The History of V.A.R.M.S
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THE HISTORY OF V.A.R.M.S. ORIGINS & GENERAL INFORMATION Rev. July 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS (To quickly access a topic, hold CTRL and click on desired item) TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... 2 FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................... 4 AN EARLY & SHORT HISTORY OF VARMS .................................................................... 6 THE POSTER ..................................................................................................................... 7 ATOP A HILL AN ASSOCIATION IS FORMED ................................................................. 9 INAUGURAL MEMBERS & ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS ........................ 10 PROFILE - PETER PRUSSNER ....................................................................................... 11 (President - Inaugural Committee - VARMS No 1) ................................................ 11 PROFILE - ALAN VILLIERS ............................................................................................. 18 (Secretary - Inaugural Committee - VARMS No 2) ................................................ 18 PROFILE - RAY DATODI - DIP. E.E, G.I.E., M.I.I.C.A. .................................................... 19 (Treasurer - Inaugural Committee - VARMS No 3) ............................................... 19 GMAA (GAGS) THE EARLY DAYS ................................................................................. 20 VARMS' HISTORY OF AFFILIATION .............................................................................. 22 THE VARMS LOGOS AND BADGES .............................................................................. 23 GENERAL OUTLINE OF V.A.R.M.S PUBLICATIONS .................................................... 28 VARMS - NEWSLETTERS & MAGAZINES (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER) .................... 29 V.A.R.M.S. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ............................................................................... 34 LIFE MEMBERSHIPS ................................................................................................. 37 CLUB AWARDS ......................................................................................................... 38 MAAA HONOUR ROLL .................................................................................................... 40 ORIGINS OF THE MAAA & VMAA .................................................................................. 41 THE FAI NUMBERS STORY ............................................................................................ 45 THE CONSTITUTIONS ..................................................................................................... 46 1972 .......................................................................................................................... 46 1981 .......................................................................................................................... 49 VARMS Incorporation Certificate .......................................................................... 52 1984 .......................................................................................................................... 53 2014 .......................................................................................................................... 68 INTRODUCTION INTO RADIO CONTROLLED GLIDING ............................................... 70 Glossary of Terms ....................................................................................................... 72 HISTORY OF RADIO EQUIPMENT .................................................................................. 86 Military applications in the Second World War .................................................... 88 Radio-controlled models ........................................................................................ 88 Modern military and aerospace applications ....................................................... 89 Industrial control ..................................................................................................... 89 The History of R/C 1950 to 1965 by Ian Carter .............................................. 93 EARLY RADIO - (Incl. origins of Mode I & Mode II) ............................................ 110 2006 – Frequency Synthesised Radio equipment. ........................................ 143 2.4 Ghz Frequency equipment. ............................................................................ 143 First Person View .................................................................................................. 144 SELF GUIDED MODEL AIRCRAFT (SGMA) POLICY ............................................ 145 A TRANSITION FROM 36Mg TO 2.4G ........................................................ 147 THE AEROSONDE PROJECT .............................................................................. 148 BIRD OF TIME BY MARTIN SIMONS. ......................................................................... 151 BOOK REVIEW – OLD BUZZARD’S SOARING BOOK ................................................ 155 Author: Dave Thornburg (“Bird of Time” designer) ........................................ 155 V. A. R. M. S. FLYING SITES ......................................................................................... 157 VARMS Glider Field Rules - 2015 ........................................................................... 158 THE HISTORY OF CAMPERDOWN .............................................................................. 161 THE LETTERS OF PRO BONY THERMOLO ............................................... 162 REFLECTIONS ..................................................................................... 192 Dieter Prussner VARMS 1 Inaugural President 1968 ..................................... 192 Peter Mather VARMS 6 President 1981 & 82 .................................................. 195 THE END......................................................................................................................... 198 FOREWORD THE HISTORY OF V.A.R.M.S. 1968 – 20?? The following is extracted from VARMS Official News Letter No 1. July 1968. Growing popularity of Model Radio Soaring in Victoria has long warranted the need for an Association to merge all devoted and interested soaring fans into one body. The Victorian Association for Radio Model Soaring was formed, so members can be guided and advised in further developing their common interests through the means of organised flying meetings, friendly competitions and social gatherings. In the short history of V.A.R.M.S., our membership has risen to Thirty (30) financial members including four (4) juniors. There are of course, also a large number of non-financial members who the Treasurer kindly reminds that in order to reap full benefits from this organization, should forward their dues at their earliest convenience. As can be seen from the above our Association is built not only on Seniors but also Junior members. One easily overlooks the V.I.P. who, after all, one day, is going to be the backbone of model soaring and will carry on the hobby from where we leave off. In addition to the Committee men who have carried out their responsibilities so tirelessly, I must congratulate those two staunch, devoted and enthusiastic members who must have broken all rules at home in order to attend each of V.A.R.M.S. meetings. Not only at the expense of private responsibility but also at the expense of time and many miles. - The two keen supporters from Ararat are Geoff Whatley and Brian Woods. I don't of course overlook other members who have contributed as well, for it is without them that this hobby would soon lose all colour and inspiration that has spread so rapidly not only over this State but also over the border into South Australia. Peter Prussner Hon. President. VARMS (Inc.) was formed in 1968, to get together aero-modellers who were interested in building and flying radio controlled gliders. Members fly at many places, but have a home field on High Street Road, Wantirna South (Melways map 72, C1), where training classes are free to all and are held on Sunday mornings, generally on a fortnightly basis. Exact dates and times are posted on the field gate. VARMS organises regular competitions in both Slope and Thermal soaring, for many kinds of gliders, ranging from fun-fly models, competition models and scale replicas. General meetings are held on the SECOND FRIDAY of each month (except January) - at the Glen Waverley Primary School hall, in High Street Road, Glen Waverley (next to McDonalds on the corner of High Street Road and Springvale Rd.), and occasionally as a Twi-fly meeting during the summer months at the Club flying field (Wantirna Sth.). Meetings start at 8:00pm and visitors are welcome. Formalities are usually followed by lively discussions on matters of interest to all modellers. The above two paragraphs currently appear on the rear of the VARMS Newsletter (2011), so it seemed fitting that they are featured first being a brief but not necessarily completely accurate description of the Association at this time. This "History" of VARMS is being compiled some 43 years after the Associations inception to provide some record of its growth and activities over the ensuing years. This History will initially appear to resemble more of a catalogue as the majority of the information can only come from existing documentation (mainly newsletters),