I started in 1974 after seeing a '1/2 Time Show' of Early Aviation RC Aircraft at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York. It just happened to be taking place when I attended with dad at the age of 12. I couldn't believe my eyes and have been hooked ever since. We picked up a Guillow's cub on the way home and dad said, "If you can build this, mom and I will go 1/2 on an R\C setup."
It doesn't have to fly, he said, but I guess he wanted to know if I had the attention span. Well, I spent the summer in the porch building that cub and it did fly, sort of. I mowed lawns all summer for my half of the money for a Kraft KP-4a, a 3-channel M.E.N Trainer with a .19 Enya. The hobby shop owner was always available to answer questions and made suggestions to strengthen the wing in some areas. Those were the days!
We located a club, but my dad had passed before the plane was complete. Mom forged on, and we located a club and one of the members was an acquaintance of the family. He took me to meetings and the fateful day came at non-used at the time Steward Airfield.
Well, the M.E.N Trainer flew as we passed the transmitter back and forth and the rest is history. I still have an affinity for early aviation, and the Golden Age I assume from my introduction at Rhinebeck.
Pictured is my 1/6 BUSA N17 a few years ago in the AMA Magazine.
