Evening star., 1941-02-02
Hobbies and
Lobbyists
Bv Edmond Henderer.

The number of model plane build
ers in this country Is probably Sec
ond only to the number of stamp
collectors, and, along with the cur
rent interest in flying, this phase Of
model building Is growing by leaps
and bounds. There is attraction IN
this hobby for the person who likes
to tinker with gasoline motors, as
well as for the one who doesn't
care to dip his hands in oil and gaso-
line, and the prices come nearer to
being in the reach of every one than
those in any other popular line.
Plane models fall into three dis
tinct classes. The first, exhibition
or scale models, includes those in
tended to copy as nearly as possible
the prototype. They are usually
built up from solid blocks Of wood,
and kits may be obtained from 10
cents to 81. Thoroughly satisfactory
ones may be built from the cheapest
of these, with a little ingenuity on
the part of the modeler. These Kits
contain all the parts needed.
The second group of planes Is
made up of those intended to ny
by rubber band power. Kits Tor
this class also cost from 10 cents
to 50, and a model which Will ny
satisfactorily will come to about 70
cents. Here again the kits contain
all things necessary to complete the
plane.
The third class is made up OF the
gasoline rnotor-driven models. Kits
for these are sold without motors
and run from 81 to $40 in price. one
which will give satisfactory per-
formance will cost from $3.50 up.
Most motors are sold assembled,
ready to run, but there is noe XIII
on the market at S3.95. The assem-
bled motors cost from $685. to $35
The s35 one is twin cylinder JOB,
mostly used for radio-controlled
models. and would require plane
with about 9-foot wing spread
The single cylinder motors run up
TO about S2150, with those around
$3.50 being the most popular.
In addition to the plane and mo-
tor as outlined, the prospective MOD
el aviator must purchase batteries,
oil, gasoline, a propeller and a lew
incidentals, all of which will total
about a dollar. A flight timer at 81
also is most important. 1t cuts on
the ignition after a predetermined
1anse of time, and helps prevent the
loss of planes through having them
f1y too far away.
Although scale flying models are
sometimes built, it is usually con-
sidered more satisfactory to pulo
one not copied from an actual plane
az there are some slight differences
in design.
A mower driven model is intended
tn gain all the altitude possible while
the motor runs and then soar as
long as the wind currents will permit
in order to obtain a fllght OF Ine
longest duration. In other WORDS
length of flight and not speed Is the
paramount consideration.
Next week-Boat models.
First Annual Hobby Show.
The projected exhibit at the
wardman Park Hotel in March Is
i,tended to be the first of series
of annual shows, if all goes We'll
Among the high lights OF the re-
g;onaI Nation Model Railroad ASso-
ciation meeting to be held In con-
iunction with the show will be a
Tailfan trip on the morning OF Sat
urdav. March 8. A special tram
will start from Union Ssatlon at y
I'M. for a tour of nearby rail 1acln-
ties. stops will be made at all points
NJ interest on the route, which Will
cover the coach and Pullman yards
the wv City engine terminal and
roundhouse, the freight yards, Poto-
mac Yard and everything between
This train will return to Union Sta
tion about 1890, in time for the
next event on the program.
This Weeks Meetings.
Monday-Capitol Model Aero
neers. Public Library, Seventh and
D streets Sc, 7:30 pm.
Observation-Disclosures Power Boat
Club. for details call Secretary John
Pendleton, Columbia 8523-W.
Wednesday-Anacostia Miniature
Racing Association (model race
cars, home of Marty Kopit, 1o15 K
street Sc, s pm.
Friday-Metropolitan Society oi
Model Engineers, at the clubroom
Union Station, 8 pm.