Bird houses.

I took a walk to the power line and checked the blue bird houses. They needed cleaning as the birds have been using them during the winter for shelter. I got the idea to put one at the Brooklyn field as I've seen blue birds there. I removed one of the three in the yard and brought a plane just in case the wind was low enough for flying. When we got there the wind was too high so I only installed the bird house, removed the mower battery and stopped at the diner in Central for a snack. A friend stopped by and we gave her a bird house to put in her yard which left me with no spares. I got some wood and made up three more boxes just in case. The snow is just about gone today but more is in the forecast later in the week. Bak Flip took the money last Fri. so the cover should be on it's way.

Just wet.

I took a peak at the little league ball fields and they are clear of snow. Some idiot was playing lets make divots in the outfield with a golf club so I had to wait. I went back around noon and got in one flight as the winds were rough. Later in the afternoon I took a plane and went to check out the Brooklyn field and found it clear of snow also. I got in two flights and the winds were banging the plane around pretty good there too. Lots of standing water there as well as the ball field. I checked the mail and the firing pin came in. It didn't fit and I had to grind it down in all dimensions to get it to fit. The slot that the shell ejector rides in needed enlarging also. That keeps the pin from shooting out when the bolt is retracted. A pretty simple design. I'm still waiting for the bak flip.

Some snow is gone.

We went to the Sterling school yesterday with the Twister and a new handle I made from .062 aluminum. It's quite light at 27 grams. My first attempt at a new handle weighs 112 grams and the one I switched to after that one weighs 60 grams. I copied the shape from my other new handle. An article in a forum gave me the idea. Super flyer, designer, builder, finisher, thinker Paul Walker made one out of .080 carbon fiber plate. His weighs 14 grams. I don't have any carbon plate and have heard bad things about cutting it so I used what I had on hand. If some one had a water jet or laser cutter I would probably buy one. When we got to the school there was a pick up parked on the asphalt and state cop sitting behind the trees waiting for vandals to show up. I thought about using the wet field for a bit and drove over and checked it out. It was usable so I got in 3 flights. The new handle works well as best I can tell. It took about an hour of hacksaw and file work to cut it out and make the handle. I took a quick trip to the Brooklyn field and it is still 100% covered in snow. I'll check on it today in a while. With the time change I can go to the school after hours.

It's melting.

The temp. went into the 40's early today. The snow is melting rapidly but not that rapid. It's down to 3 inches deep. I took a trip to the Sterling school to see if the track had been plowed. Luckily it was plowed fully in the large paved area. More than enough to fly in. After the basket ball game we headed for the school with the MI Bipe and the old Twister. First up was the Bipe and it flew well for what it is. Very sensitive on the controls and I only had 32 foot lines which were too short. Less line spread at the handle and 40 footers should calm it down. I had addeed a bit of weight to the nose of the Twister and it flew more stable than usual. The winds were tricky so I only got in one flight each.

I did it, just about.

The temp. is barely in the high 30's and the winds are not too bad. I re arranged the flight box to carry the fuel needed for the Double Star engine in the StregA-36 and tried to put it into the El Camino. Won't fit. It barely fits into the Dodge. I headed for the field even though the school would be better there could be some people in the way. I had to park at the top of the hill and walk about a 1/4 mile to the circle. I picked out a good spot, considering the wind, and set things down. When I re configured the box I removed the prop box and fuel bottle to make room for the quart fuel can for the big engine. In the prop box is the stooge. Shit. Luckily I had another one that is a hook and a nail. I struck it into the ground and put the hook around the tail wheel and wire. It seemed like it would stay put so I went ahead and set everything up. I put in 3 and half ounces of fuel into the 6 ounce tank,flipped the plane over and primed the engine with a little fuel and lighter fluid. It started and being larger I had to pay attention flipping it right side up and hooking the stooge to the tail wheel. I grabbed the down line and walked out to the handle. If the plane came loose the down line would tip it up on the prop. I checked the controls and pulled the release line. It came off the wire and didn't release the plane. I grabbed the down line again and went back to the plane and attached the hook and back to the handle. It released this time and the plane flew very smooth. The engine quit early and I was amazed at the glide. I kept it barely above the grass for a ways before setting it down. I added another half ounce of fuel and restarted the engine. Same routine to the handle and the line came off the stooge again. Back to the plane and back to the handle and off it went. I gave it more rpm's and did a couple loops. It ran the fuel out this time and glided smoothly to a landing. I moved the lines out on the handle and shortened the up line a bit for the next time out. The engine did start right up, after the first flight, on it's wheels.

The Sterling school.

The temp. has been in the high 30's lately with very little sunshine. The winds have been favorable and I have gotten some flying. I've kept an eye on the track at the Sterling school and the snow piles have been getting smaller. The field was clear of snow yesterday but was quite wet and soggy. The end of the track that butts against the woods was clear of snow also. I went back in the afternoon with the Banshee and got in two flights. The ground was very bumpy but barely usable. I set up at the edge of the ball diamond at third base for takeoff. After flying I went to the track and measured the end radius and found it to be the same as my lines. I marked the center will give it a try next time there if the other end still has snow piles. The MI Bipe is ready to fly. I have a set of 30 foot lines for the first flight. They may be too short but I don't think the plane is worth making a new set.

It's ordered.

I called Bak Ind. and ordered one of their VP models p/n 162204. $699.00 delivered. It's one of their newest models. It should be here late next week. I started painting the Bipe. The can of propellant I have for the Badger air brush is getting low so I ordered two more cans from Amazon. They are on back order but the price is well worth it. The can and air brush I have I bought from Tower I believe back in the very early 80's. It came as an extra with a small compressor a one quart spray gun and the glass bottle detail gun kit I used all the time. I still have it and it still works.I never used the quart gun. I never used the air brush until this past winter. Now I'm using it on every plane for touch up and small stuff. Funny how that happens. I bought a small HVLP gun from Amazon for $13.00 and that works very well for the bigger jobs using the compressor and 40 psi.