Written & Submitted by LEJ (07/1996); Transcribed by NR (02/1997); Edited by SS (2002), Reformatted by JS (09/2009)
Career
- Been in the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) for the last 20 years
- Been in the AMA since 1938; been a leader member for 25 years
- Started J&Z Products, producer of “Zinger” props
- Produced Old Time ignition engines; made over 1200 engines
- The only three-time elected (nine years) president of the B.I.R.D. Radio Control club
Honors
- 1993: SAM Hall of Fame
My uncle, a model boat builder, and I spent a lot of time together back in 1931. He got me started building airplane models. I made my first model, a Bellanca, from hard wood strips that my uncle cut for me. It was covered with “toilet paper” and varnished. It glided like a brick. Flew in the Junior Birdmen contest in New York (North) State. I designed and built my first gaspowered model in 1940. It was powered with an O&R 23. In 1942, I built my own engine. I still have it. I was in the Navy in World War II and got out in 1946. I went back into modeling starting with Control Line, and was one of the founders of the Syracuse Control Line Club. In 1951, I moved to California and got back into Free Flight. Moved into Radio Control about 10 years later. Flew pattern, scale, and quarter scale.
Have been in the AMA since 1938 (time out for WW II) and in the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) for the last 20 years. For 25 years, I've been a leader member. In 1971, along with a partner, started J&Z Products, producer of “Zinger” props. Then I sold out to my partner in 1982 and retired.
Then I started producing Old Time ignition engines for our SAM events. I moved to Las Vegas in 1987 and still make engines as a hobby (a labor of love). I made over 1200 engines for the Old-Timer movement.
Was the contest manager for the 1989 SAM Champs and was one of the coordinators of the 1991 Champs, and will be the manager for the 1997 SAM Champs here in Los Vegas.
I was the only three-time elected (nine years) president of the B.I.R.D. Radio Control Club of Southern California, when it was the largest club in the U.S. in the early 1970s (495 members). (signed) L.E. Jenno 7/96
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