Kwik-Fli, Slow Build – Series Intro

Kwik-Fli, Slow Build Blog Series header graphic. With a close-up of the model's engine at center, the graphic is done in orange and blue.Meet Beppe! Giuseppe “Beppe” Fascione is a life-long modeler and a retired engineer.

A man in a dark sweater holds a bight orange model airplane.
Giuseppe “Beppe” Fascione posing with the complete Kwik-Fli Mk. II.

In 2011, Beppe challenged himself to build reproductions of four of Phil Kraft model airplanes: Das Ugly Stik, the Kwik-Fli Mk. II, the Kwik-Fli Mk. III, and the Flea Fli. To track each project, Beppe kept a work log documenting work accomplished, as well as other factors surrounding the build.

Beppe finished all four models, although it took him longer than the year he had planned. The Kwik-Fli Mk. II, due to its importance in the history of RC Pattern development, was accepted into the museum in 2018. And, along with the model, came Beppe’s work log.

An orange model airplane with a black pinstripe on the fuselage and tricycle landing gear poses with a black plastic binder.Beginning February 26, 2019 – eight years to the day after Beppe begin working on the project – the museum will start following along as Beppe builds the Kwik Fli Mk. II reproduction over the course of 2011-2012.  We’ll do this by posting his entry into the work log on the day he wrote it, just eight years later.

As much as possible, posts will be shared on the day Beppe wrote them over a two year period, meaning that posts will span 2019-2020. In the flying months, when Beppe’s building project is on hold, the museum will continue posting, sharing other relevant information about the build log and the model’s history.

Photo of a black plastic binder open to show pages covered in typed text and various images of the Kwik-Fli II during the build process.For a brief introduction to the Kwik-Fli Mk. II watch Beppe discuss its design and flying characteristics, watch the January 2019 Fly By.

While Beppe documented first working on the project on February 26, we’re going to be posting a few more introductory blog posts to set the series up. And then the work starts!

Please join us as we follow along! Next post – an in-depth look at the Kwik-Fli’s history.

See all the Kwik-Fli, Slow Build posts!

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For more information on the National Model Aviation Museum, including our location, hours and admission fees visit: www.modelaircraft.org/museum

2 comments

  1. Greetings! This build log series seems like it will be an interesting read and I’m looking forward to it. From the format he used, it appears he did much like I do for nearly every model I build to include a number of detailed photographs, daily construction notes, some progress thoughts, and any modifications incorporated or considered for incorporation.

    With this in mind, would you consider a build log for a standoff scale model of a B-29 Stratofortress? You see, I replicated one from an old Kyosho kit, circa mid 1950’s, and during the construction process, I found out about the restoration of the full-sized B-29 “Doc” and decided to replicate it in a very general manner.

    If this would be something you might be interested in reviewing, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your patience and consideration

    1. Thanks for the comment! We hope you enjoy seeing how Beppe structures his build logs and enjoy following the progress on his model. Your build log sounds complete and interesting – please see my email for more follow-up! ~Maria

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