As the new Editor for AeroModeller magazine, it is my aspiration to bring AeroModeller to the level of grandeur it once held in the aeromodelling industry. Overall content needs to be of utmost quality and high informative value within its educational focus. The old sages of years gone by know all to well, through years of experience, the importance of building a strong foundation of knowledge. They have taught us well in the past and it is now our responsibility to pass their wisdom on to new generations. Therefore, I am presenting my vision in this CALL TO ACTION in order to attract the following specifics with regard to contributor’s submissions:
1) A greater focus on Plan Features, with several being published in every issue. New and
unpublished construction articles including plans for the following disciplines: Free
Flight and Control Line model aircraft, of any power configuration and size
category or flight class weather ancient or modern.
2) Technical “How-To’s” that cater to Builders and Designers on all levels. I need the basics as well
as advanced methods, tips and tricks. All of you are a clever lot and you love to share your
discoveries and creativity. Keep in mind, my aim is to attract new enthusiasts to
this great hobby and they will be as hungry as we were and are for cool stuff. These subjects
cover a lot of ground and almost anything goes. These technical categories include: Design,
Building, Covering and Finishing, Tips and Tricks, Sanding, Tools, Jigs and Fixtures, Engine
(tuning, repair, and retrofitting), Electric propulsion (batteries, etc), Rigging incidence and
alignment, D/Ts, Folding props, Adhesives (when, how and where to apply), etc.
3) More broadly, any of the following subjects pertaining to: Aviation science. Strength to weight
considerations for lightweight building. Weight and balance. Flight trimming, and the
importance of warps. What it is that makes a good flying aeromodel. Material selection (Balsa
wood, foam, composites and raw materials that are used within the scope of traditional
building.) Design theory and practices. Flying sites (where and why). Etc.
As a final note for perspective, AeroModeller cannot be everything to every modeler. Our MAIN focus is on building and flying F/F and C/L aeromodels. Primarily, we will be focusing on the “typical” aeromodeller, which will usually mean the aeromodeller who builds and flies at their own pleasure level, with advice and lessons learned from the experts. Art, Science and Education are cleverly disguised but, above all else, FUN is the name of the game.
If any existing or potential contributors have any questions or need further guidance, please contact me at : editor@aero-modeller.com
Thank you and regards,
Steve Higginson
Editor, AeroModeller Magazine
Looking forward to buying a copy of the new Aeromodeller.
Having made loads of Keil Kraft models in the ’70’s, I have recently returned to my roots and purchased some old kits from ebay.
About to dust off the old skills and glue some balsa again…
Cheers Johny
Due to advancing age and lack of really big flying fields I am sure that most guys will choose to make the free-flight models R/C guided with just rudder control installed. R/C was originally invented so you didn’t have to chase the model (not so far anyway !). Free flight plans are easily adapted.
I am so pleased that Aeromodeller has started again. I am so tired of ARTF’s which are seen in great abundance in other magazines.Thoes mags i will not take again, as I am looking forward to building articles from other like minded modellers and the free thinking that is not restrained by the confines of kits. Long live Aeromodeller.
I love the idea of a mag that gets away from artf models.
Shame i only build and fly rc models from plans and own designs.
Our magazines Flying Scale Models and Model Flyer may be for you…
i have looked at them, but too many artf and foam things as usual.
sorry.
i love to build and design.
Just picked up the first issue at WHS in Haverfordwest.
Looking very forward to reading it tonight. The reprint of the first issue from 1935 is a great idea.
Cheers Johny
Pleased with my first issue of the continuing Aeromodeller, and as a returning builder after my father got me to build a Stentorian followed by an ARTF Piper Cub, I find that I have little love for these models. In truth without the skills I have from proper building (and DIY) I would never have finished the flipping thing. There is a huge need for Aeromodeller and the skills Steve H. will promote and that are up to us ‘oldies’ to pass on to the younger generation.
But hey, things are looking up – my local ‘Boyes’ store in Lincoln is now stocking – on the shelf, Guillows rubber power Flying Scale balsa and tissue kits. Now that was a very welcome suprise.
I note your desire to save the art and perhaps try to restore, the basics..You may be interested in few facts about C.G.Burge,Vice President of the Skybirds League, when in 1933 he got involved ..He was a W.W.1.pilot,and became a founder of the AIR Training co,or ATC — ,I was model flying in the fields,with my friend ,Tony Ells,one day in 1948-9 at the end of Green Lane in Edgware.Mr Burge came out to watch because he heard us from his garden.
He thought he had failed,a bit in trying to start SKYBIRDS,,,but treated us to tea,and cake,and a few weeks later we got the chance to flyi from his his own airfield near Broxborne in Herts,——–It was a great experience to fly over London at low level. Burge was an amazing pilot and could fly any thing judging from the tales he told us boys.
I was interested to read the account of the 2012 Junior FF World Champs which goes to show that internationally at least, Free Flight is not necessarily the sole preserve of the oldies. We get lots of published accounts of FF events, featuring many names of old but I have never been aware of much being written on how to get started in FF competition flying in the UK. I think articles on this, explaining the myriad classes, where to go and where to begin would do no harm. Clearly the juniors in Slovenia had a great time and I am sure British juniors could too, were there any.
I have been building model aircraft since 1955. All types from control line, FF, RC single channel, reed, and old type and modern proportional. As a pensioner I have watched the BMFA run the hobby into the ground. Model building / flying was a good hobby, until some people see modelers as cash cows and have priced it out of reach of most people wanting to build and fly there first model. I have seen a lot of people with ready build pieces of junk which they have no chance of learning to fly. So they smash it and that is the end of there interest. Only to go back to there game boy. I am waiting for someone to start up a fun / sport flyers group. Since I have dozens of models which I have built and flown over the years. But now find there is no ware to fly then most of the time.