Andy - the older propo designs didn't use the stick pot as a voltage divider, but as the resistance component in a cr timer, so the pots weren't centered at neutral.  Hence reversing the connections in the tx gave some wild results! 

IIRC I used to get bits and pieces from World Engines - there were always ads for electronic components in the back of the mags.  

Bob,   Hope the Micrtrol Systen served you well.  Mine was still used until about 10 years ago and now resides in the attic.

Andy,  Sorry gliders are not available, nor plans as they use mine own glass fuzs.

 Paul

Ah! Nostalgia isn't what it used to be! But I do remember the Graupner Consul. One of these was my first consistently reliable rc models, fitted with the Grundig RC gear also featured! I've still got the Grundig radio - needs new batteries, but otherwise it should still be in working order!

 The cost of modelling goods back then would make a modern modeller quake in his boots! My first set of proportional gear was a 2nd hand Bonner Digimite, which I paid £200 for in 1967! Bear in mind that you could drive a brand new mini out of the showroom for just over £600 and this will give you some kind of idea.....!

Good tp hear from Paul Newell! His book on the theory of RC systems was my "bible" when I was learning to put my own systems together! I still have my 1st edition copy, and it still offers some of the best explanations of the why's and wherefores of RC that I have ever encountered!

 More from the archives, please! But is it possible to do it in a manner that we can magnify the images fot more detail?

 --

Pete

Pete,

Thanks for the compliment about the book. 

Paul

Paul,

My pleasure!

BTW, apologies for the typos - I'm working from a non standard keyboard today!!!

I started learning about proportional systems by devouring the "digitrio" articles in the American RC Modeller magazine, and the follow up RCM "Classic". But it was your book that pulled it all together for me, and explained many of the "missing links"!

 Sadly, EC and Ofcom regulations have pretty much killed off innovation and experimentation these days. During the late 60's and early 70's new systems appeared (and often dis-appeared!) overnight, but no-one can deny the innovation that was going on. Now we just buy our black boxes off the shelf, and there is another source of enjoyment gone!

Trust me, if you think the buzz from completing your first solo is good, you should experience doing it with equipment you've designed and built yourself from scratch! Nothing matches it!

<nostalgic sigh!>

--

Pete

Please bear with me. I am just starting in R.C. with an Arising Star which has been flight tested for me but it was judged too breezy for me to attempt. In the early 60's I was a member of the Richmond  & Dist. M.A.C.. F.F. and C.L. but we had a couple of members into radio . I believe they worked for R.C.S. or similar firm. The name I remember was John Dumble. He or his friend designed a model they named "6-Shooter" for obvious reasons. The set was reed with all those buttons. However control was all on the well angled back rudder, so instead of incrementing movement in normal reed fashion the pilot chose which one of the buttons would give the desired amount of throw. I saw this model flying and it was amazingly aerobatic (for the period).

In 1962 I attended the Worlds RC Champs at RAF Kenley. I went as much because there was some CL stunt demos as support (my own passion) and I saw the battle between Tom Brett of the USA with proportional radio and our own Harry Brooks on reeds. Awesome!!

In 1964 I returned to my native Leicestershire and met Geoff Franklin the importer of Kraft gear from the States. I believe the price was around £500. That is around £5000 in today's money. While I bought the materials for my big stunters from  Geoff there was no way I could afford those prices. Gradually of course, propo took over and prices came down, but it was still expensive. Eventually, but we are out of the time zone now, I assembled a Micron set, It worked okay, however none of the other RC flyers would allow it near them. So I gave up for that and other reasons about 30 years ago. Now I hope to learn to fly RC in what almost seems a much more enlightened age.

Alan

Alan

Are you the Alan Dorrell who used to fly with John Perry? John and I were members of Three Kings in the 80s and we still exchange Christmas cards.

Mike

From my own archive - the attic!

This was my first RC (1961?) - a single channel Macgregor Tone TX (valve) & TERRYTONE Mk2 (transistor) TX kits. Note the original boxes!

The transmitter case is a home build (neatly covered with leatherette) with most of space taken up by the HT and LT (3xU2!) batteries!

The receiver is definately NOT in the micro class but it all worked ok controlling a rubber driven escapement (one press for left, two presses for right).

When you took your finger off the button you hoped the model would sort itself out, fly straight and level and be ready for the next input. I even have the glider it flew in! Happy days.

Gosh! My first ever RC unit was  Terrytone2, which I built from a kit! I couldn't afford a tranny as well, so I used to turn up at the field and look hopeful until someone lent me one, for what was usually a very short attempt at aviation!

 The one I borrowed most was a valve Reptone, but another one I borrowed quite often was a "Windy Kreulen" transmitter one of the club members had built from a magazine article!

Nearly all the kit in those days was built from magazine articles or kits! I became quite adept at making PC boards using a fine brush and Humbrol enamel to mask them off prior to etching! Only the wealthy could afford pre-built equipment, and even then, nothing would come with connectors, and everything had to be wired up by the purchaser! Bear in mind that early "reed" servos would each have seven wires to connect them to the receiver, and a "full-house multi" installation would have 5 servos, and you realise it could take you a week just to wire up the various elements of the airborne radio!

Happy days!

--

Pete