Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Aviator Jack Frye Project

Hey VTPR fans. I know, its been quite some time since we have been active on the VTPR scene, and I apologize for the absence. Some of you have asked, what gives EJ? Believe me I have missed it but sometimes life has its hills and valleys when it comes to hobbies and having fun. I have been busy working on a family aviation project the last few months that has had me traveling around the country visiting sites of interest accumulating content, video and photographs for the JACK FRYE Safari. What is that you might ask. If you are unaware of who Jack Frye is, take a few minutes and visit the Jack Frye Aviation Pioneer blog I own and maintain.

This is another labor of love of mine pertaining to a famous aviation pioneer in the airline industry who happens to be a family relation to me and of which his only child, my second cousin and I are collaborating. Those of you who are power plane modelers will especially enjoy the history and legacy of this airline pioneering personality. You may have heard of the great DC-1, DC-2 and DC-3, Lockheed Constellation and Boeing Stratoliner aircraft? Well, Jack Frye helped conceived these aircraft with Howard Hughes and Donald Douglas.

If you saw the movie The Aviator with Leonardo DiCaprio playing HH, Danny Houston played Jack Frye in that movie. Though incorrectly represented in the movie with many facts about Jack and his incredible role in the founding and running of Trans World Airlines (TWA) for 13 years, my goal along with his daughter is to set the record straight with the idea of ultimately having a new movie and documentary done true to life in a dramatic way. These are actually in the works as we speak. We are endeavoring to get the word out and introduce this forgotten giant of an aviator, business mogul and incredible father to you the aviation public. I hope you enjoy the blog, there is lots and lots to learn about American and global airline aviation due to Jack Frye's huge influence.

See you on the slope...
Eric



Jack Frye in his favorite office,
The cockpit of the Constellation - 1946


Friday, March 1, 2013

A100h skinning is underway

Things are beginning to move along again. So many projects, too little time. A likely excuse right?

The middle skin is offset about 6.5". This to produce an overlap preventing premature wing failure. You never want to have a seam all the way across a wing panel. Could get real ugly when pulling or pushing hard.



One down, three to go.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

A100h ready to skin

 
Here we can see the whole wing joiner system layout on the fuselage.
 
 
This view really displays the high aspect ratio. Next is to begin the skinning process of the wing panels.