An amazing window into the past

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Sorting through a pile of accumulated 35mm shots I came across this amazing collection of model boat memorabilia. I vaguely recall taking these shots some time in the late 1980s at a show in Blackpool and thinking then what an amazing collection this was.

Dave Wooley

 

Edited By David Wooley on 03/10/2012 10:37:41

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Lovely old photo`s Dave……

They look like an Aladdin`s Cave!

Bob

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hi Bob yes on seeing these pictures after such a long time it was indeed like an Aladdin's cave of models and bits . I like the radio side of the collection very much as I had some of those old sets especially the reed units and the single channel Reptone and Gem sets . I wonder what it would be like to operate a model today with a radio from the ancient past ? Clear the lake I'm on, 27 super regen !!!

Dave Wooley

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Dave

Have a look in March 2012 MB, Page 34, for the article on the Triang r/c model by Phil Parker to help re-awaken your memories of those golden years!

Paul Freshney

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

If it was Blackpool, I think it was more likely the late '90's. We didn't start the show until '98, but more likely at one of the shows in the Olympia in the Winter Gardens. One of the Yorkshire clubs, as an extra to their club stand. I do remember looking at some of the stuff and wishing I had been a less destructive little lad.

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hi Paul Yes I do recall the article by Phil Parker and the old "ground based" TX happy days but I do remember being much more physically active in racing round the pond hoping to be in the right place to catch the "under control" model before came into contact with the concrete surround. Old time bang control was so limited it was easy to miss Judge the rate of turn. As for going astern well that was more luck than genuine control!! Also if you appeared at the pond with R/C you immediately gathered a vast retinue of spectators either hoping to see what this radio control was about or the spectical of a sudden stop assisted by the concrete surround. Oh yes primitive it was but much more rewarding not because you had every device under the sun within the model but just to get the model home in one piece.

Dave Wooley

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

I recollect that the guy owns Al's Hobbies has a huge personal collection of old r/c gear dating back to at least the1970's and before, in his Hainault (Ilford) shop a few years ago. I am not sure where it is now since their H/O is currently in Milton Keynes.

Paul Freshney

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Here`s my collection of old books….

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

And an old radio outfit…..

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Ah, Bob. What a luxury you had. In my day all I had was a stick and a bit of string to control my boats.

Sometimes i had to throw rocks in near the boat to get it to alter course…

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

My earliest recollection of model boats was……….

……..Matchsticks going round and round a water filled candlestick holder!, progressing to little boats made from silver paper!

That must have been during the War Years with the eternal power cuts etc

Sad innit?

Feeling old today…..Bob

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hi Bob Your GEM set is it single channel or one plus one?

Ashley your sticks and string gave you more control over your models than my single channel sets !!

I also had a 10 channel Orbit reed set and it had the luxuary of being super -het but it was to frustrating tuning the reeds.

Dave Wooley

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Posted by Paul Freshney Editor of Model Boats on 04/10/2012 17:36:10:

I recollect that the guy owns Al's Hobbies has a huge personal collection of old r/c gear dating back to at least the1970's and before, in his Hainault (Ilford) shop a few years ago. I am not sure where it is now since their H/O is currently in Milton Keynes.

Paul Freshney

These collections have taken on an altogether different meaning , like the old 1950-60s bangers that you couldn't even give away , they are now classed as classic collectables and the value goes through the roof.

Dave Wooley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

'These collections have taken on an altogether different meaning , like the old 1950-60s bangers that you couldn't even give away , they are now classed as classic collectables and the value goes through the roof.'

At the same time that your foot goes through the floor Dave!

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

This page is from the MAP 1957 publication Model Maker Manual by non other than Vic Smeed .

I tried hard as a lad to get my head around all the jargan of the day and there was even specialist R/C societies long before radio entered into the main stream of boating . I guess these days such people would be labled as "geeks"

I suppose it could be said where the geeks go we all follow!

Dave Wooley

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