142 MODEL AVIATION
“BUILD WELL, build often, fly much” is a
statement about FF Scale modeling that is
worth remembering. I have even placed
these words on my workshop wall.
Chris Starleaf made a more expansive
statement at the conclusion of his
construction article for the Fairey
Barracuda, published in the July 2006
Flying Models magazine. If you have not
read Chris’s article, I urge you to do so.
The comments are under the subtitle
“Mass launch competition” beginning on
page 64. These are words of wisdom from
an acknowledged master, and we are all
enriched by them.
Since this column is written three months
before its publication, I cannot tell you with
certainty how Chris’s 64-inch-span B-24J
Liberator fared at this year’s Flying Aces
Club (FAC) Nats. I speculate that it
probably performed magnificently. The
construction photo of Chris’s B-24 on page
145 of the June 2006 column inspired me to
commence design work and construction on
a 1:24 (1/2-inch scale) model of the
Lockheed L-749 Constellation.
The complexity of a large multiengine
Scale model usually means months of
research, design, and construction before
flight testing. I started work on the
Thoughts about multiengine FF Scale subjects
[[email protected]]
Free Flight Scale Dennis Norman
Also included in this column:
• Model photos by Bob
Schlosberg
• The sport welcomes Scott
Allyn
• Ace—the musical!
Constellation in March of this year, and by
June I had still not completed the basic
airframe.
However, I have photographed the
construction. I have included a black-andwhite
picture of the model in this column.
Even though the model was incomplete,
I decided to take the unfinished airframe to
the FAC Nats. I knew it would not be
complete and would
probably be a
couple months
away from its first
test flights, but I
felt that it would be
enthusiastically
received. The sight
of a partially
completed airframe
is often fascinating
to modelers.
My plan was to
continue
construction and to
perhaps have the
Constellation ready
for flight by the
time of the FAC
Outdoor Champs
contest, to be held
at the AMA Flying
Site in Muncie,
Indiana, September
16-17, 2006. After
the FAC event in
Geneseo, New
York, the Muncie
event has become
the second most
significant
gathering of FAC
competitors in the
US.
As you receive
this issue of MA,
Promotional painting for the musical “Ace,” which will premier at
the Cincinnati Playhouse October 17. Image courtesy Cincinnati
Playhouse.
The author’s scratch-built, 61.5-inch-wingspan, rubber-powered FF
Lockheed Constellation under construction.
The late Dick Howard’s magnificent 26-inch-span Breguet 691
attack aircraft weighed only 45 grams. Bob Schlosberg photo.
the contest is fast approaching. If you have
not already decided to go, I strongly urge
you to contact Ralph Kuenz at 2798
Bluebird Ln., Columbus MI 48063, or (586)
727-3373 for reservations. It will cost you
$25 to enter the event, but you will receive a
free T-shirt and beautiful plans of the
Cleveland-designed Beechcraft Bonanza.
You will also be treated to some of the
09sig5.QXD 7/26/06 8:52 AM Page 142September 2006 143
Dick Howard’s 37-inch-span Consolidated Commodore weighed
5.5 ounces and had twin electric motors. Schlosberg photo.
Dick Howard’s 18.5-inch-span Ansaldo S.V.A.5. He did not build
multiengine aircraft exclusively. Schlosberg photo.
Bob Schlosberg’s Cessna 120/140 series with documented
silver/maroon paint. Unique silver was obtained by adding fine
aluminum crystal dust to Sig aluminum/silver dope. Schlosberg
photo.
Immaculate Grumman F-4F4 with detailed lines using a 0 or 00
technical pen. Such effort is typical of Bob Schlosberg and of
master modelers. Schlosberg photo.
most memorable FF Scale models you will
ever see. I know I mentioned this to you in
the June 2006 column, but good things are
worth repeating. Hope to see you there.
One of the acknowledged masters in FF
Scale is Bob Schlosberg of Cactus Squadron
No. 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He read my
appeal for photos of models to share with
you and responded by sending me a
handsome assortment of pictures of aircraft
from his collection.
Bob also sent me photos of models built
by the late Dick Howard. Dick was Bob’s
mentor and one of the most prolific builders
of multiengine FF Scale models. I plan to
share these wonderful pictures with you
starting in this column. I urge you to send
me color photographs of your models so
readers can enjoy them.
It is important that we continue to warmly
welcome new members to our ranks. Earlier
this year I received a telephone call from 49-
year-old Scott Allyn of nearby Lorain, Ohio.
He is a reporter for the Lorain Morning
Journal and had developed a curiosity about
rubber-powered flying models.
Scott had purchased the Arrow—a
nonscale kit by Guillow’s—and had been
working on it, but he called me with
questions about it. It was his first effort. As
do many Guillow’s kits, the Arrow comes
with good-quality instructions and diagrams,
but sometimes it helps to chat with an
experienced modeler as construction
progresses. I had several pleasant telephone
conversations with Scott as he completed his
model.
Saturday, April 29, 2006, I met with him
at Lorain Community College (home field of
the Cleveland Free Flight Society [CFFS])
to begin test-flying. Scott had done an
outstanding job with the Arrow. Its red-andwhite
tissue covering was neatly applied,
and its flying surfaces were properly
aligned.
Even though Scott had followed the
plans carefully, he had not realized the
importance of access to the rubber motor. As
shown on the plans, the Arrow provides only
a roughly 1/4-inch-diameter hole to get to the
propeller and rubber motor. Revising the
nose-block opening was the first
modification noted for future sessions.
In the next couple hours we progressed
from balancing to gliding to low-powered
flights which showed that the Arrow was
stable and capable of prolonged flight. As
our session concluded, the Arrow made
flights that were well more than 100 yards
long. Clearly the airplane had potential.
One of the first things Scott did as the
model began flying greater distances was to
start running after it. I loved his enthusiasm,
but I told him to pace himself or he would
quickly become exhausted.
By the first CFFS contest on May 28,
Scott returned with his model and a
photographer from the Morning Journal.
The photographer was enthused by what he
saw. Best of all, we made new friends for
CFFS and, in doing so, were fortunate to
receive news coverage of our activities for
the surrounding community.
In addition to Scott’s participation, I also
had the pleasure of having my 5-year-old
grandson Finn and his 21/2-year-old sister
May as guests at the contest. Both enjoyed
flying gliders and stick models, which
performed beautifully. They tired after an
hour or so, but I gave them a model to take
home. I am looking forward to flying with
them again soon.
Before closing the hangar doors I want to
tell you about a unique musical play called
“Ace.” With music by Richard Oberacker
and lyrics by Robert Taylor, “Ace” will be
playing at the Cincinnati Playhouse from
09sig5.QXD 7/26/06 8:55 AM Page 143October 17 to November 17, 2006.
What makes it so intriguing is that it is
billed as a “heart-warming coming-of-age
story of a 1950s boy searching for a sense of
family and identity in the unlikeliest of
places.” When the boy is “given a model
airplane, it unlocks the door to a fantastic
new world, with the mysterious fighter pilot,
Ace, as his guide.”
“Ace” takes the boy “on a series of
heroic and haunting World War I and II
adventures,” causing him to discover “not
only the secrets of his past, but also the key
to his future.”
I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and Cincinnati
is approximately five hours away, but many
of us live within a radius of five hours or
less from Cincinnati. I am looking forward
to making the journey to see this new
musical, which deals with a passion all of us
share. If possible, make plans to see this
yourself.
For further information, contact the
Cincinnati Playhouse at www.cincyplay.com
or by calling (513) 421-3888. The
Playhouse is located at 962 Mount Evans
Dr. I hope to see you there! MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/09
Page Numbers: 142,143,144
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/09
Page Numbers: 142,143,144
142 MODEL AVIATION
“BUILD WELL, build often, fly much” is a
statement about FF Scale modeling that is
worth remembering. I have even placed
these words on my workshop wall.
Chris Starleaf made a more expansive
statement at the conclusion of his
construction article for the Fairey
Barracuda, published in the July 2006
Flying Models magazine. If you have not
read Chris’s article, I urge you to do so.
The comments are under the subtitle
“Mass launch competition” beginning on
page 64. These are words of wisdom from
an acknowledged master, and we are all
enriched by them.
Since this column is written three months
before its publication, I cannot tell you with
certainty how Chris’s 64-inch-span B-24J
Liberator fared at this year’s Flying Aces
Club (FAC) Nats. I speculate that it
probably performed magnificently. The
construction photo of Chris’s B-24 on page
145 of the June 2006 column inspired me to
commence design work and construction on
a 1:24 (1/2-inch scale) model of the
Lockheed L-749 Constellation.
The complexity of a large multiengine
Scale model usually means months of
research, design, and construction before
flight testing. I started work on the
Thoughts about multiengine FF Scale subjects
[[email protected]]
Free Flight Scale Dennis Norman
Also included in this column:
• Model photos by Bob
Schlosberg
• The sport welcomes Scott
Allyn
• Ace—the musical!
Constellation in March of this year, and by
June I had still not completed the basic
airframe.
However, I have photographed the
construction. I have included a black-andwhite
picture of the model in this column.
Even though the model was incomplete,
I decided to take the unfinished airframe to
the FAC Nats. I knew it would not be
complete and would
probably be a
couple months
away from its first
test flights, but I
felt that it would be
enthusiastically
received. The sight
of a partially
completed airframe
is often fascinating
to modelers.
My plan was to
continue
construction and to
perhaps have the
Constellation ready
for flight by the
time of the FAC
Outdoor Champs
contest, to be held
at the AMA Flying
Site in Muncie,
Indiana, September
16-17, 2006. After
the FAC event in
Geneseo, New
York, the Muncie
event has become
the second most
significant
gathering of FAC
competitors in the
US.
As you receive
this issue of MA,
Promotional painting for the musical “Ace,” which will premier at
the Cincinnati Playhouse October 17. Image courtesy Cincinnati
Playhouse.
The author’s scratch-built, 61.5-inch-wingspan, rubber-powered FF
Lockheed Constellation under construction.
The late Dick Howard’s magnificent 26-inch-span Breguet 691
attack aircraft weighed only 45 grams. Bob Schlosberg photo.
the contest is fast approaching. If you have
not already decided to go, I strongly urge
you to contact Ralph Kuenz at 2798
Bluebird Ln., Columbus MI 48063, or (586)
727-3373 for reservations. It will cost you
$25 to enter the event, but you will receive a
free T-shirt and beautiful plans of the
Cleveland-designed Beechcraft Bonanza.
You will also be treated to some of the
09sig5.QXD 7/26/06 8:52 AM Page 142September 2006 143
Dick Howard’s 37-inch-span Consolidated Commodore weighed
5.5 ounces and had twin electric motors. Schlosberg photo.
Dick Howard’s 18.5-inch-span Ansaldo S.V.A.5. He did not build
multiengine aircraft exclusively. Schlosberg photo.
Bob Schlosberg’s Cessna 120/140 series with documented
silver/maroon paint. Unique silver was obtained by adding fine
aluminum crystal dust to Sig aluminum/silver dope. Schlosberg
photo.
Immaculate Grumman F-4F4 with detailed lines using a 0 or 00
technical pen. Such effort is typical of Bob Schlosberg and of
master modelers. Schlosberg photo.
most memorable FF Scale models you will
ever see. I know I mentioned this to you in
the June 2006 column, but good things are
worth repeating. Hope to see you there.
One of the acknowledged masters in FF
Scale is Bob Schlosberg of Cactus Squadron
No. 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He read my
appeal for photos of models to share with
you and responded by sending me a
handsome assortment of pictures of aircraft
from his collection.
Bob also sent me photos of models built
by the late Dick Howard. Dick was Bob’s
mentor and one of the most prolific builders
of multiengine FF Scale models. I plan to
share these wonderful pictures with you
starting in this column. I urge you to send
me color photographs of your models so
readers can enjoy them.
It is important that we continue to warmly
welcome new members to our ranks. Earlier
this year I received a telephone call from 49-
year-old Scott Allyn of nearby Lorain, Ohio.
He is a reporter for the Lorain Morning
Journal and had developed a curiosity about
rubber-powered flying models.
Scott had purchased the Arrow—a
nonscale kit by Guillow’s—and had been
working on it, but he called me with
questions about it. It was his first effort. As
do many Guillow’s kits, the Arrow comes
with good-quality instructions and diagrams,
but sometimes it helps to chat with an
experienced modeler as construction
progresses. I had several pleasant telephone
conversations with Scott as he completed his
model.
Saturday, April 29, 2006, I met with him
at Lorain Community College (home field of
the Cleveland Free Flight Society [CFFS])
to begin test-flying. Scott had done an
outstanding job with the Arrow. Its red-andwhite
tissue covering was neatly applied,
and its flying surfaces were properly
aligned.
Even though Scott had followed the
plans carefully, he had not realized the
importance of access to the rubber motor. As
shown on the plans, the Arrow provides only
a roughly 1/4-inch-diameter hole to get to the
propeller and rubber motor. Revising the
nose-block opening was the first
modification noted for future sessions.
In the next couple hours we progressed
from balancing to gliding to low-powered
flights which showed that the Arrow was
stable and capable of prolonged flight. As
our session concluded, the Arrow made
flights that were well more than 100 yards
long. Clearly the airplane had potential.
One of the first things Scott did as the
model began flying greater distances was to
start running after it. I loved his enthusiasm,
but I told him to pace himself or he would
quickly become exhausted.
By the first CFFS contest on May 28,
Scott returned with his model and a
photographer from the Morning Journal.
The photographer was enthused by what he
saw. Best of all, we made new friends for
CFFS and, in doing so, were fortunate to
receive news coverage of our activities for
the surrounding community.
In addition to Scott’s participation, I also
had the pleasure of having my 5-year-old
grandson Finn and his 21/2-year-old sister
May as guests at the contest. Both enjoyed
flying gliders and stick models, which
performed beautifully. They tired after an
hour or so, but I gave them a model to take
home. I am looking forward to flying with
them again soon.
Before closing the hangar doors I want to
tell you about a unique musical play called
“Ace.” With music by Richard Oberacker
and lyrics by Robert Taylor, “Ace” will be
playing at the Cincinnati Playhouse from
09sig5.QXD 7/26/06 8:55 AM Page 143October 17 to November 17, 2006.
What makes it so intriguing is that it is
billed as a “heart-warming coming-of-age
story of a 1950s boy searching for a sense of
family and identity in the unlikeliest of
places.” When the boy is “given a model
airplane, it unlocks the door to a fantastic
new world, with the mysterious fighter pilot,
Ace, as his guide.”
“Ace” takes the boy “on a series of
heroic and haunting World War I and II
adventures,” causing him to discover “not
only the secrets of his past, but also the key
to his future.”
I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and Cincinnati
is approximately five hours away, but many
of us live within a radius of five hours or
less from Cincinnati. I am looking forward
to making the journey to see this new
musical, which deals with a passion all of us
share. If possible, make plans to see this
yourself.
For further information, contact the
Cincinnati Playhouse at www.cincyplay.com
or by calling (513) 421-3888. The
Playhouse is located at 962 Mount Evans
Dr. I hope to see you there! MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/09
Page Numbers: 142,143,144
142 MODEL AVIATION
“BUILD WELL, build often, fly much” is a
statement about FF Scale modeling that is
worth remembering. I have even placed
these words on my workshop wall.
Chris Starleaf made a more expansive
statement at the conclusion of his
construction article for the Fairey
Barracuda, published in the July 2006
Flying Models magazine. If you have not
read Chris’s article, I urge you to do so.
The comments are under the subtitle
“Mass launch competition” beginning on
page 64. These are words of wisdom from
an acknowledged master, and we are all
enriched by them.
Since this column is written three months
before its publication, I cannot tell you with
certainty how Chris’s 64-inch-span B-24J
Liberator fared at this year’s Flying Aces
Club (FAC) Nats. I speculate that it
probably performed magnificently. The
construction photo of Chris’s B-24 on page
145 of the June 2006 column inspired me to
commence design work and construction on
a 1:24 (1/2-inch scale) model of the
Lockheed L-749 Constellation.
The complexity of a large multiengine
Scale model usually means months of
research, design, and construction before
flight testing. I started work on the
Thoughts about multiengine FF Scale subjects
[[email protected]]
Free Flight Scale Dennis Norman
Also included in this column:
• Model photos by Bob
Schlosberg
• The sport welcomes Scott
Allyn
• Ace—the musical!
Constellation in March of this year, and by
June I had still not completed the basic
airframe.
However, I have photographed the
construction. I have included a black-andwhite
picture of the model in this column.
Even though the model was incomplete,
I decided to take the unfinished airframe to
the FAC Nats. I knew it would not be
complete and would
probably be a
couple months
away from its first
test flights, but I
felt that it would be
enthusiastically
received. The sight
of a partially
completed airframe
is often fascinating
to modelers.
My plan was to
continue
construction and to
perhaps have the
Constellation ready
for flight by the
time of the FAC
Outdoor Champs
contest, to be held
at the AMA Flying
Site in Muncie,
Indiana, September
16-17, 2006. After
the FAC event in
Geneseo, New
York, the Muncie
event has become
the second most
significant
gathering of FAC
competitors in the
US.
As you receive
this issue of MA,
Promotional painting for the musical “Ace,” which will premier at
the Cincinnati Playhouse October 17. Image courtesy Cincinnati
Playhouse.
The author’s scratch-built, 61.5-inch-wingspan, rubber-powered FF
Lockheed Constellation under construction.
The late Dick Howard’s magnificent 26-inch-span Breguet 691
attack aircraft weighed only 45 grams. Bob Schlosberg photo.
the contest is fast approaching. If you have
not already decided to go, I strongly urge
you to contact Ralph Kuenz at 2798
Bluebird Ln., Columbus MI 48063, or (586)
727-3373 for reservations. It will cost you
$25 to enter the event, but you will receive a
free T-shirt and beautiful plans of the
Cleveland-designed Beechcraft Bonanza.
You will also be treated to some of the
09sig5.QXD 7/26/06 8:52 AM Page 142September 2006 143
Dick Howard’s 37-inch-span Consolidated Commodore weighed
5.5 ounces and had twin electric motors. Schlosberg photo.
Dick Howard’s 18.5-inch-span Ansaldo S.V.A.5. He did not build
multiengine aircraft exclusively. Schlosberg photo.
Bob Schlosberg’s Cessna 120/140 series with documented
silver/maroon paint. Unique silver was obtained by adding fine
aluminum crystal dust to Sig aluminum/silver dope. Schlosberg
photo.
Immaculate Grumman F-4F4 with detailed lines using a 0 or 00
technical pen. Such effort is typical of Bob Schlosberg and of
master modelers. Schlosberg photo.
most memorable FF Scale models you will
ever see. I know I mentioned this to you in
the June 2006 column, but good things are
worth repeating. Hope to see you there.
One of the acknowledged masters in FF
Scale is Bob Schlosberg of Cactus Squadron
No. 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He read my
appeal for photos of models to share with
you and responded by sending me a
handsome assortment of pictures of aircraft
from his collection.
Bob also sent me photos of models built
by the late Dick Howard. Dick was Bob’s
mentor and one of the most prolific builders
of multiengine FF Scale models. I plan to
share these wonderful pictures with you
starting in this column. I urge you to send
me color photographs of your models so
readers can enjoy them.
It is important that we continue to warmly
welcome new members to our ranks. Earlier
this year I received a telephone call from 49-
year-old Scott Allyn of nearby Lorain, Ohio.
He is a reporter for the Lorain Morning
Journal and had developed a curiosity about
rubber-powered flying models.
Scott had purchased the Arrow—a
nonscale kit by Guillow’s—and had been
working on it, but he called me with
questions about it. It was his first effort. As
do many Guillow’s kits, the Arrow comes
with good-quality instructions and diagrams,
but sometimes it helps to chat with an
experienced modeler as construction
progresses. I had several pleasant telephone
conversations with Scott as he completed his
model.
Saturday, April 29, 2006, I met with him
at Lorain Community College (home field of
the Cleveland Free Flight Society [CFFS])
to begin test-flying. Scott had done an
outstanding job with the Arrow. Its red-andwhite
tissue covering was neatly applied,
and its flying surfaces were properly
aligned.
Even though Scott had followed the
plans carefully, he had not realized the
importance of access to the rubber motor. As
shown on the plans, the Arrow provides only
a roughly 1/4-inch-diameter hole to get to the
propeller and rubber motor. Revising the
nose-block opening was the first
modification noted for future sessions.
In the next couple hours we progressed
from balancing to gliding to low-powered
flights which showed that the Arrow was
stable and capable of prolonged flight. As
our session concluded, the Arrow made
flights that were well more than 100 yards
long. Clearly the airplane had potential.
One of the first things Scott did as the
model began flying greater distances was to
start running after it. I loved his enthusiasm,
but I told him to pace himself or he would
quickly become exhausted.
By the first CFFS contest on May 28,
Scott returned with his model and a
photographer from the Morning Journal.
The photographer was enthused by what he
saw. Best of all, we made new friends for
CFFS and, in doing so, were fortunate to
receive news coverage of our activities for
the surrounding community.
In addition to Scott’s participation, I also
had the pleasure of having my 5-year-old
grandson Finn and his 21/2-year-old sister
May as guests at the contest. Both enjoyed
flying gliders and stick models, which
performed beautifully. They tired after an
hour or so, but I gave them a model to take
home. I am looking forward to flying with
them again soon.
Before closing the hangar doors I want to
tell you about a unique musical play called
“Ace.” With music by Richard Oberacker
and lyrics by Robert Taylor, “Ace” will be
playing at the Cincinnati Playhouse from
09sig5.QXD 7/26/06 8:55 AM Page 143October 17 to November 17, 2006.
What makes it so intriguing is that it is
billed as a “heart-warming coming-of-age
story of a 1950s boy searching for a sense of
family and identity in the unlikeliest of
places.” When the boy is “given a model
airplane, it unlocks the door to a fantastic
new world, with the mysterious fighter pilot,
Ace, as his guide.”
“Ace” takes the boy “on a series of
heroic and haunting World War I and II
adventures,” causing him to discover “not
only the secrets of his past, but also the key
to his future.”
I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and Cincinnati
is approximately five hours away, but many
of us live within a radius of five hours or
less from Cincinnati. I am looking forward
to making the journey to see this new
musical, which deals with a passion all of us
share. If possible, make plans to see this
yourself.
For further information, contact the
Cincinnati Playhouse at www.cincyplay.com
or by calling (513) 421-3888. The
Playhouse is located at 962 Mount Evans
Dr. I hope to see you there! MA