Trip down memory lane

One of my newer flying friends who recently moved here from PA, was a friend of Walt Musciano. His is the Stunt Rocket in flight featured on Blackhawk Models website. Yesterday I came in from the mail box with a big manila envelope. When I opened it, I saw he had sent me 5 sets of plans for Musciano models. The first of which I want to build is a Bullet. Also in the stack are Atomic, Golden Hawk, Cyclone, and the Stunt Master.

Looks like my winter building projects are getting a kick start.
Rusty

Hey Rusty,

Do they do any of the "Musciano Design Fun-Flys" near you?

(Sorry for the semi-hijack!)

That's nice Kim, from the man himself. He was a busy fella.

For those that didn't know about him, there's this:

https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/MuscianoWalter.pdf

Kinda like a drink from a firehose rather than a cup, but interesting. He's holding a couple of Cyclones in a photo.

I used to correspond (snail mail) with Bill Dahlgren Jr. of WAD2 Model Design. He was one of the first to import Russian model engines. Sokols, Radugas, Poljots etc.. I bought a few from him but have lost touch in recent years.

rsv1cox wrote:That's nice Kim, from the man himself.  He was a busy fella.

For those that didn't know about him, there's this:

https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/MuscianoWalter.pdf

Kinda like a drink from a firehose rather than a cup, but interesting.  He's holding a couple of Cyclones in a photo.  

I used to correspond (snail mail) with Bill Dahlgren Jr. of WAD2 Model Design.  He was one of the first to import Russian model engines.  Sokols, Radugas, Poljots etc..  I bought a few from him but have lost touch in recent years.  

Boy, tough start for the ol' boy. Good thing he found models. Seems like there aren't enough models, fishing ponds, or other hobbies for kids today. No wonder so many end up screwed up or doped up.

Kim wrote:Hey Rusty,

Do they do any of the "Musciano Design Fun-Flys" near you?

(Sorry for the semi-hijack!)

Nah, Columbia is a Control Line wasteland except for Wayne and me. And now Bob Z whenever he makes the 60 mile trip. But in November when 1/2A day in Huntersville comes around, I'll poll the attendants about doing one.
Rusty

I have to admit, Big Otto is one cool plane. Kim, did you ever get yours repaired? Scientific kits were pretty neat. I have two hollow logs one being a Piper and one a Cessna 172. My club member Dan has a Golden Hawk that was over the top cool. He lightened the plane every way possible. The Musciano events were popular I believe in Virginia. He had a Fox .049 which really hauled the mail. Unfortunately, he was disqualified due to using a burnt out Fox plug tapped for a standard long plug. The competition felt this was not stock and breaking the rules. However this wasn't the intent due to the unavailability of Fox plugs. Many times the standard plug is not a benefit due to threads consuming volume due to leakage and also the internal chamber of the plug which can also rob performance due to lowering compression. All in all, it was a great little plane. A few years back he put a pretty hot TD on it and during flying the light wings folded. That was a bit upsetting. Ken

Big Otto is still awaiting my attention...after planting it, AND Bernie's "#13, firmly in the front yard, I discover that it had a pretty bad case of Castor Rot, and would need a new nose, so it's waiting for that.

The really great thing about Mr. Musciano's kits (for me) was that it gave a kid a chance to actually finish a kit with the funds a typical kid had back then. I remember feeling very "Official" as I worked toward finishing them...and then...having them actually fly, well, THAT was a big deal!

Too bad that there wasn't an Unlimited Category that Dan could where Dan could campaign the Golden Hawk. In a way, modifying and making due with what a guy had WAS pretty in line with the whole experience of these things back in the day. Shows what I know...I wasn't aware that it was that much of a competition, thinking it just about getting Scientific Planes together for the nostalgia.

Probably common knowledge here, but I just found that Black Hawk Models are selling the original Musciano design Cyclones so I ordered one.  Can't say that I like the color combination on the display example though.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cyclone-Model-Airplane-Control-Line-Balsa-Kit-Black-Hawk-Models-AC1400-/301324488502?pt=US_Radio_Control_Control_Line&hash=item462856cf36

Also bought one of the Golden Hawk models.  Love the design and built up wing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Golden-Hawk-Model-Airplane-U-C-Balsa-Kit-designer-Walt-Musciano-FS100-/301315391656?pt=US_Radio_Control_Control_Line&hash=item4627cc00a8

Edit add: Oh oh, what I thought was a built wing, isn't. That's ok, It will be loved anyway.........

Kim wrote:..........

The really great thing about Mr. Musciano's kits (for me) was that it gave a kid a chance to actually finish a kit with the funds a typical kid had back then.  I remember feeling very "Official" as I worked toward finishing them...and then...having them actually fly, well, THAT was a big deal!

I learned to fly C/L on the Musciano designed AT-6 Texan. It ended up with no canopy, no cowl, bits and pieces broken and repaired. It was solid blue --- well, all my planes of the time were solid blue since I only had one can of dope and had to use it up before I could get another.