Giant Radio Controlled Model of U.S.S. Macon

Retired engineer Jack Clemens has been getting attention lately with his giant radio-controlled model of the airship U.S.S. Macon.

R/C Model of USS MaconThe 1/40 scale model is 20-feet long and has a diameter of 3.3 feet; it is driven by miniature “œFirefly” electric motors attached to the eight outrigger props and powered by a lithium-polymer battery in the nose, and is lifted by helium contained in multiple mylar gas bags.

USS Macon model, framing

This is the third model of the Macon built by Clemens, and each took more than two years to create.  The first was destroyed by the Clemens’ cat Roscoe in 2006, before its first flight.  The second model flew successfully but was lost in 2008 when a gust of wind carried it beyond radio range; the remains of the craft were recovered two days later in an orchard five miles away.  The third model, seen above, was completed in April of this year.

Links:

Recreating the USS Macon from FlyRC.com

You Built What?! A Colossal Flying Reproduction of a 1935 Airship from Popsci.com

9
Leave a Reply

avatar
9 Comment threads
0 Thread replies
174 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
9 Comment authors
DylanKen PrescottJohn SharpChris Cowan, Denver, COSJP Recent comment authors
  Subscribe  
newest oldest most voted
Notify of
Dylan
Dylan

How were the cells made? I’m making my own but struggle to make adequate cells.

Ken Prescott
Ken Prescott

Now, all he needs is some R/C Sparrowhawks to fly off of it. 😉

John Sharp

Hey, Dan, I know that Goodyear had a blimp known as Spirit of Akron. I had heard that it was lost but I don’t know the story. Also, I don’t know if Goodyear ever had plans to build a Spirit of Macon but thought that would be a good story….… Read more »

Chris Cowan, Denver, CO
Chris Cowan, Denver, CO

What a remarkable achievement! Thank you Mr. Clemens for recreating such a wonderful piece of history. I hope to see it some day at the Moffett Field Museum.
Maybe some day in the future we will see these great airships flying again.

SJP
SJP
Eric
Eric

This is beautiful! I second Tim’s wish to see it flying on video!

Tim

That is incredible! It looks perfect, I’d love to see some video of it flying.

Francisco Carvallo
Francisco Carvallo

Mr. Clemens has kindly volunteered to donate this wonderful model of the USS Macon to the Moffett Field Museum (once Hangar One’s “remodeling” is done). His dream is to fly it into the hangar! The society couldn’t have asked for such a wonderful act of kindness!
Thank you Mr. Clemens!
Francisco

M L Hopp

Amazing reproduction! I too hope to someday do something much like this with one of the combat zeppelins. A great inspiration indeed.