I consider models to be a subset of Miniatures. They are, indeed, miniature. They also generally depict a real or notional object such as a boat, car, train, or whatever. I have leaned towards airplanes because they were my life's obsession I have built cars, trains, and boats also. Some of these are shown below.
One of my early original designs. Note the authentic sheepskin aviator's jacket.
Another original. This one was a good flyer - - -
- - - until !
My love of airplanes caused me to concentrate much of my modelling on aviation oriented models. Some were flying models of real planes or my own designs. Others were display models of real airplanes
a 3/4"=1' flying model of the Vought SBU dive bomber. About 5 years after I built this, I actually went to work for Vought Aircraft Co.
Some of the display models
A 1/4"=1' model of the Vin-Fiz, the first airplane to fly coast to coast
The N3N (Yellow Peril) Navy primary trainer of WW-2 vintage. The model was built of white pine at 1/2"=1' scale and donated to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL.
The NC-4, the first airplane to cross the Atlantic. Built of Mahogany at 1/2"=1', the model has a 62" wingspan. It was built for the Naval Aviation Museum and subsequently placed on display in the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Models of significance to me
(All at 1/4"=1' scale.)
My first airplane ride in this Monocoach.
I learned to fly in this Taylorcraft.
Univ. of Illinois taught me aerobatics in this Stearman
Samples of other kinds of models
Models built for a display of Dr. Robert Ballard's Jason project at the Mote Marine Aquarium. The display was designed and executed by Ms Karen Rowe. I made the models.
Since I no longer have a place for a layout, I use my mini buildings and HO gage trains to encircle the Christmas Tree. The buildings are from Duracraft, Greenleaf, Fairmont Hill, and scratchbuilt.
This model was built for the Mote Marine Laboratory to promote the proposed mobile exhibit vehicle. The tractor was kit-bashed from a 1/4"=1' plastic model and the trailer was scratch built of 1/8" plywood. The interior includes models of the equipment needed to sustain the animals in the aquarium and is lighted to enhance viewability.. This model required 149 hours to complete; however, the hardest part of the project was finding eight matching wheels. The full size truck was completed and displayed for the first time on 11 June 2001. (The finished truck was painted white instead of the blue shown here)
In 1968, my son Bill and I built this car for the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby races. Because the rules stated that the car was to be built by the Cub with assistance and advice from an adult, we designed it together. I helped with the layout of parts and Bill was required to do most of the cutting and shaping work. I did participate to the extent of refining some of his shaping and helping with the sanding. Since this was in the days before decals were available for the cars, all the decoration was done by masking and painting. I did the masking, Bill did the painting. Te pinewood cars ar constrained by the rules in length, width, and weight. This car, although wood was added to the basic official kit met all those requirements.
The 1968 Model
The 2003 Models
This year, Dremel gave me the opportunity to give a couple of 4 hour clinics the concentrated on building Pinewod Dreby cars. They were attended by Cubs and their adult helpers (Mom, Dad, and in one case, Granddad). I made a car during each demo and also discussed speed tips to help them make the cars go fast. Since the motive force for these cars is gravity, friction reduction was the primary topic. Each Cub was allowed to use the Dremel tools to smooth and polish the axels for their own cars. It was lots of fun and someday, I will get around to painting these two.
A Custom Model for a Good Friend
This model was built specially for our Flight Surgeon who was the owner of the airplane. It is a WW-2 surplus A-36, an attack version of the F-51, Mustang. Itis 1/4"=1' scale made from rock hard balsa and was painted yellow with red trim.
The Curtis SOC Airplane
I built this model just because I liked the airplane. It was one of those carried on Navy cruisers and battleships for long range observation (before RADAR). It was launched from the catapult by an explosive charge and, on return, was picked up out of the water by a crane.
This 1/4" =1' model is shown mounted on a type R, mark 8 catapult. The airplane was built from a detailed scale drawing I had previously made for the American Aviation Historical Society and the catapult from drawings and photos supplied by the Naval Aviation Museum.
And now they have been painted
The 2004 Pinewood Derby cars
Once again, I was asked to provide a demo/clinic for the Cub Scouts and their adult counterparts. I had four stores this time and built a car during each demo.
You saw the three unpainted cars and one painted one in the Demo page. Here they are again. Now take a look at how they turned out after getting their paint.
Clearwater, FL
St. Petersberg, FL
Pinellas Park, FL
Bradenton, FL
The first to be decorated was the Lowe's rental delivery truck. The signs were photos of signs on a truck reduced appropriately by computer.
The St. Pete car is dedicated to my Highschool Grad class and painted in the school colors.
I had to bow to popular suggestions and decorated the Pinellas PK car as a pseudo Batmobile.
Finally, the Lowe's race car gets recognition. For the purist, I know that NASCAR is not an open wheel event. But, it is a Cub Scout event.
