Odds are that if it ever flew – anywhere – a model of that aircraft is in the Guinness World Record collection housed in the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University library in Prescott.
Known as the John W. Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection, the one-of-a-kind display showcases 5,829 models of private, commercial, military and concept airplanes, balloons, dirigibles, rockets and spacecraft.
In fact, the comprehensive collection includes Kalusa’s hand-carved model of the 15th century sketch of Leonardo di Vinci’s concept of a helicopter. The exhibit is a virtual history of flight, from its primitive beginnings up to rockets and spaceships that take space adventurers to the moon and outer space.
Some visitors are astounded that such a unique and valuable collection is at the ERAU-Prescott campus.
One viewer, a woman from Phoenix, said, “I’m amazed that this phenomenal collection is not at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., or at some major museum in a metropolitan area.”
But it is not. It is permanently housed in custom-built, airtight display cases that include ultraviolet protective lighting to preserve each of the individual handcrafted, hand-painted model aircraft.
Prominently displayed in a central display case is an impressive certificate dated 2002—the only one of its kind in the world.
Below an embossed seal, it says:
Guinness World Records
Certificate
The largest collection of handcrafted
aeroplanes belongs to John Kalusa (USA)
who created 5,737 wood
aeroplanes since 1936. The collection
is currently housed in the library of
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, Arizona, USA.
Keeper of the Records
Guinness Records, LTD
Experts say it is virtually impossible to set a dollar value on the collection. Sarah Thomas, director of the Christine and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Library and Learning Center where the collection is preserved, said it is “…worth thousands and thousands.”
John W. Kalusa: A Meticulous Craftsman
The creator of each one of the painstakingly carved and authentically detailed models was the late John W. Kalusa, who lived in Mesa.
Kalusa began his hobby when he was just 14 years old. In a video made exclusively to accompany the ERAU collection – before it became a Guinness World Record designee – Kalusa explained his first models were of World War I planes so he could play war games with a neighbor boy. In fact, Kalusa used his mother’s ironing board as an aircraft carrier where he could launch his models.
During World War II, Kalusa was an aerial photographer and mechanic, so when he returned to Mesa, he resumed his hobby.
Over the years, until his death Feb. 17, 2003, Kalusa carefully researched the specifications of aircraft from throughout the world. Using a single-edge razorblade, he then hand-carved each aircraft from balsa wood.
Each model was scaled at 1/18th inch to one foot. He smoothed each aircraft with an emery board and then carefully painted each one in accurate detail with tempera colors.
Kalusa averaged creating at least two models a week. That translates to more than 56 years of model-making.
Kalusa laughingly describes his passion for model-making during the video. He says, “I have to admit making these aircraft is not a hobby. It is an obsession.”
He explains why he dedicated so much of his life to model aircraft. “To me, the legacy is that people will have knowledge of the trend of aircraft from the beginning to as far as I can go.”
Kalusa also said in the video that he wanted his collection to be housed at ERAU-Prescott because of the university’s historic commitment to aviation, to providing quality educational experiences to students and its campus in Arizona.
ERAU Library director Thomas recalls when Kalusa asked her, “Do you want my collection?”
Without hesitation, she responded, “Of course.”
Not long after, Kalusa delivered the collection in cardboard boxes, and a thorough cataloging process began.
(The video can be viewed at library.pr.erau.edu/exhibits: Kalusa collection)
Collection Becoming a Campus, Community Attraction
Linda Eisner, circulation supervisor and Kalusa, Curator at the ERAU Library, says the aircraft collection is becoming more and more well known locally, regionally and nationally.
When the Hazy Library opened in March 2008, it featured specially designed display cabinets, located on two floors, to showcase the Kalusa collection.
“We have visitors from all over the country and several foreign countries view the exhibit,” she said. “We make it a part of every parent-student tour. What’s surprising, a lot of retired military, especially pilots, come in to see if they can find the kinds of planes they flew years ago. It’s really nostalgic for them.”
She said that schools throughout the area often schedule tours, too, that let youngsters see the world’s largest to-scale aircraft collection.
International visitors are often surprised to see airplanes from their nations included. Kalusa was compulsive, Eisner says, in trying to create a scale model of every aircraft that ever flew, no matter where its origin.
Eisner was fortunate in meeting Kalusa several times before he died. Eisner, at ERAU since 2000, said that Kalusa was a strong advocate for the aviation program so he decided to put his collection on display at the university for students to study and enjoy.
“When we first received the collection, my assignment was to go through each and every box – and there were dozens of them. I had to catalog and index every single model and make certain they were protected. It took me five years to create the database. We also have Kalusa’s detailed specification sheets for each aircraft, so anyone interested can look up details about any individual aircraft,” Eisner explained.
Eisner said tours can be scheduled through her office at 928-777-3758, or visitors can go to the library during regular hours and take self-guided tours.
Library hours are as follows:
Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.
The library is usually closed for holidays and special events on campus. QCBN
How a Guinness World Record is Determined
Also by Ray Newton, QCBN
The Guinness World Records book is in and of itself a world record.
It is the best-selling copyrighted book of all time. It also is one of the most frequently stolen library books in the world, records show.
Being cited in the internationally known publication, as is the Kalusa Miniature Aircraft Collection at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is not a simple matter.
Something that may be a potential world record must first be documented and authenticated beyond a shadow of a doubt. Nominations or complex detailed applications are submitted to the global headquarters in London. Once received, official record adjudicators scrutinize every detail to authenticate and verify that, in fact, a world record has been set.
Only then, when incontrovertible evidence proves the record is official, is a certificate issued, as was the case in 2002, when the Kalusa collection was recognized.
It All Began with How Fast a Bird Could Fly
In 1951, the managing director of Guinness Breweries went bird hunting in Ireland. He and his hunting buddies argued about which was the fastest gamebird – the golden plover or the red grouse.
That evening in a pub, Sir Hugh Beaver decided that arguments about the speed of birds – or other questions that were nightly debated in pubs throughout Ireland and other countries – needed answers. He commissioned a couple of brothers who managed a fact-finding agency in London to compile such a book. They did, and in 1954, the first volume of Guinness Book of World Records was published and distributed free – probably in pubs to help settle disputes.
The book was so popular that it was published again and soon became a best-seller in Britain. Today, 61 years later, the book is sold in more than 100 nations and in 37 languages. QCBN
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