Retired, Mechanical Engineer, 90 yrs Old, Lived in New Orleans, LA all my life except for 3-1/2 years in the US Air Force stationed at Schilling AFB, Salina, Kansas. Fascinated with airplanes since childhood, and built solid models during WWII, then Control Line and Free Flight through college years at Tulane University.
Began RC interest during college and built first RC model in 1958. During USAF duty as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer with 310th Bombardment Wing, SAC, built some RC models but had liimited success flying them; was a much better builder than a pilot! Continued building RC models until about 2005, when my eyesight was no longer good enough to distinguish orientation of planes in the air. Then after Hurricane Katrina I gave all of my models, radios and engines to my local New Orleans RC Club members.
When I returned from the Air Force we lived across the street from Dr. Robert Lien, one of the local pioneers in RC Modelling. Unfortunately, Dr. Lien died unexpectedly at an early age, but he was a real active flyer until his death, and that was when RC was in its infancy. Other locals who were prominent here were the Kelly Brothers, Roy and Jerry, who owned HUB HOBBY SHOP, the best for RC equipment and models around. Both are now gone, and the shop long closed, but the local RC Club Field is named “KELLY FIELD” in their honor. I’ve been a member of AMA for as long as I can remember and am amazed at the state of the hobby today. All the latest “drone” technology can trace its roots to the RC Model Aircraft World!
