10 Unique Covers of Model Aviation

Written by MA Staff. Online feature highlighting unique MA covers.

Being the flagship publication of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Model Aviation traditionally features model aircraft on the cover. Every once in a while we like to change things up and highlight other elements of the organization. Below are ten of our most unique covers. To browse our entire archive dating back to 1975, visit https://library.modelaviation.com or click on the library link in the top right menu.

October 2013
A 1/16-scale Fokker D.VII, constructed from a 1934 Cleveland kit, sets on top of the plans and is surrounded by common building materials. Built by Michael Fulmer, who added numerous scale details, it is part of the National Model Aviation Museum’s collection and was donated by Bill Box. It is proudly displayed as part of the Scale exhibit along with several other Scale masterpieces. Photo by Jennifer Orebaugh. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/2013/10/1

August 2012
Model Aviation takes it first steps into the mobile digital era. In addition to the print version, www.ModelAviation.com, and the Archive/Library, this issue shared how readers can access the magazine with a mobile device. Cover illustration by Chris Savage. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/2012/8/1

July 2005
Martin Scorsese utilized model airplanes to achieve realistic flight scenes for his hit movie The Aviator. He contracted Aero Telemetry—a company owned by AMA member Joe Bock—to design, construct, and operate models of Howard Hughes’ airplanes on camera. This issue contains the first of three articles about how Joe and his crew successfully completed the project. On the cover, Joe and fellow crew member John Keefe load up the Hughes H-1 racer after its record-setting flights during filming for the movie. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/2005/7/1

July 2000
The July 1975 issue marked the beginning of Model Aviation in its current format. After 25 years, we're still going strong. Show are the July covers from 1975 - 1999. Cover design by Carla Kunz; photography by Jim Haught. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/2000/7/1

May 1999
Bill Winter needed only his pipe and two fingers on a manual typewriter to become the finest in his field. This issue was dedicated to his memory. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/1999/5/1

December 1998
What's in a Nats? A tiny sample is shown here. Photo by Jim Haught. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/1998/12/1

July 1996
Maria Williams-Hawkins and Bob Underwood prepare to host Why Does It Fly?, Ama's first interactive television field trip. The live program was broadcast via satellite to more than 30,000 students in five states. Photo by Matthew Usher. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/1996/7/1

June 1996
A great way for newcomers to get help is to visit a hobby shop. Bill Scott of HobbyTown USA in Indianapolis explians the virtues of this RC trainer to a couple of potential new fliers. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/1996/6/1

August 1991
Aviation artist Robert A. Benjamin's original 40 x 30-in. oil painting was used for this month's cover. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/1991/8/1

June 1986
The first issue of AMA's magazine (upper left) was produced in June 1936. Lower left shows the current-day Chet Lanzo with his 1937 Nats RC-event-winning model. Inside the National Model Aviation Museum (upper right) shows a few of the hundreds of models on display. At lower right is the front of AMA's first permanent home and headquarters near Washington DC which opened its doors in 1983. Read the full issue at https://library.modelaviation.com/ma/1986/6/1