From the Archives

Welcome back, it’s 1965 already so let’s look at another aeromodelling year through the eyes of RCM&E archive issues. Looking back at 1964, the magazine noted the menace of walkie talkie radios and the growth of proportional control although admitted that we were a few jumps behind the U.S.

The big news going into 1965 was the ruling that meant all models with i.c. engines must be silenced though the magazine noted the slight loss of power and added bulk silencers would bring.

The January issue cover showed Maynard Hill of the U.S. with his world record breaking duration R/C aircraft. The 84″ span model flew for 8 hours 52 mins powered by a merco .49 spinning a 14×6 prop. Tanks situated in the wings dispensed 4.3lbs of fuel to the motor during the attempt. A distinguished aeromodeller in every respect, Maynard went on to claim many other distance records and designed and flew the first model to cross the Atlantic ocean in 2003.

Radio equipment was coming along but remained expensive for all but the very wealthy. This offering from RCS would have been beyond the reach of the average model flyer.



There’s nothing new about aerial photography as ASW Winkworth showed. His small spy-camera was taken aloft in this own-design model and produced good results for the time.



The Keil Kraft Mini Super appeared in July, a 48″ scaled down version of their best selling Super 60. The Veron Concord arrived the same month.



A large Flying Fortress had amazed crows at the Nationals. Although it hadn’t flown, the size and complexity of the model was ahead of it’s time. It was built by three members of the Bristol MAC – David Harrison, Roy Norris and Murrey Alexander, all of whom were working for BAC at Filton on a certain airliner called Concorde.

The 102″ model was to 1/12th scale, weighed 19 3/4 lbs, and used two K&B 45 engines. The magazine noted that around ‘£30 hard cash’ had been invested in the airframe.



The Nationals took place at RAF Ouston near Newcastle-on-Tyne where some visitors could use accomodation in the RAF barrack blocks, with full messing facilities!



R/C scale winner was Dennis Thumpston with his beautiful 72″ span D.H.9.



The Push Moth, what I assume to be one of David Boddingtons earliest designs was the free plan in December, a ‘pert’ little single channel pusher for an .049 engine.



At the time RCM&E covered boats and cars and while I’ve deliberately ignored these, for balance I’d better include the December cover where RCM&E’s secretary Miss Monica Gray holds a converted Airfix Zodiac car.

I’ll be back to look at 1966 very soon.