Hello from New Mexico, US!

[ghostler]

Hello all. I was led to the new HPA site when the old went off-line recently then reopened as a modelling accessory sales site. After E-mailing Bruce, he gave me the new link, and so I'm here now.

I've been doing modelling for a long time, first with glider and ROG then stick and tissue rubber power as an adolescent in the 1960's, then C/L and R/C in the early 1970's, R/C mostly single channel and some 2 channel then 3 channel aircraft, half-A C/L (Coxes, etc.).

I'm wanting to return to the old days I started out with, now have about a dozen rubber powered aircraft kits to build, Comet, SIG, Guillow, etc. Also continue with C/L aircraft. Latest kit I picked up is a semi prefab approx. 20 inch (508 mm) wingspan Consolidated Sonic Star of the early 1960's. It has a vacuum plastic full fuselage in halves, tip tanks, swept wings like a jet in airfoiled shape sheet balsa and sheet balsa tail surfaces, for .049 engines.

Look forward to meeting with you all and enjoying your posts on building, flying, and sharing with you my builds and flights.

[Konrad]

Welcome!

What, only a dozen kits?

[Lastwoodsman]

Tues April 28 2026

Hi Ghostler.        I'm glad you got some good help and directions,  to the new  hpa.aeromodeling.gr   web site.

     I also started off with control line as a kid -  but quit it all after age 14,  never actually flying a rubber powered model at all.
     I got a 36" balsa Aeronca to fly real slow with a  020 Cox engine.
     I smashed up two plastic Cox 049 engined Stuka and Spitfire models.
     Built a six foot balsa glider,  smashed it up twice, gave up.   And a Sterling Spad.
     Flew a fast all sheet balsa cl model for 46 laps 049 -  a school record in gr 9  -  but no more spinning for me now though.   That is all for a kid.   Got back into the hobby in 2014.
     Almost forgot -  a flapping rubber powered Davinci balsa ornithopter,  recently,  that really flew well. 

     What Sig kits do you have?   I built and  flew the Sig  "Cabinaire"  20  inch high wing cabin plane -  got my record 62 sec.    Sig guarantees it will get  10  sec  right out of the box,   and it is true.

     But now,  at 69,  I find myself addicted to light woodwork,  with laser cut balsa free flight rubber powered model airplanes,  and using only white glue (as much as I can).

     It is very rewarding to get a "scale"  looking airplane to fly.    Plus,  the whole discovery,  of the theory of flight exercise,  drew me in even further.   I just do fun small park flying now.

     I also now,  in retirement,  go for just the cheap side of the hobby,  building the laser cut free flight balsa kits,  and get my kicks,  flying in the  "free use"  Cricket Field,   in the park right across the road from me.   I am a Senior on fixed income,  and I don't drive any more  -  taxis and busses will do just fine when I need them.

     Looking forward to your builds and flight reports.

Lastwoodsman
Richard

[OZPAF]

Welcome Ghostler.

Lots of FF activity here but like you I would still like to have another shot at CL, which must seem strange after progressing through RC and competition hand launch gliders, but it has a unique attraction.

I currently fly RC gliders, some FF - rubber, HLG and CLG's with too many projects, and repairs, hanging over me.

John

[CF-EKM]

Hi,

where in NM are you located?
I'm planning to visit Roswell Air Races in September. Never been to NM so far. Only outdoor flying or do you have a place  for indoor flying?

Kind regards,
Christian