For those of you not in the know, there exists in the US of A a body called The Society of Antique Modelers (sic). Actually, it's the models which are supposed to be antique, not the modellers.
This organisation is split into various Chapters (this is an American term and not to be confused with books) and there is an English Chapter which is number 35, henceforth known as SAM 35. This publishes an excellent monthly newsletter called 'Sam Speaks'.
During the last year or so SAM 35 has been undergoing something of a crisis, for reasons which need not concern us here. One result of this was the temporary demise of the newsletter. In fact, opinions are sharply divided as to whether this was a result, or the cause (are you listening SMAE?).
Fortunately, all is now well and the newsletter is now being edited by the man who created it - and SAM 35 - in the first place, David Baker.
David has a vast store of old magazines, plans, etc. and the newsletter reflects this. However, he does have one infuriating habit. This is in presenting reduced size copies of drawings which appeared in a reduced size in the first place. These are invariably accompanied by a statement of the scale - which is now wrong!
Never mind, David, you are doing a grand job and, as Hughey Green would say, "I really do mean that most sincerely."
Another Model Engineer Exhibition has come and gone and one is tempted to wonder just how well the show would have done without the SAM 35 stand. Don't get me wrong, I like - and make - all kinds of model and would visit the show if there were no aircraft there at all.
Yes, I am getting older and increasingly bitter and twisted, but each year seems to have fewer stands and models. I can remember one exhibition at the New Horticultural Halls in the early fifties with row upon row of model aircraft lined up on tables.
Its only a few years since the entire Avon Suit was filled with aircraft models, but now they occupy a couple of stands in the main hall. Take away the SAM stand and what have you?
I made a remark to such an effect to one of the few traders who was present and actually selling model aircraft equipment. A passing gentleman, to whom I was not talking, promptly leapt down my throat (very painful that) and made the rather curious remark that there were more models present this year than ever before.
Well Sir, you may be right and who am I to argue from my mere 43 years of aeromodelling experience. Whichever, thanks again SAM 35.
People who live in glass houses, shouldn't.
I have commented before on my amazement at the very few letters that this column generates. Ah, but whats this, three letters this month (hurriedly braces himself against approaching feather).
One, addressed to the editor, commented on how much the writer enjoyed my 'totally biased viewpoint'. What can he have meant? (Careful Graunchet - your cover is in danger of being blown!)
Another letter took me to task for my 'disgraceful' suggestion that a wing could be built without a dihedral brace. Well, I and many others do just that and I, for one, have well-flown models up to twenty three (23) years old in my possession. Ecologically minded readers need have no fears about my wing centre sections.
The third letter, from M.Jones of Ross-on-Wye, deserves more comment and in a more serious vein. Commenting on my remarks about the SMAE in the February issue he stated that he had recently joined the SMAE and had the feeling that he had joined something 'that had just closed down'. He was of the opinion that the Society existed for a minority of professional or semi-professional modellers while other people are largely frozen out.
I have gone into print in the past with the view that the Societies subs should be whatever is necessary to make it economically viable - and to hell with the drop in members. This view is shared by Mr. Jones, who then goes on to say that he feels that the SMAE should state that it only caters for the chosen few and that he objects to the funds generated by the average member going to subsidise a minority.
Ah now, Mr. Jones, you did not see my point after all
There is no subsidised chosen minority, because there is not enough money in the kitty to pay the bills anyway. As one of those 'semi-professional' modellers, I have been reasonably happy to help to subsidise the Society from my own pocket, but I am becoming highly resentful of being taken advantage of; thus allowing some ill-informed people to reduce the Society subs to a totally uneconomic level.
The most obvious result of this is that it has no means of communicating with its members. A less obvious result is that our World Championship Teams are not composed of our best flyers but of those who can afford to pay their own way.
I am currently the secretary of one of the Societies Technical Committees (that should start some research going) and was totally unaware of the identity of the SMAE Chairman until one month ago, when he wrote to me. If the Society is to survive, it MUST have a newsletter - at whatever cost.
Over the years the model world has dreamed up some wonderful words to describe modelling objects and situations. I can remember when balsa cement - then the only glue available - was referred to by all and sundry as 'splurge'. Rubber motors used to be 'knotted liquorice'.
This is a subject which I may return to from time to time, but for now lets consider that highly descriptive American word 'dork'. It means exactly the same as that now forgotten English word 'prang'. In other words a crash.
Funnily enough I was reminded of this word while watching a recent Jasper Carrot television program, but the connection will take a little explaining.
Picture, if you will, a two seater German biplane during the first World War. Lets assume that the riggers had made a poor job of rigging the aircraft and that it crashes as a result of some of its flying wires becoming loose.
Clearly a case of 'poor-sprung dork technik'.
Thanks Jasper.
If you are ever given cause to doubt the validity of your latest project, or perhaps wondering as to the viability of some new full-size aircraft project, just ask yourself the following simple question:-
Will it ever replace the horse-drawn Zeppelin?