I have been saving this special interview until now. When I was in San Diego filming the Soaring Master Class DVD, I spent an afternoon with my old friend and soaring mentor Charlie Richardson. Charlie owned CR Aircraft Models and designed and sold some of the most innovative gliders of the 1980's and '90's. Glider designs like the Renegade, Climmax, Contender, Turbo, and Raider are true classics.
Listen to my hour-long podcast interview in MP3 format (47MB) as we discuss Charlie's start in R/C, his design process, and how his cutting-edge gliders came to be. Download The CR Podcast
This podcast can be used freely and copied without restriction. Please support this and future podcasts by buying a few of my DVDs at www.radiocarbonart.com
If anyone has any questions about Charlie, the CR planes, or the old days of racing, you can e-mail me and I will get back to you.
Make sure you check out the photo album I just posted on this blog which contains some cool shots of the remains of Charlie's personal stash of planes and CR memorabilia.
I am looking for a renagade kit for my boyfriend. He has been flying on Del Val hill just before the park in Livermoore, Ca. for almost thirty years. He wants this kit real bad. Please email me if you have any info. Thanks.
Posted by: Carolyn R. Stieben | July 02, 2011 at 11:48 PM
shure like to get my hands on a carbon renegade jake may 619-778-9778
Posted by: Jake May | February 12, 2011 at 03:02 PM
hi paul,
a few years ago i tried to get a fun one class slope race organized in the portland area. little success, as too many pilots found that when the field was leveled they did not win! they found way too many faults with the kit and it was more than i could deal with, with that said, i have enjoyed charlies planes more than any other design i have had the pleasure to build.
i have not flown for a few years, and i am in the process of restoring the renegade and the turbo with the 6062 airfoil. i look forward to enjoying these fine planes again
sure wish i could get a contender and a raider! i do have blue prints and inatructions for the renegade and the turbo, wood versions. very glad to see you are still keeping the old tech alive.
thank you paul
rocky greenland
Posted by: Rocky Greenland | April 02, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Many thanks Paul! This interview brought back some great memories. Both Charlie and yourself were my mentors in those days and I learned so much flying Charlies planes. Many pilgrimages to California and Oregon were enjoyed over those years. I still have that Woody Contender I flew at the Jamboree. It's the most fun all around sloper I ever owned. I think it's time to dig out some of those old planes sitting in my garage and get some flying in again.
Eagle butte anyone?
All the Best, Keith
Posted by: Keith Thomson | February 20, 2009 at 10:41 AM