The Richard Smith Interviews - Stories and Recollections From The Golden Years Of Frank Zaic

Frank Zaic is a legend. He devoted his lifetime to designing, building and flying model airplanes.  Zaic was a prolific writer authoring papers, articles and his famous "Model Aeronautic Year Books", which are still treasured to this day. He had a design "eye" that was both functional and artistic - dare I say almost spiritual? There is something magical 60 years later to building his kits or just perusing one of his yearbooks. One is transported back to a golden age when there was a purity and a functionality to design rarely produced today due to commercial or technological influences. You can almost hear Frank's voice in his plans, models and his writings. Although I never met him, having built 4 of his designs, reviewed all of his yearbooks and studied most of his plans - I feel like I know Frank - like the way you know Jack Aubrey after reading Patrick O'Brian. Over the past year I've had the chance to talk to several of Frank's associates and acquaintances.

Richard Smith is one of Frank's associates having worked for JASCO and contributed to his yearbooks. Below is an interview I conducted with Richard about his experiences working for JASCO and more specifically his relationship with Frank Zaic. Richard's account provides a fascinating look into Frank Zaic and the evolution of JASCO from a labor of love for Frank to a profitable enterprise run by his sister Christine. As Richard readily admits - these are his recollections - he doesn't claim to be the authoritative source on Frank Zaic. Just one mans account of what it was like to be around Frank back in the day...

Part 1 - Who is Richard Smith and what was his relationship with Frank Zaic and Jasco?
Part 2 - The Pre War Years - Frank learns his craft working in a patent office, puts together his first book, designs the Thermics.
Part 3 - The Post War Years - Christine takes over, Frank moves to California, JASCO becomes JETCO.

Richard invites others to add their recollections and to offer any corrections or amplifications that might be necessary. You can either add your two cents as a comment at the bottom of this posting or I'll put up a mirror posting on RC Groups if you'd like to comment there. Richard has indicated he'll respond to all comments, corrections, amplifications and questions.

PURCHASING FRANK ZAIC'S YEARBOOKS

The good folks at Hannan's Runway still have a nice supply of most of Zaic's books and publications. I bought mine from them and they were quite delightful to deal with. The Hannan's are still good friends with Frank's widow Carmine. Click the link to visit their web site.



PURCHASING KITS

We currently sell the "18", "20", "B", "50", "50X" and the "70". Each kit has a build log online so you see how other modelers approached building the kits. I have built the "18", "20", "B", and the "50" and they truly are a magical experience as the design comes to life. Click here for more information on the "50", "50X" and the "70". Click here for more information on the "18", "20", and "B".