Saw a woodchuck.

The weather was good Wednesday and I got in some flights. The cleaned filter on the PT-23 did the trick. I had the Magacian/Evo .36 and new tank so I tried it with both new tanks. It ran fair but fast. I tried to slow it down but couldn't. I found a leak in the metal tank and it didn't seem to help. I may have to open it up and replace the clunk tubing as air bubbles are going through the line. I could fill it so the line is covered and watch if there are no bubbles early on and only appear when the level is below the line. When we first saw the fox he was on the wall watching what looked like a squirrel. But when it moved it looked more like a woodchuck. It went into a hole in the wall in back of the garage. Several years ago I had gotten a scope and put it on the .22. I haden't fired it since so I figured I'd better check it before I got a chance to shoot the woodchuck. I drew a half dollar size circle with cross hairs through it and nailed it to a tree up in the woods. I fired 3 shots from about 50 feet and took a look. Right in the circle. Two are touching and another left a bit. Still I can cover all 3 with a dime. I haven't shot that well since basic training.

Test flight.

I couldn't help myself and made several changes onthe funny running engine. I was going to change needle valve asm's but left it for another day. The weather has been windy and cold but today I went to the r/c field anyway to try the changes. Missed the problem. I fitted the new NVA into the engine and took the fuel filter apart to check for crap. There was a piece of shit in it. I cleaned the filter and put everything back together. The best part of todays test is that the engine ran long enough to get the full pattern in on the tank I installed. it happens to be the one I used in the first place several months ago.
Forecast to be in the 30's all week.

What does winter and Obama have in common??

They both suck.
The ground is covered with snow this morning again.Temps in the low 30's. I even burned a tire with the winter debris last weekend and it didn't warm up the area never mind the planet.

Death to woodchucks.

On the first full day of spring it's snowing. Phil's an asshole.

Spring as last.

The last of the snow piles melted on Sunday. It was the leftover from the garage roof.
I burned the brush pile and Christmas tree which wasn't quite dry and took a while. Without the tamaracks there wasn't too much to burn.
I took the PT-23 to the school and the engine ran really strange. It would speed up for a lap or two and then slow to normal for a lap or two. I've never had that happen before. I did the unthinkable and changed fuel tanks without doing anything else. I couldn't get the needle out and there may be some crap in the spray bar. I'll have to open the hole in the fuse. and take it out and check. I have a new needle valve asm. if it comes to that. Or change engines.
I washed the El Camino Friday and used it to go to the school. It's running good.

Got a lot done.

I got up late this morning and had to follow the mail truck into Sterling. After coffee I went to the field with a mower and trimmed some high grass. Then we went to the movies and saw Rango. Then I went to the field with the lightning and after a bit of work got it started and flew it for the first time. Nice and stable, level wings but the handle spacing needs to be reduced. I did a buy it now for a spare .40 and a .46 head. Free shipping so even at the same price from Tower it's a lot cheaper.
The temps didn't get out of the low 40's with cloud cover all day. Some snow flakes too.

Ground is still wet.

I made the trek up the hill to check on my bird houses Saturday. I cleaned them out so they are ready for the new season.
We went to the Sterling school with two planes. The wind was light during my bird house trip but was quite turbulent at the school. I got in a flight with the Padre and then fired up the mod. Vector. It flew well the engine ran fine at first then leaned out for a while then back to a tad rich. Could have ben a bit of crap got into the spray bar and then cleared out. I had a tongue muffler on it and it was loud so I installed a stock muffler when I got home. The cornering was very good and may need a bit of tail weight with the bigger muffler but I'll wait. I have to test the Lightning next. I don't know what to expect from this one.
We will be going to the r/c field for a walk later. Maybe check out the activity there while I'm at it.