Close-up of a Clipwing Monocoupe.

 

Richard Smith's Clipwing Monocoupe

Monocoupe Fly-In

Cam Blazer's Monocoupe. 

Richard Smith's Clipwing Monocoupe

 

The Monocoupe Club had a fly-in at Creve Coeur airport this weekend. This is a small club with about three times the number of members for the number of surviving Monocoupes. The fly-in is held every odd year the last weekend of September. This year only two Monocoupes flew in to join the numerous Monocoupes based on the field. 

Scott Johansson preps the Waco to give a ride.

 

Scott preps the Waco QCF-2 to give a ride.

Balloon Glow

 

The rain moved off with the clouds keeping the temp down,

it was a wonderful night for a balloon glow.

 

About two dozen balloons participated.

The Great Forest Park Ballon Race's Ballon Glow

 

Going to the Ballon Glow tomorrow night.

Nice Light

 

My friend Doug Gardner was washing his Great Lakes

when I took this shot.

Blast from the Past #1-George Andre

George Andre does a vertical snaproll in his Freebird 300.

I've always liked this picture. The airplane exists only in parts now, George parted out the airplane when he sold it. I had a mount for the camera that we put on the back of the cowling to take this.

Reflecting Blakesburg....

 

Monosport off the port wing.

 

This years Blakesburg was, again, really fun for me. Blakesburg has it's own, special vibe and I like it. It doesn't have the rushed feel that I get up at OSH, it's more relaxed, leisurely. Part of it, I'm sure, is I didn't try to do as much as I normaly do because of the heat. Man, it was hot again, 101 degrees on Friday. More or less, I let the Fly-In come to me this year. We bugged out at night and went back to  the hotel for a shower and a comfortable nights sleep.

 

Things are really enjoyed about the fly-in are many. I always appreciate Hy-Vee for coming out and cooking for all of us. From the pancakes for breakfast to the Ribeye Steak on Saturday night, it was all great. For Brent, Marcie, Ben, Aaron and the gang who organize and park us, you guys did a great job, especially in the heat.

 

To my friend Richard, thanks for bringing your guitars! We have to do that again and again. It was so much fun. Thanks for letting Sky sleep in your airplane too. It was a beautiful night under the stars.

 

It was great seeing friends up there, Don and Ann, Mike, Eric, Gilles, Amy, Caroline, Jeff, Erik, David and Rachael, Mike and Penny who always has a smile on her face. To all my friends, thanks for coming and helping make Bburg special.

 

 A special thanks to the gentleman from Canada who helped me pull my tiedown stakes out of baked, Iowa clay.

 

Ed, Max and Russell-a very heartfelt nod of appreciation for giving Sky rides in your airplanes.

 

And always to my traveling companion, trusting (asleep) copilot Sky-thanks man,

Now do your homework....

Some airplanes from Blakesburg.

 

Luscombe 8

 

Alexander Eaglerock

 

My buddy Max gives another Cub ride.

 

Luscombe T-1

 

John Lebarre's Waco CSO

Friends who take the photo's-Photographers at Blakesburg

You've seen their picture, now you can see their faces.

Photographer buddies of mine up at Blakesburg.

Gilles Auliard

Eric Presten

Dave Welch

And everyone knows Amy Gesch