December 22, 1928–December 15, 2000
An Avid Model Airplane Builder, Engine Collector, and Antique Car Enthusiast
Dan Lutz is shown in front of his large collection of model engines (mostly Ohlsson & Rice). He is holding a rare 4-cylinder engine.
About Dan Lutz
Background submitted by Dennis Lutz
Daniel C. Lutz (1928–2000) was a premiere model airplane builder and craftsman. Dan spent most of his adult life in the model airplane industry working for K&B Manufacturing (model engines) and Kraft Systems (radio control systems). While working for K&B engines, Dan created engine repair and production facilities. At Kraft RC Systems, he was production control manager and purchasing agent.
Dan’s first magazine recognition came in the August 1959 issue of Model Airplane News. His beautiful Champion Tri-Traveler had garnered some attention at the 1958 AMA Nationals. By late 1959, Dan had over 200 flights with the Tri-Traveler.
Shown here is Dan Lutz’ scale model replica of Irv Ohlsson’s .23 powered Pacemaker airplane. Dan was good friends with famed engine builder Irv Ohlsson, and built this replica of his championship winning free flight Pacemaker. The functional model airplane is on permanent display at the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum.
Mr. Lutz poses behind his scale model R/C Piper Cub airplane on the runway. The Piper Cub was donated to the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum by Dan’s son, Dennis Lutz. The model airplane still looks every bit as impressive as it did on the runway.
The next year, Dan took second place at the 1959 AMA Nationals with his replica of Art Chester’s “Jeep.” The airplane and the plans that Mr. Lutz drew were featured in the November 1960 edition of Model Airplane News. Dan built all types of model airplanes early on, including scale free flight and Texaco free flight planes.
Eventually, Mr. Lutz bought his first radio control system and quickly began piloting his models. He was one of the first people to fly gliders from the cliffs at Palos Verdes, and to pilot seaplanes off Lake Elsinore.
Along with his replica Pacemaker, Dan also built this scale model floatplane version of the airplane. Mr. Lutz built this model to fly, and would operate the floatplane via radio control off the waters of Lake Elsinore, among other locations. The floatplane was donated to the museum by Dennis Lutz and is now on permanent display.
Dan also built this scale model F4B-2 biplane, which was flown via radio control as well. The F4B-2 was the last open cockpit Navy fighter to be built. Dan’s R/C biplane is shown here hanging up in his garage. This scale model aircraft was also donated to the museum by Dennis Lutz.
Along with model airplanes, Dan was also an antique car enthusiast. He restored a 1931 Ford Model A De Lux Roadster and two 1936 Fords–a Cabriolet and a Roadster. All three cars received multiple national awards and recognition.
Given that Mr. Lutz worked extensively for K&B, it’s only natural that he was also a collector and restorer of older model gas engines. Dan knew many of the builders at K&B personally, so he gained a wealth of knowledge on these engines.
Dan’s F4B-2 biplane sits on the runway with prop spinning, ready to soar into the sky.
In this photo Dan is seated behind the F4B-2 biplane with controls in hand preparing for takeoff.
Mr. Lutz’ personal engine collection included mainly Ohlsson & Rice models, but the ensemble is a great illustration of the development of model airplane engines over time, with his earliest models dating to the 1930s. In the picture at the top of this page, Mr. Lutz is shown holding a rare 4-cylinder model. Mr. Lutz was actually close friends with Irv Ohlsson, the early model airplane innovator and builder behind the O&R brand.
In fact, Dan built two separate replicas of Mr. Ohlsson’s “Pacemaker” airplane–one duplicate of the original, and a second replica as a floatplane version. Both of these model airplanes were donated to the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum along with an R/C model F4B-2 biplane and an R/C Piper Cub.
Although it’s shown partially disassembled here, Mr. Lutz’ scale model R/C Piper Cub is still in great condition. This is a testament to the fine build considering that it was actually flown many times.
Another angle of Dan’s scale model replica of the Ohlsson Pacemaker. The aluminum cowling on Dan’s model was actually made by Irv Ohlsson himself with a used aluminum printing plate.
In 1983, on his way to work, Dan had a near fatal accident near the Bonsall Bridge in Fallbrook, CA. This left him in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down. Mr. Lutz would pick out a few car shows or swap meets to attend, and his son would drive him to show his cars and visit friends. Unfortunately, Dan was unable to continue his car restoration hobby, but he did return to building world-class model airplanes. Mr. Lutz was a member of the Model Aeronautics Club, the Early Ford V-8 Club, and a founding member of the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club.
In 1946, Dan set the class A Senior Rise-off-Water (R.O.W.) record. He was also a model aircraft designer with four published designs of his own. He was responsible for creating the 1/2A Scale Event for the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The Academy of Model Aeronautics have also published an autobiography submitted by Mr. Lutz himself.
Mr. Lutz poses behind his impressive R/C scale model of the F4B-2 biplane.
Along with model airplane building and engine collecting, Mr. Lutz was also an antique car enthusiast. He restored a 1931 Ford Model A De Lux Roadster and two 1936 Fords–a Cabriolet and a Roadster.
Dan Lutz passed away in 2000, but we are fortunate to carry on his legacy by displaying some of his world-class model airplanes at the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum. The models have been donated courtesy of Dennis Lutz and Gus Ohlsson. Additionally, view more photos of Dan Lutz’ scale model airplanes.