I guess this goes here. book review.

[Ty Marcucci]

I am reading  a book called "Do You Speak Model Airplane?".  By Dave Thornburg.
I first read this book about five years ago.  The first 57 pages will blow you away and answer many of the questions that get asked on here.  There is a chapter on the Navy Nats and gives a full explanation about that issue.
One point he brought up is the so called ''Junior Problem'', that got started in 1919. Yep 1919.  Seems radio, sets you could build, was all the rage. Computer games of the 1920's. Then Lindburg did his flight, 1927, and the world of model aviation and  full size aviation all went nuts. But over the years the amount or numbers of young people in modeling kept a steady dwindling down to what we have today. Almost nada.  The bad thing ab out the youth angle that AMA and many magazines, newspapers and radio stations kept pushing, was in the minds of almost the rest of the 99.99 % of the public was "it is a kids thing". Many still think that way.
Thus it should be presented as an adults thing, not a kids thing.

[Brett Buck]

I am reading for the second time a book called "Do You Speak Model Airplane?".  By Dave Thornburg. Many on this forum are mentioned in the end pages.
I first read this book about five years ago.  The first 57 pages will blow you away and answer many of the questions that get asked on here.  There is a chapter on the Navy Nats and gives a full explanation about that issue.
One point he brought up is the so called ''Junior Problem'', that got started in 1919. Yep 1919.  Seems radio, sets you could build, was all the rage. Computer games of the 1920's. Then Lindburg did his flight, 1927, and the world of model aviation and  full size aviation all went nuts. But over the years the amount or numbers of young people in modeling kept a steady dwindling down to what we have today. Almost nada.  The bad thing ab out the youth angle that AMA and many magazines, newspapers and radio stations kept pushing, was in the minds of almost the rest of the 99.99 % of the public was "it is a kids thing". Many still think that way.
Thus it should be presented as an adults thing, not a kids thing.

A great book. I think it may still be available at:Pony X Press, 5 Monticello Drive, Albuquerque, NM 87123 (505) 299-8749.  I have no idea what it cost then or now.

   I agree, this is an excellent book in all respects. I think, however, its out of print. Amazon.com is your friend.

    Brett

[Larry Fulwider]

. . .    The bad thing about the youth angle that AMA and many magazines, newspapers and radio stations kept pushing, was in the minds of almost the rest of the 99.99 % of the public was "it is a kids thing". Many still think that way.
Thus it should be presented as an adults thing, not a kids thing.   . . .

Absolutely! Any growth in our hobby needs to based on the honest truth -- this is an adult's hobby, and any involvement beyond token roundy-de-rounds requires a more adult mind and more adult interests.

Face it folks, Matt Colan is a prodigy -- as are a few others to some degree.

Our hobby is more akin to water-skiiing, golf, archery, and bowling -- any of which can be pursued at high skill levels and high technical equipment levels

       Larry Fulwider

[FLOYD CARTER]

I still build "radio sets". Never quite got over the thrill of listening to a radio that I designed and built by myself.

Floyd

[Rudy Taube]

Thanks for the "book review" Ty,

Brett's right, Amazon is our friend. First there were two left in the world for sale, now there is only one. 

[Jim Kraft]

You might want to check with AMA. They had them at the museum a few years ago.

[john e. holliday]

I still have my copy and look thru it once in awhile.  The junior problem has been with us from day one.  The main problem in my opinion is the adults.  There is not enough of us taking a youngster under the wing and helping.  Then it is the parents of the youngster you are helping.  But, back to the book, it would be nice if he came out with an updated copy.

[Dan McEntee]

   This is, in my opinion, the best book on the hobby ever written. This, along with Charles Mackey's book and Thornburg's other book, "The Old Buzzards Soaring Book" are three must haves in your library. I got Dave Thornburgs last copy of "Speak" several years ago and had him autograph it that way. As far as I know, it is still out of print and good copies sometimes bring big bucks. And as too "The Junior Problem", I've mentioned several times in the past that reading the old mags will tell you that it is nothing new. While it's great to have kids involved, you are never going to make someone like model airplanes. The best you can do is plant that little seed of interest and hope it blooms somewhere down the line when other factors come together. There are exceptions to the rule however. I spent last week at Oshkosh with the KidVenture again working the control line circles. One of the Co-Chairpersons for the C/L area is Melissa Olsen. Her whole family was attending Oshkosh 12 years ago and they came through the then new KidVenture venue on their way to the flight line. Now they are all KidVenture volunteers, son Eric was a member of the US C/L speed team in 2006 and the oldest daughter (whose name I'm sorry I can't remember right now) is one of our best training pilots at KidVenture.
   Model Aviation history, to me, is as interesting and fun as the hobby itself. I need to get my copy of "Speak" out and re-read it again also.
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

  PS;  Had a guy approach me at Oshkosh this year and ask me if I was related to Howard McEntee, of early R/C fame and former editor, author and columnist and I told him I sure hoped I was! It was very cool to check out books and magazines from the library when I was a kid that had my family name on them as authors. I wish I had the opportunity to meet him in person.

[wwwarbird]

 I checked Ebay, nothing. I'll have to track down a copy.

 Thanks Ty.

[Michael Brooks]

This is one of my favorite books! It's been a bit since the last time I read it. Probably need to again.

Mike