In the Air

In the Air

Membership news and updates
from AMA Headquarters

James Brown

This is a story about a 91-year-old active AMA member, James Brown, of Falkville, Alabama. James still drives, flies, and scratch-builds model airplanes, and has been associated with the Decatur Model Airplane Club (DMAC) for more than 70 years. Organized in 1937, DMAC is the second-oldest AMA chartered club in America.

James is the kind of AMA member we wish we all had in our clubs. He is knowledgeable, kind, and willing to help anyone who asks. He is still a bundle of energy at age 91, and that in itself is amazing. He is well-known for his scratch-building skills, is an excellent builder, and remains a good pilot.

James was honored at a surprise luncheon on June 6, 2015, with members of his family, 37 DMAC members, and District V Associate Vice President Rick Grim in attendance. He was honored with a plaque, presented by DMAC club president Jim Forthman, which reads:

We are grateful for the years you’ve shared your aviation talents with the Decatur Model Airplane Club and your lifelong support of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Thank you for the sacrifices made during your WWII service on B-17’s and B-24’s and bringing your love of aviation to the DMAC.
June 6, 2015

After the luncheon and presentation, most of the members, along with James and his wife, met at the flying field and continued the celebration. We can all hope to still be building and flying at age 91 and beyond!
—Rick Grim and Jim Forthman

A history of the DMAC is available in AMA’s History Project at www.modelaircraft.org/museum/whatshere/clublist.aspx.

2016 Nats Dates

The National Aeromodeling Championships outdoor events will be held at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana, on the following dates:

RC and CL Scale: June 24-26
Scale Aerobatics (IMAC): July 5-8
RC Aerobatics (Pattern): July 10-15
RC Pylon Racing: July 15-22
Control Line (Navy Carrier, Precision Aerobatics, Racing, Combat, Speed): July 16-23
RC Combat: July 18-21
RC Sailplane (Soaring): July 23-30
Outdoor Free Flight: July 25-29
RC Helicopter: August 1-4

Indoor Free Flight: to be determined.

If you have participated in the Nats within the last two years, you will receive an entry form in February. For more information, or to obtain an entry form, visit www.modelaircraft.org or call (765) 287-1256.

AMA Thanks Its Lifetime Supporters!

The Academy of Model Aeronautics recently welcomed Life Members Raja Bortcosh, Franklin MA; Scott Butenhoff, South Saint Paul MN; Ryan Kontak, North Mankato MN; Christopher Melhaus, Cape Canaveral FL; Anthony Chorosevic, San Jose CA; Brian D. Callahan, Huntington Beach CA; Brendan Schulman, Short Hills NJ; Michael J. Stevens, Ridgecrest CA; Thomas Minnick, Baltimore MD; Cameron Krupiarz, Gaylord MI; Paum M. Graves, Morrison CO; Marcus J. Edwards, Jamestown NY; Jack E. Gilbert, San Jose CA; David L. Palmer, Somerset KY; Gary Fuller, Claremore OK; Nathan A Rea, Loveland CO; Mike Reiber, Valencia CA; and Les K. Harris, Aguanga CA.

For information about becoming a Life Member, contact AMA Headquarters at (800) 435-9262.
—AMA Membership Department

Joseph Elgin Collection: AMA Foundation Donation

The AMA Foundation wants to recognize the family of the late Joseph (Joe) Elgin for its recent donation of his model collection. The items donated

were sold during the 2015 Nats, held at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.

Joe is best remembered in the model aviation community as the designer of the Playboy Sr. He is credited for several other designs including the Playboy Jr., Condor, Eaglet, Baby Playboy, Itsy Bitsy, Viking, Thermalier, and Gull. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and was an avid Indoor and Outdoor Free Flight modeler.

Thank you to everyone who attended the sale and who purchased an item to support the AMA Foundation. If you are interested in donating your model collection, contact us at (800) 435-9262, extension 277.

Northrop Files: Flip-Flop

AMA Plans Services now houses all plans formerly sold though Model Builder magazine, Bill Northrop’s Plan Service, and the Scratch Builder’s Almanac. There are more than 1,000 plans in the collection.

Flip-Flop is an ornithopter, designed by Ken Johnson, which appeared in the June 1995 issue of Model Builder. Although Ken’s experience with ornithopters dates back to 1965, the Flip-Flop was his first one designed for outdoor flight.

You can order the Flip-Flop, plans number 6952, for $4 by calling the AMA Plans Service at (800) 435-9262, extension 507.

New Acquisition: Ralph W. Kummer’s Scrapbook

This spring, the museum archives received a scrapbook, originally made by American modeler Ralph W. Kummer, mailed to us from Tim Westcott in the United Kingdom. The scrapbook contains photos, certificates, brochures, programs, and other memorabilia that Ralph collected between 1928 and 1939. It is a great treasure—scrapbooks documenting early modeling experiences are rare finds.

Throughout the years, the scrapbook has deteriorated and the cover is held together with layers of tape, but inside the aging cover lies a plethora of newspaper clippings, certificates, photographs, and mementos from Ralph’s early modeling experiences and contest wins.

Ralph began building models in 1927, starting with an Ideal kit. The first one didn’t fly, but that did not stop his determination to build models. He joined the Airplane Model League of America (AMLA) in 1928, and entered his first contest the following year.

Ralph joined the Stix, Baer, and Fuller Model Airplane Club in 1930, and also served as the president of his high school’s aviation club. He competed in a number of modeling contests and early Nats throughout the 1930s and won many trophies. Ralph was a charter member of the AMA.

Ralph was also interested in full-scale aircraft. He worked in a variety of full-scale aviation jobs, including aircraft inspector, flight instructor, and commercial pilot. He was also an Army Air Force pilot and private airport owner.

Later in life, Ralph joined the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM). For all of his years participating in and promoting modeling, he was inducted into the SAM Hall of Fame in 1995.

You can find Ralph’s biography on the AMA History Project website at www.modelaircraft.org/files/KummerRalph.pdf. You can see highlights from his scrapbook, including photos, clippings, certificates, and more on the Antique Model Aircraft website at www.antiquemodelaircraft.co.uk/kummer-1.html.

Photos courtesy of the National Model Aviation Museum, Ralph W. Kummer collection.