Cole Palen was an avid builder of free flight rubber-powered model airplanes. He could often be
seen out on the Aerodrome's airfield flying them; sometimes just minutes after the weekend air
shows came to an end. His lifelong passion for model building and flying produced many
excellent and uniquely built aircraft, many of which are now on display in the Aerodrome's model
museum.
Cole's creative and original style can be seen in the materials he used to build his models. Upon
viewing one for the first time, you may notice tires fashioned from pipe cleaners, pilots from peanut
shells, and machine guns from drinking straws. Cole's wife, Rita, once told me he would always
be on the lookout for anything he could incorporate into a model airplane. For instance, soap
wrappers would be saved to make imitation metal, scraps of metal screening would be used for
radiators, even Band-Aids would be used to make seats.
After Cole passed away in 1993, Rita told me that every time she was in church, and saw a piece of
tissue paper, or any of Cole's other model building staples, she would take it as God's way of
telling her that Cole was not only okay, but up to something new.
This section of Cole Palen.com is reserved for all things free flight, featuring photos of some of
Cole's models on display, as well as photos of Cole enjoying his favorite hobby.
seen out on the Aerodrome's airfield flying them; sometimes just minutes after the weekend air
shows came to an end. His lifelong passion for model building and flying produced many
excellent and uniquely built aircraft, many of which are now on display in the Aerodrome's model
museum.
Cole's creative and original style can be seen in the materials he used to build his models. Upon
viewing one for the first time, you may notice tires fashioned from pipe cleaners, pilots from peanut
shells, and machine guns from drinking straws. Cole's wife, Rita, once told me he would always
be on the lookout for anything he could incorporate into a model airplane. For instance, soap
wrappers would be saved to make imitation metal, scraps of metal screening would be used for
radiators, even Band-Aids would be used to make seats.
After Cole passed away in 1993, Rita told me that every time she was in church, and saw a piece of
tissue paper, or any of Cole's other model building staples, she would take it as God's way of
telling her that Cole was not only okay, but up to something new.
This section of Cole Palen.com is reserved for all things free flight, featuring photos of some of
Cole's models on display, as well as photos of Cole enjoying his favorite hobby.
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