Author: Dennis O. Norman
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/12
Page Numbers: 126,127,129
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FREE FLIGHT SCALE

Dennis O. Norman, 11216 Lake Ave., Cleveland OH 44102

Hi Skysters! For those of us who like to finish off a splendid meal with a fine dessert, the Flying Aces Club (FAC) Outdoor Championships held in Muncie, Indiana, the weekend of September 11–12, 2004, was the final course for the Flying Aces Nationals held in Geneseo, New York, July 16–18, 2004.

As is a good dessert, the Muncie gathering was smaller and sweeter than Geneseo, and, for this year at least, Muncie’s weather stood in brilliant contrast to the unusually cloudy and wet fare of this year’s FAC Nats.

I covered the FAC Nats for MA this year, and the article is featured in this issue. It is beyond the scope of this column and it would be pointless to paraphrase what I have already written about the FAC Nats. It is also unnecessary to report at length on Muncie. To give you a taste of the latter, I will describe the WW I Dogfight event held at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 11.

Muncie WW I Dogfight

There were 16 contestants signed up for the dogfight (eight less than the 24 who competed at Geneseo), but spirits were high and the event was just as lively. The contestants were evenly divided into two fights (A and B) of eight fliers each. Event Director Dave Livesay announced that the first four down of each flight would be eliminated. The survivors of each flight would then be combined into one group from which the first four down would be eliminated, leaving the surviving four to compete for final honors.

After Dave’s orientation, the preliminary flights took place. Bob Bojanowski (with a 30-inch-span S.E.5a), Walt Farrell, Don Srull, and Chris Starleaf (all flying models of the Fokker D.VII) made up the final four. Chris blew his motor during the winding phase and was eliminated. The three remaining fliers formed a line abreast at close intervals. The command to launch was given, and the three models began to rise majestically above the crowd. Suddenly Don’s D.VII veered sharply to the left and fused itself with Bob’s S.E.5a.

The aeronautically impossible combination tumbled to the ground, with Don’s model smashing terra firma first and presenting him with an undisputed third place. The hapless Bob finished a close second, and the undaunted Walt flew on to an uncontested victory dance. The incredulous Chris was heard to exclaim that he might have been in the winner’s circle if he had simply thrown his motorless D.VII into the final flight. It ended so abruptly that his model might have still been gliding when Don’s and Bob’s models went down!

Easy Built Models — Mystery Tailless

One of the most impressive models at the Muncie FAC meet was the 22-inch-span Mystery Tailless flown by Dave Niedzielski of Easy Built Models. The light, silver-covered, tailless biplane configuration is based on the famous Flying Flea design that was a sensation with European home-builders who thought of it as a “crashproof” configuration suitable for even novice aviators. Serious problems were eventually encountered with the full-scale configuration, but no such complications have arisen with the Easy Built version. Dave’s prototype, powered by two 16-inch loops of 1/4-inch FAI rubber, flew an amazing 11 minutes, 29 seconds in one thermal-assisted flight!

Since the model design was published in 1940, Easy Built’s Mystery Tailless is eligible for Old Time Rubber, FAC Fiction Fighter, and Society of Antique Modelers events. Easy Built was the 2004 sponsor of the FAC Nats’ Fiction Fighter event. Only a flexible machine gun was added to help the model meet FAC armament requirements.

The outstanding Mystery Tailless kit comes complete with full-sized, rolled CAD plans, building instructions, precision laser-cut balsa parts, hand-picked balsa strip wood, an FAI rubber motor, a Peck propeller (and nose bearing), balsa wheel blanks, new tissue/local markings (printed tissue like decals but much lighter), and Easy Built Lite silver tissue. At the modest cost of $19.95, this kit is among the best buys on today’s market.

  • Kit contents:
  • Full-sized, rolled CAD plans and building instructions
  • Precision laser-cut balsa parts
  • Hand-picked balsa strip wood
  • FAI rubber motor
  • Peck propeller and nose bearing
  • Balsa wheel blanks
  • New printed tissue/local markings
  • Easy Built Lite silver tissue

About Easy Built Models

Dave Niedzielski acquired Easy Built from its Canadian owners in 1998 and moved it to his home in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 2002, Dave’s full-time employer relocated its Erie operation to Prattville, Alabama (north of Montgomery), and Easy Built went with the Niedzielskis to their new home. Finding a suitable place for Easy Built’s operations, the Niedzielskis built a new facility on their property.

Easy Built currently markets more than 160 kits. Many are long-standing Easy Built designs, but they are being improved. The newest kits include laser-cut parts, carefully selected balsa sheet and strip wood, high-quality colored tissue, upgraded plans, building instructions, and accessories.

Dave takes great pains to ensure that the laser-cut balsa parts are accurate. New kits are typically built completely to make sure the pieces fit. The parts patterns are sent to the laser-cutters, who make the first run of kit pieces. These are returned to Easy Built, where they are checked again for accuracy. Any errors found are brought to the laser-cutters’ attention. The prototype cuttings are sent back to Easy Built for checking. Only when Easy Built is satisfied are the final parts made and placed in kits.

The company has expanded its product line to include balsa, colored tissue, and adhesives. How-to books have been added to Easy Built’s line to further educate and assist modelers with the skills needed to guarantee good results and stimulate skill development. Easy Built kits are being marketed worldwide and may be found in hobby stores, gift shops, and museums.

In spite of its production and marketing sophistication, Easy Built is a family-owned and -operated enterprise. Dave still works at his regular job but provides leadership and inspiration. His wife Ann handles the orders and day-to-day business operations. The Niedzielskis’ sons Chris (21) and Stephen (19) help with production handling. Orders come from around the world, and they are filled promptly and efficiently.

  • Easy Built contact information:
  • Mail: Box 681749, Prattville AL 36068
  • Phone: (334) 358-5184
  • Web: www.easybuiltmodels.com

Other Vendors and Resources

I have almost used up my space for this issue, but I want to make you aware of a couple more things. Possibility Press/Aeronautical Publishers is owned by Mike and Marge Markowski. They offer a colorful and informative array of Aeronautical Publishers’ titles, American Aeronautical Archives fine reprints, and fully assembled and painted historical models. They also actively assist would-be publishers in bringing their dreams to reality.

You should be aware of the excellent MAX FAX journal of the D.C. Maxecuters. Editor Allan Schanzle assembles this magnificent effort every two months. It usually features full-color and black-and-white photographs; professional-quality plans; clear, well-written text; nostalgic ads; and construction tips that make it well worth having.

  • MAX FAX / D.C. Maxecuters contact:
  • Web: www.fhc-tohsmint.com
  • Allan Schanzle, 6394 Sunset Ln., Columbia MD 21045

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.