THINGIES!

i get a little uneasy when the thingy thing comes up for debate. there was many changes taking place in the late 60,s that helped to sink the slot world, R/c as stated, electronic games, a new array of pastimes all out of the box ready to go, befor this expantion, most hobbies relyed on the participant making most of the componants of his/her hobby, cars railways, aircraft and such, this was possibly a left over from more austere times. at this point in time the slot world went through a critical phase, speed and performance for some people became the be all and end all, and split the hobby into two camps, scale/performance. the disenchanted people moved to the new hobbies, scale / performanse retreated to there own worlds and the hobby suffered. we now see the echo,s of this bsl, bsrca, scale , rtr. within the last few years the hobby seems to be gaining in strength again. what makes me uneasy, these things have been forgotten or disregarded, most clubs have 10 or 12 members, if 2or 3 start making thingies, at first it seems harmless fun , then a class is set up for these things, then a night just to run them, the club divides , some members move on, a large club can take a few losses but the smaller one,s will go under, dont dismiss as alarmist it happens beleave me.make the choice, bsrca or rtr please dont try to run both mac p

QUOTE (mac p @ 11 Nov 2004, 12:09)most hobbies relyed on the participant making most of the componants of his/her hobby, cars railways, aircraft and such, this was possibly a left over from more austere times.

Good point about the 'austere times' Mac, one common theme that seems to run through most recollections of 50s/60s slotting in the UK is the lack of funds to buy stuff and the scavenged origin of much of the stuff - metal 'borrowed' from workplace, bombsight motors etc. My current scratch build is approached from a 'want to give it a try' attitude rather than a 'can't afford an RTR'

QUOTE (mac p @ 11 Nov 2004, 12:09).make the choice, bsrca or rtr please dont try to run both mac p
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't agree with you here Mac TBH. Firstly this thingies discussion above is about thingies as in late 1960's futurism rather than BPA BMW Eurosports. Secondly like many people I have a fairly catholic taste across the whole of the slot spectrum, from el cheapo 1:43 cars to BSCRA, stopping at Scalex and TSRF on the way so am basically prepared to race anything with at least two wheels at the back and a guide. Also running both BSCRA and Scalex doesn't seem to do the North London club any harm.

If I didn't know you better Mac I'd suspect what you were really saying is 'don't run BSCRA!'

See you friday mate

Coop

The only reason none of us Egg guys have replied is time pressure I reckon, joergs is busy, thomas is spending more time in the UK recently and I am just busy doing whatever takes up my time in the day at the moment, trying to sell a house in the UK and buy one here for one.

I can't say I have ever considered playing with things in public but a few of those pictured above do have a certain charm!

As for hosting an Event well thats a given, anytime you want. Edo how about you organise the races and classes and we wil do the rest given enough details.

The only problem is that it should be at the end of March or maybe the end of April, there is a good chance we have to change buildings (complicated) or at least into the front half of the existing building and our lease runs out in April!

I will keep you informed but we are not closing so something will be possible, maybe even the New Swiss Race Bahn...

Not quite a full fledged thingy but Prof Fate has labled it as a travesty of the Cobra name. I figured it might qualify, till I dig up a couple of real ones here I did.

It's a Monogram/Revell Cobra in 1/32nd scale, widened out .375 of an inch to 2.5 inches wide and has a front engine scratch brass chassis. It claims to have Chevrolet power. With a large wide rear wing and a front spoiler. This one runs like a scared ape being chased by the Devil.

The body is held on with the side pipes of brass tube soldered to a U shaped .030 double pin tube mount. Which slides into chassis pin tube mounts. It also uses Fly Ferrari 512 classic wheels cut down as inserts in much wider silicone coated sponge tires on aluminium wheels.







Cobrazila next to a stock Cobra body.

I know, it's just pure heresy! but ain't it fun??