Whenever I finish a scale project, I like to balance it with something nostalgic, perhaps a model that my dad might have built as a youngster in the 1930s. That's where this midget kit of the 12" Lockheed Vega "Winnie Mae" comes in. It's semiscale for sure, but it's what the kids back then wanted to build...the latest big news flyer of the day. The kit was part of the first year offering in 1931 by the National Model Aircraft & Supply Company from New Rochelle, NY. At $1.10, these kits were more expensive than most by far, but they came with extras, including printed tissue. You could even buy them already made, though the asking price, delivered, was 4X the kit price.

But this film and model is more about my dad, who was born in 1921, the youngest of eight siblings, and grew up through his teens, spending much of his time with his latest balsa job, at a building board in his bedroom.

In 2008, while visiting the folks, my dad pulled me aside and showed me two boxes that were given to him by his friend's widow.  Gordy Robinson had died earlier in the year.  He was dad's best friend since they were 89 years old....and together they had built model airplanes during the years leading up to the war.  He was also dad's best man.  Since then, hardly a week went by that they hadn't seen each other.

The largest box contained five old models, while the other had a stack of vintage plans inside, pinholes included. Before me were a few of the models that the two of them had built throughout the 1930s.  Incredible. Together they had probably built over 200 of them.  Ragged building at its best...you can almost feel the young kid's tongue out of the corner of his mouth as he attached the tissue, glued a joint etc etc.  Precious.  My dad was so thrilled to be given these models by Gordy's wife.  But for me...what a gift...this unexpected view into my dad's modeling history.

Having grown up in Pennsylvania, most of their models and plans were by Megow.  But there were a few others that I'd never heard of before.  Small 5" span solid models that included metal props and an actual pilot, stamped out of brass.  There was a slick 5" wooden prop that looked like it'd be used for scale...but then there's a prop shaft & hook attached, so who knows?  Maybe it was used for flying after all.  I just kept shaking my head.  Felt like I was sharing a day with my dad who was no longer the man with 87 years behind him, but instead a young, energetic lad with visions of newly discovered freeflight.

After we had finished taking a few photos, dad gently held one of the biplanes and tossed her for a short glide...and yes...and of course...she did in fact fly....

Dad passed in 2014 at 93 years. But when I start one of these nostalgic builds, I know for certain that he's right along side. xo.

*******

If anyone has plans or kits from the National Model Aircraft & Supply Co., please let me know, as I might be interested.

Here's a plan of the 12" Lockheed Vega with the tissue printing files:
http://hallmanstudio.com/National_Veg...

Another National kit, the 12" Heath Parasol plan: http://www.hallmanstudio.com/Heath_Pa...
Heath Parasol print graphics: http://www.hallmanstudio.com/Heath_ti...

Here's another National kit, and 18" twin Curtiss Condor:
http://www.hallmanstudio.com/Condor_p...
Wing jig plan for biplanes: http://www.hallmanstudio.com/Wing_jig...

Balsa density chart with the sweet spot for building light: http://hallmanstudio.com/Balsa_Densit...

Photos & film by Tom Hallman. Music via MotionArray.com.

Flying Aces Club merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
Center of Gravity merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/centergravity

For more info on freeflight rubberpowered models, check these websites:
https://brooklynbalsa.square.site
http://www.easybuiltmodels.com/
http://www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
http://www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society https://freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models http://www.ffscale.co.uk/
https://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk