If you could ask Gene Hustings...

[WebSteve]

Steve/Gene-
Where did AE test their early on-road gas cars? Did they have a track behind the shop, run them in the parking lot or go to the closest track?

Thank-you

dirtdiver

We did not have a track behind the shop. We tested at a track during practice for a race or the day after a race. To get good test results for racing cars you needed a clean track with VHT or sugar water added for high traction. This simulated racing conditions. A lot of the times we went back to a track the Monday after a big race to test new cars. Just testing on a parking lot or going to the track during the week didn't give you good enough results.

Curtis Husting

[polarbear]

Steve, can you lead us to the development of the 1/12 class? I read from this thread about the birth of 12E, however, why is it 1/12 or 05 motor and not others? Was it a pre-AE, or Jomac 's period history?

In addition, the vaccum formed lexan body method has been used for ???? years, was it also pre AE period? Who was the first to use this bullet proof material, and this kind of production is still sustaining !!!! Cool....

When did Reedy join the party? Sorry I am not aged enough to know his achievement in slot car racing.

[WebSteve]

Here is your answer from Curtis Husting:

Regarding the 1/12 class. The 1/12 class was just beginning with manufacturers like Jomac and Jarobee. A 1/12 size (width, length & weight) was established as we started to get involved in 1980. This set the stage for stability and a format that other manufacturers can get involved to grow the class and create competition. The 05 motor was used because of it's size, power, cost and availability. This 05 motor had plenty of power and was low cost to the consumer.

The vacuum formed bodies have been around since before R/C cars. They were used in slot cars in the early 60's maybe earlier. Associated started as a slot car manufacturer. They had their own vacuum forming machine and made their own bodies. Early R/C bodies were formed with vacuum formed Butyrate plastic. This was a high impact material but not as good as "Lexan" polycarbonate. In the late 60's Lexan, polycarbonate material had been invented and is still used today. Associated was one of the first companies to use Lexan bullet proof plastic bodies.

During the beginning of Associated's entry into the electric part of the hobby in 1980, Mike Reedy joined Associated. With Mike as part of the Team, the Associated drivers were never lacking for horsepower. Reedy-powered cars have won more than 28 IFMAR World Championships to date, far surpassing any other R/C motor manufacturer.

[Jeep-Power]

HUGE thanks to Steve and everyone asking all the questions I've had for 20+ years! This is an awesome thread-- the beauty of the internet shining brightly.

Steve-- how much of the first order of RC-10 parts were made 'in-house'? There is mention above of getting quotes on parts (from outside suppliers) and realizing that it was affordable. Was all the machining done by suppliers and then the final product assembled 'in-house'?

Being an amateur machinist, I can only imagine what it took to produce those early prototypes, by hand. What formal training/experience did the person who built those prototypes have? Where was the shop located? ANy pics?

ps-- I'm ordering your book tonight!

[reign79]

How where the early rc100/200/12e kydex parts cut? Also who was the supplier where they produced in house? Thanks Ryan

[WebSteve]

HUGE thanks to Steve and everyone asking all the questions I've had for 20+ years! This is an awesome thread-- the beauty of the internet shining brightly.

Steve--
(1) how much of the first order of RC-10 parts were made 'in-house'? There is mention above of getting quotes on parts (from outside suppliers) and realizing that it was affordable. Was all the machining done by suppliers and then the final product assembled 'in-house'?

(2) Being an amateur machinist, I can only imagine what it took to produce those early prototypes, by hand. What formal training/experience did the person who built those prototypes have?

(3) Where was the shop located? ANy pics?

ps-- I'm ordering your book tonight!

Curtis Husting graciously provided the following information.

(1) AE had a small machine shop and was not capable to make all the parts in-house. Many on the parts that needed secondary operations were done in-house. All the plastic molding was done near our shop but not in-house. We did end up buying several CNC machines so we could do more machining for the RC10 to same cost and have better quality control. Many of the high cost parts were then machined at AE. The final product was all assembled into kits boxes at AE.

(2) Hi, I’m Curtis Husting, I made all the early prototypes and am still here at AE making prototypes . Sorry this has taken a few days to answer as I am in the middle of making new prototypes as we speak.
As for training and experience, I have been working for AE since 1978. I have had some machining lessons in school but most of my training came from hands on experience working at AE with Roger Curtis and Gene Husting. They taught me everything I know. Back in the day of the RC10 we didn’t have access to CNC mills. Everything was done by hand using conventional mills and lathes. The chassis were hand bent using hammers and rubber mallets. This took many hours and days to prototype. I got pretty good at it though. My Dad still has the hand built prototype in his house. As machines progressed like the CNC machines, we would purchase them and learn as we go. So all my experience came from on the job training. As technology advanced, so did I.

(3) At the time of the RC10 [before 1987], the shop was located in Santa Ana, Ca on Edinger Ave. [No photos, sorry. But the building still stands. Thanks for ordering the book! http://stores.lulu.com/vintage_rc10 ]

[Jeep-Power]

There is no need to apologize-- thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to share with us!

I cannot imagine how many bleary-eyed hours were spent making the prototypes... just amazing.

Where did you guys get/what brought on the idea for the aluminum tub-type chassis? It certainly proves itself durable and it's run lasted a LONG time. A stroke of genius, I dare say.

[WebSteve]

How where the early rc100/200/12e kydex parts cut? Also who was the supplier where they produced in house? Thanks Ryan

Curtis Husting replies:

The bumpers were cut in-house with a punch press.

[WebSteve]

There is no need to apologize-- thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to share with us!

I cannot imagine how many bleary-eyed hours were spent making the prototypes... just amazing.

Where did you guys get/what brought on the idea for the aluminum tub-type chassis? It certainly proves itself durable and it's run lasted a LONG time. A stroke of genius, I dare say.

Curtis Husting replies:

At that time, the durable / stiff plastics we have now had not been invented yet. We needed a stiff light-weight material so aluminum was chosen. The tub-type design was thought up by Roger Curtis. It was to simulate the stiffness of a real racing buggy roll cage but still be low cost for the consumer. We experimented with different types of aluminum and thicknesses to get the stiffness that we needed.

[reign79]

Curtis Husting replies:

The bumpers were cut in-house with a punch press.

Thanks Steve and Curtis

[Charlie don't surf]

Were the fiberglass front and rear towers cut via punch press at any time? I notice a big difference in the "machined" edges of the towers from my earlier cars to the later ones say from
86-92

Thanks!

[WebSteve]

Pete Cooney of procurement answers:

THE ORIGINAL SHOCK TOWERS WERE MACHINED. AS THE SALES VOLUME OF CARS INCREASED, WE SWITCHED TO PUNCHED PARTS DUE TO COST AND AVAILABILITY.

[Charlie don't surf]

Thanks Steve!

[jwscab]

Steve,

I'm really curious how the 6 gear transmission came to be. There is really nothing like it that was ever designed prior to, and any time after the RC10. Curious as to the decision to put the differential inside the spur, and external to the trans case. Was it precipitated from the fact that the pan cars already used a spur/diff design?

thanks very much!!!!

[Jeep-Power]

great question!