What is the History of RC Model Airplanes?
Radio control technology has been in use since 1893, when Nikola Tesla created a boat that was controlled by transmitted radio waves. In 1917, the first radio controlled airplane was successful. During World War II, Germany tried a variety of weapons that were operated by radio control. Radio controlled model airplanes have evolved over the years and seen improvements since that first flight in 1917.
Other People Are Reading
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Model Airplane News
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In 1929, the "Model Airplane News" magazine began. It is still popular today with radio control hobbiests.
Model Contest
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In 1931, the Detroit News and the Detroit Department of Recreation and Parks held a contest for model builders to create a model of their auto-giro, following their specifications. The contest was open to anyone under 21 years of age. The auto-giro was an aircraft that could lift off vertically and hover.
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Radio Controlled Models
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During the 1950s, remote control models became popular but they had to be recharged frequently.
The 1970s
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Major changes in radio controlled model airplanes had occurred by the 1970s, specifically in the area of directional control. Interest in model airplanes greatly increased.
Biggest Contest
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The world's largest radio controlled airplane contest was held in 2008 in Lakeland, Florida, with the 20th anniversary of the competition. A total of 125 participants competed over a period of five days.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Shutterstock
