Hey T.B.! That is a great question and I have an equally great answer. 

In the '60s & '70s I built microfilm indoor planes. They were 1/64" sq balsa frames covered with a homemade microfilm concoction made in the tub over a metal clothes hangar frame. If you were very lucky, 1 out of every 3 tries succeeded. Then 1 out of 3 tries to get the film on the wings from the frame succeeded. Then you had to make a form fitting box to carry it to the place where you were flying it and hope that you didn't shake the box too hard on the way. Finally, you had to hope that they remembered to close ALL the windows in the armory or 1 tiny draft would make the plane crumble into a mess.

To top it off, I walked 2 blocks to the bus stop, took the bus for 1-1/2 miles, took the market street elevated for 4-1/2 miles and finally the broad street subway for a couple of miles.  Some fun huh?

I learned about them from a guy I met while flying U-control planes and R/Cplanes. He competed in the Nationals quite a few times in all types of model plane flying. I learned a lot from him.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

I  believe my flimsiest model is the ICM 1886 Benz Motorwagon.  The body was fairly flimsy, but the wheels were a nightmare.  The rim halves were terrible, breaking all the time, and the PE spokes were a nightmare.

Hey Jim: 

     That sound like one of my crazy stunts. I covered a Stick and Tissue model with Saran Wrap. Well, let me tell you, It flew lousy and broke after two flights. I Cannot imagine doing one in Microfilm. I have heard of it though. The Guys in My Dorm at college were nuts about that!

Yeah Don;

 You have posted this Photo before. I just couldn't help but think, If Don's a drinker? How many straight double shots of  Laphroaig he had after and during that! Darned good job though. The Benz MotorVagon is one I have never run across.

I'm probably nowhere close to what others have done but mine is the 1/48 Tamiya Mk.1 Swordfish with the PE rigging. If I pick it up wrong the rigging breaks at the join.

Are You talking about?

 The Fairey Swordfish/ The Bismark's Nemesis?

Mine was a 1/48 FuG 220 radar in front of the old Dragon Ho229 nachtjager.  Lots of metal and wire.

Tanker-Builder

Are You talking about?

 The Fairey Swordfish/ The Bismark's Nemesis?

 

Yes, the very same. In fact, it's marked as LT Beale's plane, the one most recognized as the plane that dropped the crippling torp

Oh no... I have the Mk II in the stash.  A gift from my son in law. 

Quite a few of the balsa flyers were pretty delicate. Most would not survive a crash landing.

You're absolutely right GM. I wonder why so many of us built so many of them? Guess we're just gluttons for punishment.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

Don Stauffer

I  believe my flimsiest model is the ICM 1886 Benz Motorwagon.  The body was fairly flimsy, but the wheels were a nightmare.  The rim halves were terrible, breaking all the time, and the PE spokes were a nightmare.

 

 

I have really wanted to pick this one up for a long while.  I think I will give it a pass though.  That wood grain is fantastic!

fox

Hey T.B.! That is a great question and I have an equally great answer. 

In the '60s & '70s I built microfilm indoor planes. They were 1/64" sq balsa frames covered with a homemade microfilm concoction made in the tub over a metal clothes hangar frame. If you were very lucky, 1 out of every 3 tries succeeded. Then 1 out of 3 tries to get the film on the wings from the frame succeeded. Then you had to make a form fitting box to carry it to the place where you were flying it and hope that you didn't shake the box too hard on the way. Finally, you had to hope that they remembered to close ALL the windows in the armory or 1 tiny draft would make the plane crumble into a mess.

To top it off, I walked 2 blocks to the bus stop, took the bus for 1-1/2 miles, took the market street elevated for 4-1/2 miles and finally the broad street subway for a couple of miles.  Some fun huh?

I learned about them from a guy I met while flying U-control planes and R/Cplanes. He competed in the Nationals quite a few times in all types of model plane flying. I learned a lot from him.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

 

That's so cool! I've got a book back in the '80s when I was a young tyke with a bunch of pictures of those. They always seemed cool to me if not a little more work than I'd be willing to put into them. 

Tanker-Builder

Yeah Don;

 You have posted this Photo before. I just couldn't help but think, If Don's a drinker? How many straight double shots of  Laphroaig he had after and during that! Darned good job though. The Benz MotorVagon is one I have never run across.

 

Actually I only drink with meals.  But I always have nice classical music playing, and take frequent breaks.  I also usually have two kits on my bench so if I need a break from a tedious task I can switch over to the other.  Also, I began to build full rigged sailing ships when I had just started high school, including tying ratlines.  Those experiences taught my patience at the modeling bench!

Tanker-Builder

I am curious.

    Besides Sailing Ships I mean. How delicate a subject have you tackled? What Scale, and Type of model was it? It can be Steampunk, Sci-Fi, Antique Machines,Armor, Autos or Ships and Yes, even the ubiquitus Eiffel Tower. Now what material did you use? Plastruct, Evergreen or Wood and Wire. Why? The reason I put Plastruct first was back in the day their products were A.B.S. and NOT styrene.

   Let's hear about you adventure into Kit Delicate and Scratch-Built Delicate as well. You might wonder why I am asking.Well, it would be fascinating as to How, Why, What or When ? brought it into your life and how you handled it.