Fairchild 24R Ruby
Aviation museums
provide inspiration
to Scale modelers
By Don Brann and Stan Alexander
onawing4602@att.net
Photos courtesy of the authors
Sometimes aviation museums are one of the best places to visit historic aircraft that either can’t fly anymore or still occasionally fly. Scale modelers who visit museums can often squeeze out a bit more information from the guide or person at the desk about the aircraft there or set up a photo shoot with the museum administrator. These museums are generally run by volunteers who also have a love for everything aviation, including Scale models.
One such Scale modeler is Jack Buckley. For many years, Jack has developed the ability to sniff out a great subject at a local airfield or museum. This is one such story. Anyone with a little common sense knows your documentation and plans will be better on a Scale model if you have access to the full-scale subject.
Jack has built several high-quality models throughout the years, most of which were locally available to him. These models include his 1/3-scale de Havilland Tiger Moth, 1/3-scale Mini Max homebuilt, and now two versions of this Fairchild Model 24R. Jack started visiting the Western North Carolina Air Museum Hendersonville-Flat Rock region of the state roughly three years ago and decided to build a true 36% scale model of Chet Phillip’s Fairchild 24R named Ruby.
During the next 2-1/2 years, Jack visited many times, creating friendships with Al Denn, Don Buck, Don Brann, and others. He took photos and made measurements of the full-scale airframe in the museum.
Jack wanted to build a model that not everyone would build (such as a P-51 or a Piper J-3 Cub). The Fairchild model was to be a contest model, and Jack was aware that judges usually know the aircraft that they frequently see quite well. He won the High Static Award in the Designer class and the Pilots’ Choice Award at the AMA Scale Nats in 2021.
Jack is no stranger to the winners’ podium in RC Scale competition. He is a several-time and current US RC Scale Nats Champion, as he was in 2008, 2010,
and 2012. Last year, at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Team Selection, he qualified with a new 1/4-scale version of the Ruby for the US Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Scale F4H Scale Team that will be going to Romania for the FAI F4H World Championships on August 10-17.
Jack has included many, many details down to the cockpit interiors, carpet, window cranks, instruments, rib stitching, and retractable landing lights. The 1/3-scale model includes a radio that plays air traffic control tower talk when it is turned on.
The model’s wingspan is 13 feet and weighs 56 pounds, 7 ounces. For power, the model has a DA-85 gas engine swinging a 27 X 10 Xoar propeller. It also features a Futaba 16SZ RC system, while his newer 1/4-scale Fairchild uses a new Futaba 32MZ.
Other details include the complex and rugged shock-absorbing landing gear made from stainless-steel tubing. The welded assembly contains compression springs to absorb the weight load upon landing. The models, as well as the full-scale aircraft, are covered with Stits fabric or Poly-Lite fabric and painted with Stits Poly-Tone paint.
The photos by the museum staff bring to light the marvelous donation by Jack of his 1/3-scale model to sit beside the full-scale Fairchild 24R Ruby museum piece. November 25, 2023, was a great day for the museum, and for Jack as well. His second 1/4-scale Fairchild model of Ruby will go with him to compete at the Scale World Championships.
There, he will present the model to the static judges, as well as fly three flights in front of a judging panel from several different countries. The museum is rooting for you, Jack! Don presented Jack with a beautiful plaque with the museum’s logo, thanking him for the donation of this beautiful 1/3-scale model.
When you travel, Google local aviation museums. You might be surprised to see what you find there. If you are in the Smoky Mountains, the Western North Carolina Air Museum is only two hours away. It features a great collection of aircraft, as well as local aviation history. There are hidden jewels scattered across the country. Check them out!
SOURCES:
Western North Carolina Air Museum
(828) 698-2482
www.westernnorthcarolinaairmuseum.com
