Col. H. Bowers

NED KRAGNESS is a scientist for the Department of Defense. He has been an engineering test pilot, barnstormer, and bush pilot. First and foremost, however, he is a modeler. Although few of today's hobbyists were among the young students who flocked to aircraft modeling during the post-Lindbergh era of the 1930's, those who were there then, are now retiring and coming back into the fold in large numbers. Many are coming off aviation careers, colorful, capable chaps with a pent-up drive to building extraordinary models long dreamed about. Their skills, their insights-and, of course, their stories about planes both big and little, are mind blowing. You sometimes meet them now at club meetings, or in bull session we all are so addicted to Ned Kragness is one of them.