What Are We Doing Here?

Welcome RC modelers everywhere! We are happy to have you visit with us, and hope that your stay will prove to be informative and enjoyable.

Another RC modeling newsletter . do we really need one? We find that there is already a lot of information out there about RC modeling. Major magazines cover it in depth at the national and regional level. Major events are well-advertised and thoroughly reported on. There are also numerous club newsletters that do an excellent job of keeping their members informed of ongoing club activities. But in spite of this, there seems to be a gap in the inter-communication of flying clubs within a given area . for example central Maryland. We often find out anecdotally that something really great took place in a neighboring club and we wish we had known about it. Sometimes they just have an interesting and different way of doing business that we would like to know about. Gaining information by happenstance is not the way to go. A communication dedicated specifically to the exchange of information on a local level would have real value.

Our plan is to do a monthly report which emphasizes local newsy stories, people, and events. We will maintain a central schedule of events, which would enable anyone in our area to immediately see all the local ongoing activities: open houses, fly-ins, flea markets, etc. This should serve to promote club interaction, and in some cases maybe avoid scheduling conflicts.

Additionally, we plan to visit and feature one club each month . present good stuff like location, historical background, organization, membership requirements, and so on.

Where's Charlie?

This column might even help keep track of some members that may have moved on and now participate in RC modeling at a different club. For example, I wondered the other day what became of Charlie Hughes? . he was so big in aero modeling.

Charlie Hughes

Well, don't you know it, I ran into Charlie pushing paint at Sears in Bel Air, MD. Afterwards I had a great conversation with Charlie about his involvement in RC modeling.

Charlie told me he built his first model airplane in 1944. It was a P51 Strombecker kit, remember the old solid pine kits? His first engine was an OK 074, 1/2 A. This was followed by a Brown B and an OK Super 60. He got them all from his brother.

Charlie's first real airplane was an AT-6, which he scratch built from plans from Airtrails magazine. He won second place in a building contest. His prize was a Thimble Drone 049. (Are you guys following any of this?)

Charlie's first venture into model combat aviation resulted in an ignominious distinction. His Half Fast (a flying wing) had its combat ribbon cut in less than 10 seconds, a record that was never bettered and one that Charlie never quite recovered from.

To soften his prowess on the flying field, Charlie found it appropriate to amass one of the finest collections of model aircraft engines I have ever seen. He says he's up to about 380. He remembers it all started with those first engines that his brother had given him. Gradually it took hold of him, and soon he was getting GHQs, OK Supercyclones and Atwood Champions. As the collection matured, he started specializing in McCoys, Fox, K&Bs and Cox engines. I asked him to evaluate my OS FSR50 2-stroke, which I thought was pretty old. But he said he couldn't comment on it because it was too new. (As an aside, Charlie can be scheduled for presentations on his model engine collection. He can be reached at 1-410-836-9055).

In addition to the technical aspects of RC modeling, Charlie became involved with the many administrative actions required to support this hobby. He started as Member-at-large with the Harford County Radio Control Modelers (HCRCM), and then served as their secretary for the next 10 years, through 1996. He was representative to the Maryland Modelers Association (MMA) for many years, and served as its president 1997-1998.

As part of Charlie's association with the Westminster Aero Modelers (WAM), he and 5-7 associates (through the sponsorship of the Carroll County Board of Education) taught aviation history and simple aeronautics to every 3rd grade in Carroll County for 10 years. They made guest appearances as far as Harpers Ferry and William Paca Elementary School in Harford County.

Charlie is currently a Contest Director for the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and has served the Harford County Miniature Aircraft Operators Association (MAOA) and HCRCM in this capacity.

You might think that with all of that involvement in RC modeling, Charlie never had a real job, but that's not so. He retired as Systems Manager for PM Smoke from the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1994 after a very successful career. But not one to sit around idle, today he's the Department Manager at Sears Hardware in Bel Air, MD.

He still works on his engine collection, and continues to build antique model aircraft. Most recently Charlie finished the Jimmy Walker Fireball, which is powered by an Olsen and Rice 023.

Charlie Hughes, one who gave, and still gives, so much to the world of aero modeling . a gentleman who makes a difference.

MAOA Swings Into Spring

MAOA recently completed a new soft top pavilion for their flying site at Swan Farm in Harford County. It was just in time for their outdoor meetings which began May 11. To honor the occasion, they served the members sodas and hotdogs.

Steve Snyder and Jim Snyder

It was a nice touch . it allowed everyone a chance to socialize and even fly a little bit before the meeting. It was a very relaxing and congenial atmosphere. Plans are to continue it.

Finally

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Milt Peacock, Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore (RCMB), Ed Goldman (WAM) and Jerry Thompson (MAOA) for their contributions to the Schedule of Upcoming Events.

Our featured club next month will be the Westminster Aero Modelers. Be sure to look for it.

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Courtesy Links Baltimore Area Soaring Society   District of Columbia Radio Control Club   Harford County Radio Control Modelers   Patuxent Aeromodelers   Prince Georges Radio Control Club   Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore   Sunday Flyers of Baltmore   Swan Harbor RC   Westminster Aeromodelers