The pursuit of model-building happiness
Dennis Norman [[email protected]]
Why I build model airplanes
A newspaper reporter recently asked me why I build model airplanes. "It's in the Declaration of Independence," I quipped. His deer-in-the-headlights reaction led me to finish by adding: "The Pursuit of Happiness!" At least from a Flying Aces point of view, model airplanes are fun whether you are looking at them, building them, or flying them.
For me there is something therapeutic about model airplanes. They would seem to be disconnected from the pressures of practicing law, which I do, yet as I see it the two are uniquely compatible.
Being a scale buff and largely a scratch builder, I find that research is an integral part of model building and the practice of law. Both require structured thought. Neither demand absolute rigidity, but rather a sense of logic and harmony if a pleasing result is to be obtained.
In my practice of law I work on many cases at one time. There are frequently delays in any case as I wait for correspondence, hearings to be scheduled, trial dates to be announced, etc.
In refreshing contrast to the sometimes frustrating delays in my work, I find that model-airplane building is an activity I can work at purposefully and achieve a result within a reasonable time. I enjoy seeing others' projects and sharing my projects with them.
I have often said that an hour or two at my workbench centers me and gives me renewal. It may not be for everyone, but building model airplanes brings me happiness, and I love the pursuit.
FAC Nats highlights
I have more to share with you about the 2006 Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nats. A project that caught many people's eyes was Bob Bojanowski's giant rubber-powered Bonzo racer. With a wingspan of 46 inches and with 16 strands of 3/16-inch rubber, this tissue-and-stick behemoth commanded attention at the Scale static judging and on the field. I have included a picture of Bob with his winding crew as they prepared the model on the flightline. The airplane flew well and gave me one of my fondest memories of the 2006 FAC Nats.
Another memorable event from the FAC Nats was the appearance of Del Balunek as a determined samurai. Fred Wunsche sent me a picture of Samurai Balunek, which I am including here. The seriousness of his pose is actually a playful expression of the joy of the fantasies that enrich our hobby. Del is also a lawyer. He served for many years as a magistrate, he is a widely read historian, and he is a serious student and intellectual. In posing as The Samurai, he too finds a moment of escape and joy. Yes, even happiness. It is hard to see him in full regalia and not smile.
A new acquaintance I met at the 2006 FAC Nats was Wayne Perry of Bath, Maine. He is an avid collector of model airplane kits from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. In particular, he is interested in old kits from such manufacturers as Cleveland, Scientific, Miniature Models, and Guillows.
Wayne recently sent me a snapshot of one corner of his hobby room. I am sharing it with you as an example of how one can tastefully display a collection, even in a workshop.
Wayne also told me about the work of Englishman Wallace Rigby in the 1930s and 1940s. Rigby was particularly interested in paper scale airplane modeling and did so with the intention of flying his subjects. If you have access to the March 1988 Aeromodeller magazine, you can read at length about Wallace's activities.
Wayne also made me aware of a series of airplane sculpture books put out by Wallace and said they are desirable collectors' items if you can find them. Anyone interested in old kits should contact Wayne at:
- Wayne Perry
444 Middle St. Bath, ME 04530
Jet Catapult Scale and jet models
The explosive popularity of Rapier-powered jet models has revived a similar but less complex form of free-flight (FF) scale modeling: Jet Catapult Gliders. For many of us, making FF models of jet subjects has been problematic. The Jetex motors gave some hope, but they were often unreliable and have largely disappeared from the modeling scene in the last few decades.
The Flying Aces created the FAC Jet Catapult Scale event as a method of promoting flying jet subjects. The rules allot:
- 0 to 8 points for coloring and markings
- 0 to 8 points for details
- 0 to 4 points for workmanship
Profile fuselages are permitted, and there is no limitation on wingspan and no requirement for landing gear. The launch method is stretched-rubber catapult. The catapult is not specifically described, but two schools have evolved:
- A handheld stick to which a small loop of rubber is attached. The model is held in one hand and launched by the catapult held in the other. Flights of five to ten seconds can usually be obtained with this method.
- A longer (6- to 8-foot) loop of rubber attached to a large (6- to 8-foot) length of pole that has been driven into the ground. Flights of 15 to 20 seconds are typical using the larger apparatus. This is the method I prefer.
I had an article published in the April 1992 Model Aviation about a MiG-29 catapult glider with a built-up fuselage and an all-sheet wing and empennage. I suggest you find the article—not necessarily for the purpose of building a MiG-29, but for a detailed discussion about the techniques I used in constructing that type of model.
I have since built several other jet models, with spans ranging from 12 to 18 inches. All have produced exciting flights.
Today I am using Jet Catapult Scale models to delight my grandchildren and introduce them to FF Scale modeling. The short, often spectacular nature of the models’ flights combined with the ability to fly the airplanes several times in rapid succession is ideal for inspiring youngsters.
One caveat: Jet Catapult Scale models fly quickly and may pose a danger to others. Therefore, it is important that they be launched downwind from other contestants or observers. They should also be launched at a distance of at least 100 feet from other people to minimize the risk.
Most recently I have been experimenting with using a combination of a larger catapult for models powered by Rapier motors. In combining these two methods, I reap the benefits of a powerful launch to altitude while the Rapier builds thrust. By the time the model is at altitude, the motor produces thrust that continues the model’s climb and lengthens the duration of its flight. I believe that flights of a minute or more are possible using this method.
Sycamore Modelers
My daughter Suzanne is a Ph.D. psychologist specializing in geropsychology and practices in Cincinnati, Ohio. She made me aware of the musical “Ace,” which I mentioned in the September 2006 column, and she keeps me informed about subjects of interest that cross her path. One of these subjects, of course, is model-airplane building.
Suzanne recently sent me a flyer from a Cincinnati-based group called the Sycamore Modelers. The handout invited those interested in modeling, including rubber- and electric-powered FF Scale, to join the Sycamore Modelers, who hold meetings each Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Sycamore Senior Center at 4455 Carver Woods Drive in Blue Ash, Ohio — a Cincinnati suburb. For more information call Bob Munson at (513) 825-7621.
The Sycamore Modelers describe themselves as "an established, easy-going group with an interest in model building." They add that "if you are inexperienced, we will provide instruction. If you are an expert, we will learn from you. No dues, no pressure."
That is an example of the grace that only maturity brings. We should all learn from this. With the explosive growth of our senior-citizen population, groups such as the Sycamore Modelers will become more and more relevant to expanding interest in what we do.
On my Lockheed Constellation
To those of you who attended the 2006 FAC Nats in Geneseo, New York, and who may have attended the FAC Outdoor Champs contest in Muncie this fall, I sincerely apologize for not bringing my partially built 61.5-inch-span Lockheed Constellation.
I had no room in my van when I went to Geneseo, and when I came back I found myself in an extremely busy time with work and did no modeling until just before the Outdoor Champs. I assure you that I am working on it, and I hope to be able to share it with you in the coming months.
"Good things," it is said, "do not happen quickly." Scratch-building a major project is one of the "good things" that proves the saying true.
Closing
I have included some photos from the FAC Nats in this column. My thanks to all of you who have taken the time to share your wonderful pictures; they inspire us all, and we all benefit from your generosity. Keep them coming!
It’s time to close the hangar door again. In doing so, I want you to know that I always leave the latchstring out for you. Anytime you want to come on, just pull the latchstring by dropping me a letter, an e-mail, or a telephone call to (216) 631-7774. A photo, plans, a magazine article, a book, or anything else you share with me gives me the chance to share it with all AMA members and will be warmly appreciated.
Best wishes to you during the holiday season and in 2007. May you "Build Well, Build Often, and Fly Much."
DN
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
