Who was the first...

[Matt Colan]

To start using a take-apart system in their airplanes? Was it Paul Walker with his one Piece wing in his Impact or was it someone before him that developed a take-apart system?

[jose modesto]

Al Rabe 1968 Mustang one piece wing. Tail not removable.
The Europeans were also building take apart models, specially the Russian and their satellite countries.
Kaz was also building take apart models in the late 80's early 90's
Matt when you get to finishing your take apart model,you will never want a one piece model again.
Jose Modesto

[Matt Colan]

I believe it Jose.  We only just molded the leading edges for the thundergazer, so it will be awhile before it gets to the finish.

I'll see if I can get some pictures posted in the next week or so. PS. The elevators I made for this are STIFF! I can't flex them in the raw wood stage!

[Tim Wescott]

Some of the OTS planes are take apart.  It's more that the wings are rubber-banded on to avoid damage in a crash -- but if you want to get into a "who's first" argument, they can't be ignored.

[PJ Rowland]

How about I ask an easier question?

Who is the youngest person to build a Takeapart ThunderGazer ?

 

Take aparts have been around along time.. I know of people in the Mid 80's using it.

Certainly the development and technology avaliable now is outstanding - the more people build PA TA the more diverse the access is.

Paul brought it into mainstream by being the first to win a MAJOR BIGITIME contest with his T/A Impact.

[Larry Renger]

Hey gang, my planes came apart weekly when I was just learning as a teenager.  Often several planes a day! 

[Jim Thomerson]

Rubber banded on wings were common in British stunt airplanes, late 40's early 50's.  Stunt King, Small Fry, Kan Doo,  Boxcar,  Tarus etc., as well as in the USA.  Boxcar Chief, Dilly, Skybox, etc.  I think it may have had to do with transporting airplanes on buses and trains, and  in small cars. 

[peabody]

Didn't the Taurus (about 5 1/2' span) have a rubber banded on wing per plan?

[Tim Wescott]

Rubber banded on wings were common in British stunt airplanes, late 40's early 50's.  Stunt King, Small Fry, Kan Doo,  Boxcar,  Tarus etc., as well as in the USA.  Boxcar Chief, Dilly, Skybox, etc.  I think it may have had to do with transporting airplanes on buses and trains, and  in small cars. 

I would imagine that it also had to do with servicing the ignition system -- you'd want access to the innards for that, and a rubber-banded on wing would certainly provide access.

[jim ivey]

my vote is " A J  fire baby" and " wen-mac aeromite"  Late 40's early 50s  jim.