I grew up in a hobby shop environment, in Warwick, R.I. My Mom and Stepfather started a house paint store in 1950, in
Apponaug, R.I. It grew into a hobby shop. My brother owns it today. It' called Apponaug Color and Hobby Shop.
I started flying at about 8 years old, on a Guillow's solid wing trainer. That would put the year at about 1952 - 1953.
I started flying the pattern in 1957, 1958 or so. We had a club called the "Warwick Wings." , and had about 20 or 30 members.
We flew across the street from the state airport in Warwick,on State land, every Sunday. We had three circles going all the time. That was
quite an experience. I was the pit guy who started all the engines at the center circle and when people took off,
they would move to the circles, left or right, whichever one was available , so the next guy could take off.
My Step-father taught everyone how to fly. Sometimes we would have 10 or 15 planes waiting on the deck for a flight.
That was quite a childhood, I have to say.