Author Topic: PDQ Flying Clown – Megow Flying Circus - Matt Kania (Read 13108 times)

Mark Misegadis · « **on:** October 17, 2012, 10:09:11 AM »

PDQ Flying Clown – Megow Flying Circus

I found an ad in the December 1948 MAN page 4, for a Megow Flying Circus. It states “Build and Fly in Seven Hours!” The ad shows the completed model and a shot of the open box that appears to show a pre fab model.

This looks like a PDQ Flying clown but the nose looks a little longer and the rudder slightly different. In the Bio that is posted for Matt Kania it mentions the Flying Circus but not the Flying Clown although the directions and label both have him credited for the FC.

1) Does anyone out here own either of these planes in original condition and unbuilt?
2) Are they indeed very similar but different?
3) Does anyone have the…”Rest of the story” that can be shared here?

Mark

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2012, 11:50:20 AM »

http://www.collectair.com/kitannex2.html

The 1949 Air Trails Megow advertisements tell the final story of their demise. The February 1949 issue shows a limited selection with no free flight and some gimmick models such as jet race cars. The March ad featured the "Flying Circus", an easy-to-build U-control. The April issue has a small ad for the "Circus" and gimmicks. The May 1949 Advertiser's Index lists Megow but there is no ad. This was the end of the fine line of kits manufactured by Fred Megow. The post-war model market decline had caught up with The Megow Corporation as they liquidated their inventory. It is reported that Comet bought much of the Megow stock. In fact, Megow's is advertised in a small space in the November 1951 Air Trails as a "Division of Comet Model Hobbycraft, Inc., Chicago, Illinois" - 25-cent "Pre-Fab" kits of "New War Models." This isn't Fred Megow's company!

De Hill · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2012, 12:06:14 PM »

Hi Mark,

Go to the first window on this website and click on AMA. When it comes up, click on musem. Then click on museum info. Then click on Hall of fame. There you will find an excellent biography of Fred Megow and the Megow Company.

Matt Kania is not mentioned in the Megow story. You can find Matt Kania's biography on the AMA hall of fame also. Sometimes the origin of things falls through the cracks, or is purposly omitted.

I have heard many stories regarding the early days of controline that are not repeatable here.

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2012, 02:20:15 PM »

Quote from: De Hill on October 17, 2012, 12:06:14 PM

I have heard many stories regarding the early days of controline that are not repeatable here.

Ha Ha, yeah I understand that!

So... what about the rest of ya.. Clown - Circus and those questions above.

Dave Hull · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2012, 03:12:06 PM »

Kania designs supposedly included the Flying Clown and Circus Prince. Smaller and larger Clowns came along, too, but not sure these were by Kania. The Circus Prince just used a different fuselage shape than the Clown. There did not seem to be much consistency in the Clown kit configurations. At least 3 slightly different configurations have been documented. Who knows what the later plans are based on. I have several of these plans, including the Brodak Flying Clown, which seems to have the most construction changes.

McSlow

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2012, 03:44:47 PM »

Hi Dave,

Quote from: Dave Hull on October 18, 2012, 03:12:06 PM

including the Brodak Flying Clown, which seems to have the most construction changes. McSlow

And Dimension changes. Which is typical for the line of reproductions. Hence the line on their writeup of the plane. "A kit based on a classic design."

I dont have an original (but would very much like to) but dimensionally a 28 WS is never...26 3/4.

Mark

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2012, 03:58:32 PM »

Here is the Flying Circus

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2012, 04:14:48 PM »

And a Flying Circus Jr photo I found on the web.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2012, 07:08:04 PM »

Never saw a Flying Circus "back in the day", but was very familiar with the PDQ Flying Clown, a $1.95 kit with a wingspan of 28 inches. Don't understand the current kit's "26-3/4" (or whatever) span, since that's not a true repro' of the original Flying Clown --- neither is its inclusion of wing spars and LE sheeting. The current offering is NOT representative of the original PDQ kit.

De Hill · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2012, 07:12:07 PM »

Unfortunately, some OTS designs from other manufacturers are not like the originals.

Don Hutchinson AMA5402 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2012, 07:56:18 PM »

A friend built a Flying Circus back in about 1948, Ohlsson 23 front rotor power. It flew really well but probably only weighed about 14 ounces! The Ohlsson was somewhere around 4-5 ounces if I remember right. I am surprised this thread is the first mention of the Flying Circus that I have seen here or at any past VSC or any other event for that matter.
Don

Mike Keville · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2012, 09:56:49 PM »

Anyone remember Sterling's $1.00 kit of the 24" span Maverick ("Steals the show wherever you go")? May have been a Kania design, though can't say for sure.

At any rate, PDQ's Flying Clown was a good one .... far superior to those "faux" Clowns being marketed today with their LE sheeting, wing spars, reduced wingspans and erroneous fin outlines.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2012, 05:54:10 AM »

I still have the Flying Clown kit that Joe Just did a few years back. It is in the shop somewhere amongst all the other kits. Never got around to building it. Maybe Joe can fill us in on this.

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2012, 10:49:00 AM »

Quote from: Don Hutchinson AMA5402 on October 18, 2012, 07:56:18 PM

A friend built a Flying Circus back in about 1948, Ohlsson 23 front rotor power. It flew really well but probably only weighed about 14 ounces! The Ohlsson was somewhere around 4-5 ounces if I remember right. I am surprised this thread is the first mention of the Flying Circus that I have seen here or at any past VSC or any other event for that matter.
Don

Hi Don,

What do you recall about this plane. Was it partially prefab like it appears in the 1948 ad? Was it the Same as a Clown from what you remember or was it Similar? Do you recall if the canopy was a separate piece of balsa or if the Fuse was in 2 parts as a lower and upper?

Mark

Joe Peters · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2012, 11:58:19 AM »

In 1948, Matt Kania stopped at the BALSA BUSTERS field at Featherbed Lane in Woodlawn Maryland. He was touring the east selling the FLYING CIRCUS" kits out of the trunk of his car. He sold at least a dozen kits that day. I have a picture that "Pop" took of me (age 11 or 12) holding a finished model. The only discernable difference between the CIRCUS and the CLOWN, as I remember, was that the CIRCUS had full solid Balsa wing tips. We powered ours with a Torp .29 that was converted from ignition. Elmer Gaither, my father's buddy used a MADEWELL .49 in his! No mistake, here. Elmer used a .49 in ALL his planes. Size didn't matter.

I have the original kit plan that is in really bad shape. These early U/C planes of this order, mushed around the sky and landed like a rock when the engine kit. The WIZZER, TRAINEE, ZING, NIFFTY, etc. were all solid models available back then, originally for ignition and were hardly airworthy. BOB PALMER, Joe Wagner and a few others were a real treat, well received. These light, thick airfoiled plans changed things drastically for Stunt. At the 1950 NATIONALS at NAS Grand Prairie TX, I watched George fly a Palmer Chief with a Fox .35; he took 3rd in Senior Stunt.

I seldom get on any forum but thought I might add a few comments to this one time.

Sunshine makes me happy.

Regards, Joe Peters AMA269

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2012, 01:30:31 PM »

I'm grinning from ear to ear. This is a great story! Mark

Don Hutchinson AMA5402 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2012, 04:48:36 PM »

Sorry i can'tgive much detail on the Circus but I think the fuse was one piece and he had a take off dolly, no gear. I don't know if that was a kit option or not. he was not a speed flyer so

. All I really remember is that it flew very well.
Don

Dave Hull · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2012, 02:15:28 PM »

Mark,
I looked in the plans place and found a copy of the Megow Flying Circus. At least, it has their logo included on the now-faded blueprint. The wingspan is 28" and it actually looks like a cross between the Ringmaster and the Flying Clown. There is no indication of what in today's use of the word could be called "prefabrication." But back then, it is my understanding that if they cut the fuselage out for you, and had the motor mounts cut to length, and the LE and TE preshaped--that was "highly prefabricated." Anyway, this plan shows a very large LE piece with v-groove for the rib tips. The wing has a bit more chord than the plan I have that was created from an original PDQ Flying Clown. The fuse shapes and vertical stabilizer are much closer to Ringmaster shape. No wing spars, just the beefy LE and TE. No LE planking or cap strips. Regular looking wire landing gear. A nice enough looking plane with distinctively Kania shapes.

I would think it should fly every bit as good as the Clown with a .15 in it, or maybe a "stunt detuned" .19, like a Mickey Red Head.

Dave "McSlow"

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2012, 08:11:32 AM »

Hi Dave, Thank you for adding this to the conversation. Can you post photos of the Circus plan and the Clown Plan that you have? Mark

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2012, 02:10:48 PM »

Here is a photo of an original PDQ Flying Clown that survives. Mark

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2012, 02:19:29 PM »

Here is another of a Kit that I have found. (and of course I am looking for either if there are any out there.) Mark

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2012, 02:24:06 PM »

What year did the Flying Clown come out from PDQ?

I have been hunting through MAN in the 50s and have not yet found an ad for them. Did they not advertise in MAN?
Does anyone out there have a photo of an original advert that they can post here?

Mark

Mike Keville · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2012, 03:21:53 PM »

1949. There's an ad for the $1.95 Flying Clown on page 88 of the August '49 Air Trails. (Can't post a photo here because my scanner is on the blink.)

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #23 on:** November 01, 2012, 03:28:16 PM »

Mike, I will take a look and see if I have that issue. Mark

Mike Keville · « **Reply #24 on:** November 01, 2012, 03:34:56 PM »

Ooops, somehow I got the scanner to work. Here's that pic from the Aug. 49 Air Trails, page 88.

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #25 on:** November 02, 2012, 07:41:10 AM »

Here is another original clown pic. Although this one looks very rough.

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #26 on:** November 02, 2012, 11:24:42 AM »

Clown photos pirated from another thread on the subject on the web.

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #27 on:** November 02, 2012, 11:35:26 AM »

Also pirated from another source on the web. The posters name is left on the bottom for credit. Looks like good info. Need more on the Flying Circus however as this thread is becoming Clown heavy.

First off, there was 3 different versions of the PDQ Flying Clown; 4 if you include the Brodaks (which is really not a Clown).

Number 1, we have a short nose, small tail whcih was not very common but was produced by Mac Ryan and sold by J&J Sales and also holds the Flying Clown racing record (314 laps in 15 minutes with a 1 oz. tank).

The second version was the long nose, small tail; made a good training airplane with a .15-.19 engine.

The third version (which was seen in all the Flying Clown ads) was the long nose, large tail which was designed for early light-weight .19-.35 engines, this is my favorite Clown and I have built 20 or more in the last 10 years.

I use this in Clown racing and sport flying with any good .15 Moki, Nelson and Fox BB .15, 52X.015 lines for racing with props like 6.5X5 APCs. Then for sport and stunt flying, same airplane, same engine,.015X60 and I just up the prop to 8/4s; they probably fly at 3.8 to 4 seconds per lap and this is where things were flown at in the 50s, remember things were faster back then (as far as stunt was concerned). So Giffy, if you have a long nosed, big tail Clown with a baffle Fox 19, it should work pretty well with a 9/4 prop and you should be able to fly on windy days as there are very few perfect flying days, so go for it!
Jim Carpenter

Ron Cribbs · « **Reply #28 on:** November 02, 2012, 04:02:35 PM »

Quote from: Mark Misegadis on November 01, 2012, 02:10:48 PM

Here is a photo of an original PDQ Flying Clown that survives. Mark

Mark,

That flying clown is hanging in my LHS. I know as I took that picture.

I am headed out that way tomorrow to pick up a few things. If you guys are interested in me looking that model over and take close up pics, or take measurements of it I will be glad to do so.

It has an original decal on it that I am going to attempt to reproduce as I have the ability to make decals.

Let me know,

Ron

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #29 on:** November 02, 2012, 08:50:34 PM »

Hi Ron, I'll shoot you a PM. Mark

Joe Just · « **Reply #30 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:46:39 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on October 19, 2012, 05:54:10 AM

I still have the Flying Clown kit that Joe Just did a few years back. It is in the shop somewhere amongst all the other kits. Never got around to building it. Maybe Joe can fill us in on this.

In 1989 Bill Tucker and I built nearly 200 Flying Clown kits based on an original FC with the big barn door elevator. We used the exact methods used in the kit we "cloned" including the big symmetrical slotted leading edge. Later, we discovered that there wre at least 3 FC kits provided by the original manufacturer. John Hall was able to find several FC's in original boxes but without labels. One of these was the pattern Mac used for his run of FC's after we gave it up. We stopped producing our FC because it became too expensive to get the leading edge, the most expensive part of the whole kit, and there was too much "wastedge", having to use a 36" piece and then have 10" left over with no for seeable usage. I don't know what ever became of the original kit we used. It came in a plain white box with the usual instructions etc, and included a hand written note to the effect that the body could be made with either 3/8" or 1/2" wood. Bill and I puzzled over that hand written note for some time! I still have a FC made from the last run of parts from our efforts. One of these days I will place it along side a Brodak FC and take pictures for comparison. Maybe today.
Joe

peabody · « **Reply #31 on:** November 04, 2012, 03:29:05 PM »

When Bill grabbed the remaining kits from the PDQ factory years ago, I was sort of surprised to find 3 different versions.....all with the same boxes and instruction sheets...

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #32 on:** November 04, 2012, 04:45:19 PM »

Hi Peabody, Bill Who?

Please pass along some specifics on the 3 versions of the kit. Take a look at reply #27 as well.

Mark

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #33 on:** November 08, 2012, 08:38:44 PM »

From an original instruction sheet for PDQ products that lists their model lineup. Note the canopy shape and the WS measurement.

Joe Just · « **Reply #34 on:** November 15, 2012, 07:33:53 PM »

Here's the long past due pictures of an original J & J "Flying Clown" made from left over parts of a final run in 1990. Here's a Brodak Flying Clown build from a stock kit in 2011. The 1990 version was a "clone" of an existing (and long gone original PDQ kit) The only basic diference I can see is the fuselage has a bit more "sweep" to the front end, the older plane has more tank room and the Brodak kit is 3/8" stock for the fuse. The J & J kit used 1/2" stock.

John Stiles · « **Reply #35 on:** November 16, 2012, 08:42:15 AM »

Here's mine:

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #36 on:** November 19, 2012, 06:38:41 AM »

Great Looking Clowns. John what size cox engine are you running on your Clown? Mark

John Stiles · « **Reply #37 on:** November 19, 2012, 10:40:29 AM »

Quote from: Mark Misegadis on November 19, 2012, 06:38:41 AM

Great Looking Clowns. John what size cox engine are you running on your Clown? Mark

Cox .15

Mark Misegadis · « **Reply #38 on:** November 19, 2012, 03:54:30 PM »

Great Engine! Thats the Evil Knievel Clown. Funny thing.. My Flying buddy packs an E.K. lunchbox to work everyday! (No kidding)

Mark

John Stiles · « **Reply #39 on:** November 20, 2012, 06:32:32 AM »

Quote from: Mark Misegadis on November 19, 2012, 03:54:30 PM

Great Engine! Thats the Evil Knievel Clown. Funny thing.. My Flying buddy packs an E.K. lunchbox to work everyday! (No kidding)

Mark

Ya gotta admit it does have some patriotic significance!