Written by MP (n.d), transcribed and reformatted by JS (03/2020)
Mitch Poling Electric Power Pioneer AMA member 71323 since 1967 Leader-admin since 1979
1972: Conversion of the Mattel Super Star free flight to rudder-only RC. 2X100 ma GE cells removed, 2X 500 mah GE nicads installed, Ace rudder-only radio installed. Flying weight 8 ounces. Published in American Aircraft Modeler, April 1974. This stimulated the development of the 25-watt (010) motor class.
1973: Rewound Plymouth windshield washer motor, power BX 500 mah GE nicad cells. Flew in Dicks Dream (Ace RC) Ace rudder-only RC. Published in article “Electri-flying Dream,” American Aircraft Modeler, August/September 1974. This stimulated the development of the 50watt motor class (Astro 020, Speed 400.) 1973: Converted a Black and Decker cordless grass clipper unit (Mabuchi 540, 4X subC GE cells) to power my original 42” span design American Clipper, two channel RC. Demonstrated this to Astro Flight, also described it in my Electric Power column, American Aircraft Modeler, May 1974. This stimulated the interest in the 100-watt motor class (Astro 050). 1974: Started writing the “Electric Power” column. This column was published in American Aircraft Modeler until 1975, then in RC Sportsman until 1978, then in Model Builder until 1994. It promoted electric flight, described technical subjects, readers designs and technical contributions, and covered electric power events.
1974: Flew the U-control Baby Flight Streak with the rewound windshield motor, batteries in the wing. Published in American Aircraft Modeler, January 1975. This stimulated the interest in electric U-control.
1975: Designed and flew the Jr. Electra Fli three-channel sport model (35” span) for the Astro 020. Published construction article in R/C Sportsman, September 1975, plan R7592. 1975: Designed the Astro Sport for the Astro 15. Published construction article in R/C Sportsman, December 1978, plan 78121.
1976: Designed floats for the Astro Sport, flew it as a float plane, the Aqua Sport.
1980: Published plans for the Astro 020 Electric Tern seaplane in Flying Models, May1980, plan CF539.
1980: Designed and flew the Sopwith Tabloid for indoor scale flying using the Astro 020. Flew the Tabloid at the 1981 IMS in Pasadena convention hall. Wrote a descriptive article in Model Builder, also appeared on the cover Model Builder, April 1981.This, along with Tony and Addie Naccarato’s Farman and Sorrell Guppy, were early pioneers of indoor scale flight. 1982: Published plan for seaplane floats for the Astro Sport. Flying Models, March 1982, plan CF592
1982: Published the plans for the electric version of the Brigadier 56 old timer, Model Builder, September 1982, plan 9822.
1984: Published Aqua Sport construction article in Radio Control Modeler (RCM), March 1984, plan 908.
1984: Published Building and Flying Electric Model Airplanes, Kalmbach Publishing. This book was in print for ten years and sold 30,000 copies. It emphasized “how to” and was the start for thousands of modelers in electric flight.
1985: Published a two-part article “RC Electric Float Planes” in Model Aviation, May/June 1985. 1994: Last “Electric Power” column in Model Builder.
In summary: My goal from start to finish, was to encourage interest in electric flight and promote electric flight. I did this by writing about the basics, “how to,” and freely exchanging information. My published designs were easy to build and performed well. Above all, I made it clear that the object was to have fun! I think I succeeded!
Mitch Poling
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