2016 S.M.A.L.L. Fly-In

You guys are a hoot!

Yeah, Fred, if you want to bring a generator, we can use my bigger Mr. Coffee maker instead of my whimpy little 4-cup aluminum pot!

It's also already loaded in the van!

On model airplane repair front, the 3 meter B.O.T. has it's wing repaired...even got all responsible and hogged out a hole under the opposite wingtip and brought it back to balance with some lead shot and CA!

I only had white covering to match the original, so there's a nice blank panel for my buds to autograph/commemorate the 2016 S.M.A.L.L. Fly-In!

Mr. Fix It Kim

Oh yeah....good times ahead!

Paul Bradley wrote a nice article on SMALL 2016 in the June issue of Model Aviation, page 85. Check it out! He even featured our 2015 1/2A line up photo in the piece. A little Cox love in MA.....all good!

KariFS wrote:

roddie wrote:
Wait.. what about Stephen Stanley Bayes' cox diesel generator? It would surely supply enough DC power for all of your needs!

Aaand it would double as a portable air freshener too

Did you have to bring that up?  I was really enjoying life without having to hear about it

Oldenginerod wrote:

KariFS wrote:

roddie wrote:
Wait.. what about Stephen Stanley Bayes' cox diesel generator? It would surely supply enough DC power for all of your needs!

Aaand it would double as a portable air freshener too

Did you have to bring that up?  I was really enjoying life without having to hear about it

Hahahaha, I'd forgotten about that.

Kim, it's about time for a new avatar isn't it. Please Lol

RknRusty wrote:Kim, it's about time for a new avatar isn't it. Please Lol

Cousin Eddie is a legend, if not a disturbing one.

Oldenginerod wrote:

RknRusty wrote:Kim, it's about time for a new avatar isn't it. Please Lol

Cousin Eddie is a legend, if not a disturbing one.

Well, OK...how 'bout a much less-disturbing image of a little Space Bug, running it's heart out??!!!

Between some of my dad's drinking buddies, assorted relatives who'd always show up for the holidays, and one particular friend of my older brother who was a Cousin Eddie dead-ringer, I seemed to have a lot of these personality types around me as I grew up! Oh, I got stories...

Could be one reason I live alone on a hill now !!!

Lots of high-pitched racket out in the shop this morning as these two guys are cleaned of goop and fired up. The tanked .010 goes on the Poolboy, while the backplate version is going back on Blunderbus. Had to do some cleaning/blowing out on the tanked Tee Dee to clear it's injectors of old fuel, while the other cranked up ready-to-go as soon as the fuel hit it.

I'm so looking forward to see the Blunderbus and Poolboy and glad the .010's will be disturbing the SMALL airspace. I'm thinking firing up an .010 at sunrise would be a nice wake call for campers.  ..... ..... .....

11th Hour Radio / Airframe Hijinks!!!

The Bad News:  I'm busting more of my 'Never Let It Happen' rules than ever before---
                       
1.  NEVER Go Gut-Deep Swapping Radios, Engines, or Airplane Chopping right before an Event.
2.  NEVER Test Fly models at an Event.
3.  NEVER Make big-ticket, mentally distracting purchases that I'll be adapting to during an Event.
4.  NEVER Offer up the van for kayak hauling to a lake with friends, putting off early loading for an event.

The Good News:  With Tony or Evelyn or Fred volunteering as videographers, my violation of Rule #2...and ALL it's glorious results...will be presented here in high definition for critique by all interested or semi-interested parties !!!





Fearless Procrastinator Kim

Kim...I procrastinated so long with the weather sux excuse that several planes will not be packed

Not a big deal to me as I can't fly well and not too interested in busting up my models in front of strangers

The primary reason for attending is to meet CEF friends

Secondary is to off load a boat load of RC gear I will never use again

Also I really need a get away... yard is behind, chores are behind, new dog is having a tough time of adapting to a five dog family

That, and I stupidly started building Ring Master #3 for the Lew Woolard custom Fox .35

My camera skills are questionable but I will pit for Kim, hold camera for Kim, drink coffee with Kim....help Kim with #2
Ah- ha..no not wiping his A__.... test flying at an event...pay attention Virginia!

no doubt in my mind it will be epic trip for me

I might even have enough "need to just do it" gumption to coordinate with Kim to really screw with Rusty and wife's hospitality by arriving at Ft Jackson as he does.....

Hummm...reminder..de-conflict with Rusty so we don't plan to be there when he is at the beach.....

Yep, luckily for all involved, I am STILL in control of my personal hygiene...mostly!

And roger on the Epicness !!! Our adventures will be retold in hushed tones around campfires for generations to come...or maybe it'll just be me...blabbering about them!!!

In the words of Carly Simon, "These are the good ole days" !!!

Kim you are WIDE-E-ASS-OPEN up there ,, I laughed sooo hard at that pic of Eddie emptying his sewage ,man I had had a few drinks and was late night I know ever one heard me (like I care) in the country do as you will with out the trouble some add on's . Looks like the glue is flowing and some exciting times coming up . Glad the engines worked out OK!! Eric

Kim-Evelyn and I will gladly film "The Adventures of Kim at SMALL" for all to enjoy!

OK...we're packed and ready to catch an 8am flight to Houston, then on to Little Rock...arriving at 4pm. Even had time to cover and assemble a Micro Stik powered with Cox .010...this is my first .010 powered plane. Flew Troy Black's Pageboy and was hooked. Pretty excited to get some more .010 flights.

Fred-Looking forward to a fun week....see you both soon!

Hey!! It AIN'T gonna be the "Adventures of Kim" !!! More like "Tony, Evelyn, Fred, Kim and Other As-Yet Unknown Players Excellent Adventure".

Gonna have to use some smaller size block type to get THAT on a label, but it will be done !!!!

Looks like it's gonna be a classic "Jump Out and Fly then Run for Cover" kinda deal...note to pack extra pairs of dry socks....

Kim-Weather was great today....managed to get in seven flights this afternoon. Forecast look pretty good tomorrow. Parts of the field are soggy....extra socks or rubber boots would be a good thing to have handy. See you tomorrow!

.....

Kim- Very sorry to hear! We're praying your brother will be okay.

Safe travel my friend.

Sorry for the stupid venting post...got to remember NEVER to fire up the computer before an adequate amount of coffee has been knocked down.

He's stable, apparently got ill after accidentally swallowing a bunch of salt water while out boating or fishing. He's got a badly damaged pancreas, that can cause a simple upset stomach to go out of control, with a bunch of back and forth adjustments to the medications he's already on as a matter of course.

So, everything is better than my other brother's abbreviated message lead me to believe.

Let's please restart the fun, and sorry again for my predawn grousing.

On the Road Again Kim

Kim...and others I am planning to arrive some time Friday afternoon

Lately I have been much more interested in building and flying non 1/2a stuff--- in fact I got so jazzed with my ARF RM and Fox 35, I built and flew the Core-House RST Ringmaster variant and that went very well right off the board

I pulled down the Pat Johnston Gold kit (light weight and superb balsa) Ring Master and started it for the Lew Woolard Fox 35 I got through Ron Cribbs.... (I know I have posted this info elsewhere)...has been my shop focus for a few weeks now

The point being-- I have NOT put in the time to finish several 1/2a projects and they, as of now are going to be AWOL from the S.M.A.L.L.
Just now I managed to forgive myself...hell I am nearing 61 and can do what please ME

I used to be exceptional at time managment, goals, and eleventh hour saves on occasion... and I hope many here can relate that each and every personal goal (or out side deadline) met, has a positive effect on one's self worth and satisfaction

Earlier this week I was bummed that I can't pack and take 10 1/2a planes...

List of deterrents:
Weather.... normal year 31" average rainfall for 12 months...last year and this year we are well above that and it is still hitting us with 3" to 4" every other day since Feb.. my/our house on a hill has flooded twice in the last 45 days on the 7"~9" rain fall days
Rescue dog Gus is eating a LOT of my time and patience
Son who helps me a lot is building a 24'x40' shop and I have been helping
Texas dirt is millions of year old sea bed and when arid barely grows anything...add water and this state could sustain a triple canopy jungle easily... thus with all this constant water, my 2.5 acre micro ranch is rapidly returning to the over grown abomination it was when we moved to it in '94...it takes me 3 hours a week swinging the weed eater to hold it back on the edges...starting to consider a yard maintenance contract

I will feel guilty all this weekend in Arkansas cuz leaving my wife to worry about me, deal with five dogs, and watching the yard get further out of control

I bet Kim and I try for some hours to leave all this carp behind, just be kids again, and hove FUN

Wish you all could be there

I wish we all could too.
I've been watching but not posting, other than that avatar thing, which I hope didn't irritate you, Kim. And my heart sank a little when the last minute family problem popped up, so hope that's all over. Unfortunately, you can choose your friends, but you can't pick your family. And I'd much rather be with friends, so I'm glad you guys are going to do some buddy bonding. That's been the most important part of keeping me going these past few years. Y'all face the East and say my name once while you're there Lol. I'll keep my ear out, maybe it'll give me a shot of fun fuel. Looking forward to reports on whatever y'all see and do.
Take care, be smart, don't drive too fast, be sure to talk to strangers.
Rusty

Brother Rusty...
I have a fantasy for this trip thinking that Kim, now with a RV travel trailer and no real need to be back home on any deadline, may decide to just flow east towards you ...and I could easily be talked into a caravan road trip.

And I have a wife who (once I convinced her I was doing fine and promised no more than 6 hour drive each day) would let me embark on the adventure

Of course you are the focus, but a two (or three) fer is--- I really enjoyed my many stays in Columbia and Ft Jackson a bunch or years back

College towns have the best wait staff and PIZZA!
I don't much care for N or S Carolina BBQ versions...OK I am a Texas Smoked meat snob
But the hospitality, atmosphere, and retired military camaraderie I experienced in your area also has me yearning for a visit

Funny story...sorry a bit political... I am a huge 2nd amendment guy

When Obama was elected we gun nutz assumed the sky would fall, the government would come git us, no guns or ammo could be bought.

So, while there in Columbia on a mission,  visiting a GUN SHOW at a local Masons Lodge was planned by myself and a few of my team...

Ha Ha on us.... Saturday open at 0900...we drove there at 0830....NO parking, bad traffic, land locked venue on freeway access road, hours to just by pass the event and go get something to eat and drink...OK no sweat well will try Sunday much earlier

On the road at 0700...same problem...freeway backed up 6 exits no way onto the Masonic Temple property...seems to me every gun toting man in South Carolina was determined to buy every gun/rifle/sniper scope/and box of (no, cases of) ammo offered...

So we hung out in downtown Columbia at a sports bar with no customers (but us), perfect (good looking female nursing students) wait staff and had a great time