Ground Breakers

Arrival of Radio Control

Appearing the in the January 1938 issue, this is one of the first articles that detailed the growing concept of radio control and how to equip a model plane with the new technology.

Arclen Glow Plug

This ad for the Arden Glow Plug appeared in the November 1947 issue of Model Airplane News. Designed by Ray Arden to replace the spark plug and spark-ignition accessories, the glow plug represented a revolution in engine design that is still found in the powerplants we use today.

FCG-Approvcd Citizen-Ship Radio

Vernon C. McNabb's ad for its one-of-a-kind Citizen-Ship radio first appeared in the pages of Model Airplane News in November 1950. The first FCC-approved radio system, the Citizen-Ship operated on 465 megacycles and did not require an operator's license. This marked the beginning of the race to radio control.

K&B .020 Glow Engine

This tiny powerplant ignited the ½A revolution that allowed modelers to build smaller, less expensive gas models. The Baby Spitfire .045 and the OK Cub .049 quickly followed the Infant into production. First word of this breakthrough came via this ad in the January 1949 issue of Model Airplane News.

Soaee Control Proportional RC

This ad, which appeared in the December 1961 issue, marked one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of radio control. The Space Control was the first commercially available, fully proportional RC system. Many fliers cut their RC teeth on the Space Control radio system. It opened the proverbial floodgates, and many manufacturers soon followed.

* The Age of Proportional Control

Written by E. L. Rockwood, this article introduced the modeling world to the Reed selector radio, which is considered the precursor to the modern concept of proportional control. It appeared in our August 1949 issue.

E-Power Motors

Ushering in the age of electric-powered flight, this ad from AstroFlight appeared in the November 1972 issue of Model Airplane News. The concept was fittingly dubbed "the quiet revolution," and 30 years later, the revolution continues.

MonoKote

This ad, which first appeared in our April 1966 issue, marked a watershed of sorts in the modeling community. The introduction of MonoKote meant that paint was no longer a modeler's sole finishing option. Originally available in six colors, this heat-shrinkable Mylar plastic quickly exploded in popularity. Today, one would be hard-pressed to find a modeler who hasn't used MonoKote.

Retractable Gears Have Arrived

Recognize this one? When this article first appeared in the November 1962 issue, the concept of retractable landing gear was certainly not new. But Hal deBolt's idea to adapt it for use on an RC aircraft by incorporating a servo certainly was. In fact, the gear introduced here was the first of its kind!

Introducing ... Ni-Cd Batteries

This installment of Ed Lorenz's long-running and popular column, "Radio Control News," appeared in the December 1959 issue of Model Airplane News. In it, Ed introduced us to a brand-new battery technology from Burgess-Ni-Cd. And, of course, for the next four decades, these cells would remain integral to our hobby.

CA Glue Makes its Mark

It probably isn't considered to be cutting-edge technology, but the introduction of cyanoacrylate adhesive in this "New Items" column from the September 1973 issue most certainly marked a revolution in the modeling industry. It quickly became the preferred method for joining airplane parts and allowed pilots the opportunity to make the quick field repairs that are commonplace today.

Virtual Flying

How's this for proof of rapidly advancing technology? This screen dump was taken from a review of Dave Brown's R/C Flight Simulator that appeared in the February 1986 issue of Model Airplane News. Although it may seem a bit primitive when compared with today's standards, just 18 years ago, Dave's simulator was the very first, of its kind, and it taught a generation of new modelers how to fly. And today's budding pilots are still learning on a Dave Brown simulator-his newest is RCFS 2001.

Brushless Revolution

It's hard to believe, but it has been 10 years since brushless motor technology was first brought to our attention. This March 1993 installment of "Air Scoop" introduced us to the Aveox brushless motor, which promised to provide both improved efficiency and performance. Combined with modern lithium-polymer (Li-poly) batteries, the performance capability of brushless technology is rapidly approaching that of many internalcombustion engines.

Jo Kotula

A talented artist and aviation enthusiast, Jo Kotula created some of the most memorable covers ever to grace the pages of Model Airplane News. Jo's dramatic imagery brought aviation to colorful life for millions of readers over the course of decades, starting in the 1940s. Jo's extraordinary talent played a preeminent role in the history of Model Airplane News and in the hearts of all its readers.

Copyright Air Age Publishing Jan 2004
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