NSRCA History

NSRCA history document showing the NSRCA officers by year, Nats winners, F3A teams, etc. starting in 1973 when the NSRCA began.

Pattern History - 1950's - 1980's

The following overview of the first 30 years of Pattern History is written for 2 primary groups of pilots. The first of the major groups are the pattern pilots who missed the first 3 decades of the formative years of our pattern evolution. This group may not know the history, the pioneers, planes, products and, technical challenges modelers faced in the early days to just safely complete a flight, let alone perform precision aerobatic maneuvers. The senior pattern pilots are the second group who hopefully will enjoy a walk down memory lane remembering the products they may have flown or used, people and planes that they knew or recognized by their first name, read about in the model magazines or saw at contests. For example, if I mention the name Rhett, Bob Dunham or “Pappy Debolt”, most senior pattern pilots know exactly who I’m talking about.

Pattern History - 1950's - 1980's

The following overview of the first 30 years of Pattern History is written for 2 primary groups of pilots. The first of the major groups are the pattern pilots who missed the first 3 decades of the formative years of our pattern evolution. This group may not know the history, the pioneers, planes, products and, technical challenges modelers faced in the early days to just safely complete a flight, let alone perform precision aerobatic maneuvers. The senior pattern pilots are the second group who hopefully will enjoy a walk down memory lane remembering the products they may have flown or used, people and planes that they knew or recognized by their first name, read about in the model magazines or saw at contests. For example, if I mention the name Rhett, Bob Dunham or “Pappy Debolt”, most senior pattern pilots know exactly who I’m talking about.

Trimming by the Experts

The objective of this publication is to provide the NSRCA Historical Site Repository with a go to “Pattern Trim Bible” of previously published precision aerobatic trimming articles authored by world famous pattern personalities. This document places trimming information and trim charts in one master document eliminating the need for readers to search the net for the data. These reprints of previously published articles are a nuts and bolts class in precision aerobatic flight trimming
authored by World, National, TOC, Top Gun champions, pattern plane designers, and a manufacturer of quality modern day pattern planes. So take a look below to see what and who will be featured in the narratives.

Trimming by the Experts

The objective of this publication is to provide the NSRCA Historical Site Repository with a go to “Pattern Trim Bible” of previously published precision aerobatic trimming articles authored by world famous pattern personalities. This document places trimming information and trim charts in one master document eliminating the need for readers to search the net for the data. These reprints of previously published articles are a nuts and bolts class in precision aerobatic flight trimming authored by World, National, TOC, Top Gun champions, pattern plane designers, and a manufacturer of quality modern day pattern planes. So take a look below to see what and who will be featured in the narratives.

Debunking decades old myths about prop performance

The pattern community learned a lot from the prop testing groups during the 1980’s – 2005 time frame. The following article is an expanded master document detailing several group findings. I was a member of the groups and the data was morphed into a summary version that appeared in the Pattern History 1950’s-1980’s 203 page book available on the NSRCA Historical Site as a free download.

Debunking decades old myths about prop performance

The pattern community learned a lot from the prop testing groups during the 1980’s – 2005 time frame. The following article is an expanded master document detailing several group findings. I was a member of the groups and the data was morphed into a summary version that appeared in the Pattern History 1950’s-1980’s 203 page book available on the NSRCA Historical Site as a free download.

Blade Tracking - Vertical and Horizontal Prop Balancing Techniques and Balancing Spinners

The following chapters are a continuation of the previously published Prop Testing story of the 1950’s -1990’s. The story starts with the evolution of prop and spinner setup procedures that eventually resulted in reduced noise and vibration levels. As the story unfolds the reader will see dramatic advances between a 1950’s prop setup typically used in the Smog Hog days and the progression to more efficient, accurate and modern setups used in the 1990’s.

Blade Tracking - Vertical and Horizontal Prop Balancing Techniques and Balancing Spinners

The following chapters are a continuation of the previously published Prop Testing story of the 1950’s -1990’s. The story starts with the evolution of prop and spinner setup procedures that eventually resulted in reduced noise and vibration levels. As the story unfolds the reader will see dramatic advances between a 1950’s prop setup typically used in the Smog Hog days and the progression to more efficient, accurate and modern setups used in the 1990’s.

Back in the Day - Silk, Silkspan and Dope Finishes

Dope & Fabric is the grand daddy of all model finishing methods dating back to the days of vintage man carrying aircraft and gliders. This full scale system used cellulose based paints to shrink and seal the weave of cotton or linen fabrics used to cover fragile wooden structures of the era. Modelers adopted the use of full scale products to finish their free flight, glider and control line models that were covered in tissue, silkspan and silk coverings. The system worked so well that modelers refined the finishing method into an art form that evolved into a judged event at the Control Line Aerobatic US Nationals. The highly sought after “Concours d’Elegance’ award recognized individuals who exhibited exceptional craftsmanship, finish and aesthetic appeal of their aircraft.

Back in the Day - Silk, Silkspan and Dope Finishes

Dope & Fabric is the grand daddy of all model finishing methods dating back to the days of vintage man carrying aircraft and gliders. This full scale system used cellulose based paints to shrink and seal the weave of cotton or linen fabrics used to cover fragile wooden structures of the era. Modelers adopted the use of full scale products to finish their free flight, glider and control line models that were covered in tissue, silkspan and silk coverings. The system worked so well that modelers refined the finishing method into an art form that evolved into a judged event at the Control Line Aerobatic US Nationals. The highly sought after “Concours d’Elegance’ award recognized individuals who exhibited exceptional craftsmanship, finish and aesthetic appeal of their aircraft.