[crashryan]

I just noticed on the back cover an ad for a Stinson Reliant Giant Flying Plane. When I was a boy one of my pals had that kit! It was just what the ad promises: a five-foot wingspan flying model. It had a balsa-wood frame, covered with tissue paper which was "doped" with banana oil to make the surfaces stiff and wind resistant. Fortunately the dad of one of our gang had modelling experience, because the model was intricate. After a couple of weeks it was ready to fly. My friend was "pilot" (the plane was attached to wires from the rudder to a handle held by my friend). We started the motor, the Stinson rose a couple of feet, and a gust of wind caught it, slamming it to the ground where it broke into a hundred pieces. It sure looked great when still in one piece, though.

Link to the comment: Jumbo Comics 9