Usable weather.

I took a ride to the ball fields in town and found them not usable to fly off of. Too much standing water and snow and ice patches. Around noon I went to the flying field to check on the mower tires and ad air if needed. I checked the circle and found it very wet with large snow and ice patches covering most of the circle. There was an area that could be used as a starting point so I went home and got the P-39. I didn't take the StregA-36 because of the water and cool temps. I don't want to pour hot water on the engine before the nose gets a coating of oil and the P-39 has a nose wheel to keep it from tipping up when running through the snow. I had made a few changes from the last outing and the plane flew very well. I made new lines for it too and the first flight was a one ouncer to see how the lines were set then I got in three full flights. The new handles I made don't have any fine adjustment for line length. When I got home I hung the lines on a nail and the down line seemed to be a bit longer which would make it fly too high and get off the ground and up to 5 feet too fast. I switched up and down lines on the handle and it felt better. The MI Bipe is nearing paint. The balance came out real close and total weight before paint is 14 ounces. It should fly but I can't say how well.

Lots of fecking wind and rain but the snow stays.

The temps are in the low 40's and the wind is 25 to 35 mph with periods of rain. The snow is very slow to melt. I started to cover the Bipe today. A few more small pieces around the interplane struts and I can shrink it.

Not warm enough.

The temps have been in the high 30's lately but not warm enough to cause any melting of the snow cover. I checked the field a few days ago and there are a few small bare spots. I have been pecking away at the MI Bipe. I don't see how anyone could have built this thing that hadn't built one before. Especially if he didn't have the engine shown. I built a fuel tank and it has to go where the bellcrank was supposed to be. The interplane struts are at an angle and can't be installed once the slanted ribs are glued in.I attached the lower wing this morning and it's waiting until I figure out what to do next without messing up the rest of the build. Maybe a wide rib as a platform with the strut resting on top of it. Covering will be a pain as it has to be done in several strips on top and bottom of the wings. I hope by the time it's finished the snow will be gone.

Decent weather.

The temp got above freezing so I took the El Camino out for a spin. When I got back I figured on taking more pictures of the StregA-36 and the P-39 which I did. The flat color will need better lighting or a grass back ground.

One down.

The mirror for the truck came in yesterday. I got it out of the box and it looked pretty good. It took about 5 minutes to install it. Perfect match and fit. Big difference not having to look around all the cracks in the wobbling mirror. I am told that my graphics are on the way. It's been close to two months. I am worried that they will be the wrong size. The will finish the build and allow me to put the engine in. I had to leave it out as the fuel fill and overflow pipes stick out in the area that the unit insignia will go. I can't remove them with the engine installed and they will have to be removed to stick the decal in the right palce. The little plane I'm making from the plans is quite a pain. It's designed for a spark ignition engine that has the fuel tank attached to it. In order to use a glow engine the tank has to go where the bell crank is supposed to be. I have that worked out and I'm working on the wings now. They have a huge, for it's size, leading and trailing edge. Lots of carving will be needed. We went to the hobby shop and I got some red and white dope for the finish. The snow is down to about 6 inches deep. The temps have been above freezing lately with some rain and lots of wind. No place to fly. We are planning on going to the Brodak Fly-in again in June. We were there in 2008 and found it very interesting. 6 circles going all the time with stunt ,scale, carrier and combat. Plus the big hobby shop and whatever else is for sale at the site.

Old plane.

Last night I got a set of plans for a c/l model plane that are from the mid 40's. I had copies made and I'm in the process of making one of the planes. I dug out 2 old engines and both ran quite well but I'll use the newer old one as it's bigger and more powerful. A Fox .19. I started cutting out parts for the fuselage and tail. The wings are made with large leading and trailing edges. I'm thinking on a better way to build them but may not be able to. I fumbled around and found some directions on how to replace the dimmer switch on the truck. not too much to it. That will be the next project on the truck.

The wait begins.

I finally got an answer from the graphics guy about the price and how to send it to him. If I hadn't suggested pay pal I would be still waiting. I've never done business with anyone that was afraid to give specifics. Now I have to wait for the mail. Today I put the new friction wheel on the track blower. It went much better than I figured. No rust to clean off and things still had lube on them. I oiled the outside fittings and adjusted the cable and track wheels. Then I removed the right side mirror from the Dodge. The inside panel is a pain but I got it off and taped over the holes until the new one comes in. Pictures of the P-39 show a U.S. ARMY sign on the under side of the wing. I tried a few things to make the letters but to no avail. I drew them on paper and sprayed a coat of clear on the paper to give it some body. When that dries I'll give it a dusting of spray glue so it will stick on the wing like tape and lightly spray black paint over the words. That's how I put my AMA number on the vertical fin.It worked out pretty good. Those planes didn't get any other color stripes to make them stand out. Kinda what you want in that business.

Mirror mirror on the Dodge.

I finally got around to looking for a replacement mirror for the passenger side of the truck. I stubbed it against the garage door jamb last year and broke the glass. I glued it back together and it's usable. I started sniffing around ebay and they didn't have what was on the truck. All heated and w/tow package. It just didn't look right so I kept looking. I googled it and came up with the same company that was on ebay. I looked at what was there and they had what I wanted but was listed as manual not heated and no tow package. I looked at the truck more than once comparing the picture to what is on the truck and finally ordered one. Next up is either the exhaust or the dimmer switch.

Warmer weather.

The temps have been in the low 40's lately and that is melting the snow. It's down about 50% of what it was. I ordered a new friction wheel for the track blower as it has not been driving into the show like it should. While I'm in there it needs lube too. The part should be in this week. A rather simple drive system but not as good as belts. I am in contact with the graphics guy and hopefully I'll have them soon. I can't fly anything with all this snow anyway. I have a set of lines made for the StregA-36 in .018 diameter and if the pull isn't too much I'll make some .015 lines for it. The biggest difference is in the drag of the lines in flight.

The waiting game.

I see on FB that there is a French toast party in the making. I only got gas in case of power failure and for the snow blowers. I did manage to get to the field this noon. I put in 2 flights with 2 ounces of fuel each and did the maneuvers that need the most power and control deflection. I was satisfied with those flights so I put in a full load and did the entire pattern. I need to take some of the down out as it is too sensitive and the up is just right. At home I installed a longer control horn on the elevator and lengthened the horn arm a quarter of an inch.

Time and space.

I just spent the better part of 3 hours trying to get all my planes situated. With the addition of the StregA-36 and the P-39 I had run out of space to hang them around the basement. I moved cabinets and boxes and tried many combinations and finally hit the right one. I moved the Yak-9 to the rack in the furnace room,I relocated the Parallax to the left closer to Red Molly then hung the P-39 close to the end wall near the small window and moved the Guru across the room between the Parallax and P-39. Then I hung the StregA-36 where the Guru had been and everything is out of the way. As you may notice I finally settled on the name for the Strega/A-36. The graphics should be being made now as I communicated with the cutter a few days ago. With the storm coming it will be a while before I can fly it anyway. The temp is supposed to top out around 30 today with light winds so I may take the P-39 for another session before the snow.

Decals at 1315 hrs.

I couldn't stand it any longer and seeing that the weather was within specs i headed for the field with the P-39. I wrapped the fuselage where the star would go to keep the exhaust away from it. Two short flights and it really flys well. I made a few adjustments when I got home but nothing drastic.

First time outside.

The P-39 is waiting for decals. They should be here tomorrow, Wed.

Up to freezing.

The temp got to 32 by noon. I loaded a plane in the truck and went to the field. I got in 3 flights without getting frost bite. I set up the 'dark room' for a paint booth. i got the new plane painted without running everyone out of the house. It's drying now and I ordered some decals from Tower as the shipping is much less than gas even for the little car. I'm not sure that the hobby shop has what I want either. The decal company is closee by near Springfield Ma but they don't take orders except by mail. The temps are supposed to be near freezing for the week. If the winds are light like today that will be decent.