Since 1986 Harry Weisberger has been a contributor to Aviation International News and a regular member of its HAI and NBAA convention news editorial staff. He was previously a marketing communications specialist for Sperry Flight Systems in Phoenix, providing information involving the general aviation, airline, defense and space market segments. His aviation journalism activity has also included writing and editing for Flight Training, Business Aviation Safety Journal, Private Pilot and Arizona Flyways (for whom he interviewed Barry Goldwater and Paul Tibbets. He has also contributed to Smithsonian Air &amp; Space and Aero magazines. He served 5-1/2 years on active duty with the U.S. Navy as a radar intercept officer in F4 Phantom jet fighters, followed by Naval Air Reserve duty as a patrol plane navigator. Weisberger’s journalism career began at the Santa Ana Register (now Orange County Register) where he was a beat reporter and copy desk editor. He holds a commercial pilot license with instrument rating, has logged 1,980 pilot hours and has owned or been a partner in five general aviation aircraft.

Contributor

Harry Weisberger

Again this year, Factory Direct Models has brought a new custom model to award to a lucky visitor at the NBAA show. To see this year’s model–a five-foot Lockheed Martin F-35–and get a chance to win it, stop by the Factory Direct Models (FDM) exhibit (Booth 264).
Hank Morrison, factory manager and co-founder of FDM, is a former U.S. Navy pilot, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate and commercial airline pilot.He flew P-3 Orions for VP-17 and was the UC-12 station pilot for NAS Cubi Point at Subic Bay, Philippines. Morrison resides in the Philippines, where FDM’s models are handcrafted by local artisans. 
FDM founder Mike Gibson manages the U.S. operation in Mesa, Ariz. A former pilot, he brings 16 years of modeling expertise and aircraft knowledge to his customers. An Arizona State University graduate and active in the aviation community, Gibson enjoys working with veterans and has a passion for collecting just about any aviation artifact he can find. 
Pilot-owned and -operated for more than 20 years, FDM can make any detailed scale model in a variety of configurations and in one of several available sizes, each custom-built from OEM blueprints and specifications. FDM produces not only airplane models but just about anything imaginable. Many major aerospace companies trust FDM to produce timeless treasures that highlight their aeronautical products. 
FDM’s inventory of <a href="http://www.factorydirectmodels.com/rts.html">ready-to-ship</a> aircraft, <a href="http://www.factorydirectmodels.com/rts-sbs.html">v</a>essels, <a href="http://www.factorydirectmodels.com/rts-plq.html">wall plaques</a>, <a href="http://www.factorydirectmodels.com/cmm-tf.html">tail flashes</a> and <a href="http://www.factorydirectmodels.com/cmm-auto.html">automobiles</a> is complemented by <a href="http://www.factorydirectmodels.com/mto.html">made-to-order</a> custom models from all eras. The FDM line includes many of the world’s most renowned propeller and jet-powered airplanes, helicopters, civil and military aircraft, spacecraft and airliners. Ready-to-ship models usually arrive within a week of ordering, shipped insured with a full 100-percent money-back guarantee.

Custom Model Is Prize At Factory Direct Booth

Model-maker specializes in handcrafted models made at its factory in the Philippines.

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