Yesterday the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) museum accepted my model of the Laird Super Solution for ownership and display. The first of the attached photographs shows Ron Twellman, Curator of Collections for the museum accepting the model on behalf of the EAA. Ron is the good looking guy in the green shirt. The other photographs are just more detail shots of the model. The significance of submitting the model to EAA is that the full size aircraft that I used as the source for static documentation is currently part of the display in the museum. While I have no say, I hope that they find a way to display the model and the full sized airplane together. EAA has developed a world class aircraft museum that is a wonderful source for the scale modeler.
The model is scratch built at a scale of 2-1/2" to the foot. This resulted in a wingspan of 52". The cowling was built of fiberglass. The landing gear was formed of fiberglass and carbon fiber strips. The balance of the model was built conventionally of balsa and fabric covering. The finish is latex house paint. The model was originally started over fifteen years ago as a fueled model. As I finished the model last year, I converted it to all electric. As converted, the model was powered by a Himax HC5018-530 outrunner brushless motor with a Castle Creations Phoenix Hv45 ESC and two 3S Lipo's connected in a series. This was all controlled by one of Clancy Arnold's four channel electronic systems. I used only one of the channels in this model. When I purchased the ESC/motor system, I did not realize there was no BEC in the system. This was no problem because I simply incorporated an on board 4.8 volt battery to power Clancy's decoder.
EAA and AMA have been working together for some time to advance and improve their common interests. I am a member of both organizations. This, and the fact that the model was a replication of the full size airplane already on display in the museum, was why EAA decided to accept the model. Needless to say, I am "bursting my buttons".
Jim Fruit
AMA 509
EAA 156608