Vintage Radio Control Systems

A lot has changed in radio control since I purchased my first system sometime around 1974. It was a used, 3-channel OS Digital system. The servos jittered to beat all, and the range was lucky to go as far as 1,000 feet. It was sent back to the factory for re-tuning and check-up two or three times, and it came back the same every time. In that day, all the transmitters and receivers had metal cases -and it's a good thing because one time I sent the transmitter on the top of my friend's 1965 Mustang while loading the plan into the car, then forgot about it until I saw it hit the road while looking in the side mirror. It had a couple scratches, but worked as poorly as ever.

While looking back at some of the editions of American Aircraft Modeler from the time I first joined the Academy of Model Aviation (AMA), I ran across a lot of familiar old advertisements. As with almost all other things electronics, the quality has obviously gotten better while prices remain the same or drop. It's been a good ride for modelers. In trying to find some of the old ads online, I could not locate any, so what the heck - I scanned some of the pages and put them here. I think all of the companies are out of business now (except Futaba). A lot of these RC systems can still be bought on eBay.

Please visit my Airplanes and Rockets website for much more modeling articles and information.

OS Digital 6-Channel

OS Digital 6-Channel

World Engines
American Aircraft Modeler 1970

OS Digital 3-Channel (this was my first RC system - purchased used to $100)

OS Digital 3-Channel

World Engines

American Aircraft Modeler 1970

OS Digital 2-Channel

OS Digital 2-Channel

World Engines
American Aircraft Modeler 1970

Micon Jr Transmitter & ELF Receiver

Micon
American Aircraft Modeler 19

Heathkit 5-Channel

Heathkit 5-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Heathkit 8-Channel

Heathkit 8-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1975

Hallco Galloping Ghost

Hallco Products

Galloping Ghost System

(see actuator detail)
American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Royal 2-Channel

Royal 2-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1968

 - RF Cafe

Balsa Corporation of America 3-Channel
American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Cirrus 3-, 4-, 6-Channel

Cirrus 3-, 4-, 6-Channel
American Aircraft Modeler 1975

Ace RC Adams Baby Actuator

Ace RC Adams Baby Actuator

American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Ace RC Sim-Plus Galloping Ghost Transmitter Kit

Ace RC Sim-Plus

Galloping Ghost

 Transmitter Kit

American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Min-X 2-Channel

Min-X 2-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Cannon 2-Channel

Cannon 2-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Futaba 5-Channel

Futaba 5-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1975

Ace RC Jansson Galloping Ghost

Ace RC Jansson Galloping Ghost
American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Hobby Lobby 5-Channel

Hobby Lobby 5-Channel
American Aircraft Modeler 1975

MRC 2-, 3-, 5-Channel

MRC 2-, 3-, 5-Channel

American Aircraft Modeler 1975

Hobby Shack 2-Channel

Hobby Shack 2-Channel
American Aircraft Modeler 1972

EK Logictrol 4-Channel (single stick)

EK Logictrol 4-Channel (single stick)
American Aircraft Modeler 1972

Ace 1-, 2-Channel Galloping Ghost

Ace 1-, 2-Channel Galloping Ghost
American Aircraft Modeler 1972

Hallco 3-Channel Galloping Ghost Actuator

Hallco 3-Channel Galloping Ghost Actuator
American Aircraft Modeler 1968

Related Pages:

- Crosley 03CB Floor Console Radio by Adam Guha 

- 1941 Crosley 03CB Floor Console Radio Restoration Project

- Tesslor R-601S Vacuum Tube Radio Teardown

- Tesslor R-601S Retro Vacuum Tube AM/FM Radio w/Bluetooth 3.0 Modification

- Crosley 03CA Floor Console Radio for Sale

- 1941 Crosley Model 03CB Radio Photos (Tim O.)

- Radio & Electronics Restoration Projects

- Vintage Ads with Science / Technology Themes

- Vintage Magazine Ads from Duke University's Ad*Access Website

- Vintage Radio Control Systems