This book was read in middle school. It featured four stories with the same gang of young boys. One story was of them faking a Loch Ness Monster using radio-controlled boat in their lake. Another was their search for a crashed airplane using radio direction finding. A third was their competing in a hot-air balloon race. The fourth I do not remember. This was probably published in the 80’s or late 70’s.
Try the Mad Scientist Club Series by Bertrand Brinley.
That’s It! That’s the one. Thanks for helping me with this. It’s been bugging me for years.
There are also three sequels…The New Adventures of the Mad Scientist’s Club, The Big Kerplop! and The Big Chunk of Ice.
Thank you – I’ve been thinking about this for years as well, and found this post off a google search. Thanks!