Folding Wing Seahawks Model Concept (1989-2006)

Folding Wing Seahawks Concept Plane from 2006

The folding wing concept to make a model plane for the Seattle Seahawks goes back to the late 1980's for Frank Macy. The bird seemed a natural extension for this A-J model plane. Frank Macy had introduced the FireHawk in the late 1980's which you can see in the photo at the left. At about the same time he was working on the Firehawk, he was also thinking of the local NFL team, the Seahawks and the natural fit for a custom American Junior catapult launch glider.

Frank Macy worked on a couple of designs, and probably more that we do not know of. The two models seen here, are from Gil Coughlin's collection. Gil was an enthusiastic collector of American Junior model planes since he won a contest from Jim Walker for an "around the world trip" at a local model plane competition. Gil Coughlin was a close friend of Frank Macy and he often bought Frank's reproductions and concept planes, that is how he ended up with these planes. ( more on Gil Coughlin ).


Here from the late 1980's we can see Frank Macy's original concept using his FireHawk artwork adapted for the Seahawks. The model above has been updated to use the actual Seahawks logo on the fuselage. This model has a thicker fuselage that uses the hidden nose weight as to not alter the logo with the ball bearing nose weight. Also, this model used the traditional metal folding wing mechanism that Jim Walker designed.

The Seahawks concept seemed to have gone no further I expect because of Frank Macy's heart problems that appeared shortly after he designed these concept planes. Frank was a person who made things happen and only something beyond his control, like heart disease, could slow him down. He had quadruple heart bypass surgery and upon recovery discovered that he had lost the company he had started. All momentum on projects like the Seahawks were stopped. This was a very difficult time for Frank and I stepped in to help where I could. It ended up with us designing a new Seahawks model plane in 2006, using the new folding wing mechanism built by Frank's friend Noel Martin in McMinnville, Oregon. My daughter, Sarah, and I did research into Native American art to help Frank design the artwork for the wings and fuselage. The results were striking and one of the most attractive folding wing model I think he designed. We printed both the top and bottom of the wing and stab. Here is a promotional graphic I designed to try and sell it to the Seahawks back in 2006, however Frank decided to wait.
I had a contact who worked directly with Phil Knight, the owner of the Seahawks, but Frank decided to wait. By the time Frank said let's go ahead, my contact was no longer available. We missed the opportunity back in 2006.

Seahawks Promotional Flyer from 2006, American Junior Classics
This is the graphic I created for Frank Macy back in 2006. I took photos of the model and a photo of the Space Needle in Seattle to show the ability of the plane to fly and the location. I thought the design worked well. However, Frank thought they might take our idea from us and said not to send this on to Phil Knight. Later when he said OK, I had lost my contact wit Phil Knight and we dropped the whole project.
Frank Macy's Seahawk concept from 2006.
Frank's early concept from 1989 for the Seahawks.


The Seahawk model is a beautiful folding wing glider. However, it is not available except as a prototype mode. We are working on changing the artwork to reflect Native American artwork and changing this Seahawks artwork something more traditional, we may call it the "Native American Flyer." Jim Walker is connected to the Native American culture, and the new design will pay tribute to the natives that were here before the Europeans came and settled the land.


As of March 13, 2014, five of Frank Macy's prototype folding Wing Seahawk model planes still exist. I am selling these prototypes for $65 each. If you are interrested in one of the rare models, please write me at: info@americanjuniorclassics.com

 




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