Aeromodelling Trail Blazers.

These plans are part of a proposed collection of models that have changed aeromodelling. The models are still flown in vintage contests and are still very competitive.

The two plans are from Sergio Montes. The Korda plan is basically an old Megows plan and the Fillon was scanned from Zaic's Yearbook, 1938, with permission. Frank's books are still available from him at 16915 Kinzie Street, North Hills, CALIFORNIA 91343-1715.

• Korda was designed by Dick Korda for the 1939 Wakefield contest that took place in August of that year in New York. The model represents a break with previous Korda designs, being somewhat simpler in line and adopting what was a novelty, the folder propeller. Although introduced by Roy Marquardt in 1934, there were relatively few users of this type of propeller, most people preferring the free-wheeler. Korda's spectacular win made his model one of the most popular models of all times, being copied in many countries as the most appropriate model for aeromodelling instruction. Even in wartime Japan the Korda plan was issued as a supplement by the Mainichi Shimbun, one of Japan's principal newspapers. It has also ben issued as kit by many firms and, so far as I know, continues into production to this day. A great flyer.
• The Fillon's Champ was designed by Emmanuel Fillon and won the Wakefield Cup two years before Korda. It also has been widely imitated and copied abroad and, just as the Korda model, it was issued as a supplement by the Mainichi Shimbun. Emannuel Fillon is, amazingly enough, still active in modelling at the age of 94. His only concession is to participate in contests only near his home in the S. of France. Fillon has been noted for the versatility of his designs which have embraced many categories, from Wakefields to Flying Scale. He has a large collection of plans for peanuts which appear to be most interesting.    Korda                                                       Fillons Champ                                               Back to NSWFFS Page