|
For what was probably one
of the first major model aircraft contests following the end of World War II,
the New York Daily
Mirror's "Model Flying and Air Fair" drew a thousand contestants and a quarter
of a million spectators to it
Grumman Airport*, Long Island, venue. That gives you a good idea of how popular
not just full-scale, but model airplanes were in the era. People were still fascinated
with the concept of human flight, and the vast majority of people worldwide had
never flown on an airplane of any sort. Note in the aerial view photo of the airport
the huge number of cars - it's so obvious that it's easy to miss. Note Lew Andrews, who later went on to manufacture
model airplanes under the name of AAMCo, was the
Plymouth International Stunt Champion. One thing that occurred
to me when examining the model photos is how the basic form of the control line
speed model has not changed much over the decades.
* Here is the
Archive.org page capture in case the original is lost.
World's Largest Model Meet
 New York Mirror's Model Flying and Air Fair
draws 250,000 spectators, 1,000 contestants to Grumman Airport, L. I.
Portion of Grumman airport showing 12 U-control circles, cleared
free-flight area (bottom) and small portion of thousands of autos.
Plymouth International stunt champ Lew Andrews of Boston, Mass.,
flew his new design. Wing has 660 sq. in. area, weighs 2 lb., 7 oz.
O & R 60 powered Taylorcraft was radio-control entry by Joe
Picarole, Morristown, N. J. Fran McElwee won event with his Radart model.
Aubrey, Pearson, Schenectady, N. Y., (center) receives Air Trails
trophy from Seldin Converse, Grumman chief pilot, for 1st in D f.f.
McCoy 29 powered asymmetrical speed job entered by J. Warren
Kohler. Speed events were timed by electronic-operated pylons.
Harold Reinhardt, 16, Elizabeth, N. J., trimmed all the boys
in stunt, received raft of prizes including Grumman aluminum canoe.
Posted March 5, 2022
|
