Author Topic: Thunderbird pilots 1956 Nats (Read 7060 times)

EddyR · « **on:** August 17, 2011, 01:01:58 PM »

Did anyone know any of these Nats flyers? Did you ever meet them? I sneeked in one Smoothie.
I never met Bob Palmer. I will add some more below so as to not go over 1000kb
Ed

EddyR · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:04:12 PM »

Some more T-birds and a Smoothie at a 1956 Airforce meet
Ed

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:04:47 PM »

Hi Eddy,

If I am not mistaken, Eddie May was listed as being from Durham, NC. Something in my memory tells me I have read that before. It would be interesting to know where Eddie got to!

Bill

EddyR · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:22:48 PM »

Bill Yes Durham NC is correct,but I also wonder what happened to him.

Here are some from the 1955 Nats.
Eddie's plane has the speed cowl but Bob's does not

Also a page with 4 stunt planes, Bill Netzeband Gold Brick

The girl holding the Go Devil has a sparker in it

Bill Little · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:27:54 PM »

We still need to get the twist out of Aaron's T-Bird wing. The plane otherwise seems to be very good! It came out a good bit lighter than the T-Bird II I used to fly in Classic. We are using a Big Art OS .35S in it.

Bill

EddyR · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:38:22 PM »

Here is the guy who ruined it for the T-Bird fans by winning in 1956. This Nobler is a lot different than the kit.
I always thought this was a great shot of George as he looks 15 but was at least 21.
EddyR

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2011, 01:49:31 PM »

Quote from: Ed Ruane on August 17, 2011, 01:38:22 PM

Here is the guy who ruined it for the T-Bird fans by winning in 1956.
EddyR

Except Bob came back and won open again in 1959...only to be bested by a young Billy Werwage in the Walker flyoff.

Ted

Neville Legg · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2011, 02:33:40 PM »

I just love those needle nose spinners, have they been banned in the US, they have here, health and safety!

Cheers

Will Davis · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2011, 02:46:08 PM »

Great picture of Aldrich. What was up with the cowling , alot of engine exposed , maybe a early version or cowl missing , Great post

Bill Mohrbacher · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2011, 06:24:59 PM »

George talked about the Pliobond Nobler on Bob Hunt's Aldrich tape.

M Spencer · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2011, 04:55:35 AM »

Its a good heat proof gasket cement for British Motorcycles , if you dont mind them getting rusty .

( red rubbery when set glue . Comes of fingers easier than balsa cement )

john e. holliday · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2011, 09:12:35 AM »

Those ads bring back a lot of memories. Use to sit and read them from cover to cover. Never thinking I would get to meet some of the people. Still wonder at times what happened to most of them. Thanks for the memories.

EddyR · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2011, 10:19:21 AM »

In the pictue of Palmer and May Palmer T-Bird had a nose wheel

In the picture of Dennis Alford it looks like the gear is in the wing

Ed

billbyles · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2011, 07:34:09 PM »

Quote from: Ed Ruane on August 18, 2011, 10:19:21 AM

In the pictue of Palmer and May Palmer T-Bird had a nose wheel
In the picture of Dennis Alford it looks like the gear is in the wing
Ed

Bob had a brake on the nosewheel (hooked to the "down" elevator line) so he could stop it in front of the judges or where ever he needed to. Points were given that year for a precision stop at a designated point on the circle.

Shultzie · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2011, 08:20:47 PM »

Ed..
These are beautiful scans...Any tips on how you work with your scanner or what brand of scanner etc?
Outstanding photos.
Keep on sending these when you have time.....as we know how much time it takes to scan them with as much care and expertise that you have shared with these amazing old magazines.
(seems like when I attempt to scan old magazines...THEY END UP WITH ALL THOSE TEENY LITTLE "PIXLEEEDOTS'

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2011, 11:57:53 PM »

I was lucky enough to meet both George Aldrich and Bob Palmer.

I considered myself lucky considering I live in Australia and both made trips down here to visit the Nats.

George in 1993/94
Bob in 1998/1999

Dallas Hanna · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2011, 03:43:25 AM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on August 19, 2011, 11:57:53 PM

I was lucky enough to meet both George Aldrich and Bob Palmer.

I considered myself lucky considering I live in Australia and both made trips down here to visit the Nats.

George in 1993/94
Bob in 1998/1999

Was a real pleasure to meet them PJ. Bob palmer was actually here for our 2000 Nats around Easter time and then the Palmer/Aldrich day at KMFC.

HH

EddyR · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2011, 06:49:23 AM »

Quote from: Shultzie on August 19, 2011, 08:20:47 PM

Ed..
These are beautiful scans...Any tips on how you work with your scanner or what brand of scanner etc?
Outstanding photos.
Keep on sending these when you have time.....as we know how much time it takes to scan them with as much care and expertise that you have shared with these amazing old magazines.
(seems like when I attempt to scan old magazines...THEY END UP WITH ALL THOSE TEENY LITTLE "PIXLEEEDOTS'

Shultzie Nothing special just my Epson Printer Scanner unit. I scan pictures at 300 dpi and then resize them in Photofilte changing them at the same time to Jpeg. I keep the jpeg pictures very small so as to not use a lot of space.I could post them at higher resolution put I would only get one picture and it would waist server space
I met George at the 1957 Nats and several times after that at FF meets in the 50's and 60's.
Here is another T-Bird from the 1960 MAN Annual
Also a huge two motor Fierce Arrow on the same page. Also from that same issue "Jim Ivey" who post here with Hi Johnson

EddyR · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2011, 07:28:31 AM »

I had forgoten this old bird until a few minutes ago. I had crashed my Pampa plane two weeks before the1988 KOI so I used this vintage rebuilt T-Bird with Banner wheels to win advance and the very vintage AAsr to win Old Time
Ed

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2011, 09:24:48 PM »

D Hannah:
Bob palmer was actually here for our 2000 Nats around Easter time and then the Palmer/Aldrich day at KMFC.

Thats right I knew it was around 99... If my memory doesnt fail me - wasnt there a classic stunt contest that day also..

Who came 1st in the Classic stunt contest that event?

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2011, 06:57:55 AM »

Aldrich must have been in a hurry when he built that Nobler in the picture, the US insignia is on upside down!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2011, 08:19:27 AM »

It was right side up when inverted tho.

Yes I think George was in a hurry.

jim ivey · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2011, 12:26:51 PM »

yep knew them both well good friends and copetitors eddie wasnt at 56 nats 55 was last time i saw him. I flrw a new cougar at 56 nats dennis got first i got 2nd.

EddyR · « **Reply #23 on:** December 31, 2011, 01:30:36 PM »

I like the rudder on that Nobler better than the plans or kit.
Ed