I was born and raised in Indianapolis. Around '65 or '66, my cousin and I started fooling with model airplanes again. I bought a Sterling Mustang and he bought a Sterling Yak9. I bought a McCoy 35 and he bought a McCoy 40. Anyway we flew and crashed a lot, so trips to the hobby shop were in order. One day, while shopping for stuff, I saw one of Jack's planes hanging in the hobby shop. It was one of the Stuntliners. I asked the store owner about it and she told me about Jack. They also sold FM Magazine and one of Jack's articles was in it. I left determined to meet this local hero. I found his name in the phone book and called him up. He was very nice and some time later, I was able to visit him. He was very helpfl and we talked about his career in modeling. He showed me pictures of many of his designs.
Jack and I became friends...er he tolerated me pestering him. Jack was a police officer at the time and he also painted refrigerators part-time with Bernie Ash. I know of at least one of his planes was painted with refrigerator paint. He told me stories about Jim Vornholt and John Davis. I hung on to every word.
I was fortunate to watch Jack fly a few times. After he built a model, he would test it in clear dope, in case he had to cut into it to make changes. If it was a turkey, he saved a paint job. Two in particular that I saw on the maiden flight were the Scottsman and the Ryan SC.
I always liked the Stuntliner I first saw in the hobby shop. After much negotiating, I was able to swap an old outboard motor for it. Jack was a wheeler dealer. My cousin bought a small swept wing called the Asheeks, designed by Jack and Bernie Ash. He also bought a plane unnamed, but referred to as the profile that isn't. It had a slab fuselage built up with blocks and it looked like a full bodied airplane. It resembled the Ares and was covered with jap tissue and painted black. To this day, my cousin still owns them. I don't think they were flown more than a couple of times. My cousin is a collector.
My new job in the fall of 1966 found me traveling all week. By that time, due to Jack's influence, I was a dedicated modeler. I used to build airplanes in the motel rooms, more than once causing other guests to check out due to the dope fumes. I carried a plane in the trunk of my company car and sought out school yards wherever I happened to be working. Come the end of the day, I would jury rig a stooge and fly. I would make it a point to see Jack on weekends when I was home.
In 1968, I was transferred to Michigan and Jack and I remained in touch by phone, with an occasional visit when I came home for a vacation. Jack gave me a homemade aluminum handle that he engraved his name into and an old flight box he had. I still have both. Jack's influence and inspiration led me to design my own plane that was eventually published. I also went on to compete in the NATs, but that's another story.
Jack Sheeks is definitely the most influential person I have ever met and I could never repay his kindness and friendship. He is a true gentleman and a brilliant designer.
Thank you Jack.
Topic: Jack Sheeks 80th Birthday Party (Read 2963 times)