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From the Editor – December 2025
My recovery from the removal of my stomach tumor followed by my gall bladder continues to go well, with no significant side effects so far and no evidence of a relapse. Still no progress to report regarding my incisional hernia - I’m still waiting to hear from the surgeon to whom my case was very belatedly referred by my namesake surgeon Dr. Duncan. Oh well, I hope eventually to receive proof that all things come to one who waits! Next, the bad news! Down south, convicted felon and associate of sex criminals Agent Orange (AO) continues to consolidate his claim to be viewed as the most ignorant, immoral, immature and egocentric apology for a human being ever to occupy a major office in any democratic country. His statement that he was “upset” with the air traffic controllers who refused to work without pay during the government shutdown is almost beyond belief – doesn’t he realize that a government shut-down is a shut-down in which government services stop?? Would you work in such a stressful job (or any other job) without pay just because AO (the orchestrator of the shut-down, whoever else he blames) says that you should?
His suggestion that those advocating the adherence of the US military to the Constitution should be executed amounts to a self-characterization of AO as a wannabe political murderer – how long before fantasy becomes reality? His declaration of DEI initiatives as human rights infringements is bizarrely unfathomable – DEI initiatives are developed to support human rights! Evidently only those few human rights that AO supports are worthy of protection………his recent classification of virtually any point of view with which he disagrees as "domestic terrorism" makes that point about as strongly as it could be made. His threats to retaliate against the citizens of New York City for electing a mayor whose ethnic background and policies he doesn’t like are an appalling display of Presidential interference in civic affairs as well as displaying a total disregard for the constitutional freedom of US citizens to elect the candidate of their choice. Worse still, his threats to arrest the newly-elected mayor and strip him of his US citizenship are a But perhaps his most disgusting recent display of hypocrisy, arrogance and immorality took the form of his “Great Gatsby” party at Mar-a-Largo – his second major party in two weeks. This saw AO and his billionaire toadies gorging themselves on filet mignon and other delicacies while at the same time doing ther best to terminate SNAP payments for millions of hungry and needy Americans and ignoring the plight of the starving children in Gaza. He doesn’t seem to be aware that Scott Fitzgerald’s famous parable depicts an America careening toward self-destruction in an inequality bubble – has he ever even read the book (or can he read??)? Gatsby’s parties were drawn as exhibitions of excess and ill-gotten wealth, where partygoers, “safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor,” displayed obscene indifference to the want that many Americans were suffering all around them. In addition, the party host Gatsby emulates AO in being a criminal (a bootlegger in Gatsby's case)! Sounds as if the shoe fits really well! Another disgusting display of irresponsibility, ignorance and immorality by an individual who lives in a fantasy world, unable to distinguish morality from narcissism and totally lacking in empathy.
Ken was an original member of the famous Motor Boys International group of model engine enthusiasts established by the late Ron Chernich and a few good friends, only a few of whom are now left. He was one of the world’s most respected model engine constructors, building a remarkable series of superb replicas of notable engines along with some outstanding models to complement them. He was also a good friend and a valued colleague, upon Turning thankfully to a happier topic, my good mate Luis Petersen of Denmark sent along the accompanying image at the left of an engine that resides in the model engine display collection at the Stauning museum, of which Luis is the curator. Apparently, it’s a very well-made unit which should run just fine. I have a nagging feeling that I’ve seen this one before, but can’t put a name to it. Can any reader do better? And now, an erratum admission! The reader may recall that last month my friend Gordon Beeby identified the “two glow-plug engines” submitted by the late Tim Dannels to my Wotizit pages as examples of something called the Porkrystal .049 engine made in small numbers in Switzerland. He did so quite reasonably on the basis of an attribution by a well-known dealer. I’ve since heard from the actual maker of these engines, who turns out to be Milan Porkristl of the Czech Republic. We had both the After making the Porkristl engines in the late 1980’s, Milan established the well-known MP Jet model engine manufacturing concern, which gave us so many fine replicas and retros. Milan is of course the MP of MP Jet. His company is still going but has changed its focus to other lines of work and now has very limited involvement with model engine manufacture as the market changes almost beyond recognition. At the present time (December 2025), the only MP Jet engine in stock is their wonderful little Letmo-influenced MP Jet .040 PB Classic sideport diesel in both standard and R/C configurations. Get ‘em while you can, guys!
But Gordon didn’t stop there! Casting his eagle eye over last month’s article on the Allbon Bambi, he was inspired to conduct one of his comprehensive media searches, finding a number of additional references which I’d missed previously. This has enabled me to update the article at a number of points, particularly in the section devoted to models designed for the Bambi. Thanks, mate!
As recorded in my August Editorial, I immediately took advantage of this last chance to acquire another of Don’s outstanding replicas to add to the numerous examples which I already own by acquiring his last replica of the mega-rare 1941 Black Panther tether car engine. I subsequently took further advantage of this opportunity by purchasing Don’s last replica of the very rare Talisman 60 racing engine, the original of which was made in very small numbers by Bill Cubitt in 1946, primarily as a casting kit for home construction. Another superb piece of work – American craftsmanship at its absolute best!! I encourage anyone with an interest in superbly-crafted replicas of classic model engines and/or cars to contact Don directly at donsengines@aol.com to see what (if anything) he has left.
The first new article deals with the series of .099 cuin. (1.6 cc) engines produced by Tokyo Hobbycrafts and marketed under the Mamiya trade-name. I’ve covered the Mamiya range in general Maintaining my usual international flavour, the second article is a start-to-finish look at the famous Taifun range from Germany. These excellent engines were one of Germany’s best-known model engine ranges during the classic era, and deservedly so. I used them myself quite a bit back in the day, and never had any cause to regret doing so. I’m sure that you’ll enjoy catching up on the history of this excellent high-quality model engine range!
That’s about it for this month, fellow enthusiasts. All being well and assuming 1) that Santa doesn’t arrive this year in an Abrams tank; 2) that my neighborhood remains free from the sound of tramping jackboots and gunfire; and 3) that WW3 doesn’t engulf us, I hope to return in January to wish you all a Happy New Year and to present a few more reviews for your reading pleasure. In the meantime, I really appreciate all the expressions of support that I’ve continued to receive from so many of you! Stay safe!! Adrian Duncan British Columbia, Canada (the NATION, not a state!)
___________________________________ Note regarding material to be found on this site - unless specifically otherwise noted, all images and text which appear on this site are my own work, and I hereby assert my right to be recognized as the originator of this material except when expressly otherwise stated. For the record, this material is made freely available to all upon two firm conditions:
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Greetings once more to one and all! Wow - another year gone!! First, please allow me to extend Season’s Greetings to you all! “On earth peace, good will toward men” seems to be an unrealistic situation to hope for – there’s precious little peace or good will going the rounds this year. But I can still extend my personal best wishes for a happy festive season spent with family and friends! 
His comment that counselling the US military to refuse to obey illegal orders amounts to treason punishable by death is in itself both a threat and a treasonous utterance, since it explicitly confirms AO’s belief that the US military should obey illegal orders, which they clearly should not do. It also implies his intention to issue such orders in the expectation that they'll be obeyed. If ordered to kill the very citizens whom they’re sworn to protect, should the US military do so? That’s where he’s headed with this! 
direct challenge to democracy, freedom of religion and freedom of thought in the USA. Taken in concert with his earlier threats to use unprovoked military force against Canada, Denmark and various South American countries (to say nothing of the citizens of his own country), it’s clear that his knee-jerk reaction to any and all issues that bother him, whether domestic or international, is to resort to bully-boy threats, intimidation and violence rather than give any rational thought to potential solutions – that would be too challenging intellectually for his under-developed ten-year-old mind. Like all schoolyard bullies, he’s both cowardly and insecure. Factor in ignorance, vindictiveness and ego-mania, and there you have AO…………..
Returning now to model engines, I have the sad duty of reporting yet another departure from our midst – an all-too frequent occurrence these days as our hobby and its practitioners both age together. This one really hurts – my valued English friend Ken Croft passed away peacefully at home on October 28
whose advice and assistance I could always rely when a research question arose in connection with one of my articles. I was in communication with him almost until the end. I will miss him very much, and I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his surviving wife Anne.
spelling of his name and his country wrong!! I’ve now corrected all of the relevant information. While he was at it, Milan also provided a few additional details which warranted addition to my existing article on the 
Gordon Beeby found a few minor details concerning the advertising history of the 
Readers may recall that in my 
The blog site has remained quite active in recent months, with some good information and insights being exchanged. A particularly useful comment came from reader Neil Kaminar, whose knowledge of electronics is clearly far greater than mine! Neil was able to set me straight on a couple of electronics errors in my article on 
OK, on to the new articles for this month! I’m still seeking an escape from the stress induced by the continuing uncertainties which define the troubled times in which we live by doing my best to make every edition count – who knows how long I’ll remain in a position to do so? Once again, I’ve somehow managed to assemble what I hope will be another interesting selection of articles for your reading pleasure, including a Christmas Bonus article!
terms in an earlier article on this website. Time now to take a closer look at the various displacement categories in which this range competed, starting with the 
My British readers are catered to twice this month. The first article with a British flavour is this year’s Christmas Bonus article, which deals with a rather obscure subject – the 
Finally, the MEN transfer article for this month deals with one of the earliest British diesels to appear following the conclusion of WW2 – the late 1946 
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