CVRC 33 Wed 4-3,2019

Today’s players: Lonnie Hagadorn, Billy West, Jim Bates, Dick Blackburn, Steve Tisi, Wayne Windsor, Al Bleyenberg, and one “guess player” at end of newsletter.

On Lonnie’s insistence, we showed up at the field so he wouldn’t feel lonely. He did tie a porkchop to his ankle so the dogs (or buzzards) would come around, but nothing took the bait. Till Billy showed up.

The boys got there early, a little chilly, but virtually no wind, yeah!

By the time I got there, Jim Bates had already shown up and Billy was flying Lonnie’s new Flitetest Corsair. This plane is one of Flitetest’s cardboard planes. It’s got a 48” wingspan. Lonnie had it out last week with minimal blue paint on it, but today, it was all decked out like a WWII Corsair should be. Jap flags, indicating kills, name on the cockpit for pilot, plane number, and all the rest. I showed up and Billy had it swooping down, soaring up, making a half circle turn, and repeat, while Lonnie is filming. It flew low and slow. Lonnie has some great pics which he will be posting.

Jim had his new Voltigeur there. And go figure, so did Billy. Jim had a couple of go rounds. He asked Billy to “tweek” it. Much improved.

Not wanting to be out done, I had Billy re-re-re……. maiden my troublesome Corsair. This time, I had reinforced the landing gear again for the umpteenth time. First test, needed some weight on the nose, landing was okay-ish. Take off was horrible, veered to the left, even with Billy’s input with the transmitter. We eventually narrowed it down to the landing gear needed an alignment.

So while I was doing that, Billy and Jim did a tandem set of flights, with their Voltigeurs. Looked impressive. At one point, they were “CLOSE”. So close,  I saw one plane loose a sticker, that’s how close they were.

Lonnie got into the mix with his Timber. Nice flying for Lonnie. 

Wayne Windsor non-challantly, brought out his “foamie” ha!ha!, T-28. As per usual, for Wayne, plane goes down the runway, picks up speed, and at 10’ 6”, gets into the air. Another 4’, and it’s up, up, and away. Wayne does his, ho hum, “routine” of showing us all how “it’s” done. Perfect in every way, until he brings it in for a landing, and misses the double wide runway. TEE!HEE!

Steve Tisi brings out his twin engine Commander. This is the plane that Bob Hoover immortalized with his flying skills. If you’ve never seen Hoover fly, look him up on youtube.

A M A Z I N G! With a capital A. This “commuter” plane isn’t designed to do what Hoover does with it.

My turn. Brought out my Dynam T-28 after reworking the nose gear for the fourth time. This time I took Wayne Windsor and Alan Roberts advice and put a spring in the nose gear. Due to my setup, it was a bear to fly. Needed a ton more nose weight, with everyone coaching from the cheap seats, got it back on the ground. This was after it crashed into the tree on the East end of the field. I swear those trees move. Jim Bates was kind enough to help retrieve it from the tree and bushes. Fixable, yes, missing one little piece of the canopy. 

Wayne brings out his B.K. Commanche, four stroke power “oldie goldie”, and not by appearances. It’s up and away and Wayne’s doing that ole timey flying. Still looks great.

All the while, Billy keeps bringing out one of his 4 new planes. Each one unique in its own way. And of course, Billy knows how to fly. Once Jim and I get back from getting the T-28, we go to where Billy has brought out plane 3 or was it 4. I don’t know, lost track. 

Billy is a little vain, this plane matches the color of his eyes.

A “shocking” pink Skysword. Unusual for Billy, this plane has landing gear, go figure. Even though, he flew the living day lights out of it.

Now, slowing down a ton, Dick Blackburn started with his repaired sailplane. It’s a strikingly good looking white with transparent yellow on the middle of the wings. As usual, Dick has his “routine”. Bring out the padded lawn chair, walk back get the plane. Make adjustments to the transmitter, sit down, hand launch the plane. Then soaring greatness. 

About an hour later, he brings out another sailplane, and goes thru the same routine.

As I’m cleaning out the cigarette butt can, a car pulls up. Gentlemen gets out and heads toward me. This is reminiscent of the old west when a “new” gunfighter comes into town. What the heck, extend my right hand, introduce myself. Alan Moe is my name, I used to be a member. I recognized the name, because he’s on the mailing list. He thanks me for the newsletters, he gets a kick out of them. Thought he check out the field, knowing we were flying today. I catch up on his history with the club, he knows everyone. He knew everyone there today, except for Lonnie, and of course me. Take him over the guys, and he’s off to the races. 

While I’m doing this, Steve has launched his Cessna Skyline (hope that’s right Steve). After a couple of minutes, I hear some yells and groaning. Steve puts his transmitter down and heads to the West side of the runway, way down there. Returning a few minutes later, Steve and Jim Bates are back with “remnants”. Good news, repairable.

Due to the fact that my Corsair has a bad landing gear setup, and the T-28 in pieces, I’m relegated into bringing out “IT”. The Fun Cub. This is my “go to” plane. Does everything I need. I ask Billy to take it up, big grin. Makes some transmitter “adjustments” and proceeds to fly the living daylights out of it. SLIME. Lonnie is burning up a ton of film getting the Cub.

Standing next to me is Steve, told me he had one at one time. Loved it.

Now’s the time to say goodbye to all our friends and company, Mickey Mouse club for some of you who don’t recall that phrase.

We all head out to our respective “hangars”.

Lonnie will have pics and videos.

Great newsletter Al as always I look forward to reading. Just a few corrections. It’s a Cessna 182, 1st flight was spot on with no issues, 2nd flight it hit the ground. Good news is it’s back together. Just need to re-prop it and it is ready to crash again lol.

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