking a question by saying something along the lines of "I live here down in Texas, how does the engine handle the Texas heat". I got an answer of something along the lines of "pretty well, we are here in Texas too and this is where all of our testing is done. No issues at all, but I must say with any large gas engine proper cowl ducting, ect is important.." Perhaps more because of the fact I had just learned that BME engines were a product of Texas I became immediately sold. I asked if since the BME location was only an hour away if I could come pay cash and pick up my engine. He said sure... I think I was there the next day.

Now I think it can be safe to say that I am the personality type that can be a bit over fascinated at times by things that I find interest in. Kind of like the little kid that see's you with an RC airplane and will just ask questions for hours. Except I'm not a little kid anymore. I find myself driving about 15 miles out of Waco into the hill country. I seem to recall a very small road that lead to a dirt driveway. One way went to a metal shop about the size of a small airplane hangar, and the other a medium sized house. I meet Keith at his shop, seeing everything from machining equipment to table saws. Keith shakes my hand and precedes to hand me my engine. He commented that he "just finished putting it together". I said something like "So you make them here?" He says something like "let me show you the cleanroom where we actually assemble the engines". I think "cleanroom" was the term he used, I'm not sure it was some 6 years ago, but I'm calling it the "cleanroom". We go to the cleanroom, which for an engine assembly line I expected to be quite large, but infact it was pretty small. I would say maybe a little smaller than a single car garage... Or about half the size of a two car garage. Really not very large. Within I see several rows of crankcases, cylinder heads, ect...

I wind up spending several hours there. He explains to me in some detail the processes of running an engine company and anwsers any question I might have. I ask many questions from logistics to design. I recall him explaining the design, the processes of CNC machining the crankcases and the fact that at that time he was still using Echo cylinders, as some other manufactures did, however it was the only part besides the bearings, carb, and ignition that were not either manufactured by him or designed by him. He said that basically the design and engineering of his crankcases were key to making his engines so light. As Keith hardly knew how to use a computer (that's the truth), he explained some of the difficulties and expenses of getting everything translated to CAD so it could be CNC machined. He said that there was a local woman machinist that did "incredible work" manufacturing the crank cases. He also mentioned, that the new BME 110 was going to be the first engine with the exception of the carb/bearings, to be made of 100% BME designed parts. I do recall him saying something about how the molds costing $40,000ish... and while he had all the crankcases made he was still waiting on the actual cylinders. In retrospect I kind of wonder if this was the beginning of the end, since I do recall him having voiced some issues with that company.

I asked, "so this is a one man operation". "Pretty much" he said. He said that sometimes he had a pilot friend of his whose name I will not mention come help out. At one point the phone rang and he made a comment along the lines "If it is important they will leave a message" I also recall him mentioning that customer support was very difficult... and that some customers could spend hours discussing things that they should be able to figure out on their own. Now I'm not saying that is the way to run a company, but you have to admit.... he is a one man operation producing quite a unique engine, even to the field of gas RC engines. I cannot say what his view would be, but I would be one lucky just to be able to have the opportunity to buy an engine like such... nearly 3 pounds lighter than the competition. I in fact learned that there was actually a waiting list for the engine I had just purchased from Kieth, however he had decided that if I were enthusiastic enough to come pick up the engine myself in person, he would make an exception.

Then came in the wife and kids... Wow, married w/ 3 kids, own your own engine company in which you are the sole operator with no full time employee's... That must be a lot of work. He said it was. He said that he would like to hire someone but because of the special skillsets/knowledge it was quite difficult. I figured in one afternoon I had learned about as much about gas model engines as I could and I went ahead and drove home.

I had several more experiences with Keith. He had for free replaced my propeller hub with a newer lighter CNC machined hub that was being used on the next version of the engine. The new hub in effect lengthened the distance of my prop shaft because I was concerned that there wasn't enough thread going into the crank w/ the rather thick 27/10 Mejzlik. This apparently wasn't really necessary, however Kieth without hesitation replaced it just because I had my own doubt. I at one point had aslo asked about a BME Baseball cap and he just handed me one... I wore that baseball cap almost every day until I suppose I eventually lost it...

I have no idea what really happened to BME and Keith Baker. I have a few theories but I have no idea. He was a good engine builder who to me seemed like a really nice person with genuine care for the product of his business. He somehow managed to squeeze all that between being a father of 3... And while I did not personally know his family, just seeing his kids interact with him, he's a caring father as well.

It is a shame Keith and BME got a bad rep. I kind of saw the customer service thing coming. I'm guessing in the end a series of unfortunate events simply put him out of business.

It is sad Keith can no longer run BME, however I hope that he would have had the judgement to sell the company to one that willl that carry his name to of which equal engineering, design and quality.

Long live the spirit of Keith Baker

times have changed we look forward to the new BME ........

Nicely done.

Keith was, and hopefully still is, an absolute genius where engines are concerned. His designs typically out peformed any other engine of similar size and type. Unfortunately I think the customer service side got in the way of the design and production side. There really aren't that many gas engines sold compared to glow types so anything that detracts from production and sales lowers the bottom line. It's quite difficult to hire additional help and still generate enough revenue to carry your own family at the same time.

I agree with Pat, well spoken. The few times I spoke with Keith I got the exact same impression of him as you depict. Even though I never got to meet him this reinforces my vision of what he would be like in person. His BME 90 is mainly what pushed me to try the ST51 on gas, and now with that I have put a bearing in a ST G90 rod, repinned the crank, and hopefully I'll get something useable although I know it won't be quite as good as the genuine article. Good luck Keith.

Maybe one day in the future when all the metal shavings have settled, Keith and Gary (from the old Brison engine line) can put their heads and efforts together and get back into making great lightweight and reliable US made engines again??[sm=49_49.gif]... Nah, probably not a snowball's chance..

OK I have to add my input to this thread.

I met Keith and his wife many years ago at a fly-in here in Austin TX. At the time I was new to RC and didn't know much about RC engines. After speaking with for awhile and looking at his work I was so convinced I bought two engines on the spot and ordered two of his BME26 engines which he quickly shipped. Over the years I spoke with him several times and purchased several more engines and a Falkon ignition when was carrying their product. I corresponded with him multiple times on these boards and always learned a great deal. I've never had any trouble with any of his products or advice. I still don't see how it was humanly possible for him to keep up with the demands of a finicky public.
Keith is a mechanical genius and a total class act. There is much that manufacturers could learn from him.

I owned one of the first BME 44 back sometimes in the 90s. Took the LHS over 2 months to get it. They quit selling the engine because it took so long to get them. Fine engine. Being in the "business world", it is very hard to have the perfect reputation when demand grows and you don't clone yourself. Keith. I suspect a similar fate happened to Dave Patrick.

My wife took a business course and one of the surprizing statistics (to me anyway) was that most business disappear because of burnout and not lack of demand. Oh well.

Andy,

That was a sweet running bmerrrr u had on that AW Edge yeah baby I am working on a 46% Ultimate now I of course loved that Edge so much after flying yours I just had to have me one only difference was I went with Brison. The old Brison is still around 8 years later on a EF Yak and running like a champ.....I parked the DP EXtra to put this EF Yak in the air hum were is Dave P .I did get a chance to have my BME-100 converted over to a 111 b 4 BME left the room I am like 3 of 4 people who has vanished here.....

Ara, your description of Baker's operation could almost describe the Brison operation. Gary did have the advantage of having his mother and father help run the business but it was strictly a small time venture. Gary actually stayed at the place along with his cats during the hardest of times.

Most people have some idea that these engine builders have large facilities and enough resources to handle any problem that the customer may have. The reality is that the customer is lucky that the builder has paid the phone bill so they can at least leave a message on the answering machine.

I have several Brison engines and feel fortunate that I can handle my own warranty and repairs cause my paddle is way down the creek from where I am.

Good to hear from you Gerald! Nice birds you got there. And to think I knew you when all you flew was those 1.20 Sig ARF's

Hope to make it to the Nall this year. See you there.(maybe)[&:]

I have to agree that Keith and his engines could have put a real dent in other engine manufacturers sales if he coud have had the same production/service ability.

I have a BME 44 that's for sale if anyone is interested. Nothing wrong with it, I just moved up to a bigger plane (powered by a BME 105), and I just don't use this 44 anymore. I'm actually torn between selling it and keeping it, but I want to build a new pattern plane, I just don't see me having a use for this engine anymore. Brand new ignition from C&H, pulled a 17 lb. plane almost unlimited vertical.

Price is $330.00 and that includes shipping in the continental US.

Ken.

Ara, this is one of the nicest posts I have ever read on RCU.

Thanks.

One final thought. I find that more than a few engine guys are more than willing to share their knowledge. Many folks talk about the time spent with Gary and his father (Brison)-Ken Baker at D&B is another. Dave at DA also falls in this catagory, although he has expanded. The guy who takes the cake is Bill O at Taurus. I have always been amazed how fast time goes when talking to him. Not unusual to call with a quick question and then notice the timer on the phone telling me we have talked for 20-30 minutes. One year at Joe Nall, he recognized me by my voice. (Never had that happen at Tower or Horizion--this is not a slam, only trying to make a point) Once you buy from these guys, you become a friend and a customer. Some of the Taurus engines I bought used-- Bill remembered the origional buyer and it did not change a thing, it was still his engine.

I think the summary is the "one man show" that struggles to stay in business is there because they fly also, and know the importance of fellow RC'ers being happy. Hard to make a living doing it though.

Threads like this is one or the reasons I look forward to browsing this forum each day. So many unsung heroes out there we have to be thankful for.....really wonderful stuff guys.

Karol

My experinces with Keith started a little over a year ago with the 115. About as close to being an impossible engine experience as it can get. Fortunatly for me, thats the fun stuff, unfortunatly for Keith not many need chalenges of that sort. Now that the impossible has been sorted out I get to hear coments like; How much did you cut that prop down to get those rpm's. Your gona need to look for some ceramic bearings if you keep running it like that, and Hey we race on Saturdays not Sunday. All music to my ears.
When you call a business and the owner answers the phone it's a pretty good clue that there's not too many employees and they are working on a thin profit line. Keith might be gone for a while but his work will last a long long time.

Ara- Very well said. I too have had the same experiences with Kieth.