"Curved Air Press" publications are now handled by SAILSetc.
Contact them at the following web address.
Curved Air Press List
Curved Air Press Reprints
1: YOUR MODEL YACHT: How to Sail it; Practical Hints for the Young Novice: by A Member of One of the Leading Model Yacht Clubs:1929?
ISBN: 1 873148 00 3: A5: 12pp:
A simple pamphlet aimed at schoolboys, dealing with the sailing of the simplest models without steering gear, or with weighted rudders.
2: HOW TO SAIL YOUR MODEL YACHT:
Bassett-Lowke: 1930s. ISBN: 1 873148 01 1:
A5: 12pp:
A more sophisticated pamphlet written originally in the 1930s to accompany Bassett's superior toy yachts. Deals with the use of Braine gear
3: TUNING UP A MODEL YACHT:
D A MacDonald: MAP: 1957. ISBN: 1 873148 02 X: A5: 16pp:
More sophisticated again. Aims at the competitive model yachtsman and assumes the boat is fitted with vane gear.
*4 THE MODEL DOCKYARD HANDY-BOOK:
The Model Dockyard, Fleet St: 4th Edition: 1872
With a new introduction by Russell Potts.
ISBN 1 873148 15 1: A5 spiral bound: 76pp:
A comprehensive catalogue and guide to construction from one of the leading model engineering firms of the mid 19th century, founded originally in 1779. As well as model yachts it covers an extensive range of steam and clockwork powered model boats as well as model steam engines and railway locomotives, together with parts and castings for home construction.
*5 MODEL SAILING YACHTS, 1905: Percival Marshall (ed): With a new introduction by Russell Potts.
ISBN: 1 873148 20 8. A5: 144 pp. Colour cover. Perfect bound.
This is the first version of Marshall’s little book, and was largely written by H Wilson Theobald. It is quite different from the version written by Bill Daniels which appeared in 1913 and stayed in print until 1950. It provides a picture of late 19th century model yachting, just before the introduction of Daniels’ design procedures and before the invention of the Braine gear.
*6 HOW TO BUILD A MODEL YACHT, 1902: Herbert Fisher. With a new introduction by Russell Potts
ISBN: 1 873148 22 4. A5: 70pp: Colour cover: Line and half tone illustrations: Perfect bound. Price TBA. Forthcoming.
This is the first ‘how to do it’ book produced in the USA. It appeared originally as a series of articles in the magazine The Rudder in the mid 1890s and gives an interesting picture of the building and sailing practice of model yachtsmen in New York at that time.The text has been reset and the original illustrations re- inserted. The introduction fills in the historical background and discusses the style and organisation of model sailing in and around New York. The original book form publication contained a number of designs contributed to the magazine by modellers in both the USA and in Britain and these have been supplemented by further designs from contemporary sources to illustrate a discussion of the design problems that were faced by modellers at this period and the solutions they attempted.
Practical Guides for Vintage Modellers
*JACK'S GUIDE TO THE RESTORATION OF OLDER MODEL YACHTS: Jack Drury, with commentary and interpolations by Russell Potts and Richard Howlett. ISBN 1 873148 09 7. A5: 32pp.
A guide to the techniques required to bring old wooden boats back to sailing condition. Draws on the experience of a modeller active since the 1920s and of two of today’s most experienced restorers
*BUILDING PLANKED MODELS: A Manual of Vintage Model Yacht Construction. Charles H Farley, edited by Earl Boebert, Afterword by Rod Carr. A4: 114 pp :
This is a reprint by the USVMYG of articles that originally appeared in 1945 in Model Yachting Monthly, the magazine of the MYRAA, which Farley edited.
The material has been re-organised to give a more coherent presentation than was possible in its original form as disparate articles, but apart from this and a few footnotes what you get is what he wrote. The techniques described represent the normal technology of the period. The methods are clearly described and, so far as any written text can tell you how to do it, will permit a reasonably careful and assiduous beginner to successfully complete a boat. Rod Carr's Afterword touches briefly on how to up date these methods for modern materials and glues.
*RALPH'S GUIDE TO VINTAGE SAILMAKING. Cotton sails for Older Styles of Model Yacht: Ralph Nellist: ISBN 1 873148 13 5: A4, 38 pp, spiral bound:
Ralph Nellist, a textile technologist, has spent the years since he joined the Vintage Group researching sail cloths and sail making techniques. His work can now stand comparison with the best professional products of the 1930s. He has now written the definitive guide to this lost art. Also includes some brief notes on making sails in cotton without sewing, by Russell Potts.
Model Yachting History
*"M" 1930-1990:
A Design History of the Marblehead Class of Model Yacht. by Russell Potts: ISBN: 1 873148 04 6: A5: 24 pp:
Covers the long story of the M from its origins in the USA to its present world wide distribution. Seeks to explain how and why the shape of boats has changed. Many lines drawings.
*100 YEARS OF THE 10-RATER RULE
by Russell Potts: ISBN: 1 873148 05 4: A5:18pp:
Despite the title, this souvenir of the 1987 Centenary 10-r Worlds in Gothenburg deals only with design developments before the introduction of radio control. Line and photo illustrations.
SPORTING HOBBIES AND SOCIAL CLASS: the case of Model Yachting
by Russell Potts: 1988, A4; 12pp.
A survey of the social background of Victorian model yachtsmen, concentrating on two episodes involving clubs sailing on water in the Royal Parks of London.
* A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MODEL YACHTING
by Russell Potts and Paul Croxson.
ISBN: 1 873148 10 0. A5, 176 pp.
A comprehensive coverage of the printed sources for the history of model yachting, with extensive commentary on books and magazines in nine languages from ten countries. The period covered is from 1852 to the present. As well as over 150 entries concerned with model sailing yachts, there is a substantial section of books on radio control and its development and the first attempt to describe the nature of the many periodicals that have covered the sport over the years.
Not Model Yachting History
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF A LEISURE TECHNOLOGY: YACHT DESIGN AND THE RATING RULES 1880-1920. by Russell Potts 1995 A4: 70pp :
This is not a model yachting title, but the text of an M.Sc dissertation I wrote a few years ago. Vast erudition combined with original ideas about the taxonomy of sports, the ideology of the Victorian yachtsman and the way in which technology is shaped by social aims of the users. Lots of lines plans of Victorian racing yachts.