We’ve come a very long way!
When we fly our planes today, the reliability and functionality of our RC equipment is a given, and we often take our transmitters, receivers, and servos for granted. It’s truly amazing just how far RC radio systems have developed. From basic design theory and do-it-yourself radioequipment kits to today’s buy-it-and-fly-it radio systems, the electronic journey in our hobby and on the pages of MAN has been fascinating.
IN THE BEGINNING
One of the first articles about the concept of using radio waves to control model airplanes in flight appeared in the January 1938 issue of Model Airplane News. Author Clinton B. De Soto detailed Ross A. Hull’s efforts involving a modified (and often repaired) 13-foot-span glider called the “Hi-Hat.” The seeds were definitely planted in a field outside of Elmira, New York.
A “GOOD” APPROACH
Recognized as the first true radiocontrolled model airplane, “The Big Guff” was designed and flown by the Good brothers, Walt and Bill. It won the 1938, 1939, and 1940 model-airplane national championships. After World War II, the Big Guff was outfitted with updated radio equipment and won the 1947 national championships. In 1949, Walt again swept the championships, and in 1952, he set a record for the longest RC flight. “Tricks of the Trade” appeared in the September 1952 issue and was written by another RC modeling pioneer, Ed Lorenz. The Good brothers’ four-position escapement and hard-tube circuit receiver were highlighted in great detail.
DIY RADIOS
In the 1970s, proportional radio systems were the cutting edge, and there were several 27MHz radios on the market. For the diehard and budget-conscious modeler, less-expensive radio kits were available. These included the popular “buy it and build it” Heathkit systems and the Blue Max radio, which was presented as a three-part How To series by MAN and World Engines. A review of the 5-channel Heathkit GD-19 radio appeared in the January 1970 issue; the GD-19 featured an ultra-small receiver for the time; KPS-9–type servos; and as an added bonus, a 15W micro-mini soldering pen. Presented as a review with full instructions in the October, November, and December 1970 issues, the Blue Max System (BMS) “build-along” series was actually an updated version of the popular MAN-2-3-4 system (1968). With its vinyl-covered transmitter case, the BMS was extremely popular. Best of all, once you assembled the system, if it didn’t function properly, you could send it to World Engines, and for a nominal fee, its support department would replace any components damaged or improperly installed by the modeler.
RC IMPROVES
Overall, radios developed very quickly. We went from the 6-meter amateur band using 50 to 54MHz in the mid-1940s, on to the license-free 27MHz in the 1950s, to the 72MHz band in the mid-’60s, and to narrow-band 72MHz in the late ’80s. Add to this the story of the first 2.4GHz aircraft radio system, the Spektrum DX6 (reviewed in the March 2006 issue), and all the other various brands of programmable computer radios we use today, and you can see, we really have come a long way.