Reliving RC Aerobatics from 1960 Onward

The first world championships for radio-controlled aerobatic models took place in 1960 at the Dübendorf airfield. The first Retro Day was also held there. Urs Leodolter subsequently organized this event annually at the Pfäffikon airfield.

About 25 RC aerobatic models (mostly from today's F3A class) were displayed, flown, and admired in glorious weather. An attempt at a summary might go something like this:

• In original condition, including oil residue. They're just as loud today as they were back then:
• Carefully refurbished, some converted to electric drive.

• Beautifully crafted wooden models based on original plans.
• Laminated fuselages made from original molds and Styrofoam-balsa wings.

A replica that turned out more or less well. The wings and fuselage are made of wood and—almost a sin—covered with covering film. I don't count foam models among them.

If it weren't for woodworking artist Guido Patroncini from Uster, who enriches the event almost every year with new vintage pieces, the whole thing could almost become monotonous. That's just the nature of the event. Detailed construction plans are not available.

It is not easy to obtain the appropriate documents for the replica. The picture shows the original of the propeller-driven version of Kazmirski's Taurus.

The street models and kits from that era are now found only in the collections of a very small number of collectors. Most of the aerobatics pioneers of the 1960s and 1970s are no longer alive. Worldwide, very few organizations with large

Idealism: Documentation on aerobatic models of days gone by. Accessing this documentation—especially reasonably usable photographic material—is a time-consuming process. Perhaps special, replica aerobatic

acrobatic models be awarded a prize. Either way, our colleagues who are reviving and honoring the golden age of RC aerobatics deserve our deepest gratitude.

Emil Giezendanner