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Classic Designs => Classic Planes => Topic started by: Shultzie on March 14, 2011, 10:23:18 PM

Title: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Shultzie on March 14, 2011, 10:23:18 PM: WOW! RAY FIRKENS.. BW@ (PE**)
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Les McDonald on March 15, 2011, 11:54:06 AM: I would like to see some "close up" photos of this one!!
The Sting Ray, in my mind, is the classic of classics.
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Shultzie on March 15, 2011, 12:15:55 PM: Attached here are photos that Les captured of Bob Gialdini's beautiful original STING RAY during one of Bob's "OVER-NIGHTER" at the McDonald's bed n; Breakfast pad...many years ago?

(This model of Ray's RAY' IS A REAL TRIBUTE to Bob Gialdini...CLPA ART AT ITS FINEST!)
YES! SEND MORE PHOTOS AND INFO ON THIS AMAZING VSC STINGRAY....
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Tom Niebuhr on March 15, 2011, 03:31:23 PM: The "Sting Ray" has always been one of my favorites. I placed 2nd behind Bob's :"Sting Ray" in Alton, Ill about 100 years ago.

Now that Ray has such a beautiful "Sting Ray", I guess I will have to build a different airplane.
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Randy Powell on March 15, 2011, 04:02:27 PM: Ray sure builds 'em pretty. His plane last year was gorgeous too.
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: john e. holliday on March 15, 2011, 05:17:45 PM: Ray Firkins is one great modeler and gentleman. I first met him a few years ago while judging Old Time and had to tell him he forgot to signal. He also has one great helper in his wife also. Have not run into him yet this years but I know I will. I didn't realize how many people I know. H^^
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Scott Richlen on March 15, 2011, 05:53:42 PM: Thanks so much for the great pictures. It brought back a rush of memories to the time when that issue of American Modeler with the article on the Sting Ray came in the mail. Talk about airplane love at first sight! I ordered the plans, of course. But it was way beyond the building skills of this high-schooler at the time. But still, every once in a while I'll get the plans out, unfold them and just sit and look and daydream. What a beautiful, beautiful airplane.

Scott
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Tom Niebuhr on March 15, 2011, 06:16:30 PM: Les,
It would be great if you were to build a Classic. And, although most would expect you to have another "Stiletto", it also would be neat to see you build a different Classic. Building a Classic, you could get more involved without having to feel like you have to beat the world. As you know from attending VSC last year, it is about the people.

I intend on being at VSC next year.
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Les McDonald on March 15, 2011, 07:10:37 PM: Hey Tom, great idea!
That way I could blame my poor performance on Dave Gierke, Jim Kostecky, Bob Gialdini or Lew McFarland.
I hate to admit it but without a Stiletto I'm not much. Heck, even with a good plane I would probably be mediocre at best.
When I'm visiting a contest now I love the people. When I was flying, "back in the day", they were simply witnesses to the scoreboard.
I have been "stunt clean" for 27 years, I can't fall off the wagon now!!
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Randy Powell on March 16, 2011, 09:59:53 AM: Les,

VSC, as you know, it about building a cool plane and having fun. While I know we all want the best performance possible, it really about having a good time. I splatted my Cobra last year on the first day of practice and still had a great time.
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Bill Little on March 16, 2011, 03:43:10 PM: Awesome looking model! Ray has struck again. ;D

Big Bear
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Scott Richlen on March 16, 2011, 05:18:22 PM: Les:

You could try flying with your left hand....(I'm assuming you are right handed...if not, then vice versa)

Or power it with a Fox 35 (that should keep you from coming back for more....)

Scott

(okay Fox lovers - it was just a joke. I pre-apologize for any offense.)
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Bill Little on March 16, 2011, 05:31:49 PM: Quote from: Les McDonald on March 15, 2011, 07:10:37 PM
Hey Tom, great idea!
That way I could blame my poor performance on Dave Gierke, Jim Kostecky, Bob Gialdini or Lew McFarland.
I hate to admit it but without a Stiletto I'm not much. Heck, even with a good plane I would probably be mediocre at best.
When I'm visiting a contest now I love the people. When I was flying, "back in the day", they were simply witnesses to the scoreboard.
I have been "stunt clean" for 27 years, I can't fall off the wagon now!!

Hi Les,

You *might* be able to protect yourself from yourself by the mind set that "this is just "Classic" (or Nostalgia 30 depending on venue). Then you wouldn't be "falling off the wagon". ;D I know that there are many, many of us who would love to just see you flying again. Of course, not to your detriment, though. I know that no one but yourself would have "expectations" (wherein I am aware could lie the problems!). A very "non competitive" involvement, strictly for fun and comradeship. Building and flying for the pure joy of just doing it. ;D Then again, it might be true that "you can never go home again". Just glad to see you when I can, and thanks for all the help over the years!

Bill
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Les McDonald on March 16, 2011, 07:03:53 PM: You do know that I love you guys!!!!
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: john e. holliday on March 18, 2011, 07:45:37 PM: Hey Les, if Al Rabe can build and still fly for fun, you should be able too. I asked him why he didn't compete and he replied, "What for, I have done all of it". The last time I seen him fly it looked like he still had a pattern to die for. Besides we will put out the word that if Les gets serious we will kick his behind. LL~ LL~ LL~
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: PJ Rowland on March 20, 2011, 05:21:30 PM: Al said to me that - he wouldnt compete unless he could do everything required to compete at the highest level. He found the body was unable to comply with the hours required.
Title: Re: GADS! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STING RAY!!! AWESOME
Post by: Ted Fancher on April 20, 2011, 04:01:25 PM: Quote from: john e. holliday on March 15, 2011, 05:17:45 PM
Ray Firkins is one great modeler and gentleman. I first met him a few years ago while judging Old Time and had to tell him he forgot to signal. He also has one great helper in his wife also. Have not run into him yet this years but I know I will. I didn't realize how many people I know. H^^

Mostly we put up with Ray because he brings 'Becky along with him.

Ted Fancher

I guess he builds all right, too.