I will start with the old “when I was a boy” and ask, when you learnt to fly RC, and I mean proportional RC including Pulse proportional, not the button single channel or Reed types of radio.

What did you start with, rudder only GG (RO), or rudder/elevator (RE), or rudder/elevator and throttle (RET) and lastly full house (AETR)?

I learnt to fly RC in the early 1970’s, first model was a scratch-built Tyro Major with a Futaba 5 channel radio with linier servos and a Super Tigre 15 for power (RET). My second model was the Top Flite Top Dawg kit built, again with the same radio and motor (RET).

The buddy box system and computer simulators did not exist in the 1970’s as well as things like servo reversing, dual rates, expo and multiple model transmitters. Trims were analogue and easy to knock out of trim, if, you didn’t zero them on the aircraft, so the trim levers had to be centred after the aircraft was trimmed for flight, that was the only way you could have a second or more receivers on the one transmitter, or, you had a transmitter for each aircraft you brought to the field.

I had a very good teacher, we played pass the transmitter (no such thing as buddy box) till I soloed. Lost the Tyro Major to CB radio interference, that’s when I built the Top Dawg. My instructor even had me flying inverted with the Top Dawg, not easy without ailerons but it can be done, finally lost the Dawg after over a thousand flights to a broken elevator gimble spring in the...Continue Reading

I'm into vintage RC gear and aircraft, I've recently built Don Dewey's Royal Coachman, and have started building Ken Willards Top Dawg (the Top Flite version). I'm not changing the shape of the aircraft, wing sections or the like, but, I am changing some of the internal construction.

Modern advances, in hardware, engines, coverings, adhesives and building materials have made building easier for scratch building and builders kit building (I don't consider ARF's as building, they are assemblies, you don't build an ARF).

I see other builders, fit electric motors to vintage models, some then will go all the way and fit the original type spark ignition engine, great if you have them. changes to engine mountings seem to accepted, hatches for batteries as well. But, what about internal construction, are my changes in keeping with the vintage ideal, the spirit of the game, or not?

In my defense, I am a pilot that askes his models a lot, my Royal Coachman will do axial rolls and high speed spins, not things a RET trainer should do. So I build with my flying in mind.

Am I justified in my using modern building techniques on vintage aircraft builds?

Please comment, I'm new at this Blog thing.

Dave