Free Flight Sport - 2009/05 | Model Aviation Library

Author: Gene Smith

Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/05
Page Numbers: 123,124,125

Bob Schlosberg and Golden Age Reproductions

Byline

Gene Smith <[email protected]>

Those who purchased Golden Age Reproductions kits might have been impressed by the models shown on the box or in the company's plans catalog. Many buyers hoped their creations would come close to those images. Bob Schlosberg built most of the aircraft shown on those boxes and many featured in the plans catalog.

The story began in 1975, when Bob ordered the Golden Age Reproductions catalog advertised in Flying Models and built a couple of models from the plans. Later, when Golden Age Reproductions' owner Joe Fitzgibbon released his first four kits, Bob ordered and built all of them. Bob sent Joe a photo of the WACO F‑3 uncovered; Joe asked to use the picture in his ads. Thus began a friendship that lasted 15 years, until Joe's passing.

After the success of the initial four kits, Joe wanted to expand the line. Bob built models for Joe to use in catalog photos and as displays at trade shows. The catalog became something of a collector's item itself.

One of the most successful trade events was the WRAM (Westchester Radio AeroModelers) Show in New York. Bob organized the motorized and mirrored display tables for some models and the overhead display of airplanes hanging over the booth.

Models Bob built for Golden Age Reproductions

P‑51
P‑47
P‑39
Boulton Paul Defiant
Spartan cabin
Fokker D.VII
Albatros D.V
Boeing F4B‑4
Douglas YO‑43
Davis D1‑W
Rearwin Speedster
Heinkel He 112
Cessna C‑34
Stinson Reliant
Taylor Cub
Curtiss Robin
Seversky fighter

He also built the Pacific Ace, a 30‑inch Rearwin Speedster, and Fairchild 24 for Sea Glen Models.

I have built several Golden Age Reproductions kits. None are to Bob's standards, but they are among my favorite models. The kits don't have laser cutting, but they do include excellent printwood, tissue, and canopies. The P‑47 kit even contains canopies for both the razorback and bubble‑top versions.

Golden Age Reproductions' kits are well engineered. Unlike some kits and plans, the average builder can construct these without improvising or trying to figure out how something is done. The plans are clear and the kits are reasonably priced.

Gollywock tips from Emmett Adkins

Emmett Adkins sent a picture of his Gollywock via George White. The Gollywock is many modelers' favorite; a number of contests include "one‑design" classes for it. The Pensacola group holds a "Gollywocks Galore" mass launch at two or three of its events each year.

Emmett shared his setup:

Propeller: Superior brand made especially for the design; 13.5‑inch diameter, 17.5‑inch pitch.
Rubber: 12 strands of 3/16" × 30" rubber, braided motor.
Weight range: Emmett has built eight or ten Gollywocks weighing from 58 to 65 grams.
Covering: Japanese tissue finished with two coats of nitrate dope thinned with lacquer thinner.
Pre‑flight adjustments: small amount of left rudder, 3° downthrust, 2° right thrust, 1/8" washout in each wingtip, and 1/8" washin on the right inboard wing panel. With this setup the model climbs right and glides left.

Emmett's tips should help when you build and fly your Gollywock. Full kits, short kits, and plans are available from Campbell's Custom Kits. For a Superior Props catalog, send the company $1.

Hustler series — Larry Kruse

Larry Kruse was extremely pleased with his Nostalgia Gas Hustler 412 powered by an O.S. Max III .15 engine. He later built a 1/4A version from Jim O'Reilly Model Plans, which flew so well he built a Hustler 625 from Jim O'Reilly plans and the Bob Holman Plans short kit. Larry is using a K&B Greenhead .29 on the 625.

He also has a 750 under way, also from a Holman short kit. Jim O'Reilly has plans for the 1/4A version, the 625, and the 750. The 412 plans are available only from the NFFS Plans Service. Jim could make 1/2A‑size plans on request.

Larry's 412 experienced some upper‑wing‑spar damage from DT (dead‑stick) landings; he replaced the spar caps with spruce and the problem was solved. He is using spruce spars for the small panels and hard‑balsa spars for the tip panels on the 625 and 750 versions.

The short kits aren't listed on the Bob Holman Plans website, but contact information is there and he can produce the kits as needed.

Dakota at the AMA Nats

Jim Kelly scored a great flight with his Dakota at last year's AMA Nats in Muncie, Indiana. The target time was 40 seconds; Jim's flight was 41 seconds.

The Dakota event is Thursday, July 30 at this year's AMA Free Flight Nats. It is usually held late in the afternoon — drop by to watch or join in with your own Dakota. BMJR Model Products supplies the kit.

These models are best suited to low‑power 1/2A engines, such as the OK Cub. If you use a Cox reed‑valve engine, you may need to detune it with a venturi restrictor. The real challenge is timing your engine run and knowing your model well enough to hit the 40‑second target time.

Tools — Dan McLeod stripper / A2Z Products

Dan McLeod stopped producing his handcrafted balsa stripper, but he gave Tim Goldstein of A2Z Products permission to produce it. Tim changed some materials to suit production: the stripper is now made from UHMW, acrylic, and 6061 aluminum that is hard anodized. The adjustment scale is laser‑engraved in 1/128‑inch increments.

To find this stripper, go to the A2Z Products website. On the left side of the home page under "ModelTools," click "KnivesBladesStripper."

Easy Built Models

Easy Built Models continues to expand its line. The latest is a Dime Scale Fokker D.VII (kit PD‑08) based on a classic Comet design. This kit includes:

Laser‑cut 4‑ to 6‑lb contest balsa parts
6‑ to 10‑lb balsa strip wood
Red Esaki tissue
Full‑size rolled CAD‑drawn plans
Building and flying instructions
FAI rubber
Peck‑Polymers nose bearing
Easy Built Models propeller
Wire, laser‑cut balsa wheels
Laser‑cut bond paper and LaserCal markings

These features make the model suitable for competitive indoor and outdoor flying. The Easy Built Models propeller is a moderate‑pitch prop — not as aggressive as Peck‑Polymers props — so it suits smaller airplanes well.

Easy Built Models offers two types of markings:

TissueCal: markings printed directly on tissue; apply with glue stick to the back, position, and gently rub down.
LaserCal: single‑color laser‑cut tissue markings (e.g., iron crosses); apply with glue stick and rub down.

Both can be sealed with a light coat of Krylon spray. Neither requires sanding or removing paper backing. The Easy Built Models website has a "Building Tips" section with more details.

Also check the Mystery Tailless kit — a "fiction flyer" inspired by pulp‑fiction aviation artwork of the 1930s and early 1940s. Despite its flying‑wing planform, the 22‑inch‑span airplane has a reputation as an excellent flier. Many builders finish theirs with unique color schemes.

If you have spare time and a taste for tongue‑in‑cheek humor, the site links to 26 pages of "documentation" with 13 color schemes for the Mystery Tailless, created by Michael Heinrich, Rich Weber, and Clive Gamble.

SAM 27 and the Jimmie Allen Postal Contest

SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) Chapter 27 of Napa, California, flew for top honors in the Jimmie Allen Postal Contest. The group will sponsor the 2009 postal event. For an information packet, contact Jerry Rocha (see Sources).

Lone Star Balsa

Just before Thanksgiving 2007, Lone Star Balsa's facility burned, destroying the contents. There was much speculation among customers about whether the business would be rebuilt. As of January, the company has reopened for business.