The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-19
Jet-Propened
Plane Take
Part In Event.
Contest To Be Held AT
18th And Ann Streets
Field
BY ROY COOK
Star Sports Editor

49, SoNN
expected to take part in the mode
airplne show slated to be held
here Sunday at the 18th and Ann
streets field, it was announced
yesterday by Dwight McEwen'
Jr., senior advisor of the Whining
ton Model Aero club. sponsors OF
tie event.
The Wilmington Model Aero
club is sponsored by the local
Exchange club and at the present
time has approximately 80 mem,
bers. McEwen said last night he
has received entries from New
Fern, Camp Lejeune. Raleigh and
Warsaw.
The events are expected to get
underway a. 1920 o'clock Sunday
morning and continue throughout
the day. The contest will be d.
vided into four classes and all
model planes will be of the U
control type.
McEwen said he would give a
demonstration Of mis- jet-propelled
model, which he has recently
completed. The plane has been
flown a couple of times and Nc
Even said the model will do
something over 100 miles per
hour" He has scheduled this
flight for 4 o'clock.
Before and after his previous
flights, McEwen has been asked
hundreds Of questions about his
plane. He explained that in order
tc start the operation Of the jet
propelled plane. an air-floW is re-
CURED. An ordinary tire pump is
attached TO the motor. The first
explosion is created by a spark
plug screwed into the combustion
chamber. To get a hot, blue spark
at the plug gap il is necessary to
have two dry cell batteries and a
model TT Ford coil is used.
Once the engine is resonating
ali the starting gear is accessory
equipment. Jet powered model fly
without the coil. breaker points 4,
batteries and condenser necessary
for reciprocating engines.
McEWen said the jet propelled
engine generated heat estimated
to be over 1900 degrees and stated
tn a a special asbestos covering
was necessary to prevent the
model catching on fire.
He has worked on his model for
several weeks and yesterday said
She is ready to fly"
The days activities will include
stunt and speed events. Several
fellows here in Wilmington are
good pilots of U controlled model
planes and we expect to present
a good show" McEWen said.
The contest will be held under
strict Academy of Model Aeronau-
tics rules. Valuable prizes will; be
awarded the winners in the four
classes. The contest will be under
the supervision of Dwight Nc
Even, Jr., and Sam Huston, who
is assistant advisor and contest
director.
It was also learned that c. E.
Harmon of the New Bern Model
Club will participate in the con-
test. He will bring several New
Bern model builders with him.
Lieut.. Hubbard USING stationed
at Camp Lejeune, has been flying
Mode! planes for a number Of
years. It is understood that he will
bring several Marines their
models here for the events.
The contest committee has re-
quested that spectators keep with
in a safe distance Of the actual
flying field. Some Of the models
fly at speeds estimated to be
nearly 10 miles per hour and are
controlled by wire guides.
Members OF the Exchange club
volunteered to serve as judges OF
the events at the regular meeting
of the club yesterday.
The prize list has been announc-
ed as follows;
Class I
First Place: Tiger Shark
Second Place: Coil and Conden.
ser
Third Place: Extension Shaft
Class II
First Place: Cyclone Kit
Second Place: Coil and Conden
ser
Third Place: Adjustable Moto,
Mounts
Class III
First Place: PDQ Kit
Second Place: Coil and Conden.
Ser
Third Place: 3 inch Wheels
Class III (Junior)
First PIacs Atomic Kit
Second Place: Battery and Con
denser
Third Place: Adjustable Mo
TOR Mounts
Class Nv
First Place: T%hunderbolt XII.
Second Place: Coil and Conden
Third Place: X-Acto Knife
Stunning Events
First Place: Sportster Kit
Second Place: Coil and Conden
e
Third Place: X-Acto Knife
William Peck of the Enterpris,
Sporting Goods shop has donated
onehalf of the prizes and the vii
mihgton Exchange club donate,
the other half. The total value
the prizes is estimated to be owe
$780,, McEwen said last night.