When did HECO become VECO?

[Steve Helmick]

Was looking at a newly resurfaced 2006 thread on Stuka Stunt today, started by John Thompson, about an old Carl Goldberg design (kitted by Top Flite) called the "Nifty". One of the last old posts to that thread came from Bruce Hunt, and included a scan of the 1949 TF kit ad (attached). I got looking at the picture, and wondered if maybe it matched up to a picture (see attached pic) of a plane my Dad flew at Holloman AFB in New Mexico.

The more I looked at the picture, the more I thought it was indeed a "Nifty". I'd wondered for years what it was. And, I remembered that I had a pair of old wheels in the shop that looked a lot like those in the picture. Got one out and could barely see that it said "Veco" on the rubber tire. Hence, the question of when these Veco wheels might have been purchased. I could imagine the engine, kit and wheels might have been available at the PX in those days. Some of the PX/BX's I'd been to prior to Dad's retirement ('61) were either well stocked or very willing to special order stuff for us.   Steve  

Edit: The second photo didn't stay attached on the first try. Must have had a snafu or fubar?

Edit #2: I had my wife look at both the attachments, and she says it's a match. Also the wheels. You know what that means! She's always right... <sigh>

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks, Ty. I guess '49 was the year. Any guesses on the engine? I think it's an O&R, probably a .29 sideport. Looks to me like a tank hanging down behind the cylinder.  Steve