How do you get the bean counters to approve an increase in the number of planes and storage facilities for your Air Museum? You build a model of course.

This started as a Club project a couple years ago. Pat Gilmore, current VP and Museum Volunteer, was the President at the time and was asked by the Museum to see if we could build them a model of every plane they currently had. 1/144th was picked as having the best selection for a managable display. The models would be used by the Museum Staff to decide how to display the real aircraft in the limited space of the facilities. Pat took on the job of locating kits and coercing club members to build them. Several members helped out including myself. Some of the aircraft were not available in 1/144 so they were scratchbuilt. The finished project was displayed at the 2003 Gathering.

This year, Pat was again approached by the new Director and asked if we could supply 32 more models of planes the Museum would like to acquire. Pat once again delved into micro scale (he normally builds 1/48th fighters) and with the help of several more club members, the planes were completed. Now the Director (who is also a model builder) asks Pat if it would be possible to build the Museum buildings as it would make that much stronger statement as they use it to seek additional funding. Oh yeah, the first major presentation is in a week. Pat recently retired from Delta as a pilot so has nothing but time on his hands (you retired people will get that joke) so of course he can do it. Armed with his trusty 8' measuring tape and his camera, he proceeds to measure and photograph the entire facility. Then, after 3 all nighters, he presents the finished project on time.

One final thing, since he is a docent at the Museum, he docent get paid. How is that for dedication.

You can see his efforts here.

Wow Phil. Talk about dedication, The buildings have turned out very nice and so are the planes