Shaun Garrity looks back to early R/C helicopters. This time in Retro Ramblings we have something a little different - retro helicopters. It’s hard to believe it was the early 1970s when I first came across them (I suddenly feel really old). R/C helicopters were actually flying prior to this but they were mostly constructed by pioneering modellers having to figure things out for themselves, because as far as I know no commercial products were available.

It has been refreshing to see traditional building making a small comeback, even more so over the last few months where a little bit more building time has been available. In turn this has encouraged small UK kit manufacturers to revitalise older classics with more modern construction techniques, and with fresh new designs springing up for budding builders to tackle.

As you may be aware, this site and forum will be migrated to a new platform very soon. There are several reasons for this withmobile device compatibility improvements being justone. The new forum will be based on Invision, a popular and flexible platform. Many of you may already visit forums based on this and be familiar with their general operation.

If they're having fun then they'll want to go again. . . Have we given up trying to save the hobby for the next generation or do we have to adapt to change to ensure its continuation? Are our flying clubs destined to deteriorate into fields of grumpy old men depleting slowly and recounting tales of how it used to be? As the BMFA struggle on with their free flight founded education programme I was asked if there was anything we can do, individually or as a club in R/C land, to encourage new youngsters in, or help keep the ones we already have.