Written & Submitted by GWP (09/1998); Edited & Transcribed by SS (12/2002), Reformatted by JS (01/2010)
Career
- Worked for Air Youth of America in the early 1930s
- Won his first contest in 1932
- Appointed an AMA leader member in 1946 and contest director around 1950
- Contest director for most of the Brainbusters club’s contests in the 1950s
- Charter member and an organizer of the Brainbusters club; held all club offices
- Joined the Midhudson Modelmasters and held many offices
- Served as an AMA assistant vice president
- In charge of the model museum at the old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
- Taught modeling classes at the Aerodrome and at a local middle school
- Served as treasurer of the Vintage Radio Control Society
Honors
- Received an award in recognition of directing the Eastern U.S. Free Flight Championships for so many years
- 1998: AMA Pioneer Award
Born: New York City
First model: Mosquito; built in December 1928 (Christmas present) Worked for Air Youth of America in the early 1930s.
First contest won: Junior Birdmen scale event in 1932 Appointed a leader member of the AMA in January 1946
Appointed a contest director about 1950. I like contest officiating much more than competing. I was the contest director for just about all of the meets that the Brainbusters Club ran in the 1950s, and especially the Hydro Championships and Wakefield eliminations held at Langley Field, Virginia.
I was a charter member and one of the organizers of the Brainbusters model club. I held all of the offices during my tenure. After moving to New York, I joined the Midhudson Modelmasters club where I also have held many offices.
John Byrne appointed me as an assistant vice president, but I don’t remember when exactly. (I am still, in 1998, Assistant Vice President for District II.) After acting as the contest director for the Eastern U.S. Free Flight Championships for many years, I was awarded the “Did the Most for Aeromodeling” trophy. The trophy has a name, but I have forgotten it. The old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has been a second home to me for about 40 years. I have been in charge of the model museum at the Aerodrome. Some local youngsters showed an interest in model airplanes, so I set up some classes. Using the Delta Dart as project number one, we progressed through projects up to number six – all using the propeller assembly from the Delta Dart except number six, which used a nose block that had to be carved! The youth were pleased with their efforts and I have given copies of the plans to anyone who asked. Our club, the Midhudson Modelmasters, has also been teaching a modeling class in one of our middle schools. I am also one of the instructors of the class.
At present (1998,) I only hold one office, that of treasurer for the Vintage Radio Control Society. In September of 1998, I received a Pioneer Award from the AMA. (signed) George William Poythress September 14, 1998
This page is a text transcription of the original document, made automatically and may contain errors. .