About the Author

My name is Oscar Gagliardi, Jr. I was born in Lima, Perú. I currently live in Maryland, USA. I am passionate about aviation, and my hobby is building scale model airplanes.

I still remember the day my father gave me my first model airplane to build. I was about 9, I made a big mess with the glue, the airplane didn’t look that bad after I finish building it. That airplane experienced much combat time along with my toy soldiers, tanks, and armored vehicles. Later on, I learned, after spending more time building plastic model airplanes, that it was better to put them on display. I dedicated a bookshelf in my bedroom to display my models. I added a paper sign next to each airplane, indicating the name, the scale, and a brief airplane description. Building plastic model airplanes is a hobby that makes your imagination fly; it allows you to express your creativity and relax.

I have also built paper and cardboard airplanes and rockets. The Institute of Historical Studies of Peru displayed two of my models. One of the models was the Space Shuttle Columbia, made of cardboard and paper, and the other was the first model ever built of the “Torpedo Plane” (Avión Torpedo) designed by Peruvian rocket scientist Pedro Paulet Mostajo. I obtained copies of the original diagrams of the “Torpedo Plane” from his daughter.

A few years ago, I built a homemade flight simulator system. The simulator is driven by four computer systems equipped with 12 monitors. Five of these monitors display the external view, three display the glass cockpit instrumentation, two display the GPS for the pilot and co-pilot, and the last two are used outside the cockpit to monitor the flight as a training station. The simulator has pedals, control yokes, keyboards, vibration chairs, surround sound, automatic pilot panels, throttle controls, radio panels, etc. I used to spend a lot of time flying it with my dad.

I have published aviation-related articles, websites, and CD-ROMs. Here is a list of the websites I developed:

• The Aeronautic Museum of Perú
• Pedro Paulet Mostajo – Rocket Pioneer
• Centenary of Jorge Chavez’s Heroic Feat – Aviation Pioneer
• Alas de Gloria (Wings of Glory)
• Arriba Siempre Arriba, Aviation Portal