A Real Modeler
-To a Real Modeler, an ARF pretty much epitomizes what's
wrong with American "modeling" in particular, and with American
society in general.
-A Real Modeler can make a sound, accurate flying model from
an enlarged copy of a reduced copy of a copy of a copy of a
60 year old plan. It might be one hell of an absolute
struggle for him, but he can do it.
-A Real Modeler has an inexpensive hobby.
-A Real Modeler owns a winding stooge that is absolutely
unique.
-A Real Modeler knows quite a bit about rubber strip. His
opinions on the subject, however, are different from
everyone else's.
-A Real Modeler knows where to buy Ambroid.
-A Real Modeler can build a light, straight, efficient polyhedral
undercambered wing wholly from scratch. It might be
one absolute hell of a struggle for him, but he can do it.
-A Real Modeler has suffered a lot. But he doesn't care.
-A Real Modeler knows how to use warps to his advantage. Quite
often, he even builds warps into his airplanes. Deliberately.
-A Real Modeler will always be a Real Modeler.
-A Real Modeler cannot grasp the concept of a foam wing. There he
sits, mulling it over with a puzzled look on his face. "Foam?" he
says. "Foam?" He has this mental picture of some yahoo making
holes in the covering and pumping urethane in amongst the ribs.
"Why, though?" he says. "Why insulate a wing?" For hours he will
sit, striving to fathom the strange ways of the Others.
-A Real Modeler owns a few of the Orange Books. Possibly all of them.
They're worn and torn.
-A Real Modeler can draw a good accurate plan if he has to. It might
be one absolute hell of a struggle for him, but he can do it.
-A Real Modeler changes color and becomes rather dangerous vhen
anyone suggests that R/C is a step up from Free Flight.
-When a Real Modeler spots the latest XYZ magazine [name deleted to
protect the recently reformed] on the stands, he sighs and shakes his
head. Possibly he mutters something.
-A Real Modeler seriously intends someday to build a Pistacio.
Aaron Petersen
From "The BAT Sheet" - Boeing Strato Bats
via the L.A. Flightmasters Newsletter
aalmps 12/98