1931 Midget Kit - "Winnie Mae" - Start to Finish
18,093
Published 2022-12-16
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 8-9 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 free-flight.
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.
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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:
hallmanstudio.com/National_Vega_plan.pdf
Another National kit, the 12" Heath Parasol plan: www.hallmanstudio.com/Heath_Parasol_12.pdf
Heath Parasol print graphics: www.hallmanstudio.com/Heath_tissue_print_blue.pdf
Here's another National kit, and 18" twin Curtiss Condor:
www.hallmanstudio.com/Condor_plan.pdf
Wing jig plan for biplanes: www.hallmanstudio.com/Wing_jig.pdf
Balsa density chart with the sweet spot for building light: hallmanstudio.com/Balsa_Density_Chart.pdf
Photos & film by Tom Hallman. Music via MotionArray.com.
Flying Aces Club merchandise: www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
Center of Gravity merchandise: www.cafepress.com/centergravity
For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
brooklyn-balsa.square.site/
www.easybuiltmodels.com/
www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
www.flyingacesclub.com/
National Free Flight Society - freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - www.ffscale.co.uk/
www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk/
All Comments (21)
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Tom, Your videos are very inspiring and have opened my eyes to the world of free flight. I have been flying RC most of my life, about 45 years. I am currently building my first free flight model and really enjoying it! I did build a few when I was a kid but didn’t really know what I was doing. I always thought free flight was a step backwards in the hobby, I am seeing now that is not the case. It is a whole new challenge and very exciting! Thank You!
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Yikes…. I learned how to build from a fellow pilot about twice my age. His models were exquisite and they set a standard for my building. We flew in the evening twilight to avoid thermals. Despite his age he could throw hand launched gliders higher than me. One of my faves was the G. Y. 20 Minicab. I built two. 45 seconds from r.o.g. Starting in the hangar heading out. (The only paved surface) a hand launch bought another 5 seconds at most. He put just as much work into his full sized sailplane, painting it every couple of years. I too flew full sized sailplanes. Thermal hunting and centering is so much easier from inside the plane!!! I switched to R.C. and last I heard, Thursday evenings are devoted to R.C. Flying from the perpendicular runway just as I used to. Im eighty-five now and I used my building skills to make a pretty good violin. I still have it but I love my carbon fiber five string most. I may be old but I’m up to date with CF musical instruments and foam airplanes.
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Tom, what a great story about your dad in the description. What a blessing to have a father like this that did whatever he did to instill the passion of building and flying to his son.
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One HAS to have a 'brum brum' moment, with each new plane, providing of course that it's not a glider.. Nice one Tom! 🌟👍
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The single most important channel on YouTube! Bravo 👏👏👏
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Beautiful story, beautiful people building spirit-strengthening creations that also celebrate the best in mankind.
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Tom, it is a pleasure to watching your videos, it warms my heart, nice tribute to your Dad! You are a true craftsman, God bless You and your family!
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Your dad's story makes an awesome build Fantastic! Thank You!
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Beyond the tried an tested methods of stick and tissue construction there's the nuance that makes the difference between an exquisite model (from even a simple plan) and a rough one, the nuance is things like the jig you made and the way you carefully cut through the strip stock and then sand it to size... you do make it look a hell of a lot easier than it is but you also illustrate how important the nuance is in these mini works of aeronautical art. Congrats on another beauty.
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Beautiful model, beautiful story... Thanks for sharing.
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It was a real pleasure watching that small plane come together, and I enjoyed reading your video description.
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My father passed in March, at age almost 104. A lifelong modeler and AMA member, one of the last planes he built was a duplicate of the baby ROG that was his first model as a kid.
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I love these videos, beautiful work, very soothing. It would be nice to see him in flight. Thanks.
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All you constructions is excellent
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Great video Tom loved the old family photos.
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Inspirational Tom. It's a treat to see the master builder at work - and what a lovely story. Happy Christmas to you and Yours Noel
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Wow. Just beautiful.
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Wow! Another beautiful build!
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Thank you Tom, a wonderful remberance of your Dad and a masterfully crafted model ❤❤
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This is absolutely amazing and beautiful, you have magic hands.
