Blast from the past......!

[pchristy]

I've just acquired a number of (very) old r/c transmitters. Amongst them was a CitizenShip single-channel unit dating from probably the mid 1950's. Back then radio was strictly single function - usually rudder - operated by an "escapement" driven by a wound up rubber band. Each time you pressed the button you got "right" or "left" alternately, neutralising when you let go of the button! Rich folks could afford "compound" escapements which gave "right" on a single press and "left" on a double press!

Best of all was a diagram on the back of the transmitter showing the AMA (American BMFA) schedule for "Precision RC EVents"!

AMA_schedule by pchristy65, on Flickr

Note that although take-off is shown, no mention is made of landing! This probably says it all!

And yes, I have still got a single channel plank, flown on a compound escapement, which I flew at the recent "retro" meet up in Pontefract!

SubMini by pchristy65, on Flickr

[paddle]

Hey Pete
I must be getting old as i can remember all those radio,s my first radio system was a ripmax pathfinder single Chanel unit with an elmic compact escapement.Ah those were the days.lol

[Mark Chaplin]

Nice Pete,

Dad and I still have a bang bang system fitted to a lumpus with an OS pet up front. Funny enough we don't put much fuel in these days or run out of winds!!

Mark.

I've just acquired a number of (very) old r/c transmitters. Amongst them was a CitizenShip single-channel unit dating from probably the mid 1950's. Back then radio was strictly single function - usually rudder - operated by an "escapement" driven by a wound up rubber band. Each time you pressed the button you got "right" or "left" alternately, neutralising when you let go of the button! Rich folks could afford "compound" escapements which gave "right" on a single press and "left" on a double press!

Best of all was a diagram on the back of the transmitter showing the AMA (American BMFA) schedule for "Precision RC EVents"!

AMA_schedule by pchristy65, on Flickr

Note that although take-off is shown, no mention is made of landing! This probably says it all!

And yes, I have still got a single channel plank, flown on a compound escapement, which I flew at the recent "retro" meet up in Pontefract!

SubMini by pchristy65, on Flickr