Actually, there are at least 2 Classic designs I've yet to build from my first list. We won't talk about list number 7.
Ever since I first saw the article, way back when it first came out, I've wanted to build "Wild Bill's" "Fierce Arrow". It's just sooo big and impressive looking. It doesn't really matter if it winds up being a little stunt challenged, I want one.
I've also admired the aggressive look of twin boomers. I remember when the "Gobbleswanze" won big at the Nat's. I must have worn the ink off the magazine issue that carried the construction article. Others like the La Donna, and the Carousel came along, but the one that's held onto my heart all these years is the Torino. It's funny too, 'cause you never see one at the contests, but by all reports I've heard of, it was a good flying plane. I have the plans for this one. It'll be my construction project for next VSC. Imagine one powered by an Aero tiger 36? Sweeeeet.
John Miller
Hi John...
As you know that TORINO was the plane that Jim Vornholt flew at the 1968 nats. Jim was sittin next to me in the line up and we talked about how he took that Tornino of Jack's that he had been flying in the "clear-dope" stage and both Jim and Jack...went on a marathon painting stage and finished that model of Jack Sheeks so he could have something to fly at the 68 nats (HUMM? TAL
K ABOUT THE ULTIMATE READY-TO-FLY...TORINO.(named after Jim Vornholt's new car) It was so new...that morn. setting on that hot tarmac at Oltha, we could actually smell the clear topcoat "gassing off" almost like it had just been sprayed only 5 minutes ago.
Jim flew extremely well with Jacks airplane and carried the top score of the day for a while...but ended up in 6th place in that circle by the end of the day...as some of the Navy scores and wind took its tole.
Still that TORINO OF JIM VORNHOLT'S was sooo impressive in the air but it was the flying ability of Jim that stole the show. After I watched and heard how beautifully that new Enya .35 sounded and ran with that muffled engine that I just wanted run right out and buy one that same day. Beautifully lookin and running engin.
That model had 520 sq. inches and weighted around 48 or 50 ounces and wasn't really a LIGHT WEIGHT but it flew perfectly.
Whatever. After seeing that model...I came soooooooo close to building one of these and I wonder if one reason it turned so smoothly and predictable in that wind....
THOSE TWIN BOOMS really seemed like a great idea!!...by adding NEEDED STIFFNESS, BETTER BRACING,ALL IN THE RIGHT PLACES..AND IMPROVED THE OVER ALL PERFORMACE, not only on the wing but also the stab and elevator sections?
I thought Jim Vornholt flew better than his score reflected...( after some buzzing lips..BUILDER OF THE MODEL RULE WAS APPROVED) after some rather interesting input at the viewing table the night before.
Jim's beautifull Aero Gloss finish was awesome under those hanger lights, even though the model was not built by Jim....Jim's finish ruled the decision to honor the BOM rule anyhoo. Who could deny such a combination effort.
Interesting huh?
I beamers really gie off the sparkling effects of a highly finished paint job. Also a VERY ATTRACTIVE PAINT COLOR AND DESIGN scheme that accented that unique model so beautifully.