Suggestion to the new guys or those returning after 20 years, give or take.

[Ty Marcucci]

Many of us have a hobby within a hobby and one of mine is collection back issues of model airplane mags. I have found that going through older magazines from the late 40's through the early 60's, much, and I do mean much, of what we ask on here, do on here and at the flying field and on our work benches has been done in the past, Much of it identical or in a slightly modified form. 

[Dan McEntee]

    I whole heartedly agree Ty! Tons of stuff in the old mags that is still very relevant, not to mention all the neat models of all kinds that you can build or dream of building. You can read about all the great NATS , team trials and world champs in the past and talk to some of those guys here on the list! I try to drive the point across to guys to read EVERYTHING that they can get their hands on, and that includes the computer forums. It's gotten so easy for guys to get lazy and just ask a question and not use their brains to look for the answer. There really isn't much new under the sun with few exceptions. You will always find a few other tid bits of information while you are looking for what info you want. A guy stopped by our field a couple of weeks ago and mentioned he had some stuff stashed from back in the day  and was thinking about getting back into it but didn't think his engines and kits would be useable. He was surprised when I told him unless they have been under water all this time, they most certainly could be used and would save him a ton of money by doing so. That old Fox .35, McCoy, or Torp green head engine and Ringmaster will serve a guy just as well now as it would in 1960, maybe even better with the things we know now and have learned since then. I hope the guy comes to a meeting so we can coach him along.
    If there is anyone out there interested in obtaining old magazines, contact me off list. I have one of the largest and most complete model magazine collections in the country, and I have a bunch of spares and another whole collection I would like to find a good home for.  Everyone complains about what a lousy rag Model Aviation is, but in the early years it was QUITE a good publication. Back issues are available on line but if you are not an AMA member you can't access them. Flying Models, M.A.N and Air Trails either. And with some organization, they don't take up as much room as one might think. You younger guys out there should take this into consideration and you would be helping to preserve model aviation history.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee
 

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

For me, asking the question is about learning from those that know.  Just reading about it is just too dusty and non-personal.  And besides, if there are no questions to ask or be answered, whats the use of these model forums?  Everyone should just turn their computers off and go read their magazines.  Doesn't sound like much fun to me.

[john e. holliday]

But at one time that is how we learned any thing other than by experience.   Dad always said experience is the best teacher but learning from others saves a lot of grief.

[FLOYD CARTER]

I was browsing through the 1944 Air Trails Annual magazine.  It has full size templates for the 1944 "Tethered Trainer" by Earl Cayton.  That prompted my search for the plans, which I found in a big box of plans at a VSC in Tucson.  I built the model, using an O&R 29 on spark ignition.  It was a fun exercise and the plane gets lots of attention at the flying field.

So, there is some good stuff in those old magazines!

Floyd

[Dane Martin]

It's probably a little different for me then. Big brother Joey gave me a box full of OLD speed times magazines. I read through them drooling over the old speed equipment. I'm especially jealous over how available it was!
Joey showed me Lenny Waltemath's back up A speed engine this weekend. Nostalgic items are inspiration for the younger generation.