Memorial Day weekend 2023, Barron Field, Waywayanda, NY; 24 FAC flyers, including several Stealth Sqdn clubsters, enjoyed the fine weather, competition and camaraderie at the first FAC meet of the season at this fabulous field. Here are some additional photos of the action. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there. Join us next time skyster!
We think that’s an Easybilt Lockheed Orion that Fred S is prepping to fly. Fred brings his own golf cart to Waywayanda – a perfect site for this retrieval vehicle.
The Orion’s prop reflects the early morning sun as it cruises by.
Michael’s Comet Curtiss Robin still flies great despite the starboard wing being run over by a car a couple season’s back.
A superzoom close up of the hot air balloon crew as they soared over Barron Field early Sunday morning.
This hot air balloon lifted off from the field with the early morning fog. Barron Field is a popular balooning site in the warmer months.
An even closer look at the balloon crew.
Fred launches his Orion free flight scale model into the early morning mist.
A paraglider made an appearance in the blue skies directly over the field on Sunday morning.
DC Maxecuter Mike E. traveled with his wife Karin to compete in the contest at Barron Field. Mike won the Embryo Endurance event.
NYC-based Michael S. shows classic form launching his Curtiss Robin.
Matt K proudly wears the Brooklyn Sky-Scrapers logo as he launches his endurance model.
DC Maxecuters Wally and Julie F. prepare their Golden Age Scale model for another long flight.
Tom H winds the rubber motor in his beautiful Fairchild PT-26 low wing military trainer model. Fabulous flyer.
Tom H produces some of the best Free Flight Model Aviation films on Youtube. Here he sets up a camera tripod in the cool early morning mist.
Here’s a closer look at that colorful PT-26.
Tom H retrieves the PT-26 using his E-Bike specially outfitted for delicate model transport.
July, 2022, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY; A few Stealth Sqdn clubsters got together and trekked to the legendary Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in downstate New York to take in the Airshow and view the many historical aircraft in the ORA hangars. Here are some of their photos of the action on that beautiful day. We’re looking to repeat this field trip in midsummer 2023 with more clubsters. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there. Join us next time skyster!
The Fleet Model 2 biplane works its way through multiple ribbon cuts above the ORA airstrip during the show.
The Fokker DVIII about to land on the grass airstrip after performing in the airshow. That’s an original rotary engine powering the reproduction WW1 German fighter.
A number of classic motor vehicles, including this period motorcycle with sidecar, participate in the ground portion of the airshow at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
The Continental A-40 powered many light aircraft of Aviation’s Golden Age. This one exhibited in the ORA museum just up from the airstrip. Make sure to visit the Museum Gift Shop when you go – some great stuff there!
This 1930’s vintage Bird Biplane was exhibited in one of ORA’s three hangars which are open to unstructured tours at your own pace. A tremendous collection of classic aircraft.
A replica Etrich Taube taxis to the end of the airstrip for a brief flight as part of the airshow. This German pioneer aircraft design participated in the earliest aerial encounters in WW1.
This Aeronca 2 cylinder engine exhibited in the ORA museum, powered the Aeronca C2/C3 “bathtub” lightplane in the early 1930’s.
The Fokker DVIII takes off from the grass airstrip.
With it’s rotary engine “blipping”, the Fok DVIII German WW1 fighter comes in over the trees to land.
Like “cool hand Luke” the Flying Farmer awaits his role in the airshow in the Clipped Wing Cub. It’s a hilarious, thrilling aerobatic show!
The Fleet Model 2 biplane shows off its classic lines while at rest on the ORA flightline.
“I say old chap – she’s a fine flying crate!” The airshow pilots are dressed in period flying garb and clearly love to play their part as dashing WW1 aviators. This Bristol F2b “Fighter” replica was most impressive on the ground and in flight.
Pilot/owner of this Fokker DVIII reproduction let clubster William S sit in the cockpit of his “Flying Razor”. We think he looks a lot like Bruno Stachel (Geo. Peppard) from the classic movie “The Blue Max”. Lucky William!
Cute as a button, this Piper Vagabond sits in one of the “working” hangars at the Aerodrome.
The Tiger Moth biplane comes in to land after its ribbon cutting act with the Fleet Model 2.
The SPAD VII sideslips over the trees for a landing on ORA’s grass airstrip after its part in the airshow.
ORA’s SPAD VII replica prepares to takeoff during the airshow.
This rare WW1 Siemens Schuckert fighter was on display in one of the hangars up the hill from the ORA airstrip.
March 12, 2023, Penn Brook School, Georgetown, MA; Another great meet. Nearing the end of our 2023 Indoor flying season. Many thanks to Steve E and Tom N for capturing some of the action here.. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there. Join us next time skyster.
Many of the flyers brought a number of models to fly. Jon’s hangar (er, table) is shown here.
Ray’s flyweight Floyd Bean Racer Nocal model heads for the rafters. Won 1st place in Nocal event.
Tom’s Bristol Brownie cruises by. This model won the FAC Peanut Scale event.
George’s Guillow’s Bird Dog rounds the pylon in the Pylon Race event.
Jon shows off his new SE-5 peanut, built from his own laser cut parts. Rumor is at least one more of these models is under construction..
George looks happy with his Waco after winning the Golden Age Mass Launch event.
The VW Beetle car club enjoys the show
Voisin Hydroaeroplane Peanut Scale model skims the rafters. Lots of bonus points with this model.
Sams Antoinette Monobloc Pioneer Scale model flys overhead
Ara shows off his Evans Volksplane. This was the one-design model a couple years back.
Bill’s NoCal
May 14, Woodsom Farm, Amesbury, MA; The gang had some great flying weather for the 2022 outdoor season opener! Our roving photog captured some of the action below. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there. Join us next time skyster.
This stunning Pfalz DIII FAC Scale model by Matt K featured a balsa monocoque fuselage with integral fin. Just like the full sized aircraft. This colorful model is still in the flight trimming phase.
Matt K and his fabulous Pfalz. Matt grew up around the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome and has flown several full-size WW1 era aircraft.
Competitors in the Golden Age Mass Launch event listen closely to instructions from the Event lead, Chris M.
We all love Chris M’s style!
Chris M holds Sean R’s beautiful DH Leopard Moth as Sean packs the turns into the rubber motor.
Sean R is rightly proud of his new Leopard Moth model. Built from an Easybuilt kit we believe and it’s a great flyer.
Evan P and Sean R are ready to launch in the final heat of the Golden Age mass launch event. Evan took the top spot with his high-flying Guillow’s Fairchild 24 model. This kit is highly recommended as a great first rubber powered flying scale model. It’s a fabulous flyer right out of the box.
Steve K with his Embryo Endurance event winning Hornet model chats with Rob and Evan P.
Rob and Evan P with their Skylark model
Stevc K packs the turns into his Earl Stahl Hi Climber OT Fuselage model. Steve has been flying this model for years, but it still looks great in it’s blue and yellow livery. The Hi Climber is a classic 1930’s era free flight duration model.
Another pic of Steve K’s Hi Climber OT Fuselage model
Buccaneer logo on Matt K’s FAC Old Time Fuselage model.
Matt K’s Buccaneer model was built right out of the kit and put up some great flights to win the FAC Old Time Fuselage event.
Matt K poses in front of the Embryo Endurance ROG table before flying his Buccaneer. Like Embryos, Old Time Fuselage models must also take off from the table for an official flight in the competition.
Matt K retrieves his Buccaneer after another long flight.
Rich Z winds his high flying Comet Arado dime scale model.
The Comet Arado is a great flying Dime Scale Model. Rich Z’s version here is modeled with the landing gear in the retracted position.
Sean R and Vance G shared the FAC Scale and Peanut judging duties. Thanks guys!
Vance G and Sean R judging a Russian Kalinen K5 FAC Scale model. This finely detailed model of an ambulance aircraft features beautiful spoked wheels.
Vance G’s model box including his new Latecoere FAC Scale model
Steve E put in many fine flights with his new “Corvette” free flight sport model. Steve has been busy turning out great looking and flying models of his own design. Fun!
Chris M seems a little perplexed by Steve E’s unorthodox “Guppy” Embryo Endurance model. It flies well too
Chris M’s Keith Rider golden age raceplane model
Grumman Bearcat model gets a new rubber motor
Chris M preparing his Bearcat model for flight
Chris M ready to launch his Bearcat rubber powered flying scale model.
Can you find the green tail of Steve E’s new 30in wingspan Condor model in the lush tall grass of Woodsom Farm? All present enjoyed a wonderful flying day.
November 6, Woodsom Farm, Amesbury, MA; What terrific flying weather we had for the late Fall Stealth Sqdn meet! Clear blue skies, mostly warm temps and light breezes made for a great season-closing outdoor contest. John and Kathi Rood joined us again to laugh with old friends, run a few events and take some great pictures which you can see HERE.
Our roving photo recon crew took some additional pics below. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
Hatchbacks galore as Stealth Squadroneers wind their models for flight.
With distinctive headgear and borrowed pants (blame the mid-stream recovery), Matt K focuses on preparing his Debut Embryo Endurance model for flight. Matt and spouse Vicky traveled from downstate NY to fly and compete at Woodsom Farm. Debut was treed and recovered unscathed, only to be treed again and lost on it’s 3rd and final official flight. It did win the Embryo event. Well deserved and congrats Matt!
Dapper Sam B shows off his pretty Bonanza with the rolling fields of Woodsom Farm as a backdrop. Light winds for most of the day combined with thermal activity resulted in many long flights. Contestants had to be careful not to fly beyond the boundaries of the big field.
Sam B’s big Herr Beech Bonanza circles high over Woodsom Farm
Steve E puts in a test flight on his Cessna Airmaster built from the Golden Age Reproductions plan. This model logged a hair-raising 3+minute flight at Woodom Farm a year or so back with the model landing on the edge of the field near the farmhouse.
Sean R is set to launch his pretty Volare Rider Jackrabbit on another nice flight. Sean has been campaigning this model in the Greve and National Air Race mass launch events this season.
Ed P scans the skies for thermals with his Baby Cyclone Goodyear Racer at the ready. Several Stealth Sqdn outdoor meets featured the Goodyear peanut scale mass launch event this year. The Goodyear racer event will be flown indoors at Georgetown Middle School meets this indoor season as well. Pylon racing anyone?!
Fast Eddie P’s high flying Chambermaid dime scale model climbs out on another long flight.
chambermaid cruises at altitude. We’re pretty sure this racer was also built from a Volare short kit.
Son and mom joined in the fun at Woodsom Farm flying their Guillow’s stick model. We hope they’ll be back – perhaps with a new model?
Steve E runs a model building course at Westford’s Roudenbush Center to help interested folks get started. He hosts reqular Zoom meeting for the same purpose.
Check out the sidebar on the homepage of this site for more info and how to reach Steve.
It looks simple, but many famous aviators including John Glenn and the folks who recently flew the first helicopter on Mars started out the same way.
Even Ziggy Stardust himself (David Bowie of course!) flew rubber powered free flight model airplanes!
Surely it must have been a wandering flight pattern. Hawww!
Sheesh! You bend down to pick up your model and someone comes along and lands their model airplane on your back.. What are the odds?!
Not easily done when there’s no fancy radio gear to control the airplane. And no harm done of course as the flyweight P-51 weighs but a few grams. It’s all FUN
Tom N test flew his new Fleet Floatplane in the crisp early morning air before the contest opened.
The morning sun illuminates the Fleet’s structure as it passes overhead.
September 19 White’s Farm, Durham, CT; The Fall meet on the same field where many of the early Flying Aces Club meets were held was a lot of fun. The wind was up in the morning (still flyable), but had dropped by mid afternoon which resulted in many nice flights. Sometimes it pays to wait to get your official flight in for the events. Clubster and FAC IT Czar Rick Pendzick was awarded his Blue Max by John Stott while Phineas looked on with approval. Next meets coming up are October 9 back at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury, followed by a couple of season-ending meets in November. Check the dates on the Calendar page of this website for the contest flyers with all the details and events. See you on the flightline Skyster!
Photos courtesy of Tom N. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
John Stott few the original Blip model from the Dave Stott hangar. This model has personality and was a construction feature in a long ago issue of Model Builder magazine.
Blip flew great for John as it always had for Dave. Fun!
Rick P stands tall with Phineas (as in Pinkham of course) showing his newly awarded Blue Max with pride. Congrats Rick!
A highlight of the Sept 19 Durham meet was the awarding of the FAC Blue Max to clubster Rick Pendzick for his 16 victories in FAC contest events. The award was presented by John Stott, the longest-serving member of the modern Flying Aces Club present at the meet. In addition to building, flying and competing, Rick serves as the current IT Czar for the FAC.
A late afternoon glow lights up the fuselage of Paul’s FAC Sport model as it is prepared for flight.
Paul Stott carefully loads winged maple seeds into the bomb bay of his high flying Flying Aces Sport model as John S looks on. A mid-air collision shortly after launch resulted in the seeds being prematurely dropped by the model.
Mark G winds his Cessna Bird Dog built from the Guillow’s kit. John K had another Guillow’s Bird Dog and both models were fine flyers.
Marc G gets off a nice launch of his AMA Alpha stick model. This ARF stick model can be ordered on the AMA website and is quite a value as it includes a winder in addition to the fine flying model.
John K and John S yuk it up under the umbrella. John is holding his Airdevil Rearwin Cloudster which either won or finished high in the Pinkham Field Ten Cent event (Dime Scale)
John K smiles as he retrieves his Great Lakes Trainer from another nice flight. This model, built from the super-detailed Cleveland Plan got in a nice thermal flight later in the day helping to cement the 1st Place FAC Scale win. a
John’s Great Lakes shows it’s fine lines and excellent craftsmanship in this photo. This is a model of the earlier upright Cirrus powered Great Lakes with the high-pressure wheels/tires. Great color scheme!
And here’s the 1st Place winning Peanut Scale model – a Volksplane VP-1 by Paul S. Nice ship!
Jim H, a regular at the Durham meets, proudly shows off his Embryo Endurance event winning model. Note the unique V tail on this model. Jim also won the NoCal event with his high flying Piper (Vagabond we think).
No, that’s not a light bulb illuminating the inside of this Hung Aereon fuselage. It’s the late afternoon sun on the beautiful fall day of the Sept 19 meet. Wind conditions were a bit gusty (but flyable) earlier in day, but had calmed down considerably by mid afternoon which led to some terrific flights being made later in the day. Sometimes it pays to wait to put in your “official” flights.
The Hung Aereon is a blimp like FAC Embryo Endurance model designed by Dave Stott many years ago. First flown at Pinkham Field in Durham, the Pinkham Field Irregulars (a couple long standing members pictured here) hold a ceremonial Hung Aereon mass launch at many of their meets. John S, missing in this photo, also flew his model in this mass launch. Model is available as a laser cut kit from Easybuilt Models….look for it on their website.
Flyers walk along the flightline at the Sept 19 Meet at Whites Farm in Durham CT.
Paul S placed 2nd in the Flying Aces Scale event with this Aeromarine Klemm “Blotka” model. The full size aircraft resides at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Rhinebeck NY.
Gotta love those peanut shell peelots!
Here’s Blip on the winding stooge being prepped for another flight. Note the old school design and construction techniques including bamboo wing and tail outlines, all sheet balsa fuselage….and how about that classic Kaysun propeller!
Never Ready Eddie (NRE) shows off his contest attire. But where’s the pipe??
August 15 (Durham, CT) & August 21 (Amesbury, MA), We had two great back to back meets at Pinkham Field (CT) and Woodsom Farm (MA). The grass was still long at Durham which made model retrieval a bit more difficult, but the flying was tons of fun nonetheless. The Amesbury field had just been hayed and flying conditions were near perfect. Next meets coming up are September 11 at Woodsom Farm in Amesbury, followed by Sept. 19 at White’s Farm in Durham, CT. Check the dates on the Calendar page of this website for the contest flyers with all the details and events. See you on the flightline Skyster!
Photos courtesy of Tom N. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
Some of the Pinkham Field Irregulars relax after a hard days flying at Whites Farm in Durham, CT on 8.15.21
The Colonel and Never Ready Eddie (NRE) confer under the tent at Whites Farm in Durham 8.15.21
The Time to Beat is posted on the whiteboard after the initial AirDevil Mass Launch early in the contest. VG lost his Rearwin Instrument Trainer OOS on this flight with only 79sec recorded.
A quick look at the scoreboard for the FAC MidSummer Melt meet at Durham CT on 8.15.21
The beautiful rolling fields of Woodsom Farm in Amesbury MA are serene before the Stealth Sqdn model airplane meet on August 21, 2021. The field was hayed just days prior to the meet which made model retrieval much easier. Thanks to Chris M who coordinated with the local farmer on the timing.
Chris M and George S look sharp on the flightline at Woodsom Farm. Looks like Chris was dressed to impress the steady stream of dogwalkers who passed through the action and enjoyed the flying of these quiet and majestic model airplanes. What fun!
Braulio C and his handsome sons prepare to fly his new Comet Hurricane dime scale model. The charming Mrs C also joined us at the 8.21 meet. Braulio’s Hurricane model looked fabulous in its Hummingbird Models printed tissue covering. It flew well too – with at least one long thermal-assisted flight to its credit already.
Sam retrieves his Davis in the near-perfect Woodsom Farm “Field of Dreams”.
Sam B with his great flying Davis D1-W from the Golden Age Reproductions kit. Pretty airplane.
Sam’s Davis D1-W Golden Age scale model on the winding stooge at Woodsom Farm. This model was build from a Golden Age Reproductions kit.
Sean R winds his Nassise P-51 model “Old Crow”. Old Crow flew well in the WW2 Mass Launch event, which was won by another Nassise Mustang piloted by George S.
George S’ high flying Chambermaid managed to keep it’s prop and freewheeler in one piece and went on to win the hotly contested Greve Trophy Mass Launch event.
Congrats George
George shows us the amount of downthrust needed to counteract all that wing above the thrustline on his Cycle Plane model. Note the pilot pedaling away madly in the cockpit side window. Hawww!
The Gerhardt Cycle Plan soars out over the fields of Woodsom Farm. Seven wings and human powered no less! OK, ok — this scale model is powered by a rubber band motor.
Pop George and son William sure did bring along some unique models to the August 21 meet.
Chris M is stopped in his tracks by William’s outrageous peanut model!
William S showed up with his extraordinarily large Bumblebee peanut scale model. The full sized Bumblebee is in the record books as the smallest man-carrying airplane by wingspan. Does this make William’s model the largest peanut scale model ever made? We thing it does!!
The Bumblebee 2 flies! The drama of free flight scale modeling is captured in this action shot. This 13in wingspan model is powered by 2 loops of 3/16 Tan driving a 9in plastic prop. Not many Peanut Scale models can handle this much power.
William S shows off his new Bumblebee 2 Peanut Scale model. A few more details are yet to be added, such as tip plates on each of the four wing panels.
Ambitious project!
Vance G brought his new Keilkraft Piper Super Cruiser model. Superbly detailed this model was built from the English Model company’s kit plan.
VG shows off the working tailwheel on his superbly detailed Piper Super Cruiser.
The Keilkraft Super Cruiser gets off on another nice flight!
Tony M considers wind conditions aloft as he prepares to launch his Fokker DVII scale model.
The always popular WW1 Mass Launch event came down to the final sortie with Sam’s BE-2 flying against the Rittmeister’s Roland D-2.
Rich Z’s high-flying Roland D2 took second place in the WW1 Mass Launch event. The skull and crossbones graphic on this model’s spinner creates quite the menacing effect!
Sam lets out a whoop as he celebrates his victory in the WW1 Mass Launch event. Congrats Sam!
Tony M’s Pacific Ace 20 flies high over the Woodsom Farm field. This reduced size version of the great flying 30in wingspan Pacific Ace model was built from a Golden Age Reproductions kit. With slight modifications (reduced wing area) it qualifies to fly in the FAC Embryo Endurance event.
Not all flights end well. Here, Tony M’s pretty GAR Mustang lies in pieces after a collision with a tent pole. Hopefully the model can be repaired and flown again.
Vance launches another gorgeous free flight flying scale model. This one is his Kalinen Russian ambulance airplane. We love those spoked wheels!
Vance G’s Peanut Scale General Airistocrat model looks just fabulous on the winding stooge. We think this was the highest scale-scoring model at the meet…. and deservedly so too. Wow!
In a familiar pose, Vance G launches his pretty little General Airistocrat peanut scale model.
William walks across the field with his big Peanut model.
July 24, 2021 Pony Express Field, Ipswich, MA. We had our first “small field” meet at the Pony Express (ex Polo field). Wind speed was a bit higher and the flyer turnout a bit lighter than hoped for, but the grass was lush, the skies blue and the shade trees glorious. And we had lots of fun. Next meets coming up are August 15, 2021 in Durham, CT followed by Aug 21, 2021 back on the big Woodsom Farm field in Amesbury, MA. Check the dates on the Calendar page of this website for the contest flyers with all the details and events. Whew! No shortage of opportunities to fly.
Photos courtesy of Steve E., Tom N., George S. and Sean R. Thanks all! Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
Steve E brought a new own-design widebody Embryo to Pony Express for initial flight tests. Quite striking in it’s pre-war US Air Corps livery, the model put in some very promising flights.
Sean R, one of our newer flyers, went home with his first Kanone, winning Embryo with his Tomahawk. Quite an accomplishment as this was a really hotly contested event and it was challenging to get high flight times yet still keep the model on the field. Congrats Sean!
Rich Z and grandson Marcus prepare the Vickers Supermarine 559 for a flight in the Peanut Scale event.
Looking more like a fiction flyer than an FAC Peanut Scale model, Rich Z’s Vickers Supermarine 559 climbs to altitude. This model has put in many excellent flights over its long competition career.
Tom N’s Pat Tritle designed Ultimate 10-300 Peanut duked it out in the Peanut Scale event with Rich Z’s Vickers Supermarine 559. Both models flew well with flight times averaging mid-50 seconds.
We just had to show another shot of this unique rubber powered free flight model airplane. Steve E took this fine photo.
OK, one more… Here’s the VAS-559 model cruising at altitude. This Peanut model (13in wingspan) packs a lot of power with a long loop of 1/4in Tan rubber turning a 7in North Pacific plastic prop mounted as a pusher. Plenty of room in that long fuselage to hold that powerful rubber motor!
With fingers spread wide, Steve E releases his “Guppy” Embryo model into its element. Gotta love the twin finned, T-tail arrangement!
While some work – Steve E scale judging (thanks!) and Bill M getting his Gee Bee Y ready for flight – others relax (that;d be Rich Z and Marcus). Flyers set up under the shade trees at the edge of the field which really helped everyone stay cool. Nice!
All was not Peaches & Cream at Pony Express. Steve K managed to tree his Embryo model – the retrieval pole a sure sign of trouble. We think that Steve did get it down eventually. George S also treed and successfully retrieved a model. Rich Z suffered the ultimate loss, however, with the OOS (out of sight) flyaway of his Miles Magister dime scale model. All wail! (Alas, ’twas a beautiful flight..)
Clubster George S’ showed off his Boulton Paul Sipping Cup Embryo model at Pony Express. George took up the fictional transport model challenge from a recent Vance G Muse column in the Flying Aces Club Newsletter. Yessir, that IS a Red Solo Cup cowling that you see. Could it be some sort of fizzy-powered engine? Such an imaginative and creative group we have in the club!
Pour Rite…. get it? Get It? Look harder..
Not sure who those passengers in the cabin are, but they sure look happy.
Well here it is then… a play on one of FACdom’s highest awards, the Blue Max. Or Pour le Merite for you anglophiles..
(I know the pic’s upside down – whaddya want everything handed on a silver platter? Sheesh)
Another pic of George S’ Gerhardt Cycleplane. The original aircraft had 7 wings (20 feet high) and was piloted and powered by Gerhardt himself. (That’s him pedaling away in the cockpit). A Popular Science article reported he flew 20 feet at a height of 2 feet.
And now for something “magnificent”; George S’ free flight rubber scale model of W. F. Gerhardt’s Cycleplane. Dimensions and shapes were measured from screen-shots taken from the opening clip of “Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines”. In that scene the airplane trundles a few feet before the wings collapse on the poor pilot. George showed this model at Pony Express – flight trimming in progress..
No aero-silliness here. No sireee. Here we have one fine looking P-51 (D model we believe) built and flown by Sean R at Pony Express. Sean was one of like hundreds of P-51’s flying in the WW2 mass launch event — ok we kid. There were only 5 or so (check the results). Regardless, ain’t she a beaut?
Sean was kind enough to send along this glamour shot of his P-51 rubber scale model. Some really nice color & markings work there.
And one more because we’re a sucker for a pretty face. The red & yellow checkerboard and spinner, OLD CROW script and nicely contoured belly intake are scale modeling eye candy for sure.
November 8, 2020 Woodsom Farm, Amesbury, MA. Despite the November date, we had perfect “light and variable winds” conditions for our fourth outdoor contest of the season at Woodsom Farm. The grass was still soft, the sun still shining warmly, but the foliage was well past-peak. A full slate of Mass Launch events were flown and the less rigorous FAC Simplified Scale was substituted for the scale-judged Flying Aces Scale event. This freed up time for all to fly – and that folks did – putting up many high and long flights in the light air. The meet ended a few minutes earlier than usual due to Daylight Savings Time, but all seemed interested in flying more oudoors in coming months, even if on a smaller field. So stay tuned to this site for more opportunities to fly! Photos courtesy of Tom N. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
William S’s Nassise P51 Simplified Scale model flies by, proving that simple rubber powered free flight models can deliver realism equal to or better than larger and more complex models. Just be glad that you’re not piloting an Me109!
With classic form, Rich Z firmly sets his Little Bit Goodyear racer off on a test flight. The broad 13in span wing makes this a large peanut scale model.
Sam B sets his Cassutt Racer off on a test flight prior to the Goodyear Mass Launch event. Tom N’s veteran Leighnor Special won the event.
Sam preps his pusher canard Embryo for flight. Much of a flyer’s success in competition can be tracked back to his/her attention to detail back a the base of flight operations where the stooge, flying box, notebooks and other support gear is kept. Hatchbacks, station wagons, SUVs and vans seem to be the vehicles of choice as they provide ease of access to models and gear.
Steve E shows perfect form in this unassisted ROG launch of his Mad Maxine Embryo model.
Bill M has been campaigning his pretty light blue Rider R-4 in the Greve Race mass launch events this season. These Golden Age air racers have some of the most attractive color schemes!
Bill’s Rider R-4 Greve Racer climbs away from the launch.
Flyers Sam B and Vance G keep a safe social distance while showing off their unorthodox Embryo Endurance models. Sam’s pusher canard model took the top spot in the Embryo event with a near-3 max flight performance. Vance’s push-pull twin Embryo flew extremely well on it’s first day out with flights averaging in the 50sec. Getting it to ROG off of the card table with a prop on both ends of the fuselage was a challenge!
An all-Axis duel to the finish in WW1 mass launch event between William S and Rich Z added suspense to the late morning flying. Richard’s new Roland DII got the better of William’s deadly DVII to win the event. Troubles with the Fokker’s Mercedes engine which threw a rod (broken rubber strand), certainly factored into the outcome.
In another stunning example of FF scale realism, George S’s SE5a models cruises by. This model was scaled up from the very accurate peanut-sized Peerless Golden Age Reproductions plan.
A creatively masked Steve E holds his Mad Maxine 70sq in biplane Embryo Endurance model for the camera. A very creative and unique field of Embryo models vigorously competed for the top spot in the event at the Nov. 8 meet.
Mad Maxine poses for her beauty shot. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming issues of the Flying Aces News for the plans to this unique model.
A Polikarpov I-15 bis model in Finnish markings awaits its turn to fly. There were two Polikarpov biplane fighters flying at the November 8 meet at Woodsom. Note the Comet Supermarine Spitfire dime scale model in the foreground.
Rich Z’s Simplified Scale Scientific Mr. Mulligan on the winding stooge being readied for another long flight. Scale judging is not required in the FAC Simplified Scale event and bonus points have a lesser impact on final competition results.
The Scientific Mr Mulligan glides in to a landing on the soft grass of Woodsom Farm. A beautiful rubber powered free flight flying site.
Local Woodsom Farm enthusiast Jonathan, found John K’s Dayton Wright Racer peanut scale model which flew OOS (out of sight) at the October meet and graciously returned it to the field at the November 8 meet. Vance gave him a CD or two of his in thanks. Jonathan was very happy as were we all. Smiles all around underneath those masks!
Jonathan presents the RB-1 model to Sam B who will return the model to John K at an upcoming Pinkham Field meet.
Yes flyers, you will see this model in competition once again next season!
A great flying day wraps up as the remaining flyers prepare to take down the GHQ tent after the awards ceremony.
October 11, 2020 Woodsom Farm, Amesbury, MA. The third outdoor contest of the season took place on a gorgeous fall day at Woodsom Farm. The foliage was at its peak, the grass soft and just the right height, and even Covid couldn’t keep flyers’ spirits (or models) down. Special thanks go out to the many flyers who traveled some distance to fly and compete in the contest. Several new flyers were in attendance and we look forward to seeing them back on the flightline soon. Photos courtesy of Tom N. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
A smiling Braulio holding a Nakajima(?) Frank built by top FAC modeler Mark Fineman. Vance helped Braulio get the Frank flying at the meet and fly it did….this ship put in a 90sec thermal flight in the late afternoon.
Braulio launches Frank. The fall foliage was at its peak at beautiful Woodsom Farm.
Our cameraman caught Ara D ready to launch his Comet Dime Scale Spitfire in this blurred shot.
Ahh success! Ara’s Spitfire climbs away into the blue sky. Ara joined the meet in the afternoon after attending a control-line meet earlier in the day.
John K entered his stunning Great Lakes 2T-1a Trainer in the FAC Scale event. William S won the event again with his beautiful Fokker DVII.
Enthusiastic new flyer and contestant Noah preparing to fly his Pussycat. Noah is a 1:1 scale pilot and learned to fly before he was licensed to drive a car. Way to go!
William and Noah doing their thing out on the flightline. What a fine mid-Autumn day we had out on Woodsom Farm.
John K launches his Comet Stinson Voyager. This model won the Dime Scale event.
George S and John K walk out to the WW2 Mass Launch flightline. Excellent flights were made by many throughout the day.
John K packs the winds into the small 10% motor in his Mig 3 WW2 combat model. Note the wide-bladed hand carved balsa propeller – surely one secret to this model’s success.
John K’s WW2 Mass Launch winning Mig 3 at altitude. A very stable flyer.
Oh no, he did it again!! John K celebrates one of his victories with his “victory dance” as Herr Rittmeister looks on in horror.
Vance G was awarded the Harvey Wallbanger award for his misfortunes at the meet. The perpetual award was then re-gifted to Steve E on account of unfortunate launches in several of the mass launch events.
September 12, 2020 Woodsom Farm, Amesbury, MA. The second outdoor contest of the season was held on the beautiful rolling green fields of Woodsom Farm. With Covid 19 still a threat, masks and social distancing protocols were in practice throughout the meet. This was no great setback to the strong turnout of flyers who came to fly their models and enjoy light breezes and strong thermals this fine autumn day. Photos courtesy of Mark B., George S., Rich Z. Thanks guys! Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
Flying the Stealth Squadron Flag
Flightline at the Sept 12, 2020 Amesbury meet
Mustang Test Flight
World War 2 Combat Mass Launch
Sam preps the BE2e for the WW1 Combat event
Fokker DVII high flight
William Retrieves his Fokker DVII
William After the Chase
A Nice Facebook Post
Sig Cub Stick Model Flight
Big Truck, Big Hat, Small Model
Readying the Giant Henschel Model for flight
Giant Scale Henschel Free Flight rubber model
click image to view full size
February 9, 2020 Penn Brook Middle School, Georgetown, MA. The second indoor contest of the season at our Boston north shore indoor site was a barrel of fun. Several flyers traveled including Sam B from CT, Webb from NH and Ara from ME. Pipits were flitting all over the gym and the “12 minutes of Georgetown” pylon race was a hoot! Photos courtesy of Andy F. Thanks Andy! Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
Contestants gather just before the start of the “12 minutes of Georgetown” event. This is a popular pylon race event run each season with one-design models (Pipit this year). The flyer who can complete the most laps around the pylon (orange cone with balloon above) in 12 minutes running time wins the event.
There’s not a lot of downtime at the Stealth Squadron indoor meets. Lot’s going on in this corner of the gym as flyers wind and retrieve their models.
Seems everybody at the contest had a Pipit to fly. Here’s Bill M preparing his Pipit for flight, while his Fike peanut waits it’s turn.
Now that’s a Pugnacious nose! Rich Z’s Polikarpov bipe FAC scale model (and WW2 mass launch too) is a real treat. Gotta love that fearless pilot in the cockpit!
Ara D’s hangar held quite a few visual treats. Lessee – I spy a Bristol Scout, a Toucan one-design model, a couple of FAC Trainers (another past one-design model), and a Bostonian. And is that a Co2 tank I see there at the bottom? Fun!
Bill M winds the rubber motor in his Fike Model E peanut scale model. The low aspect ratio wing makes for a large peanut. Flies surprisingly well with absolutely no dihedral.
William S gets low to give his Comet Hurricane dime scale model as much headroom as possible for maximum flight duration.
Rich Z packs a couple thousand turns into the rubber motor that will take his Comet Farman Stratoplane dime scale model to the rafters.
Ray H watches and waits his turn as Tom N sends his Pipit off on another flight.
and quite well too! Ara D shows how it’s done.
George S’ slick Pugnacious Pursuit embryo endurance model on the winding stooge.
Ray H releases his Comet Phantom Flash stick model for an ROG official flight. Official flights in the Phantom Flash event must take off from the ground under their own power.
William S logs a flight time for his Comet Hawker Hurricane dime scale model on the Event Sheet at the front desk. The honor system is employed with contestants timing and logging their own official flights.
The contest table just outside of the gym where all the flying takes place. Contestant flight times, scale scores and final event place are recorded on the clipboard sheets. AMA membership is required for all contestants and flyers.
Ara D came down from Maine to fly with the gang. Here he is winding his Pipit. Lot’s of these one-design models were flitting about the gym during the contest.
Winding the BAT dimer
Tom N’s BAT Monoplane dime scale model cruises by just under the curtain in the gym. Model designed by Al Backstrom.
William S breathes in some final adjustments as he prepares his Rickenbacker SPAD XIII for the WW1 mass launch event.
George S launches his smooth flying Comet Rearwin Speedster dime scale model off on another flight.
There were a number of fine scale models to be judged at the contest.
George and William S kindly volunteered to perform the scale judging at the Feb 9 Georgetown contest.
Tom N launches his Guillow’s F6F Hellcat on a test flight prior to the WW2 mass launch event.
Sam B launches his Bf 109 on a test flight before the WW2 mass launch event.
Paul N gets low to catch his Phantom Flash as it returns from another flight.
Rich Z sends his Supermarine Spitfire model off on a test flight prior to the WW2 mass launch event.
January 12, 2020 Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury,CT. The first indoor contest of the season had a great turnout of flyers – CD John Koptonak reminded us that this is the largest indoor FAC gathering in the U.S. at this time. One Design Pipit’s were everywhere, with the high time around 90sec with further improvement to come. Photos courtesy of Tom N. Click on thumbnail to view larger image and advance to next pic from there.
Peter K’s new Pistachio scale Breda/Caproni Pensuti triplane flew right off the board despite a lack of dihedral and plenty of built in headwind. Check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7xhchVpwno&feature=youtu.be
There were two “light priority” periods during the contest where only the lightweight AMA/FAI indoor duration models can fly. Quite something to experience if you’ve never seen them fly.
Science Olympiad flyers once again turned out in force to fly at the January contest.
The final three in the WW1 combat mass launch event – a Nieuport 11, SE-5 and Be 2c…all of the Axis aircraft were downed in earlier sorties.
The winner of the WW1 mass launch event. Sam’s BE 2c is affectionately known as “the farm tractor” because it tends to mow down anything in it’s flight path! Check out video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BhNb3ZogAE
MIke K’s beautiful Macchi Schneider Cup racer sits on a good ‘ol Flying Aces magazine. An in-the-field stabilizer enlargement with paper tabs had the Macchi flying very smooth circuits around the gym.
Peter K’s Supermarine S4 Schneider Cup racer held by son Mike. The S4 turned in serveral pylon polishing flights during the contest.
CD John K flew his big Lockspeiser LDA research aircraft to 2nd place in FAC Scale. The pusher-canard bonus points really helped close the gap. Less than 5 seconds separated the top 3 Places in FAC Scale. Hot competition!
Another shot of John’s Lockspeiser FAC Scale model.
William S won the FAC Peanut Scale event with his new SPAD XIII. The highly-detailed model is a great flyer and sports a super realistic pre-printed covering in Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker’s Hat-in-the-Ring Sqdn color scheme.
George S’s Pugnacious Pursuit Embryo Endurance model could not fly in the Bostonian event, but put in a number of silky smooth flights nonetheless.
Oliver S finished up this Peanut Waco SRE on his holiday break and it flew great. It should be a strong contender in future contests.
Oliver’s Waco flirts with the dreaded net at the parking lot side of the gymnasium. Be careful out there!
Dick G looks supremely confident launching his sweet little SE 5 in the WW1 Combat mass launch event.
Dick’s veteran Bostonian Beancraft takes off on an official flight. Unfortunately this model hit a basketball backboard crashing the the floor and damaging it’s front-end. Dick assures us it will be repaired and flying again.
Doug H’s little Boeing P-12 dimer is one of the prettiest and smoothest flying models you’ll see anywhere. The essence of FAC Dime Scale…
Ron P’s Bostonian does a virtual metropolis flyover.
This Bostonian has the Spirit!
Peter K’s Bristol Brownie dime scale model turns into the final approach for landing. Ain’t that pretty!
It’s almost curtains for the Brownie!
Ah, safely back on the floor!
Sam B’s Vought Corsair FAC Scale model looks fabulous skimming over the floor.
The Corsair suffered some leading edge damage in an errant flight. It will fly again.
Rich Z had a really cool new Polikarpov I 15bis fighter at the contest. This Russian airplane, pressed into service by the Finn’s was one of the last biplane fighters operational in WW2. Kudos to Rich for modeling this tough subject built from Nate Sturman plans.
A group of flyers wind their WW2 Combat mass launch models, while a second group of contestants ready their models on the other side of the basketball court. All seek to gain maximum altitude within center part of the gym, which makes for exciting close-in action.
Like angry hornets leaving the nest, the fighters scramble for position over the gym floor.
Lots of different launch techniques with these pilots.
There’s lots of tense moments with several two-foot wingspan models circling with a bunch of smaller models in the basketball court-sized space. On the final sortie John K’s P-51 Mustang was involved in two midair collisions – Dick G’s Me 109 survived to take the win. Congrats Dick!
Two of the bigger models dueling for position in the WW2 Combat mass launch event.
