Rich’s Words

These days nearly anything with wings can “push my modeler button,” and that’s part of the problem! It is also the primary reason why I’ve got such a poor “PCR” (project-completion rate). It doesn’t take much more than a picture of a full-scale aircraft to get me to the computer to start drawing. Sometimes, drawing is as far as I get; other times a completed, flying model is the result. I’ve got a folder labeled “New Projects” on my PC, and the number of designs in that folder keeps growing. I’ve also got a significant number of framed-up prototypes from those drawings, only awaiting propulsion and radio systems’ installation prior to finishing. Someday... There’s not really much I look for in design and style anymore; the subject just has to appeal to me at some level. With all the technological advances that have been made in electronics and power systems, almost anything can be made to fly fairly well. Back in the day, you really needed to know something about aerodynamics and trimming a model for sustained, stabilized flight. The availability of gyros, autopilot systems, real-time data recording, and other off-the-shelf goodies has made projects we only used to dream of realities. I think we’ve nearly reached the point where the model airframe is becoming just a container for highly evolved (and stillevolving) technical subsystems. That’s progress, I guess, but there are still plenty of guys out there who still enjoy building their models, and thanks to guys like Nick Ziroli, Jerry Bates, Mark Rittinger, Pat Tritle, and some other talented folks, their needs and dreams can be achieved. (Editor’s note: For more of Rich’s designs, go to ModelAirplaneNews.com/richu.) Rich shows off one of his recent turbinepowered designs: the Sub-Sonex.