Nigel Finch Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hi all, Have just got back into RC flying from a not too good start around 1970/72 ish era with my dad on Epsom Downs. I just about remember a blue metal front RC by MacGregor with a stick for left and right and a button for I think the engine speed. We never got the plane up and my poor dad admitted defeat after many tries. Would love to trace a RC so any ideas guys if it real or my memory has remembered something that does not exist. Also I had a trainer that was high wing with a one piece moulded plastic fuselage. Wings were held on by elastic bands. Long shot as all I can remember. Thanks in advance Edited By Nigel Finch on 11/05/2014 16:37:07 Edited By Nigel Finch on 11/05/2014 16:38:55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masher Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hi Nigel As often said, GOOGLE is your friend (click on GOOGLE) Welcome back, I did a similar "quick try" in early 80's. I bought a 27MHz Digimac and put my own 35MHz electronics in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaunie Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 From memory that would be a McGregor 1+1 set (i.e. one proportional and one bangbang channel). I went from single channel bangbang to two channel proportional. I wish I had my old gear now. They don't make nostalgia like they used too! Shaunie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Finch Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hi Masher, tried that but just two pictures that do not go onto page with details or model number of RC Edited By Nigel Finch on 11/05/2014 16:47:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masher Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Ok, try this, it'll be out there somewhere that's for sure! Half way down page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Finch Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 That's great yep and how to upgrade to 2.4 MHz. Think I will try to find one and do that. thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Hi Nigel, the MacGregor Digimac 1+1 was what immediately sprung to my mind from your description, and Shaunie's too by the looks of things! I initially got into aeromodelling in the early 70s, first with control-line, then r/c in about 1974-ish. I lived in the North-East at the time - these days I fly on Epsom Downs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Here's an image from an ebay listing of one; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Posted by Percy Verance on 11/05/2014 17:14:36: And no, Wee MacGregor wasn't always in control............ LOL! For the benefit of others, MacGregor's advertising slogan at the time was "Wee MacGregor's in control" - and I think they even included a sticker with those words with their radios. I had a Saturday/summer holiday job in 1975/6 in the Newcastle Model Shop. The shop staff's version of the slogan was invariably, "Wee MacGregor's lost control"! When I was still flying control-line, a couple of young lads (possibly brothers) would turn up once in a while with an r/c model with Digimac 1+1 radio. After much checking and messing around, the engine would eventually be started and the model hand launched. It would fly off, briefly under control, but then continue circling, drifting downwind with the two lads running after it, one of them waving the transmitter above his head to try to regain control. We wouldn't then see them until many months later when the process would be repeated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Percy, yours sounds like the slightly earlier single-channel (non-proportional) set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Finch Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Well all I am going to look on e bay and get the next one on there. If I can find out what plane I had will also look for one and upgrade to 2.4ghz. the ultimate memory lane trip and may even go over to Epsom Downs to have a fly. Thanks all and any more info about the plane would be good. Edited By Nigel Finch on 11/05/2014 17:37:06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Posted by Nigel Finch on 11/05/2014 17:36:36: the ultimate memory lane trip and may even go over to Epsom Downs to have a fly. Good luck with that Nigel. Just bear in mind there's now a club at Epsom Downs that all flyers must belong to before flying on the Downs. It's only a tenner though (plus BMFA) for the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Lots of Digimac 1+1's have been converted and fly regularly again. I have two, one standard and working perfectly and one converted to 2.4g and frequently seen down at Ponty park in a Vic Smeed 'Poppet': There were quite a few 1+1 sets - Climax, Waltron, OS... even Micron did a single-channel propo set, the 'Elf': Its possible however that yours wasnt a Digimac 1+1, it could have been a Codamac which looked very similar. The Codamac wasnt proportional - just an automatic coder added to a conventional S/C set, which did all the 'one for right', 'two for left' malarky for you: Almost any retro-R/C set can be converted and used again today, single-channel with a button, single with a coder, reeds, 1+1, 2+1, pulse-propo... contemporary proportional (Skyleader, OS, Fleet, KO etc) Lots more nostalgia and conversions on www.singlechannel.co.uk and Youtube channel PHILG2864 Demo rigs on Youtube: Aeromodeller Cheers Phil PS - Shaunie - "They don't make nostalgia like they used too!" I'm doing my best to make nostalgia exactly like they used to! PPS - Percie - convention was the other way, and enforced by the Elmic escapement mechanism - one for right, two for left. PPPS - apologies to all those who've seen this before and who might find the reposts tedious... Edited By Phil Green on 11/05/2014 23:16:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Wilson Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 79 my dad and I were flying on Epsom Downs with a 27MHz Acoms 2ch. My flash brother had a blue MacGregor 2ch set which was very pretty. Then dad trumped him with a 35MHz Skyleader Courier that I built from a kit bought straight from Airport House. Brothers airframe was a Highboy and dad and I shared a fibreglass Superfly (ELY?) I too would like to relive the nostalgia of that Courier, But I would give the Superfly a miss. We are spoilt for so many excellent aircraft these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Posted by Nigel Finch on 11/05/2014 16:36:38: Also I had a trainer that was high wing with a one piece moulded plastic fuselage. Wings were held on by elastic bands. Long shot as all I can remember. Keil Kraft did an RC trainer that had a plastic moulded fuselage - can't remember the name but I think it was actualy made by EMP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 I think the Keil Kraft model was the Scorpion, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrman Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 My first set of proportional radio was the Horizon HS4D. The original red vinyl clad aluminium case with black plastic side cheeks, switchable 2 channel TX & Rx. Horizon originally made the servos and stick assemblies for the early Macgregor sets then moved into making their own branded sets utilising the black Macgregor MR10 servos. I know a lot of people had problems with theirs but I used mine extensively and never experienced any problems that could honestly be laid at the door of the radio. Not quite so reliable when they and I moved on to their later (and last) sets which had screen printed Ali Tx cases with the small yellow servos and Rx's. Isn't nostalgia wonderful but it's a thing of the past! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Posted by jrman on 12/05/2014 14:57:04: Isn't nostalgia wonderful but it's a thing of the past! No, absolutely not! its happening right now, come and see it at the Pontefract PANDAS retro R/C event, Sunday 8th June - you will see enthusiasts flying period models from the 1960s/70s using single-channel, reeds, pulse... a few escapements.. and a few of the 'modern' 1970s propo sets such as Macgregor, Horizon, Skyleader etc mentioned in this thread. Also check out the retro aerobatics scene and the UKCAA where 1970s transmitter conversions are a frequent sight, enhancing the authenticity of this fascinating niche interest. This is nothing new, people have been converting these old sets for many years, getting them off the collectors shelves and back on to the flying field where they belong! Nostalgia is very much alive and well! Cheers Phil www.singlechannel.co.uk Edited By Phil Green on 12/05/2014 22:36:59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaunie Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Of course nostalgia is alive and well.....It's just not the same as it was . I'll get my coat! Wee McGregor may have been in control but mine had the DT's, the servos used to jitter like you wouldn't believe. I was only fifteen at the time and made a better job of retuning the encoder than they did at the factory, after that it was better but still not brilliant. My first set was a McGregor single channel superegen with a greenish hammerite finished case (although a previous owner may have repainted it). Then I had a blue cased Superhet set with Ripmax bangbang servos. Never successfully flew with it but had hours of fun on the local ponds with electric boats. When I finally got to fly successfully it was with an RCM&E FM kit built set. Shaunie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Smitheman Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Aargh! McGregor Codamac 1+1! I learned to repair crash damage with one of these, and learned to fly later with a Futaba. I still have the Wee Mac. What a nightmare. Charles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 i had the scorpion. it was foam core wing, solid balsa tail and the fuselage was molded plastic in 2 halves, top and bottom. little os pet engine. mcgregor push button tx, ripmax servo. had one flight, cos it never came back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.