march, 2015 #51 cwc newsletter of the club) sam · pdf filebeautiful blue sky, ... april...

The CLIPPER - official newsletter of SAM 21 March, 2015

March, 2015 #51 cwc

Society of Antique Modelers Chapter 21 AMA Charter Club 1470

SAM CLIPPER

( Official newsletter of

the “BlackJack”

Club)

... in this issue:

P.2 - … 2015 SAM WESTERN REGIONAL EVENT CALENDAR

P.3 - … FEBRUARY MINUTES AND MARCH AGENDA

P.4 - … FROM THE FEBRUARY MEETING / FROM THE RIGHT SEAT

P.5 - … THE ALERT - THREE VIEW

P.6 - … STRINGS TOO SHORT TO SAVE

P.7 - … THE BENNY BOXCAR EVENT FLYER

P.8 - … SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS ON SAM

P.9 - … SAM 26 SPRING OPENER FLYER

P10 - … SAM 21 CONTACT LIST - 2015 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Next Meeting:

Thursday, March 26th, 7:00 pm

SARATOGA FIRE DEPARTMENT (Corner Saratoga Ave & Sunnyvale-Saratoga Hwy)

The March Goodie: (Vanderbeek) And Coffee: (Sargent) Assignments

Thanks to Ken Martinez for the February Goodies

See Page 2 For Details

LEFT: In the photo, the ‘new generation’ BENNY BOXCAR, built by Ken Marti-nez, reaches for altitude and is caught in the act by photog-rapher, Brian Chan. Beautiful model, beautiful blue sky, beautifully caught in a well timed picture...

… Another ‘Benny’ takes to the sky


2015 Meeting Dates 7:00 p.m.

@ SARATOGA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Corner Saratoga Ave & Sunnyvale-Saratoga Hwy

January 22

February 26

March 26

April 23

May 28

June 25

July 23

August 27

September 24

October 22

November 19

(due to Thanksgiving Conflict)

December 17

(due to Christmas Conflict)

2015 “GOODIE” Schedule

Here are the assignments for 2015, ex-cusing those who normally do not attend meetings on a regular basis.

If you cannot accommodate this schedule, then it will be your responsibil-ity to “volunteer”/ coerce another mem-ber to take your place. Don’t say you weren't warned.

And, if you feel ‘The Call‘ (and aren’t on this list), please call one of the unfortunate souls on the list or the ‘Standby’ and offer to take their place.

JANUARY Eberhardt FEBRUARY Martinez MARCH Vanderbeek APRIL Peterson MAY Leopold JUNE Lewis JULY NONE AUGUST Gurney SEPTEMBER Henry Smith OCTOBER Saso NOVEMBER Sargent DECEMBER Dowling Standby: Eberhardt

2015 WEST COAST EVENT SCHEDULE Revised 3/18/15 Italics are PRELIMINARY Dates - SUBJECT TO CHANGE) SAT Sun Bold are confirmed dates Shaded are unconfirmed events JAN 3 4 JAN 10 11 JAN 17 18 1/17,18,19, 2015 SOUTHWEST REGIONAL, Eloy Az JAN 24 25 JAN 31 1/31 SAM 21 BANQUET— HOLDER’s Country Inn, San Jose FEB 1 FEB 7 8 FEB 14 15 FEB 21 22 FEB 28 29 2- 28 Saturday only; SGMA Spring Contest: FF/OT RC Waegell Field MAR 1 MAR 7 8 MAR 14 15 MAR 21 22 3-21-22 SAM 26 Spring Annual, Wekerly Field - near Bakersfield MAR 28 29 CD: Dick Fisher - 805-489-4078 APR 4 5 APR 11 12 APR 18 19 APR 25 26 Saturday Only 4/25 - SAM 21 Speed 400/1/2A TEXACO contest - Dwarf’s Field, So. San Jose MAY 3 4 MAY 2 3 Saturday Only 5/2 - SAM 21/30 Joint, Benny BoxKar Beat Down - Schmidt Ranch (see page 7) MAY 9 10 Sunday 5/10 Mother's Day MAY 16 17 MAY 23 24 MAY30 31 JUN 6 7 5-6-7 SAM 21 38th Annual / Second “Loren Schmidt Memorial” - Schmidt Ranch Saturday 6-6 only - West States Champs-FF/OT RC Waegell Field JUNE 13 14 JUNE 20 21 JUNE 27___28 JULY 4 5 JULY 11 12 JULY 18 19 JULY 25 26 7/26 only - SAM 30 Fun Fly - ‘Simplex Day’, Schmidt Ranch AUG 1 2 AUG 8 9 AUG 15 16 AUG 22 23 AUG 29 30 SEPT 5 6 9-5 Only - SGMA Combo Contest - FF/OT RC Waegell Field SEPT 12 13 SEPT 19 20 SEPT 26 27 OCT 3 4 OCT 10 11 OCT 17 18 OCT 24 25 Saturday10-24 Only- SGMA Fall Contest- OT RC Assist, Waegell Field OCT 31 10-25-26 SAM 26 John Pond Commemorative - Wekerly Field - near Bakersfield - CD: Bob Angel 805-937-5145 NOV 1 Saturday 11-1 ONLY - SCCMAS Swap Meet NOV 7 8 NOV 14 15 Saturday November 15th - SAM 21 MECA COLLECTO NOV 21 22 NOV 28 29 Thursday 11-26 Thanksgiving Day DEC 5 6 DEC 12 13 DEC 19 20 Friday 12- 25 Christmas Day DEC 26 27


Call to order: President Ken Martinez

Members present:

Guests present: Introduction of guests:

Approval of minutes of the meeting of February 26, 2015

Treasurer's report: Lescher Dowling

Membership report: Lescher Dowling

Editors report: Bill Copeland: A) Member Participation B)

Competition Report: Dave Lewis:

A) B)

Unfinished Business/Reports:

A) Current Build/Fly Project: Copeland - ‘Bennie BoxKar Beat Down’

B) Continue Discussion: Loren Schmidt Memorial Contest: Brian Sargent:

C) Need for new badges - suggested supplier?

New business:

A) Set Date for Collecto

BREAK!!!

Show and Tell: All - Open Q&A & Hints session?

Program: TBD

Refreshments: Courtesy of: Bill Vanderbeek

Coffee by: SAM 21 courtesy of Brian Sargent

Adjournment:

Next meeting: 4/23/2015 at: 7:00 p.m.

Location: SARATOGA FIRE DEPARTMENT Corner Saratoga Ave & Sunnyvale-Saratoga Hwy

February 26, 2015 MINUTES MARCH 26, 2015 AGENDA Call to order: President Ken Martinez 6:48pm Guests present: None Introduction of guests: ---- Approval of minutes of the meeting of January 22, 2015. Approved Treasurer’s report:Lescher Dowling Club is solvent Membership report:Lescher Dowling Regular 29; Life 5; Associate 13; Total 47 Editors report: Bill Copeland– discussion of classified ads, things for sale, no fee. Should we hold a raffle? Dave Sasso will chair one every 6 months. Brian will bring tickets Competition report: Dave Lewis – Upcoming weekend at Waegell field provision for OT RC; March 21, 22 SAM 26 near Bakersfield; April 25 Dwarfs, speed 400 and ½ A Texaco; March 22 PCC open house at field ( Half Moon Bay) Need our members to show up. Unfinished Business report – “Bennie Boxcar Beat-down” Sat May 2, SAM 21 & 30 to help sponsor. May need help scoring. Last year’s scorer has health prob-lems. $15 entry fee includes lunch, guest lunch $5. Probably over 30 people. Dave is finding 30 sec motor gives 4 minute flight in dead air ( 480 motor – 12 x 6 prop – 24 amps – 2 or 3 cell. Everyone agrees we should mo-tor home and not land out. Time ends with restart of mo-tor. Brian Sargent is working on June 5, 6, 7 Lauren Smith Memorial contest. Can use raffle prizes. Brian will bring a mobile defibrillator to the field. ( break at 7:17 ) Show and Tell: Ted Kafer brought his Boxcar: fuse with everything 33 oz. On AMA website re: Henry Struck “Box Car Chil-dren” one of whom was Benny. He also brought a Van-guard with a 2.4 Tactic conversion. Ken Martinez brought in a Baby Playboy with two fire-walls: speed 400 and 1/2A Texaco Brian Sargent brought in plans for a huge 1940 Star-duster and short kit? Bill Copeland brought a JASCO Thermic 70 kit and an original 1/2A Spacer kit which he donated to two lucky members. Refreshments: Brian Sargent – coffee. Ken Martinez cookies

Adjournment: 9:15

Next meeting March 26, 2015 Location: SARATOGA FIRE DEPARTMENT


Greetings: The Best news is that I have been granted permission by Ned Nevels (SAM 27) to distribute copies of three ‘blogs’ that he produced for SAM 27 members constructing Benny Boxcars. The blogs cover various phases of building and some interesting varia-tions by builders having particular needs. I will be sending each of the

three as separate pdf’s on the Benny Boxcar Update form which you can download and view or print as you see fit. I plan to run copies of the three articles and mail them to the ‘electronically handicapped’. Got a telephone call from our far North, long time member Fred Landman in Sequim, WA who reported a change in his E-mail address which I shall pass on to the keeper of the roster Lescher Dowling. Fred reports he is doing well, but senses getting older - don’t we all?

I agonized for a long time before finally deciding to publish the article on page 8 under the heading “Some Random Thoughts On The State Of SAM” The article was originally intended as a response to a modeler who was considering dropping his SAM membership. Unfortunately it didn’t work - he de-cided to drop his membership and, without a locally based SAM Chapter, decided he could enjoy flying by himself thereby denying himself the pleasure of like minded company and becoming a safety hazard to himself. Fortunately this message goes out to a host of ‘like minded individuals’ who value and take pleasure in your company and, from time to time, learn from oth-ers to make building, flying and even competing the

enjoyable hobby it is… Just a friendly reminder: If you are unhappy about the ’state’ of your Chapter, including SAM 21 speak up, or better yet volunteer to serve as an officer or to help with the organization of our Chapter events. Volunteers are what make the ‘wheels go round’ and SAM 21 is fortu-nate to have willing members who step up when the need arises…

… N o t e s F r o m T h e R i g h t S e a t

… From The February

Meeting

AMA 27944 - Over and Out…

LEFT: Henry Smith with his just finished Speed 400 Playboy?

RIGHT: Gary Leopold tries to explain his new ‘Tactic’ 2.4 ghZ module

...whatta ya mean the check bounced?

...start now?

...move on Walt, this is my seat

...whatta ya mean the check bounced?

SAM 21 Org Chart

...you heard me

The Brians arguing over giant Stardust Special Plan

120”W/S

Members smiling in the background have no ‘dog in the fight’...


Not

to s

cale


LEFT: Brian Dethier who consorts with known SAM 21 members Copeland and Poco at the Liver-more Flying Electrons flying field in N. Liver-more, was pressured by them to construct this fine looking version of the Benny Boxcar. It flies very nicely... Expect to see him com-pete in the B.B Beatdown in May...

Strings Too Short To Save... For Sale:

Above: Bill Vanderbeek is shown here displaying his full size, Free Flight Lanzo Bomber with which he won first place at the 2014 National Free Flight Concours D’elegance event. It is hard to see, but Bill is also holding up his (circled) grand “award”.. (What is a SAM 21 member doing wearing a SAM 27 tee shirt anyway?)

Dec 17, 1923 - Dec 17, 2014 Former SAM 21 Member,

Ralph Wilson May was born December 17, 1923 in St. Jo-seph, Missouri to Ralph and Margaret May. Over the next 91 years, Ralph helped shape the world during his 50 years as a telecom engineer and made family out of friends wherever he went. He married Helen C. Gilroy (1924-1998) in 1946, and they had three chil-dren: Ralph (1948-1969), Nancy and John. Many of their years were spent in Los Altos, with their first house on San Felicia Way and their last on Castle Lane. For the past 15 years, he resided in The Villages in

San Jose with his partner, Sharon McConnell, taking hikes in the hills and tending to their beautiful garden. Ralph loved the outdoors and many happy memories were made on camping trips throughout his life. He was also a champion host, whose gatherings were filled with stories from his adventurous life and many of his bright smiles.In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider a donation to one of Ralph's favorite charitable organiza-tions, the Second Harvest Food Bank, or the charity of your choice.

In Memoriam...

A very nice Class C Hayseed. The model comes

with 2 servos, no engine, battery or receiver. Weighs 45 Ozs.

Originally built by: Cecil Cutbirth.

$85.00

Contact: Brian Sargent @

1 408 656-3662


2015 SAM 21 Benny BoxCar ’Beat Down’ Rules:

Eligibility:

The only ’approved’ model is Henry Struck’s, Benny BoxCar - 72 as kitted by either Klarich or Holman or built from published magazine plans.

Minimum deviation from plan outlines will be observed. The airfoil will not be altered in any way. Balsa sizes can be changed and ‘hardwood’ may be substituted. Two wheel landing gear required, location optional.

Motor to be a brushless, outrunner in the ‘480 class’ with a max, rating of 1020kv; battery, 2S or 3S LIPO.

LMR to match weather conditions (20 to 30 secs will be determined by conditions at pilot briefing)

ROG required assuming suitable weather/decent take off area.

No minimum weight.

Pilots Briefing at 8:30. (mandatory) Flying at 9:00(optional)

The project is intended to be Fun.

Flight procedures: All entrants will be eligible for the preliminary round.

Motor run will be limited to 30 seconds for the first round.

All flights will be individually timed. Flight requiring ‘emergency’ restarts will be timed only until ‘restart’ called by pilot.

A limit of three flights per entrant will be allowed for the preliminary round. Max flight time 15 mins. for all preliminary rounds..

The times of up to three flights will be totaled to determine advancement to the next or Championship round. The four best times of each preliminary round advances to an additional preliminary round if needed. The four winners of the preliminary round, or rounds will be qualified to compete in the Championship flyoff.

In the event that there are tie max scores in the first round, such tie scores will be each be counted as a qualifier for a second prelimi-nary round. and so on until four qualifiers are determined.

The four winners of the qualifying round, or rounds will compete in mass ROG launch with a 20 sec motor run,

Last one down W/O motor restart, will be declared the winner and Champion...

You are Invited to:

The First Ever Benny BoxCar Beat Down

May 2nd, 2015 At the Schmidt Ranch

11948 Franklin Rd, Elk Grove, Ca. 95758 Tele: 916-684-2265

Sponsored Jointly by: SAM 30 and SAM 21

ON SITE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH: BREAKFAST FREE: Miriam’s Famous Pancake Breakfast (you fix ‘em and wash up)

Lunch: Noon - Burgers and Dogs and stuff, ( free for event registrants) - Others: $5.00

NOTES: Contest Director: Brian Sargent Contest Director: Brian Sargent

Registration: Opens 8:00 AM Pilots briefing: 8:30 AM

Entry Fee: $15 (Includes Lunch)

Awards: Participation Plaques for all pilots entering; Championship award - $50.00 Tower Hobbies Gift Certificate

Motor Homes/Trailers: Parking for Motor Homes and Trailers on first come basis but no hook-ups

Drawing: To be held after Contest results announced.

Tickets: $1.00 each or, 6 for $5.00, 12 for $10 etc. No limit! Need not be present to win.

Photo: Courtesy of Brian Chan


hanced when shared with like minded individuals. I say shame on us if we let Old Timer modeling die from

a case of apparent ‘constipation’ without at least trying some castor oil…(preferably 3:1)

…Is SAM the appropriate vehicle to carry the concept forward with perhaps some fundamental changes? As for SAM being the appropriate vehicle to sustain the ‘Old

Timer’ concept, my answer would be a qualified yes for the following reasons: (With the understanding that I think the existing leadership is doing their best to maintain the viability of the future of the SAM movement, but seem to mired in painting the life boats as the ship is sinking. (Or, with a nod to Nero, fiddling while the ‘barn’ burns)

The body of work that SAM has documented and the basic organizational scheme is sound enough, but Chapter devel-opment and particularly membership communication and participation need attention,

The existing rules are generally acknowledged to be very complicated, especially as they impact the development and encouragement of Electric Power, which is a very rapidly growing segment of R/C generally.

To the segment of the membership that seems unhappy with the present state of affairs, I call out to step up and vol-unteer for leadership positions from which change may stand a better chance of being more thoughtfully considered. High on the agenda should be a review of any and all opportuni-ties for members to have fun and feel like they belong. The format of recent ‘local’ contests makes somewhat a

mockery of the existing rules by the expedient, due to lack of participation, of “combining” many of the classes. This is be-ing done to basically eliminate classes where only one or two (or no) contestants sign up. Doing so only gives the “win at all cost” contestants a significant leg up on the chances of winning, while at the same time discouraging many other-wise eager participants.

So, why not consider change? What ever happened to the FUN? Combining classes might be useful and appropriate, if, and that is a big if, there was an alternative event for ‘sportsman’ types who might be in favor of an event that

had simple rules (any model, any power) and provided a ‘level playing field’. Hello ALOT? – Hello One Design Build/Fly? – Fun anyone? I think it may be time to rec-ognize the “elephant in the room” for what it is and make an effort to shoo it out of the building, not “keep sweeping it under the rug”.

The following was written in response to an E-mail re-ceived from a builder who was considering whether or not to drop his SAM membership and wondering about the fu-ture of SAM. It did not impress him: he dropped his membership… How about you?

In response to your E-mail, I submit that there are two questions you should ask yourself: 1) Is the concept of building and flying prewar free flight

designs using modern technology, whether for sport or competition, worth ‘saving’ as a genre? and; 2) Is SAM the appropriate organization that, with perhaps

some fundamental changes, is the appropriate vehicle to carry the concept forward?

If your answer to either question is yes, then the next question is:

What should, or can, we do about it?

You probably have guessed my answer is yes to both questions so; let me submit my argument's:

…Is the concept of building and flying prewar free flight designs using modern technology, whether for sport or competition, worth ‘saving’ as a genre?...

I think you will agree that building and flying designs from the pre ‘World War II era’, taking advantage of modern technology, is one of the most soul satisfying aviation hobby pursuits that people from ‘our’ generation can enjoy as it brings back wonderful memories of our younger days and younger friends. It often brings together friends of fifty years or more who shared our free flight heritage. It also presents us with new friends, who share our inter-

est, from later generations who (as yourself) adopt the concept. There is something special about working with designs as much as 60 years old which reminds us of what the modelers of that era had to overcome just to get their models to barely fly and how lucky we are to be able to improve on their success and thus perhaps pay tribute to their efforts.

Building preserves, to the extent possible, the very im-portant hand, eye coordination, manual dexterity and bal-ance that all of will slowly lose, but more slowly with con-tinuing use. I submit that nothing in the

modeling world is quite as beautiful as an ‘Old Timer’ with transparent covering cir-cling lazily in a friendly patch of lift.

Fun, which I think should be the ultimate goal of any activ-ity, (especially retired indi-viduals) is inevitably en-

Some Random Thoughts On The State Of SAM...


SAM 26 SPRING ANNUAL - supplemental information:

Our host club is the Greenfield Fliers, AMA club #4741 if you’d like to look them up on the AMA website. One main rule which will be strictly enforced is that no alcoholic beverages of any kind be brought on the field, even in a cooler. Aside from that they have pretty much turned the field and flight rules over to us for the weekend.

The Greenfield Fliers President is Rick Trani, cell (preferred) 661-619-9165 or 661-302-5307

Webmaster is Mike Reagan [email protected]

Wekerly Field is located at 3130 Di Giorgio RD., Bakersfield. CA

GPS location is 35.26219225N 118.9687939W

The field gate will be open about noon Friday for test or fun flying and overnight dry camping.


PRESIDENT: Ken Martinez: 927 York Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tele: 415-821-3682 E-mail: [email protected] VICE PREZ: Ted Kafer: 74 South Milton Avenue Campbell, CA 95008 Tele: 408-866-2533 E-mail: [email protected] SECRETARY: Alan Peterson: 1115 Seena Avenue Los Altos, CA 94024 Tele: 650-941-6557 E-mail: [email protected]

TREASURER: Lescher Dowling: 1122 Merrimac Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Tele:408-739-0652 E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR: Bill Copeland: 4863 Primrose Lane, Livermore, Ca 94551 Tele: 925-321-1552; E-mail: [email protected]

Competition Coordinator: Dave Lewis: 2925 Miles Drive Santa Clara, CA95051 Tele: 408-246-2257 E-mail: [email protected]

48 cents

(as of today)

Bill Copeland 4863 Primrose Lane Livermore, CA 94551

Address Label

Here’s Your Copy of the March, 2015 SAM 21 Clipper (Read at your own risk!)

SAM 21 - 2015 Membership Application Form Check one: NEW Member RETURNING Member Check one: FULL Member $25 ASSOCIATE Member $15 (newsletter only)

SAM No._________________ AMA No. _________________ (Req’d if full)

Name: ______________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________________ Phone: ____________________ Cell ____________________

E-mail Address: _______________________________________

Mail form to Treasurer: Lescher Dowling

1122 Merrimac Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94087

march, 2015 #51 cwc newsletter of the club) sam · pdf filebeautiful blue sky, ... april...

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