130 MODEL AVIATION
Dennis O. Norman, 11216 Lake Ave., Cleveland OH 44102
FREE FLIGHT SCALE
HI SKYSTERS! We are now in that part of the year known as the
“Building Season,” and I hope you are well along on your projects for
the 2005 “Flying Season.”
Before writing at length about Dave Diels, I want apologize to two
of our flying buddies for mistakes made in
my 2004 Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nats
article in the December 2004 MA.
First, to Chris Starleaf for a caption on
page 32 that made it appear as though his 41-
inch-span Lockheed Electra was built from
an ARF kit! The caption should have read
that the motors used for the model, along
with the propellers and gear trains, came
from $15 DJ Aerotech Roadkill RC kits.
Chris is an acknowledged master who
carefully researches, designs, and builds his
models from scratch. They are magnificent
originals that are at the cutting edge of FF
Scale.
Second, apologies are due Roger Willis
for captioning a picture of him with his
Jimmie Allen model (page 33) with
information that was intended for a picture of
George Lewis. Roger’s caption should have
identified him as the FAC Nats contestant
who traveled the farthest in the US (from
Carlsbad, California) to attend the event.
Fred Wunsche took the photo shown.
Having given you the correct caption for
Roger’s picture, I am including a photo of
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96 (Old Time Stick) at
the 2004 FAC Nats in Geneseo NY. Fred Wunsche photo.
Roger Willis with his 22-inch-span Easy Built Models Kharkov R-
10 World War II Scale entry at 2004 FAC Nats. Wunsche photo.
Cleveland Free Flight Society Vice President Geoff Phillips gives a miniseminar on
using artist’s pastels to color and decorate tissue for FF Scale models.
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96.
Fortunately, the other captions were “correct.” The picture of
Kelcy Bell with his rubber-powered Autogyro (“Autogiro” in the
caption) caught the attention of Bill Hannan. He sent me a
complimentary copy of the second of his series Model Plans & 3-
Views International, which features an excellent selection of
Autogyro material.
The catalog is available for $1 (US) or $2 (international,
airmail), and you can order it by contacting Bill at www.hrun
way.com or by writing to Hannan’s Runway at Box 210, Magalia
CA 95954.
March 2004 131
Dave Diels happily refers to his company—Diels Engineering,
Inc.—as a “hobby that evolved into a business.” His mission
statement is “to provide high quality model airplane kits and plans
to model builders of all ages and backgrounds anywhere the law
allows.”
In business since 1986, Diels Engineering manufactures and sells
FF, rubber-band-powered model-airplane kits, plans, and related
accessories. Diels concentrates on presenting craftsman-type model
kits of military aircraft from various nations.
Well- and lesser-known subjects from 1920 to 1950 dominate
the current line, and most are designed to 1:24 (1⁄2 inch = 1 foot)
scale, although a limited range of Peanut Scale (13-inch-span) kits
and plans are available.
Dave started building models at age 11 and became addicted to
Alvin Brown with his new P-51D in the markings of the famous
332nd Fighter Group (the Tuskegee Airmen). Earl Bohn photo.
Bob Bojanowski with his handsome scratch-built S.E.5a before
the 2004 Muncie IN World War I dogfight. Wunsche photo.
Ted Allebone scratch-built his 22-inch-span, 96-gram, electricpowered,
stick-and-tissue Parnell Elf. Wunsche photo.
Dave Diels of Diels Engineering, Inc. poses in front of one of his
numerous shelves of first-class FF Scale models.
the products of Comet, Top Flite,
Monogram, Goldberg, Guillow’s, etc. As
did many of us, he built the models to fly
but had only limited success. He also tried
model railroading, model shipbuilding,
and plastic-kit building, but rubberpowered
FF military scale has been his
favorite to this day.
Dave started designing in high school,
when he began converting AHC solidmodel
plans into flying designs. After
marrying his wonderful wife Anita,
serving in the US Army, starting his
career as a full-time engineer, buying his
home, and having two daughters, his
interest in model airplanes was reborn in
the 1970s.
Inspired by Model Builder Magazine
and its magnificent centerfolds by the
prolific Walt Mooney and others, Dave
began building Peanut Scale models from
the limited number of kits available. Soon
he was ready to begin drawing his own
plans, and he started with a Peanut Scale
Boeing XF7B-1 fighter.
At first, Dave used what he now calls
“archaic” hand drafting tools (T squares,
triangles, etc.), but he eventually moved
to computers and CAD software. He
prefers subjects that are unique and
unavailable elsewhere. He remains a
stickler for parts accuracy, and he
carefully builds his prototypes to make
certain that the parts fit.
By the mid-1980s, Dave’s line of plans
numbered 50 and he was ready to produce
his first kit: a Peanut version of the F4B-
2. Its success gave Dave the confidence to
continue making kits. Thus far, he has
produced kits of 47 different subjects.
After gathering reference materials,
Dave scans the three-views and converts
the scans into .tif, .pcx, or .jpg files and
imports them into his CAD software
program. Then he sizes the drawings to
1:24 scale and traces the outlines of the
various components. After that, he adds
construction details such as formers, ribs,
spars, keels, etc.
Dave usually places a wing’s main
spar approximately one-third of the way
back from the LE and adds supplemental
spars as needed. After the wing is drawn,
he concentrates on the wing/fuselage joint
area and the fuselage itself, placing
formers where needed based on wing and
stabilizer locations.
He lays out parts on adhesive-backed
paper, which he then adheres to balsa sheet
and begins building the prototype. Any
errors Dave finds are quickly corrected in
the CAD drawing. The whole process takes
him roughly 100 hours of part-time design
work during a period that may span several
weeks or months.
Producing kits is an intricate ritual that
requires gathering construction plans, sheet
and strip wood, tissue, decals, canopies,
propellers, bearings, propeller hooks, wire,
rubber, and miscellany. Dave also orders
kit boxes, labels, and shipping boxes.
When all of the bits arrive, they are
carefully organized for formal production.
He uses a large table on which he and
Anita lay out 30 kit-box bottoms at a time
and then fill them in an orderly productionline
style, which ends with taping the box
tops and adding labels to identify the
finished kits. A run of 120-140 kits
typically takes two days to complete.
Dave has learned some important
lessons about the kit business and readily
shares them with budding kit
manufacturers.
1) Do not commit to a project until you
line up your supplies and have all of your
costs in writing.
2) Plan on your expenses being at least
25% higher than you expect.
3) It will take longer than estimated to
get into production.
4) Avoid being overly optimistic about
sales estimates.
5) Beware of underestimating the cost
of kit contents.
6) Be prepared for a loss of vendors.
7) Be aware that parts may not be
delivered when promised.
8) Watch for printing errors on plans
and/or print wood.
9) Be aware that costs for second runs
of kits may increase dramatically.
10) Do not overproduce a kit; it may
leave you with costly inventory.
Dave has learned the importance of
keeping a list of his customers, and he
values their opinions. He typically lets his
customers know in advance of proposed
new offerings, and he will judge their sales
potential by customer reactions. He also
treasures the many friendships he has made
with modelers, collectors, writers,
publishers, and vendors, which have
provided him with a source of inspiration
and guidance.
You are sure to find something
delightful for your “Building Season” in
the Diels line. To place orders and for
more information about Diels Engineering,
Inc., contact Dave on the Internet at
http://pageproducer.acninc.net/dielsengr/in
dex.html or write to him at Box 263,
Amherst OH 44001. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 130,131,132,133
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 130,131,132,133
130 MODEL AVIATION
Dennis O. Norman, 11216 Lake Ave., Cleveland OH 44102
FREE FLIGHT SCALE
HI SKYSTERS! We are now in that part of the year known as the
“Building Season,” and I hope you are well along on your projects for
the 2005 “Flying Season.”
Before writing at length about Dave Diels, I want apologize to two
of our flying buddies for mistakes made in
my 2004 Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nats
article in the December 2004 MA.
First, to Chris Starleaf for a caption on
page 32 that made it appear as though his 41-
inch-span Lockheed Electra was built from
an ARF kit! The caption should have read
that the motors used for the model, along
with the propellers and gear trains, came
from $15 DJ Aerotech Roadkill RC kits.
Chris is an acknowledged master who
carefully researches, designs, and builds his
models from scratch. They are magnificent
originals that are at the cutting edge of FF
Scale.
Second, apologies are due Roger Willis
for captioning a picture of him with his
Jimmie Allen model (page 33) with
information that was intended for a picture of
George Lewis. Roger’s caption should have
identified him as the FAC Nats contestant
who traveled the farthest in the US (from
Carlsbad, California) to attend the event.
Fred Wunsche took the photo shown.
Having given you the correct caption for
Roger’s picture, I am including a photo of
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96 (Old Time Stick) at
the 2004 FAC Nats in Geneseo NY. Fred Wunsche photo.
Roger Willis with his 22-inch-span Easy Built Models Kharkov R-
10 World War II Scale entry at 2004 FAC Nats. Wunsche photo.
Cleveland Free Flight Society Vice President Geoff Phillips gives a miniseminar on
using artist’s pastels to color and decorate tissue for FF Scale models.
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96.
Fortunately, the other captions were “correct.” The picture of
Kelcy Bell with his rubber-powered Autogyro (“Autogiro” in the
caption) caught the attention of Bill Hannan. He sent me a
complimentary copy of the second of his series Model Plans & 3-
Views International, which features an excellent selection of
Autogyro material.
The catalog is available for $1 (US) or $2 (international,
airmail), and you can order it by contacting Bill at www.hrun
way.com or by writing to Hannan’s Runway at Box 210, Magalia
CA 95954.
March 2004 131
Dave Diels happily refers to his company—Diels Engineering,
Inc.—as a “hobby that evolved into a business.” His mission
statement is “to provide high quality model airplane kits and plans
to model builders of all ages and backgrounds anywhere the law
allows.”
In business since 1986, Diels Engineering manufactures and sells
FF, rubber-band-powered model-airplane kits, plans, and related
accessories. Diels concentrates on presenting craftsman-type model
kits of military aircraft from various nations.
Well- and lesser-known subjects from 1920 to 1950 dominate
the current line, and most are designed to 1:24 (1⁄2 inch = 1 foot)
scale, although a limited range of Peanut Scale (13-inch-span) kits
and plans are available.
Dave started building models at age 11 and became addicted to
Alvin Brown with his new P-51D in the markings of the famous
332nd Fighter Group (the Tuskegee Airmen). Earl Bohn photo.
Bob Bojanowski with his handsome scratch-built S.E.5a before
the 2004 Muncie IN World War I dogfight. Wunsche photo.
Ted Allebone scratch-built his 22-inch-span, 96-gram, electricpowered,
stick-and-tissue Parnell Elf. Wunsche photo.
Dave Diels of Diels Engineering, Inc. poses in front of one of his
numerous shelves of first-class FF Scale models.
the products of Comet, Top Flite,
Monogram, Goldberg, Guillow’s, etc. As
did many of us, he built the models to fly
but had only limited success. He also tried
model railroading, model shipbuilding,
and plastic-kit building, but rubberpowered
FF military scale has been his
favorite to this day.
Dave started designing in high school,
when he began converting AHC solidmodel
plans into flying designs. After
marrying his wonderful wife Anita,
serving in the US Army, starting his
career as a full-time engineer, buying his
home, and having two daughters, his
interest in model airplanes was reborn in
the 1970s.
Inspired by Model Builder Magazine
and its magnificent centerfolds by the
prolific Walt Mooney and others, Dave
began building Peanut Scale models from
the limited number of kits available. Soon
he was ready to begin drawing his own
plans, and he started with a Peanut Scale
Boeing XF7B-1 fighter.
At first, Dave used what he now calls
“archaic” hand drafting tools (T squares,
triangles, etc.), but he eventually moved
to computers and CAD software. He
prefers subjects that are unique and
unavailable elsewhere. He remains a
stickler for parts accuracy, and he
carefully builds his prototypes to make
certain that the parts fit.
By the mid-1980s, Dave’s line of plans
numbered 50 and he was ready to produce
his first kit: a Peanut version of the F4B-
2. Its success gave Dave the confidence to
continue making kits. Thus far, he has
produced kits of 47 different subjects.
After gathering reference materials,
Dave scans the three-views and converts
the scans into .tif, .pcx, or .jpg files and
imports them into his CAD software
program. Then he sizes the drawings to
1:24 scale and traces the outlines of the
various components. After that, he adds
construction details such as formers, ribs,
spars, keels, etc.
Dave usually places a wing’s main
spar approximately one-third of the way
back from the LE and adds supplemental
spars as needed. After the wing is drawn,
he concentrates on the wing/fuselage joint
area and the fuselage itself, placing
formers where needed based on wing and
stabilizer locations.
He lays out parts on adhesive-backed
paper, which he then adheres to balsa sheet
and begins building the prototype. Any
errors Dave finds are quickly corrected in
the CAD drawing. The whole process takes
him roughly 100 hours of part-time design
work during a period that may span several
weeks or months.
Producing kits is an intricate ritual that
requires gathering construction plans, sheet
and strip wood, tissue, decals, canopies,
propellers, bearings, propeller hooks, wire,
rubber, and miscellany. Dave also orders
kit boxes, labels, and shipping boxes.
When all of the bits arrive, they are
carefully organized for formal production.
He uses a large table on which he and
Anita lay out 30 kit-box bottoms at a time
and then fill them in an orderly productionline
style, which ends with taping the box
tops and adding labels to identify the
finished kits. A run of 120-140 kits
typically takes two days to complete.
Dave has learned some important
lessons about the kit business and readily
shares them with budding kit
manufacturers.
1) Do not commit to a project until you
line up your supplies and have all of your
costs in writing.
2) Plan on your expenses being at least
25% higher than you expect.
3) It will take longer than estimated to
get into production.
4) Avoid being overly optimistic about
sales estimates.
5) Beware of underestimating the cost
of kit contents.
6) Be prepared for a loss of vendors.
7) Be aware that parts may not be
delivered when promised.
8) Watch for printing errors on plans
and/or print wood.
9) Be aware that costs for second runs
of kits may increase dramatically.
10) Do not overproduce a kit; it may
leave you with costly inventory.
Dave has learned the importance of
keeping a list of his customers, and he
values their opinions. He typically lets his
customers know in advance of proposed
new offerings, and he will judge their sales
potential by customer reactions. He also
treasures the many friendships he has made
with modelers, collectors, writers,
publishers, and vendors, which have
provided him with a source of inspiration
and guidance.
You are sure to find something
delightful for your “Building Season” in
the Diels line. To place orders and for
more information about Diels Engineering,
Inc., contact Dave on the Internet at
http://pageproducer.acninc.net/dielsengr/in
dex.html or write to him at Box 263,
Amherst OH 44001. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 130,131,132,133
130 MODEL AVIATION
Dennis O. Norman, 11216 Lake Ave., Cleveland OH 44102
FREE FLIGHT SCALE
HI SKYSTERS! We are now in that part of the year known as the
“Building Season,” and I hope you are well along on your projects for
the 2005 “Flying Season.”
Before writing at length about Dave Diels, I want apologize to two
of our flying buddies for mistakes made in
my 2004 Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nats
article in the December 2004 MA.
First, to Chris Starleaf for a caption on
page 32 that made it appear as though his 41-
inch-span Lockheed Electra was built from
an ARF kit! The caption should have read
that the motors used for the model, along
with the propellers and gear trains, came
from $15 DJ Aerotech Roadkill RC kits.
Chris is an acknowledged master who
carefully researches, designs, and builds his
models from scratch. They are magnificent
originals that are at the cutting edge of FF
Scale.
Second, apologies are due Roger Willis
for captioning a picture of him with his
Jimmie Allen model (page 33) with
information that was intended for a picture of
George Lewis. Roger’s caption should have
identified him as the FAC Nats contestant
who traveled the farthest in the US (from
Carlsbad, California) to attend the event.
Fred Wunsche took the photo shown.
Having given you the correct caption for
Roger’s picture, I am including a photo of
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96 (Old Time Stick) at
the 2004 FAC Nats in Geneseo NY. Fred Wunsche photo.
Roger Willis with his 22-inch-span Easy Built Models Kharkov R-
10 World War II Scale entry at 2004 FAC Nats. Wunsche photo.
Cleveland Free Flight Society Vice President Geoff Phillips gives a miniseminar on
using artist’s pastels to color and decorate tissue for FF Scale models.
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96.
Fortunately, the other captions were “correct.” The picture of
Kelcy Bell with his rubber-powered Autogyro (“Autogiro” in the
caption) caught the attention of Bill Hannan. He sent me a
complimentary copy of the second of his series Model Plans & 3-
Views International, which features an excellent selection of
Autogyro material.
The catalog is available for $1 (US) or $2 (international,
airmail), and you can order it by contacting Bill at www.hrun
way.com or by writing to Hannan’s Runway at Box 210, Magalia
CA 95954.
March 2004 131
Dave Diels happily refers to his company—Diels Engineering,
Inc.—as a “hobby that evolved into a business.” His mission
statement is “to provide high quality model airplane kits and plans
to model builders of all ages and backgrounds anywhere the law
allows.”
In business since 1986, Diels Engineering manufactures and sells
FF, rubber-band-powered model-airplane kits, plans, and related
accessories. Diels concentrates on presenting craftsman-type model
kits of military aircraft from various nations.
Well- and lesser-known subjects from 1920 to 1950 dominate
the current line, and most are designed to 1:24 (1⁄2 inch = 1 foot)
scale, although a limited range of Peanut Scale (13-inch-span) kits
and plans are available.
Dave started building models at age 11 and became addicted to
Alvin Brown with his new P-51D in the markings of the famous
332nd Fighter Group (the Tuskegee Airmen). Earl Bohn photo.
Bob Bojanowski with his handsome scratch-built S.E.5a before
the 2004 Muncie IN World War I dogfight. Wunsche photo.
Ted Allebone scratch-built his 22-inch-span, 96-gram, electricpowered,
stick-and-tissue Parnell Elf. Wunsche photo.
Dave Diels of Diels Engineering, Inc. poses in front of one of his
numerous shelves of first-class FF Scale models.
the products of Comet, Top Flite,
Monogram, Goldberg, Guillow’s, etc. As
did many of us, he built the models to fly
but had only limited success. He also tried
model railroading, model shipbuilding,
and plastic-kit building, but rubberpowered
FF military scale has been his
favorite to this day.
Dave started designing in high school,
when he began converting AHC solidmodel
plans into flying designs. After
marrying his wonderful wife Anita,
serving in the US Army, starting his
career as a full-time engineer, buying his
home, and having two daughters, his
interest in model airplanes was reborn in
the 1970s.
Inspired by Model Builder Magazine
and its magnificent centerfolds by the
prolific Walt Mooney and others, Dave
began building Peanut Scale models from
the limited number of kits available. Soon
he was ready to begin drawing his own
plans, and he started with a Peanut Scale
Boeing XF7B-1 fighter.
At first, Dave used what he now calls
“archaic” hand drafting tools (T squares,
triangles, etc.), but he eventually moved
to computers and CAD software. He
prefers subjects that are unique and
unavailable elsewhere. He remains a
stickler for parts accuracy, and he
carefully builds his prototypes to make
certain that the parts fit.
By the mid-1980s, Dave’s line of plans
numbered 50 and he was ready to produce
his first kit: a Peanut version of the F4B-
2. Its success gave Dave the confidence to
continue making kits. Thus far, he has
produced kits of 47 different subjects.
After gathering reference materials,
Dave scans the three-views and converts
the scans into .tif, .pcx, or .jpg files and
imports them into his CAD software
program. Then he sizes the drawings to
1:24 scale and traces the outlines of the
various components. After that, he adds
construction details such as formers, ribs,
spars, keels, etc.
Dave usually places a wing’s main
spar approximately one-third of the way
back from the LE and adds supplemental
spars as needed. After the wing is drawn,
he concentrates on the wing/fuselage joint
area and the fuselage itself, placing
formers where needed based on wing and
stabilizer locations.
He lays out parts on adhesive-backed
paper, which he then adheres to balsa sheet
and begins building the prototype. Any
errors Dave finds are quickly corrected in
the CAD drawing. The whole process takes
him roughly 100 hours of part-time design
work during a period that may span several
weeks or months.
Producing kits is an intricate ritual that
requires gathering construction plans, sheet
and strip wood, tissue, decals, canopies,
propellers, bearings, propeller hooks, wire,
rubber, and miscellany. Dave also orders
kit boxes, labels, and shipping boxes.
When all of the bits arrive, they are
carefully organized for formal production.
He uses a large table on which he and
Anita lay out 30 kit-box bottoms at a time
and then fill them in an orderly productionline
style, which ends with taping the box
tops and adding labels to identify the
finished kits. A run of 120-140 kits
typically takes two days to complete.
Dave has learned some important
lessons about the kit business and readily
shares them with budding kit
manufacturers.
1) Do not commit to a project until you
line up your supplies and have all of your
costs in writing.
2) Plan on your expenses being at least
25% higher than you expect.
3) It will take longer than estimated to
get into production.
4) Avoid being overly optimistic about
sales estimates.
5) Beware of underestimating the cost
of kit contents.
6) Be prepared for a loss of vendors.
7) Be aware that parts may not be
delivered when promised.
8) Watch for printing errors on plans
and/or print wood.
9) Be aware that costs for second runs
of kits may increase dramatically.
10) Do not overproduce a kit; it may
leave you with costly inventory.
Dave has learned the importance of
keeping a list of his customers, and he
values their opinions. He typically lets his
customers know in advance of proposed
new offerings, and he will judge their sales
potential by customer reactions. He also
treasures the many friendships he has made
with modelers, collectors, writers,
publishers, and vendors, which have
provided him with a source of inspiration
and guidance.
You are sure to find something
delightful for your “Building Season” in
the Diels line. To place orders and for
more information about Diels Engineering,
Inc., contact Dave on the Internet at
http://pageproducer.acninc.net/dielsengr/in
dex.html or write to him at Box 263,
Amherst OH 44001. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 130,131,132,133
130 MODEL AVIATION
Dennis O. Norman, 11216 Lake Ave., Cleveland OH 44102
FREE FLIGHT SCALE
HI SKYSTERS! We are now in that part of the year known as the
“Building Season,” and I hope you are well along on your projects for
the 2005 “Flying Season.”
Before writing at length about Dave Diels, I want apologize to two
of our flying buddies for mistakes made in
my 2004 Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nats
article in the December 2004 MA.
First, to Chris Starleaf for a caption on
page 32 that made it appear as though his 41-
inch-span Lockheed Electra was built from
an ARF kit! The caption should have read
that the motors used for the model, along
with the propellers and gear trains, came
from $15 DJ Aerotech Roadkill RC kits.
Chris is an acknowledged master who
carefully researches, designs, and builds his
models from scratch. They are magnificent
originals that are at the cutting edge of FF
Scale.
Second, apologies are due Roger Willis
for captioning a picture of him with his
Jimmie Allen model (page 33) with
information that was intended for a picture of
George Lewis. Roger’s caption should have
identified him as the FAC Nats contestant
who traveled the farthest in the US (from
Carlsbad, California) to attend the event.
Fred Wunsche took the photo shown.
Having given you the correct caption for
Roger’s picture, I am including a photo of
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96 (Old Time Stick) at
the 2004 FAC Nats in Geneseo NY. Fred Wunsche photo.
Roger Willis with his 22-inch-span Easy Built Models Kharkov R-
10 World War II Scale entry at 2004 FAC Nats. Wunsche photo.
Cleveland Free Flight Society Vice President Geoff Phillips gives a miniseminar on
using artist’s pastels to color and decorate tissue for FF Scale models.
George Lewis with his scratch-built Korda 96.
Fortunately, the other captions were “correct.” The picture of
Kelcy Bell with his rubber-powered Autogyro (“Autogiro” in the
caption) caught the attention of Bill Hannan. He sent me a
complimentary copy of the second of his series Model Plans & 3-
Views International, which features an excellent selection of
Autogyro material.
The catalog is available for $1 (US) or $2 (international,
airmail), and you can order it by contacting Bill at www.hrun
way.com or by writing to Hannan’s Runway at Box 210, Magalia
CA 95954.
March 2004 131
Dave Diels happily refers to his company—Diels Engineering,
Inc.—as a “hobby that evolved into a business.” His mission
statement is “to provide high quality model airplane kits and plans
to model builders of all ages and backgrounds anywhere the law
allows.”
In business since 1986, Diels Engineering manufactures and sells
FF, rubber-band-powered model-airplane kits, plans, and related
accessories. Diels concentrates on presenting craftsman-type model
kits of military aircraft from various nations.
Well- and lesser-known subjects from 1920 to 1950 dominate
the current line, and most are designed to 1:24 (1⁄2 inch = 1 foot)
scale, although a limited range of Peanut Scale (13-inch-span) kits
and plans are available.
Dave started building models at age 11 and became addicted to
Alvin Brown with his new P-51D in the markings of the famous
332nd Fighter Group (the Tuskegee Airmen). Earl Bohn photo.
Bob Bojanowski with his handsome scratch-built S.E.5a before
the 2004 Muncie IN World War I dogfight. Wunsche photo.
Ted Allebone scratch-built his 22-inch-span, 96-gram, electricpowered,
stick-and-tissue Parnell Elf. Wunsche photo.
Dave Diels of Diels Engineering, Inc. poses in front of one of his
numerous shelves of first-class FF Scale models.
the products of Comet, Top Flite,
Monogram, Goldberg, Guillow’s, etc. As
did many of us, he built the models to fly
but had only limited success. He also tried
model railroading, model shipbuilding,
and plastic-kit building, but rubberpowered
FF military scale has been his
favorite to this day.
Dave started designing in high school,
when he began converting AHC solidmodel
plans into flying designs. After
marrying his wonderful wife Anita,
serving in the US Army, starting his
career as a full-time engineer, buying his
home, and having two daughters, his
interest in model airplanes was reborn in
the 1970s.
Inspired by Model Builder Magazine
and its magnificent centerfolds by the
prolific Walt Mooney and others, Dave
began building Peanut Scale models from
the limited number of kits available. Soon
he was ready to begin drawing his own
plans, and he started with a Peanut Scale
Boeing XF7B-1 fighter.
At first, Dave used what he now calls
“archaic” hand drafting tools (T squares,
triangles, etc.), but he eventually moved
to computers and CAD software. He
prefers subjects that are unique and
unavailable elsewhere. He remains a
stickler for parts accuracy, and he
carefully builds his prototypes to make
certain that the parts fit.
By the mid-1980s, Dave’s line of plans
numbered 50 and he was ready to produce
his first kit: a Peanut version of the F4B-
2. Its success gave Dave the confidence to
continue making kits. Thus far, he has
produced kits of 47 different subjects.
After gathering reference materials,
Dave scans the three-views and converts
the scans into .tif, .pcx, or .jpg files and
imports them into his CAD software
program. Then he sizes the drawings to
1:24 scale and traces the outlines of the
various components. After that, he adds
construction details such as formers, ribs,
spars, keels, etc.
Dave usually places a wing’s main
spar approximately one-third of the way
back from the LE and adds supplemental
spars as needed. After the wing is drawn,
he concentrates on the wing/fuselage joint
area and the fuselage itself, placing
formers where needed based on wing and
stabilizer locations.
He lays out parts on adhesive-backed
paper, which he then adheres to balsa sheet
and begins building the prototype. Any
errors Dave finds are quickly corrected in
the CAD drawing. The whole process takes
him roughly 100 hours of part-time design
work during a period that may span several
weeks or months.
Producing kits is an intricate ritual that
requires gathering construction plans, sheet
and strip wood, tissue, decals, canopies,
propellers, bearings, propeller hooks, wire,
rubber, and miscellany. Dave also orders
kit boxes, labels, and shipping boxes.
When all of the bits arrive, they are
carefully organized for formal production.
He uses a large table on which he and
Anita lay out 30 kit-box bottoms at a time
and then fill them in an orderly productionline
style, which ends with taping the box
tops and adding labels to identify the
finished kits. A run of 120-140 kits
typically takes two days to complete.
Dave has learned some important
lessons about the kit business and readily
shares them with budding kit
manufacturers.
1) Do not commit to a project until you
line up your supplies and have all of your
costs in writing.
2) Plan on your expenses being at least
25% higher than you expect.
3) It will take longer than estimated to
get into production.
4) Avoid being overly optimistic about
sales estimates.
5) Beware of underestimating the cost
of kit contents.
6) Be prepared for a loss of vendors.
7) Be aware that parts may not be
delivered when promised.
8) Watch for printing errors on plans
and/or print wood.
9) Be aware that costs for second runs
of kits may increase dramatically.
10) Do not overproduce a kit; it may
leave you with costly inventory.
Dave has learned the importance of
keeping a list of his customers, and he
values their opinions. He typically lets his
customers know in advance of proposed
new offerings, and he will judge their sales
potential by customer reactions. He also
treasures the many friendships he has made
with modelers, collectors, writers,
publishers, and vendors, which have
provided him with a source of inspiration
and guidance.
You are sure to find something
delightful for your “Building Season” in
the Diels line. To place orders and for
more information about Diels Engineering,
Inc., contact Dave on the Internet at
http://pageproducer.acninc.net/dielsengr/in
dex.html or write to him at Box 263,
Amherst OH 44001. MA