And then there were two.

 The weather was cloudy and not too windy Sun. morning. After breakfast at the Roadside Diner in Central Village I loaded up the former PT-73, now the Honey Bee, and headed for the land fill. I had installed an APC 11 x 4 but took a 11.5 x 4 just in case. After getting the lines out and clips evened out, one was longer than the other, I changed the props. The engine started up with a little lighter fluid and I set the needle for 9000 rpm. With only an ounce and a half of fuel on board i pulled the release string and the plane rolled a bit and lifted off. The winds were 10 mph or so, not too much for some straight and level test flights. The plane flew very steady unlike it did before the rebuild. I did some inside and outside loops and the planes controls felt real close what they should. Before the lines were about 3/4" difference in length because of the clips and the handle was offset to give even up and down control. I didn't change the push rod length only "zero'd" the lines and handle. Just like the red and white plane it flys very stable now with a good turn and level wings. In the words of Phil Robertson "I'm happy, happy, happy.
  Storm update; Several trees in town have been completely denuded of leaves because of the 20 mph winds and ,so far, 1/4 inch of rain. Film at eleven, or maybe not.
  I have to order some drill rods to make a wing jig for the Strega kit. The engine will run close to $350.00. a .61 rear exhaust. There are blocks up to 40 inches long by 1 by 3. I'll try to mold sheets instead of carving.

First full patterns.

The winds have been light all week. I've been able to get in several trim flights with the red and white plane. I've been through a couple different size props trying to get the right speed and line tension. Today I put an APC 11.5 x 4 on and it came alive. I got in 2 full patterns and it flys very well. Steady as a rock in level flight, the only plane I got that is. The controls are in the middle and I've had to lessen the elevator throw instead of increasing it. The engine was loose after the first full pattern and when I got home I took out the too short screws and put in longer ones with lock washers.
  I've been finishing up the yellow and white rebuild of the PT-73 as well. I think it is ready for a test flight maybe tomorrow if the weather holds out.

Some real winter projects.

After cleaning up at the Baton Rouge contest, placing second on Sat. and first on
Sun. I won two model plane kits, a glow plug battery, which I needed badly, a spinner and three gallons of fuel. Value of about $300.00. I had bought $40.00 worth of raffle tickets and shipping for the kits to home was $36.00.
  Last year at this contest I finished third but because of some error I was given second and the second place guy got third. This year I won second by one points over the same guy on Sat. And won first by one point over the same guy on Sun.
  Today I removed all the hardware from the plane so I can re paint it on the next trip.
I will have to strip all the paint and fill the grain but I should be able to do it in a week or so.

Winter projects.

I got the new plane and the re done PT-73 painted and covered last week. I'm getting the new plane finished and ready for test flights. I need 2 pilot figures for the PT-73 as the new canopy is long. I also forgot to cut the hole for the muffler on the PT-73 before paint.

 At the club meeting it was noted that the local high school is having a plane building class. I said I was available to help when they have the plane kits and other stuff.  

Fun fly weekend.

After messing up getting free plans at the Wrentham contest I got an e mail about a fun fly at the same place. I should be able to pick up the plans this time. i am bringing 3 planes, the Banshee, the Lightning and Red Molly. I put wheel pants on Red Molly with 2 inch wheels. I don't know how well that will work on their grass but I have larger wheels just in case.
 I've been trying to figure out how big of a square will fit into a 150 foot circle. I have to stake out the circle every 45 degrees as the maneuvers should be within 45 degrees or 90 degrees for figure 8's. I came up with 106 feet but 107 worked better. Google didn't help much. From what I can see I need a better turning plane to get some level flight at those measurements. Even the loops don't look right within 45 degrees.

Cement work.

I've been wanting to install a cement pad at the Brooklyn flying circle for quite a while. I'vew worn a spot down to dirt and it gets stuck in the tread of my shoes. Today I finally figured out how to make the forms and other small steps. I cut four pieces of plywood three inches by 48 inches for the forms and bought 3 bags of quick krete. I used the water tank from the pop up camper to bring the water and loaded the truck with tools. After getting the forms made and in position the 3 bags didn't look like enough to fill the forms. I walked over to the edge of the dump and got a wagon full of sand. I leveled that in the forms and started to mix the cement. The forms took every bit of the 3 bags but they are full to the top. Just as I was mixing the last bag it started to rain lightly. By the time I finished it was raining a bit harder. I covered the cement and went home.
  My order from Tower Hobbies came in today. I've change the PT-73 quite a bit and I'm in the middle of sanding and filling. The new plane is ready for covering then paint.
 I mailed a quart of castor oil to LA on Mnday.