Pomilio PE
THE PROTOTYPE AIRCRAFT was the most successful of a series of armed two-seaters produced by Fabrica Aeroplani Ing. O. Pomilio of Turin during 1917 and 1918. Although the Ansaldo is popularly thought of as the archetypal Italian WW I aircraft, the Pomilio "P" series were produced in greater numbers, the total being in excess of 1,600. The model has a wingspan of 31 in. making it suitable for Jumbo Rubber class competitions. The design of the PE seems to capture the essence of aircraft of this vintage: simple, robust, and making very little concession to non-utilitarian features. Unsophisticated by today's standards, the design nonetheless has a pleasing plan, with a nicely proportioned moment arrangement, interesting wing, and fan-like stabilizer. The fuselage profile has a sturdy forward portion distinguished by an unusual raked radiator, behind which sat the big 300-hp, 12-cylinder Fiat engine.
Thomas-Morse MB-7
Influenced by the early 1920s racing era, this model's unique wing and short fuselage combine to make it a delightful Jumbo Scale rubber-powered project. Flight qualities are outstanding. The subject aircraft was developed as part of a contract with the Army Air Service for construction of 265 Thomas-Morse MB-3 pursuit aircraft. It represents innovative thinking in airframe design immediately after World War I, yet it reflects some of the naivete that prevailed at that time regarding aerodynamics.
FAC Nationals
IT WAS RAINING as the DC-10 touched down on the glistening Rochester Airport runway. Fernando Ramos and I had kept our fingers crossed for good weather ever since departing LAX for our pilgrimage to Free Flight Scale's main event, the Flying Aces "Nats," held every two years since 1978. "It always clears up after raining at night," the car rental attendant said, offering a little homespun meteorological opinion. We weren't reassured as a lightning flash lit up the window and rolling thunder rumbled in the distance. We had arrangements with Tom Arnold, San Diego Scale Staffel prexy, to meet in the terminal and share the rental of a station wagon. Tom had arrived about three hours earlier and had considerately picked up the wagon, pulling it up to the bustling terminal.
Parnall Pixie
IN 1923 the British newspaper Daily Mail offered a prize of 1,000 pounds for an efficient "motor glider" aircraft design, with emphasis on economy. As the governing body for the competition, the Royal Aero Club established the classes and set stringent rules covering minimum engine size, engine displacement, and other specifications. The classes were Speed, Altitude, and Duration, while engine displacement was not to exceed 750cc. The competition, popularly referred to as the Lympne (pronounced "Limm"). Trials after the locale, ran from October 8th through 13th, 1923. With most of the British manufacturers participating, 21 motor gliders were entered in all-a pretty amazing total.
