08-31 Cub Progress - Restitched one Rib, put on tapes and then went flying.

Broke out the Polybrush and got all set to put the tapes on the tail this morning when a row of stitches caught my eye. They weren't quite up to my low standards so I cut the row loose and restitched it. It only took 1/2 hour.

Then I put the tapes on the ribs of the tail and got the tapes ready that go around the edges. I'm going to have to talk to Glenn to see what the secret is to doing these. There are several pretty angular curves and to get the tapes to lie flat I'm going to need some help.

Then I went up and took pictures of Phil Lehrke's Rv-6. He was practically at idle the whole time while we were flogging the poor, old Fairchild for all she was worth.

08-29 Cub Progress - Rib-stitching the tail is done!

I passed a major hurdle today in that I finished rib-stitching the tail of the J-3. For some reason, I had a mental block on getting the knot tight but overcame that this week. I brought Sky out for moral support and finished the last stabilizer this morning. On to the tapes!

I think I've got it!

I think, at least I believe I've finally learned how to do a rib-stitch knot. There are quite a few knots on my head (self-inflicted) from learning this but at least now, I'm back on the Cub and making progress.

Glenn was soldering cable ends this morning. This is the way they did it back in the "good-ol' days" before they crimped the ends.

Bellanca 14-19

Wanting to make the most of this beautiful day, I called around until I got Mark Gronneberg to go fly his Bellanca 14-19 for me to take pictures of tonight. The sky was smooth with just a little haze and we got this shoot done in 48 minutes. He was very happy with the pictures I showed him on the camera screen.

Phil and Betty's pretty Cessna 150.

Went out and shot Phil and Betty Chastain's "Betty-Boop" this morning. They've had this 150 for a number of years for Betty to learn to fly in. She's soloed, but not taken the written yet. The 150 matches well speed-wise with the Fairchild and Phil seemingly read my mind to put the plane where I wanted it.

I'm going out to shoot a tri-tailed Bellanca tonite.

Aeronca L-16 Pix

Went flying tonite with friends Aeronca L-16 and got these shots in my favorite hunting grounds over the Mississippi River north of St Charles. Hat's off to the L-16 pilot Pat for making it easy for me to get the shots and big thanks to Tim Akey who flew my Fairchild for me again so I could concentrate on taking pictures.

Next up: A pretty Cessna 150, a RV-8 and hopefully a Cessna 170 next week.

Vicki Cruse killed in plane crash.

Vicki Cruse, a US Aerobatic Team member was killed in the crash of her Zivko 540 Edge while practicing for the World Aerobatic Championships over in England.

Read more here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6073703/Champion-aerobatic-pilot-Vicki-Cruse-dies-in-air-crash.html


Vicki and I became friends on an AOL Aviation Forum hosted by Jim "Zoom" Campbell back in the mid-1990's. She went on to marry and divorce Jim but we remained friends. I followed her aerobatic career as she moved up the ladder of competitive aerobatics.

You could not find a sweeter, nicer, friendlier and more helpful person than Vicki was and I'll always cherish those memories.

Washing the belly of the Beast!

Today was mid-summer wash day for the beast...er...our Fairchild 24. I took the kids out to the airport and while Sky tackled the oily belly of the beast, Lindsay helped me wash the tail and the fuselage. I got all the streaks off the underside of the wing and we were finished. As a reward for these two brave souls, I stopped at Dairy Queen just in time to ruin their lunch. Oh well!

Bird Photo's

Went up to do Ken Thomas's (Brunner-Winkle) Bird photo's tonite. These are from the first time thru the files. I was pretty happy with the shoot but got reminded of a few rules I need to follow. I think thye pix would be better if we left a little earlier. Also, Ken had to fly to see me right between the Fairchild's struts because of his huge upper wing so I needed my pilot to kick a little right rudder to put him behind the struts.

Going to shoot Ken Thomas's (Brunner-Winkle) Bird.

Tomorrow evening I'm going to do some photography on my friend Ken Thomas's Brunner-Winkle Bird biplane. He bought the airplane a while ago from Ted Davis up in Brodhead, Wi and has been up in it regularly when he's home from flying for Brown (UPS).

I haven't done any air-to-air this year so I'll have to sit down tonight and run thru my checklist to make sure I'm ready to go. I already have another pilot lined-up to do the flying for me in my plane and I don't fly and take pictures at the same time. That's a no-no because you can end up dead.

Warbird Extravaganza???

We stayed at Oshkosh an extra-day to see the "Warbird Extravaganza" scheduled for Saturday afternoon. "How was it," you ask.

In a word...Lame.

The Warbirds of America really dropped the ball on this years show. A total of 10 airplanes flew for the show. That's right, I was able to count them all-ten of them-10.

The Confederate Air Force-bless their hearts-had the biggest showing getting up their 3 Mustangs and their Hellcat. Another 2 Mustangs, a T-28, a B-25, an A-26 and an OV-10 Bronco was it for the show this year.

I don't know if it was the recession or if the EAA refused to buy fuel or what. Five P-40's were on-site as well as Ron Fagen's P-38 and two Corsairs but they didn't fly in the big warbird show.

The Canadian Warbird Heritage brought their Lysander, Hurricane, Spitfire, P-40, Corsair and Lancaster bomber but NONE flew in this airshow.

Really lame on someone's part.

Let's hope they do better next year when it's the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Thanks again Doug for flying the C. You looked great!

Vintage Airpanes???

Let's see...a Cessna 182, a Banana, a Mooney, another Banana and a Cesspool 172...truly Vintage aircraft and deserving of parking up-front for all to see at Oshkosh.

Catching up-The Boys at Osh!

Here we are up at Oshkosh on Row 12 (from the highway!) It wasn't bad, the neighbors were considerate, the tents stayed dry and we caught the bus a couple of times so we didn't have to walk the mile and a half to the flightline.