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February 1942 was just a
couple months into the USA's official involvement in World War II. We had been
informally assisting Europe against Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy, and
China against Japan's Hirohito, a couple years prior to the December 7, 1941
attack on Pearl Harbor, upon which the U.S. declared war on Japan. Germany and
Italy declared war on the U.S. a couple days later. We were suddenly in the game
big time. Only because Hitler and the Soviet Union's Stalin couldn't agree on
how to share rule of a conquered Earth were we spared warring against what would
have been an overwhelmingly formidable force. Flying Aces magazine
provided a lot of coverage of the U.S. Army Air Force's (USAAF) efforts during
the war, in large part to motivate young men to fight for God and country. Many
aircraft modelers participated in the war effort outside of military service by
building models of both Allied and Axis airplanes, ships, and land vehicles.
Shown here are Douglas DC-4 models being used to plan deployment and base
configurations. Note also Mr. Carl Goldberg's appearance at the featured
contest.
With the Model Builders
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Frank Mesa and one of the smallest ships entered in the recent
Skyscrapers contest. Atom-powered, span 36", it flies very fast.
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Cecil Winik, of New York, built this unique radio-controlled
pusher gas model. The entire ship can be dismantled in a few minutes.
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One of the few established private model airports in the country
is located in Baltimore, Md. Note anemometer, vane, and windsock.
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When the Germans invaded Crete with transports carrying
paratroopers, their success in capturing the Island lay in the large numbers of
troop ships available. So now the United States is building up its own fleet of
big Douglases. Photos left and right give you an idea what it would look like. Models
are Douglas DC-4's.
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Carl Goldberg, famed model designer. and theorist, personally
test flies all his creations. Here he is with one of his latest Comet jobs.
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Attracted by the huge four-engined Boeing flying boat soaring
gracefully overhead just after leaving N. Y., this modeler presents a fine study.
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A Yank in the RCAF! "Scotty" Murray of N. Y. put aside his model
planes to answer John Bull's call. He's a Sgt.-Pilot now in England.
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Posted September 12, 2020
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