Everyone,
I have revisited my roots on this one. My first airplane was a Beginner's Ringmaster that I purchased at a hobby shop that was between school and home. Took every cent I had back then and used an engine from an old Cox Shrike. Dad told me I needed to sand more then paint more and sand a little more and paint a little more. Pretty hard on a 10 year old kid who just wanted to get out there and try to fly. At some point I got it finished and my dad went out to help me start the engine and launch for me. I beat the hell out of the ground and pavement with that airplane. Crashed once during a wedding at the church parking lot/field that we flew at (same place my dad flew when he was younger). Ambroid, epoxy and toothpicks were my best friends as I went through the learning process. It all came together one night around dusk (it was a Friday after eating fish at a local fish fry-crazy how you remember these details but cannot remember what you had for breakfast). I took off and flew, albeit a bit high, but I was flying. I was taken by the orange glow of the opening of the cylinder I could see on the Cox engine and this is probably what helped me. We flew until it was fairly dark. The start of a great hobby/sport that I have enjoyed for nearly 40 years now.
This airplane probably looks a little nicer than the one I did so long ago. Would have been cool to have had a picture of it, but there are none. In any case, it was good to share my story. Hope you like the airplane (no points for originality eh).
John