OK, I'm stumped! eBay auction...

[Douglas Ames]

Are these things timers for free flight models with ignition engines? ..using a rubber band "winds" for the duration, then cutting off the ignition? ...or? Some of them just look like winders with an overdrive.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-air-plane-starters-/330671009525?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cfd872ef5

[Andrew Borgogna]

OK here is what you have.  Three Babcock compound escapements and one Bonner compound escapement.  They are rubber powered control mechanisms for single channel rudder only radio control from the 1960s.  The two devices with tubes are single channel receivers, that were called "Super-Regenitive" back in the day as opposed to "Super-hetrodyne" receivers used today.  The best way to put it is they all belong in museums today.
Andy

[Steve Helmick]

Early single or two channel radio control chit. The rubber powered things are called escapements. They were triggered (usually) by one click for right and two clicks for left, tho some were just sequential. I flew single channel (rudder only) while I was in HS, but also flew CL and FF. Finally found contests and quit the RC cold, with no regrets.
  Steve

[GGeezer]

These are early single channel radio control components. The assembly on the left is a transmitter without a case, the unit on the top is a receiver. These are 1950s vacuum tube type carrier wave systems on the 27 Mhz citizens band. The other four mechanical units are twisted rubber band powered escapements, a primitive servo that was used to move the rudder from left to right in a sequence. This is what we flew in the good ol' days, some days you had control, others, your plane was a free flight model.

Orv.

[john e. holliday]

And that is why I stayed with Control Line.   Sometimes you have the control and sometimes the plane is on its own.

[Douglas Ames]

Thanks for the replies.

Their not mine but they are currently on fleaBay. ....more lost technology. Tube amps are still king in the music and home audio business.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Some people collect the old single-channel vacuum tube R/C stuff.  Might be worth something to a collector.
I still have the prototype 10-channel reed bank receiver that I designed for Bob Dunham (Orbit R/C).  A couple of museums have requested it, but not for cash!

My home hi fi still uses 6L6 tubes in a modified Williamson circuit.  I like it better than my expensive Marantz amplifier.

Floyd

[jim ivey]

yep old escapements powered by rubber bands. as I recall they were multi channel doug spring would know he usta fly this old stuff. cathode ray-tube or transistor radios   jim

[John Stiles]

And that is why I stayed with Control Line.   Sometimes you have the control and sometimes the plane is on its own.

I used to love flying R/C back way before 72mhz radios.....what was really bad, was these 18whlrs and their 1000watt radios.....I got tired of being shot down by CB so I went back to CL!  

[roger gebhart]

There were compound escapements as well to add elevator. I may still have one somewhere. Anybody build a mule transmitter from a kit. certainly kept the thumb busy. rog

[Phil Coopy]

Boy, you guys are showin' yer age.

Phil

[Glen Wearden]

In 1970 or 71, I got real "modren" and built a 4 channel Heathkit rig, transmitter, receiver, and servos.  It was a great learning tool, and it was proportional, so I don't have any escapement background.  It worked very well, but the pilot didn't.  I guess that great company, Heathkit, has gone by the wayside.
Glen Wearden

[GGeezer]

Well, the auction has ended and someone got a bargain at $2.99! Those three Babcock escapements alone can generally fetch between $20 to $40 bucks each. The listing was poorly done due to the ignorance of the seller. There was only one bidder. I was going to bid but I have a good stock of escapements now and not that much time left to use them.

Orv.

[don Burke]

There were compound escapements as well to add elevator. I may still have one somewhere. Anybody build a mule transmitter from a kit. certainly kept the thumb busy. rog

My bro and I had a 5 watt one, "MAC5".  In a big box on a metal ground plane with 9-1/2' whip antenna.  Push button switch on a long cord.  Flew a lot of escapement planes with that one.  Most of the R?C where we flew was basically, "I don't have it! Get in the car and see where it comes down."  One Royal Rudderbug we lost was found 4 months later by a deer hunter and returned to us thanks to the AMA owner's sticker.  Not much left of the structure but the engine, Fox 19, and radio, Aristocraft, were refurbed and used again.