From the Scrapbook

Kim Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:21 am

Got a scan of an article from Model Airplane News, January 1970. All you younger types might find it hard to realize, but there was a time when ANY device that could be remotely control by a radio signal was seen somewhat as a novelty. In 1970, most people still had to get up from the couch to change channels on their TV's!

For me, radio controlled planes were a deep and exciting mystery. Just the thought of flying one in close proximity and actually getting it back in one piece fired my imagination. So, the idea of piloting a model airplane up, into the lower stratosphere was pure Science Fiction come-to-life !

I had lots of heroes in those days. Two were Maynard Hill and Bill Northrop. Along with others, they had a rivalry going on where World Altitude Records were concerned. Here are some clips and photo from that time. Looking at them still makes me want to put a four ounce tank behind the B.O.T.'s .051, and see how high I can make it go!