One of the curious things about this hobby of ours is the way in which some individuals give up their time, effort and earnings to work for the enjoyment of others. This is an utterly thankless task. Most people are sure that they could do better - if only they had the time - and are more than willing to point out where you went wrong.
The usual result of this is that our well-meaning friend starts out by trying to please everyone and attempting to do what the majority say they want. When the results of his labours become evident, everyone has now changed his mind - or forgotten what he said - and more criticism is voiced.
It does not take too much of this before even the most altruistic individual becomes fed up and says 'to hell with it'. However, there are a rare few who dig their heels in and say 'alright then, I'll give them what's good for them and they can like it or lump it!'
One such character was the late Ben Buckle, who did more than anyone to make the British vintage movement what it is today. Ben not only researched many long forgotten designs but, much more important, he made them available for all. Many well-known British designs - abandoned by their original manufacturers as 'uneconomical' - have been reintroduced as Ben Buckle kits.
No doubt the more cynical readers will already be saying 'Ah yes, but he did it to make a living.' Well now, if you believe that, you can't be living in the real world. Ben made his living from a number of interests and I would be very surprised if the vintage plan and kit business managed to break even. Just think of all the work and effort involved in producing just one plan for what is, after all, a minority interest. Add to this the sheer number of designs involved and consider whether you could do it.
I am sorry that my last conversation with Ben was a heated one. I had told him that I intended to build a Keil Kraft 'Southerner' from his kit, but using the original plan. Ben was highly incensed and lectured me on the failings of the original kit and the efforts that he had made to ensure that his kit was correct. In retrospect, he was right. If I want to build a model from an original plan, then it is up to me to undertake the necessary work, or research, to produce former and rib shapes.
Yes, we all criticised Ben when he was here, but now that he is gone he will be very badly missed.
I have no doubt that if there is a life hereafter - and if we both go to the same place - I shall find him there selling vintage plans and kits when I arrive.
Save me a 'Southerner', Ben.
Not a very original title I'm afraid but its the best I could do to indicate that I am about to indulge two of this columns favourite pastimes at one go. By this I mean that I am about to leap to the defence of the SMAE and have a go at the vintage movement.
It seems that at the recent Walsall vintage meeting, the various Cups and Trophies awarded all carried the inscription 'Vintage R/C Nationals'. Well now, gentlemen, the only organisation which can authorise any kind of Nationals is the SMAE and it is plain that their authorisation was not requested.
The sad thing about all this is that a request made through the proper channels could quite easily result in the event being properly approved and thus becoming the event which it claims to be.
One is forced to the conclusion that some organisations are so eager to find fault with the SMAE that they will go out of their way to give themselves something to complain about. No doubt they were bemoaning the fact there is not an official Vintage R/C Nats and decided to hold one. Why can't they get it through their thick skulls that the only reason that there isn't such an event is that no-one has offered to hold one.
Once more, at the risk of undue repetition, this is a hobby and all organising bodies are voluntary, if you want something done - get off your backsides and do it. There is no 'them' who are dead set on furthering their own interests at your expense. There is a small group of dedicated individuals who are working to help what they believe in, and wish that you would do the same.
The Wings and Wheels spectacular at North Weald was a good example of the sort of thing I mean. Did anyone actually check whether the owners of the various overweight models flown there were in possession of an exemption for them? Even if they were, they certainly did not operate those 'models' in accordance with the conditions of that exemption.
If you or I tried to fly a pulse jet powered R/C model in this country, we would soon be in deep, deep trouble. However, anyone can come here from abroad and fly one in a criminally dangerous fashion and get away with it. A model was flown at the above meeting which was fitted with two pulse jets - and a 'glitching' radio! As the glitches were of down elevator, the pilot had a brilliant idea - fly it upside down!
No doubt the general public - what few there were - were delighted with a display of very low inverted flying with turns made towards the crowd, I wasn't. Still, the pilot was Italian which probably made it alright. Pity he is not English - he could join the Red Arrows where his skills would be appreciated.
How would you like to have a twenty pound helicopter started up behind you and then flown past your ear to put on a display of hovering - sort of - just in front of you? If it makes you cringe too, don't go to the Woburn Heli fly-in next year. The party concerned was the editor of his own magazine so presumably that makes it alright too.
The problem with going on about safety where there is no accident is that everyone thinks that you are being a spoilsport, or just going on about it because you are chicken or something. Well, we have been very lucky so far and the law of averages must be building up quite an advantage against us.
We could find that someone suddenly finds out just what dangerous toys we are playing with and decides to do something about it. If we want to complain about our 'boys with toys' image, perhaps we should stop behaving like boys with toys.