This is a picture of Ms. Christina Schmidt's class at Maplewood Public School in Essex. The occasion is a visit from the Southern RC Flyers, on Wednesday January 07, 2004 to instruct the class in construction of model aircraft. President Jim Jewell, Ed Gresik and Robin Paulton were the instruction team and it appears that their efforts were successful.

It is also quite evident that if President JJ got any closer to Ms. Schmidt he would have pushed her right out of the picture. Congratulations go to our team on their full day with the students who had been told of the upcoming event and were very excited.

As it turned out both Pres. JJ and Bulletin Editor Ron were too ill to attend the Jan. meeting.

DECEMBER. 08, 2004

The meeting was called to order at 19:07 hrs. by President Jim Jewell. The minutes of the Nov.19th 2003 meeting were read by Secretary Bill Bell. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Ed Gresik and seconded by John McIntosh. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report:

Treasurer Barry Fegarty reported as follows. There are 15 paid members and he gave the bank balance. Motion to accept the report as read was made by Ron Edwards and seconded by Norm Long. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

President Jim Jewell requested volunteers for two schools scheduled to build and fly Balsa Planes. The tentative dates are Dec. 10/03 and Jan. 07/04.

Treasurer Barry Fegarty outlined the club's approach for a presentation to the Trillium Foundation as a possible revenue source. This revenue would be used for 5 kits, equipment and spares used during the School Field Trips and School Plan programs. At present members supply their own planes, equipment and fuel.

It was announced that club meetings will be automatically cancelled if the weather is stormy or "iffy".

A swap meet will be scheduled for the February 09, 2004 meeting.

Jim Jewell announced that the mowers are in good shape for next year.

A motion to close the meeting was made by Ed Gresik and seconded by Bob Axford. The meeting was closed at 19:30 hours by President Jim Jewell.

Following the close of the business meeting the members enjoyed some Christmas goodies and well wishes were extended to all for a safe and happy holiday.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Bill Bell, Jim Helke, Jim Jewell, Ron Edwards, Barry Fegarty, Norm Long, Herb Thrun, Ed Gresik, Bert Litke, Peter Auch, Joe Schooley, Bob Axford, Robin Paulton, Ray Gould, Terry Momney, Roger Gould, Mike Dewar, Jeff Kuzniak, John McIntosh and Ken Connick.

Secretary Bill Bell.

By 1940, the time was ripe for control line flying. In January 1940, the Stanzel Brothers produced their first flying model. It was called the SHARK. Low wing, it looked like a racer, and it was not a free flight as was every other kit n the world. A single line was attached to a fishing pole. The pilot stood in the middle of the circle going around with the plane. This was called a G-line.

By 1950 how many were flying this new way? The Saturday Evening Post reported the 80% of model flying was now U-control. Before WW 11, airplane engines were not very noisy. After the war, what a change!

American Hobby Centre, founded in 1931 in New York, dominated the first two or three pages of every model magazine with its advertising. One of their 1951 catalogs listed 50 different free flight kits and more than 200 U-control kits. In 1952, Sterling introduced the RINGMASTER, selling more than half a million kits. It was the single most popular kit of all time.

U-control scale topped the popularity list with stunt, second and speed, third. In 1967, Sig. claimed that 60% of the wood was sold to U-control scratch builders. It's a hard fact that without U-control, the model hobby would have died long before R/C came on the scene.

Jim Walker is the man who lifted U-control to its greatest popularity. He could fly three planes at once - one in each hand and one from a helmet controlled pneumatically by a bulb clenched in his teeth. He flew in formation and did stunts. In 1957, he figured a way to fly a fourth model from his belt! He was the first to do a sabre dance, have the model hang by the prop in flight and with a straight pin in the tail, slowly lower the plane and burst a balloon. His helmet had a mike so he could tell he crowd what was happening.

In 1947, L. M. Cox Co. came on the scene and by 1952 had its plastic models on the shelves in every kind of store. They were selling 5000 a week. They were not model airplanes. Cox himself said they were nothing more than powered toys.

California at the time (as in everything else), lead the way. Whatever happened out there, the rest of the country soon followed. Speed and stunt were regular features in the Southern California contests. In the Los Angeles area it became a roaring success.

U-control gives you complete control over the entire flight. U-control is the only form of model flying that brings you close and lets you feel what its like to fly a real plane. You can feel the climbs and dives, the loss of power. Tug on the lines and the ship will tug right back at you just like a living thing. U-control demanded that you do your homework and build your plane right, to know your plane and engine, and be lucky as well.

Joe Schooley

Thanks Joe for another great article.

Ron Edwards

I just got a call this morning (Jan 20th) from Ray Gould reporting on a meeting of a new committee. This committee was formed to come up with a set of guidelines for our protection and that of the public at future air shows that we initiate. Members of Ray's committee are, Bill Bell, Roger Gould and Norm Long. They met in Comber and got a good start on future requirements. However they want the membership to be thinking about all the ramifications of hosting an air show with the public in attendance. So come to the next meeting prepared with ideas, suggestions and questions for the committee's consideration.

Speaking of the next meeting, don't forget to bring some of your old unused treasures to put into the Swap Meet Feb 9th. Something that is taking up space in your workshop may be just what your fellow member is looking for.

Not wanting to end on a sad note but sadly unavoidable we acknowledge the ten lives lost off Pelee Island on Saturday evening due to a plane crash. This horrendous accident grips the communities of Pelee Island, Essex and Kent counties. Whether we know any of the surviving families or not we should all say a prayer for them in their hours of despair.

I hope to see you all at the Feb 9th meeting. There will another bulletin preceding that meeting.

Ron Edwards.