Mr Veron himself,and still going strong and above all building models ( see latest BMFA News for a picture of his favourite model ) Phil Smith has managed to keep his interest going for aeromodelling and boats as well,designer of numerous kits and plans most of which were kitted at some stage from his Bournemouth premises.
At the time the ducted fan designs were coming on the market Phil realised the potential for kits to fit his famous Imp propulsion units into,the Lavochkin LA-7 was to prove a firm favourite as a practical flying subject,control line models were also in vogue and I remember building some of these excellent models to match up with my second hand diesels !
Another range were the small flying scale rubber jobs including the North American Harvard,Tiger Moth,Bebe Jodel,Puss Moth etc these were available at least up until a few years ago but I do not know the current status on these ?
So we have a legend in his own lifetime who has seen the modelling and kitting scene change so rapidly,this brings me to ask the question did we get just as much fun from these low tech products as we do in todays electronic world ? certainly I did and think that it helped me in tackling the more difficult jobs,you do not need a thick cheque book to enjoy these hobbies,and above all the type of kits that Veron produced gave you the basic material to work from and then it was up to you to add the finesse to the product before you.
I dont think there are many average modellers who can afford to go out buy a jet engine off the shelf,just think what materials that would buy ?
At the time the ducted fan designs were coming on the market Phil realised the potential for kits to fit his famous Imp propulsion units into,the Lavochkin LA-7 was to prove a firm favourite as a practical flying subject,control line models were also in vogue and I remember building some of these excellent models to match up with my second hand diesels !
Another range were the small flying scale rubber jobs including the North American Harvard,Tiger Moth,Bebe Jodel,Puss Moth etc these were available at least up until a few years ago but I do not know the current status on these ?
So we have a legend in his own lifetime who has seen the modelling and kitting scene change so rapidly,this brings me to ask the question did we get just as much fun from these low tech products as we do in todays electronic world ? certainly I did and think that it helped me in tackling the more difficult jobs,you do not need a thick cheque book to enjoy these hobbies,and above all the type of kits that Veron produced gave you the basic material to work from and then it was up to you to add the finesse to the product before you.
I dont think there are many average modellers who can afford to go out buy a jet engine off the shelf,just think what materials that would buy ?
Comment