Author Topic: Early Redeployment (Read 2885 times)

Sean McEntee · « **on:** December 08, 2016, 10:00:51 AM »

I'm being let out on good behavior

Actually, I have an NCO school in January so I'm being sent home to prepare for it. The good news is I'll be getting home in time for Christmas

I was going to just strip the ringmaster and leave it behind, but after some convincing, I decided to try to bring it home. I separated the fuselage from the wing, cutting a bit behind the doublers and about 1/4" above the wing joint, leaving the nose and wing joint intact. Clipped the wings a few bays out from the wingtips so that they can be rejoined. I cut away just enough monokote to cut the wings loose, though the adhesive is so poor, it looks like I will need to recover the wing entirely. I got enough copies of the Stars and Stripes to pad everything on the trip home. I'll give bringing the batteries home a shot, but am prepared to leave them behind if needed. At 21 flights per battery, I feel like I got good use out of them.

I'll be pretty busy here, getting everything put to bed before I go. So I hope everyone has a happy holiday season!

dale gleason · « **Reply #1 on:** December 08, 2016, 10:07:41 AM »

Good news, Sean!
Welcome home and Merry Christmas!
dg

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 08, 2016, 10:10:32 AM »

This is super news Sean

I hope, before you redeploy to school house--- and I assume a future assignment not Ft Hood..that we can meet again and screw flying, just have a beer ( or 6) and BS a bit

You are my current insight to how Army Aviation has changed since I retired some 22 years ago...and BTW a very good steward of the standards , NCO creed I remember...wife and I are super proud of your accomplishments and all that you endure and do for our Nation

Watch your 6 as you prepare to get back to friends n family...now is NOT the time to get complacent

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #3 on:** December 08, 2016, 12:06:21 PM »

So. ALL planes are take-apart, it's just that some are harder to take apart than others.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2016, 12:15:05 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on December 08, 2016, 12:06:21 PM

So. ALL planes are take-apart, it's just that some are harder to take apart than others.

NOPE, they are all EASY to take apart,,
its the putting back together that is harder on some

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2016, 01:11:36 PM »

Welcome back. When I saw the title of your post I thought you were being sent right back to the sand.

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2016, 02:17:57 PM »

Quote from: Fredvon4 on December 08, 2016, 10:10:32 AM

This is super news Sean

I hope, before you redeploy to school house--- and I assume a future assignment not Ft Hood..that we can meet again and screw flying, just have a beer ( or 6) and BS a bit

You are my current insight to how Army Aviation has changed since I retired some 22 years ago...and BTW a very good steward of the standards , NCO creed I remember...wife and I are super proud of your accomplishments and all that you endure and do for our Nation

Watch your 6 as you prepare to get back to friends n family...now is NOT the time to get complacent

Thanks brother Fred! And I'm stabilized until September. So there will be plenty of time to burn a gallon of fuel or two!

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2016, 02:57:58 PM »

A nice thing about the military life; they don't discourage people from their hobbies. Every base where I was stationed had some sort of hobby shop, or a place where I could build and fly! Not bad!

Floyd

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2016, 03:01:37 PM »

Chit...now I got to dust off the cobwebs and brew some fuel for early spring fun at the soccer field....grin...can't wait brother

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2016, 03:25:53 PM »

Floyd

Just a scosche younger than you...but a great lot of my Dad's, and my free time, was at US Army moral support facilities with some of the best of the best equipment...thanks to all US taxpayers

I was near tears back in 1992 when we drew down and mothballed the US Army VIIth Corps in Germany...turned in and closed over 803 small Kaserns across Germany.... including dozens of fully equipped wood working shops...outfitted with giant very heavy duty Foundry type wood working tools

Near tears because I could have had ANY of the giant 2000+lb 15" table saws, 10"x 84" jointers, 36" planers, or 20" Band saws for less than $100 each piece.... And truth is because of the drawdown the Army offered full 24,000Lb JTR return shipping to USA**

Unfortunately the way they did -Military first- (0730 to 0930) then open to all German nationals the DRMO* sales items need to be removed same day... Logistics to find a heavy forklift and truck made me pass on some super deals

* Defense Reutilization and Marketing Operation

I have a 900 pound General Officer Executive desk set / suite of solid Teak I got for $25

** I and Army wife were BOTH E-8 First Sergeants returning in 1994 and our full JTR (Joint Travel Regulation) Weight allowance for return was 48,000LBs

The delivery here in Lampasas was Two full MayFlower Long trucks....mostly with DRMO Cherry and Walnut furniture less than $15 each piece.....grin

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2016, 04:18:41 PM »

Welcome home Sean
I hope your Holidays are great!

And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for serving our great country

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2016, 04:37:17 PM »

Quote from: FLOYD CARTER on December 08, 2016, 02:57:58 PM

A nice thing about the military life; they don't discourage people from their hobbies. Every base where I was stationed had some sort of hobby shop, or a place where I could build and fly! Not bad!

Floyd

There was a hobby shop that was part of the bowling ally at the Naval Training Center in San Diego,
The hobby shop had a huge area of benches and tables for building and a room where we store models and gear.
One night a gentleman came along while I was building a Flite Streak and he told me of his youth and model airplanes.
It turned out that this gentleman was the Executive Officer of the Naval Training Center.
I asked if it were possible to fly on the huge paved parade grounds in front of the bowling ally. He told me I could fly there anytime except Fridays after 1100 hours.
He then instructed me to stop by his office, and he would formally write up a permission form, which he did.
What a great guy.

I wrecked a lot of planes there and left a lot of divits in the asphalt.

Ahhh the good old days!

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2016, 05:29:40 PM »

Sean,
Although I'm not quite sure you have this idea of a Take-apart airplane completely figured out, it's good to hear that you're returning to the USA. Hope you have a good trip and get to stick around for a while! When you get back you might consider doing a thread on putting the Ringmaster back together!!!

Thanks for your service and what you do for our country.

During my 11 years in the Army I carried CL airplanes back and forth from the US to Europe and several other places. Combat planes for the most part! Couldn't manage it to Vietnam but would have if they would've let me!!

It would be nice to see you back at VSC again!

Randy Cuberly

Will Hinton · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2016, 07:12:57 PM »

Sean, so happy to know you get back in time for Christmas! I add my sincerest thanks for your service to this great country. I pray your schooling goes well and you get that upgrade position you so richly deserve!

James Mills · « **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2016, 08:14:33 PM »

That's great news Little Brother, have a safe trip home.

James

wwwarbird · « **Reply #15 on:** December 08, 2016, 08:50:54 PM »

That's great news Sean, glad to hear the "Mideast Tour" Ringmaster will make it home too. Have a safe trip, and Happy Holidays to you and the family.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2016, 10:30:44 AM »

Sean, so great to hear you will be home for Christmas. Now have a safe trip. Also thank you and all your co-horts for what you do for this great country. By the way HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2016, 01:36:06 PM »

Well I'm proud of you! Looks like a nice neat little bundle. Pack some soft stuff around it and it should travel fine. Just make sure the motor can't get loose and fly around and crunch things. If you have it coming here, I just may have it put back together by the time you come to get it! I'm glad you decided to make the effort to bring it home. It will be the source of some stories or start some at least! It will fit the "No man left behind" credo! Just like never leaving a free flight model in a tree!
Have a safe trip home, and we'll see you soon.
Dad

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #18 on:** December 11, 2016, 12:46:20 AM »

Quote from: Dan McEntee on December 10, 2016, 01:36:06 PM

Well I'm proud of you! Looks like a nice neat little bundle. Pack some soft stuff around it and it should travel fine. Just make sure the motor can't get loose and fly around and crunch things. If you have it coming here, I just may have it put back together by the time you come to get it! I'm glad you decided to make the effort to bring it home. It will be the source of some stories or start some at least! It will fit the "No man left behind" credo! Just like never leaving a free flight model in a tree!
Have a safe trip home, and we'll see you soon.
Dad

Thanks dad. I got a bundle of old newspaper to wad up and pack in there. Its best to do it at the post office as it saves the customs agent some headache of digging through all the packing. Think ill go ahead and send it home and fly it in a contest or two. It conflicts with my sentiment about flying electric in nostalgia events, but I think I can make an exception in this case. After that, I'll bring it to St Louis and leave there in case someone needs a loner or something, or just a unique addition to the St Louis Model Airplane Museum

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** December 11, 2016, 08:20:45 PM »

Quote from: Sean McEntee on December 11, 2016, 12:46:20 AM

..., or just a unique addition to the St Louis Model Airplane Museum

Heck Sean, if you combine it with your "documentation" photo from over there I think it's worthy of a display in Muncie. No joke.