This past spring Jay purchased a balsa kit in order to build the Ziroli A-1 Skyraider, or “Spad” as it is also known.

Since he had finished the A-4 and was mostly done with the Panther, he went ahead and started this.

Are you ready to watch it grow?

First we begin with the sticks. This is the box of balsa that he purchased. Somewhere in that pile of sticks is a Spad just screaming to get out. Can you hear it?

On this plane you start with the spine.

So far so good.

Then you attach the ribs to the spine. Make sure to space the uprights on your stand so that you can comfortably place your Spad skeleton on it.

Mark is looking a bit dubious. Perhaps he’s contemplating the wisdom of building such a giant plane. Or perhaps he wonders why Jay is taking his picture.

Smile!

Then you begin to attach the stringers and other pieces of side wood so that the fuselage will begin to resemble a giant worm with a big mouth.

Pin stripes are definitely in vogue this year! They help to narrow the eye and accentuate the positive.

The stripes also make you look longer than you really are, and they take the attention away from your gaping mouth.

This season, however, you will want to use a tall hat to compliment the stripes. A derby or beret will definitely not work!