Building more model airplanes has been a back burner focus since arriving here at the local airport almost two years ago. After all more than 1,000 built models are in storage and already on display. It’s hard to imagine that we need more built models, but really, we do.
I’m sorry to report we have no models of the most modern military birds flying today. That is why I am returning to model building in the WELCOME Room (WR) on the ground floor.With no volunteers to be present in the WR while I build models and work on ten more projects upstairs, I intend to build what we need while working on tasks I can do only in the WR. A few days ago I purchased from this city’s only dedicated hobby shop (Springfield Hammer’s Hobbies on S. 10th) the first of the new-build projects: Italeri’s 1/48 F-22. I started construction Saturday, May 19. Today, visitors entering the WR see the view pictured below.
WELCOME!
A little further in, the new part is obvious . . .
Aviation education comes together on a card table.
The vast clutter in the UOR isn’t needed when I tackle one kit at a time.
a simple arrangement for concentrated, expeditious assembly
Since arranging this, I’ve also restored the Hughes HK-1 after picking up some intact propellers from a friend in Urbana, IL, placed it on display with a modified for today’s technology with 1/200 scale Boeing 747 turbofans acquired from a very helpful donor via the Hyperscale website (a MUST for modelers, btw) five years ago. These are the only 1/200 scale models displayed in the museum, and they always will be since all very large airliners and transports displayed here are strictly in 1/144 scale. I’ve also returned a Sikorsky HH-53 to the 1/72 shelves and not a minute too soon given the valiant rescue work those crews engaged during the Vietnam War. If I know in advance that more than four people want to visit the collection, I can quickly place tools and liquids into the hand basket along with plastic too large for the kit box, the rest into the box, collapse the card table to a nearby ground floor temporary storage room, all in less than five minutes with no heavy lifting required. I expect significant improvement from this arrangement.
Waiting for restoration soon are a B-17E, B-24D, 1049G Super Constellation, Hunting Provost, Commonwealth Boomerang and a B-47. There are probably 200 models partially built or damaged, not slated for work soon. I am considering pitching a lot of them to the land fill because my list of models I consider essential for display at AeroKnow Museum at the airport is different from a list of those on hand by unfinished.
My next new-build project for the WR will be a B-36 I started soon after arriving at the airport, but barely touched in a year. Also in that line are an early B-52, 1/48 F/A-18D, a 1/48 A-10, a 1/48 F-86E and a 1/72 Gloster Javelin.
Some models which I don’t have as kits today, but want to display here at AeroKnow Museum are also earnestly sought from competent modelers wanting to build and bring them — or ship them to this collection. Here is what I need:
1/72 — Tu-16, Tu-160, An-24, P5M, Shin Meiwa PS-1 and H8K “Mavis.”
1/48 — Tempest, MiG-15, F2H, F3H any rigged WWI aircraft
1/32 — any World War I fighter
1/144 — airliners I don’t have on display already. If you have well-built models to loan or donate, please let me know. If I can promise to put it on display within 24 hours of its (their arrival here) I will let you know.
This is a step up the ladder in the direction of national recognition for this bombastic enterprise. If you’ve enjoyed reading this post, please spread the good word.
Fly safe!
Abe Lincoln's Air Force 
Nice -22 Job. Look forward to seeing it completed. I have the Academy 1/72 one on my bench now. Great little kit. Always get hung up around the intakes on the -22 though. Drop by the Springfield Area Plastic Modelers meeting tonight over at Mecca Games (6:00-8:00). We would be happy to have you.