Valley Circle Burners Control Line Club
Spring Contest 2023
Sunday, May 21
Apollo XI Field - Van Nuys,...Continue Reading

Back in Dec 2010, I converted my vintage Cox R/C .049 Sky Rally Ultralight to brushless electric power and really enjoyed flying it for several weeks before hanging it in the garage, where it's been ever since. Yep, new EDF jets and brushless powered warbird were taking up more of my time back then.

Yesterday, I spent an hour cleaning her up, adding a pilot and installing a new battery. This morning, the old girl was back in the air and it was so much fun!

Unfortunately, very few are flying today as most are highly coveted collectors items, so seeing this beauty in the air is a treat. The brushless electric motor performance is outstanding, compared to my early flights with the stock Cox .049 QRC engine back in 1986.

Keep the vintage birds flying!

Best,
Tony

Dual Club Free Flight Contest
San Diego Orbiteers /Fresno Gas Model Club
November 11-13, 2022
Lost Hills, California

Good times with good friends!...Continue Reading

SAM Champs 2022
El Dorado Dry Lake, Nevada
October 17-21, 2022

The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) is an outstanding organization with outstanding folks.

SAM website:
http://www.antiquemodeler.org/...Continue Reading

Photos taken at the San Valeers Fall Free Flight Contest, Oct 21-23, 2022.

A great event with beautifully hand-built models, crafted by exceptional modelers/friends!

I'm looking forward to the Spring Contest....Continue Reading

After more than 10 years of attending Central Valley RC Aerotow events as a photographer, I finally jumped in as a new aerotow pilot this past weekend. I'm glad to be participating in another wonderful aspect of model aviation.

Many thanks to the CVRC family for your support and encouragement. I'm looking forward to the Fall Aerotow.

Best,
Tony

Another 1/2A glow conversion project is good for the soul!

This is an old Wattage Decathlon electric powered model being converted to glow power with a throttled AP .061 engine. Wingspan is 28.75 inches, so performance should be fun!

I've added white covering to bottom of fuselage, then painted landing gear legs and lower cowl white. Wing requires surgery to repair a few damaged ribs and recovered.

Keep 'Em Flying,
Tony

Happy 100th Birthday, Hazel Sig!

You are an inspiration to so many aviation enthusiasts around the world, and truly an American treasure. God bless!

Much love,
Tony & Evelyn

Back in the 70's and early 80's, these full cans of fuel were better than an Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle or an Atari 2600....but that's just me!

The K-Mart price tags are the icing on the cake!

Special thanks to my buddy Robert Walls for these cool gifts of my childhood.

Photos from a fun day with my buddy Corey Dail.

Keep 'Em Flying!

Three of the latest restoration projects:

- Cox R/C .049 Gooney Bird
- Great Planes Slow Poke 25 with O.S. FS-52
- Global Hobby Tequila Sunrise 25 with O.S. 25FX

It's been a very busy summer...but lots of fun!

Is there anything better in this hobby than scoring amazing deals and even freebies from local modelers and friends? Yes, enjoying those old models with friends!

In my case, most folks are just thrilled that someone is willing to invest time and energy into making these old models airworthy, and enjoyed again. That was my mission this summer and the result has been very rewarding. Some aircraft required restoration and others were almost ready to fly.

There's a nice mix of 1/4 scale gas, vintage glow/nitro, electric powered aircraft, sailplanes and vintage kits. All have been flown except the PT-19 and the sailplanes. Currently, my favorite to fly is the Balsa USA 1/4 scale Piper J-3 Cub with Zenoah G23 gas engine. It took about two weeks to get it refreshed and upgraded. It's a sweetheart to fly and looks amazing in the air!

There are a number of vintage fun-fly gatherings in the works with models of all shapes and sizes. I'm looking forward to an exciting time, sharing a passion with great friends.

Keep 'Em Flyin!...Continue Reading

Yesterday, I adopted an old Kyosho Wingmaster 10 Ultralight. The model has been at the top of my bucket list for 30+ years, so a full restoration will be accomplished over the next month or so.

The plan is to fly this classic and capture flights on video. I've never seen one fly, so this will be a treat!

First thing to go is that huge spinner. Current restoration checklist items: Clean the aluminum airframe, replace wing struts, replace pushrod guides, minor rudder repair, repaint red on wing and stabs and thoroughly clean/run the Magnum .15 engine.

Keep the classics in the air!

Best,
Tony

Here's a link to a great article in this month's issue of Model Aviation Magazine on 1/2A Model Aircraft by my buddy, Fitz Walker III: http://modelaviation.com/1-5a-model-walker

The craziness with balsa continues.

This week's quick build is a West Wings Slingsby Swallow R/C micro glider. Wingspan is 35.5 inches. The Swallow can be launched via bungee hi-start or scratch-built Cox .010 power pod. I plan to use both. Good times!

Two years ago, I started building an Ace R/C .049 Grasshopper but was easily distracted (focus man!) on a few other projects. On Thursday, after finding the missing horizontal stabilizer, I pumped the brakes on the Herr Cherokee and Simple Duster and committed to finishing the Grasshopper. I decided to build it stock and will fly it with a Cox .049 QRC engine. After a 10 hour build session until 1:30am this morning, she's a little closer to flight.

My latest 1/2A balsa builds to help pass the time during this cold, windy weather.

They are the Fred Reese designed Simple Duster and Herr Piper Cherokee. Both will be powered with Norvel R/C .061 engines.

Here's photos from several recent outings with my good buddy Corey Dail. We are both committed to classic glow powered models flying for many years to come! ...Continue Reading

BMJR R/C Buzzard Bombshell with AP Wasp .061 Engine (2 min 30 sec)

Cox E-Z Bee Sport .049 - Trim Flight (4 min 11 sec)

...Continue Reading

Successfully maidened two of my foamy glow conversion aircraft, last weekend. Good times!

Here's the flight videos:

MG-800 R/C Glow Conversion with AP Wasp .061 Engine (6 min 56 sec)

SD Models Condor with Cox .049 Medallion Engine (7 min 3 sec)

...Continue Reading