For over nine decades, Model Airplane News has published construction articles and plans for our readers to use to build model airplanes. Over the years, our plans have evolved from simple rubber-powered free flight models to control line and engine-powered free-flights. As radios became smaller and more affordable, RC airplanes grew in popularity, and today they outnumber all other plans in the Model Airplane News library.
The editors have worked with countless model airplane designers and builders, including the very prolific Pat Tritle. Let’s take a closer look at this balsa dust producer.
ALWAYS THE MODELER
From Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pat has been building models all his life, and he built his first model in 1958 at age five. These included a 19-inch Cessna 180, the Shoestring, and the Spirit of St. Loui—all from the Carl Goldberg series. He also built Comet and Guillows rubber-powered free-flight kits as well as a number of plastic scale models.
Pat started flying U-control (U/C) models in 1964 and learned to fly with a Veco “Little Tomahawk” powered by a Cox .049 Golden Bee. He later graduated to larger .19-powered scale models and then .35-size profile stunters. Over the next several years, he built many control-line models, including Flight Streaks and Carl Goldberg profile models. He also modified Guillows free-flight kits to U/C.
AVIATION AND BUSINESS
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Model Airplane News.
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This story is from the January 2020 edition of Model Airplane News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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