MICRO-FLYING
BUILDING A
FF PEANUT
SCALE MODEL
FROM THE
PAST
By Joe Malinchak | joemal@echoes.net
A FEW FRIENDS of mine mentioned that they were going to the 2023 Flying Aces Club (FAC) Non-Nats in Geneseo, New York. I happened to be off work, so I decided to attend.
I have seen some beautiful Free Flight (FF) models fly throughout the years at the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair and other events. Now I had to see if I could build a FF model for the Non-Nats in less than a week.
I have built models most of my life. I started when I was a boy, building simple rubber-powered FF airplanes made out of balsa. The skills that I learned led me to build RC models. As technology advanced and newer, lightweight RC equipment became available, I found myself going back and constructing micro RC models from FF kits. Now I find myself going back in time to build a FF model from my past.
I have a few Peanut Scale kits that have been in my closet for many years. I pulled them out and decided to build a Sterling Corsair. Because I was time crunched, I worked some long hours and completed the model in only four days; however, I wasn’t even sure that it would fly. Fortunately, good friends helped me install the correct rubber and showed me how to wind the motor for some nice flights. It was a great learning experience.
2023 FAC Non-Nats
The Non-Nats took place July 12-15, 2023, and was held at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo. What a beautiful place for a model airplane event. The museum sits on a huge grass field that is perfect for flying FF
models. Rick Pendzick and his hard-working crew did a fantastic job of organizing and running this event.
It was my first time attending the Non-Nats. As a newcomer, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Because I was finishing work on my airplane, I missed the first day when everyone displayed their models for static judging. I was really looking forward to seeing this, but I wanted an airplane to fly. It worked out okay because I did get to see most of the beautifully built models on the field.
The gathering is a FF contest featuring several Scale—and a few non-Scale—events. It also features some mass launches, including World War II Combat, World War I Peanut, and a few air race events. I think these are the most fun for spectators and pilots alike. I really enjoyed seeing all of the WW II aircraft flying at the same time. A few midairs do occur, normally when
the models are launched. This event is about friendly competition but mainly having a good time.
I competed in the FAC Peanut Scale event. The weather was perfect, with little wind. I had all day to test and trim my airplane before putting in my three official flights.
The final day was the best for me. It started with the National Warplane Museum flying several of its beautifully restored, full-scale aircraft. Even the 1917 Fokker Dr.I triplane replica was flown. The pilot was practicing his landings, and I was able to get a great video of him. As another treat, someone graciously donated a Beechcraft Staggerwing and was putting in a few test flights. The day concluded with a barbecue dinner and the awards ceremony.
I had a great time, and I would highly recommend this event to anyone who is interested in learning more about FF
modeling. You can see a few videos I took, including a slow-motion video of one of the mass-launch events, on my YouTube channel, listed in “Sources.” I was inspired by the dedication and skills of all of the modelers who attended. I am already planning a few projects for next year!
In Memoriam
I am very sad to note that the hobby has lost a good friend, Sergio Zigрас. I met Sergio many years ago at the first NEAT Fair event. He was really impressed with the progress we were making in micro RC and he started the NEAT Fair micro RC seminars. They became so popular that they attracted modelers from all around the world.
Sergio worked with Micro Flier Radio in developing many of its products, including micro servos, receivers, and motor control timers. He did many things to promote our hobby and will be missed!
SOURCES:
National Warplane Museum
(585) 243-2100
www.nationalwarplanemuseum.com
Easy Built Models
shannon@easybuiltmodels.com
www.easybuiltmodels.com
Volaré Products
(269) 339-9795
www.volareproducts.com/wordpress
Joe Malinchak’s YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/user/joemal214/featured
