Chuck called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM at Just Trains Hobby Shop, Concord, Calif.

Roll Call of Officers: 

Chuck Hill, President, Ron Delvasto, Treasurer, Maurice Lieberman, Secretary, George Ellison, Member at Large, and 2 members. 

Treasurer’s Report: 

Chuck (Acting Treasurer) reported CME’s bank account balance is $653.54.

Old Business: 

Our November Model Regatta was postponed due to weather and other factors. We will try to hold another regatta over the next few months (perhaps in February as weather and time permits.) Chuck suggested we can put a regatta event together on rather short notice. We will do our best to make that happen. However, we would like to see more club member participation. Bring your boats and join in on the fun! Jerry and Maurice have plenty of boats available for everyone to try out their piloting skills on the lake. Starting and set up time will commence around 1130 AM. The event will wind up around 3:30 PM due to the short winter days or when the batteries die, whichever comes first.

 New Business:

George announced Hobbies Unlimited in San Leandro will be closing their doors sometime next year. They have been in business 55 years! Al, the owner told George he prefers to sell his business to an avid modeler that has an interest in R/C cars. 

George also mentioned the “Aeronuts” flying club will be hosting their annual control line aircraft fly-in on January 1st. at their airstrip in Alameda.  Festivities will start around 0830 with food being available around noon. “build, fly, crash, and repeat!” You will be welcomed if you go. (Video here, Aeronut Action – YouTube)

Asked about the park on Olivera Street where we used to fly our control line planes Chuck said last time he was by there the land is still torn up and unsuitable for flying our control-line planes. Court Lane is fine for R/C aircraft, but not suitable for control line aircraft. 

Indoor flying during our meetings was discussed, but we currently know of no place that is available at reasonable price. If anyone knows of an available indoor location where we can hold our meetings and fly afterwards, please let Chuck know. In the meantime, we will continue to hold our meetings at Just Trains in Concord on the second Wednesday of every month commencing a 6:00 PM.

Chuck typically flies his aircraft at Court Lane on Sundays around 3:00 PM. He has a trainer plane with dual controls and is willing to teach any interested club member how to fly. He is hoping more members will join him out there. It’s really fun!

Chuck will continue to make and disburse to members our CME business cards for distribution to those interested in our club and activities. Hopefully doing this will generate new members! It is important to get the word out about our club activities. We are hoping more modelers will join us next year along with us “old timers.”

Chuck announced we will be collecting CME Club dues in January. The membership dues will remain at $20.00 annually. 

Chuck and Norma will be hosting a potluck get-together for all CME members at their home on January 20th. Chuck will send out the logistical details soon. He is hoping for a good turnout, so let’s not disappoint him. 

Parade of Planes:

Jim brought his Yard Bee plane with a throttled 049 engine he constructed 27 years ago. It still flies!

He also gave away a Sportsman .15 start and stunt engine to Ron.

George is working on a 1/4 scale 88″ wingspan WW1 Albatross. He displayed the Proctor Albatross engine model kit ($80.00) that he built to install on top of the 4 HP engine that will actually propel the plane. We will all be very excited to see it, when he completes this major project! On an historical note, it was Mercedes that built the engines during WW1 for the Albatross aircraft between 1914-1918. 

Chuck brought his Multiplex Easy Star 3 Channel motor glider. These kits are no longer available. He suggested using White Gorilla Glue on similar foam aircraft because when cured it is very much like the foam material of the plane. It does expand considerably but can be sanded. 

Chuck brought a rubber band powered plane that was donated to the club. Maurice suggested it be given to Jerry as he knows how to fly and repair them.

Reminder: Our January 10th membership meeting is scheduled at Just Trains, commencing at 6:00 PM

There was no raffle this month. 

Meeting adjourned: 7:06 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Maurice Lieberman, Club Secretary, Concord Model Engineers