Yesterday, April 23, I went back up to the Home for Children at Oxford, NC. I've been helping them over the last few years to build and fly 1/2 A C/L planes. This time, we were bulding the Black Hawk Models Stuntmaster (a Walt Musciano model). This set of kits was donated by Larry Rice of Black Hawk Models (thanks again Larry!!!).
We built 14 planes, and one older child (17) picked up a kit to build later by himself. So, we had 15 kids altogether this time. We got the tail sections completed, and attached the tails and wings to the fuselages. We still have to add the control systems, do some sanding, and painting.
On Sunday, I'll be going back to help the kids to fly some of the planes previously built. Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday. I'll be there around 1:00 PM.
We have about 30 kids participating in total. But there are a lot of other things that kids do, so usually have about 12 to 15 participants at any given time. Children at the home range in age from infant to 18 years old. Kids as young as 3 or 4 participate in our "Model Airplane Days". For the youngest ones, sometimes I pick them up, and we hold the handle together as we go around. For those about 5 or 6 and older, I usually take off, then we hold the handle together for a while, then I let go and they have control of the plane. It's always loads of fun.
Dave