Peter Miller Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Just talking to a friend and I remembered that back in the 60s Frog produced a kit for a free flight model which was built from metal strips. It was powered by one of their diesel engines. I have a feeling that it was called the Pioneer but that could be wrong. I do know that it was very expensive. I also remember that Pylonius mentioned rusting wreckage on the flying field. Can anyone remember it and did anyone actually afford one and flew one. It was a high wing cabin design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 (edited) It was named the Pioneer - 38" span, produced from 1955 - 56. Pylonius got the rusting wreckage wrong - there wasn't any iron in it's construction apart from possibly a few nuts & screws, IIRC it was made from mainly magnesium. Edited January 10, 2023 by PatMc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Thanks. That was a bit earlier than I thought. It was just before I joined the RAF. I know it was aluminium. I think that Pylonius was just making it sound better that "corroding Aluminium" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Here's a pic from history of "Frog Model Aircraft" book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Yes, I remember the adverts. I know the price was very high at the time. Definitely not pocket money level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 (edited) £3 in 1956 is about £60 now according to the Bank of England inflation calculator. Perhaps not pocket money but not outlandish: Edited January 10, 2023 by John Lee Comment altered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Not much?.... Almost a weeks pay at the factory I worked in for a few months before joining the RAF and about a weeks pay in the RAF once I had passed out as a tradesman (Airframe Mechanic) in the RAF. I notice that it is considerably more than the engine intended to power it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 (edited) I remember seeing all the adverts for it. I was a bit young at the time, it was a "Coor!!!' moment for me at that age. 59/6d was a lot of money then 6 old pence short of £3.00 , a fortune .Bas Edited January 10, 2023 by Basil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Jan 1955, Hmmm, 2 days pay for this Sergent...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Yes, it was a good life. Some times were better than others but I regret nothing. So many fantastic memories. For example, scrounging a lift home in the back seat of a Gloster Meteor T7. Going on Test flights in Lancasters. A tour in Aden where we had a fantastic model club. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 7 hours ago, Peter Miller said: Not much?.... Almost a weeks pay at the factory I worked in for a few months before joining the RAF and about a weeks pay in the RAF once I had passed out as a tradesman (Airframe Mechanic) in the RAF. I notice that it is considerably more than the engine intended to power it. In 1956 I worked on Butlin's Amusement Park in Skegness whilst waiting for my GCE results. £1/day so £7/week - I don't recall any deductions for tax or NI stamp (it was actually a stamp in those days). I had a 1953 Excelsior Consort (98cc 2 speed gearbox) I'd saved up for over the previous year - £30 IIRC. When I got a proper job in early 1957 at Murphy Radio my wages of £3 10 00 (£3.50) exactly matched my digs so my dad subsidised me to 30/- a week which paid for lunches because my digs were just bed, breakfast and evening meal, and I also ran my motor bike (a BSA C11 250cc) on that. So yes, £3 would be quite a stretch for a 17 year old back then. Strangely enough, at 17, I would be regarded as a child now but then I was living with zero adult supervision. Of course, having almost no money I couldn't get into much trouble 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 11, 2023 Author Share Posted January 11, 2023 WOW! £7 a week! On Whit Monday 1955 I took a photo of a crashed aircraft in which 3 died and the local newspaper paid me £3. I was rolling in it that week!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted January 11, 2023 Share Posted January 11, 2023 Love those old adverts 👍 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.