Author Topic: Father's Day project Revisited (Read 2983 times)

Clint Ormosen · « **on:** June 06, 2007, 01:13:11 AM »

I've decided to give my dad a Smoothie for Father's day. Not just any Smoothie, but the very one his father built for him in '62. I've had it stashed away for about 20 years now. It appears to have been a plans built model as I can find no printing on any of the wood. Originally covered (on the flying surfaces only) with real silk cloth and painted metallic green and black, and then covered again with transparent green MonoKote and shot heavy with green Formula U by me when I was 12 (I didn't know any better). All flaps and elevators are hanging by the horns as the cloth hinges are rotted. The nose is completely gone due to fuel soak and its 2 1/2" Veco tires are dust. Its wings and fuse are cracked and dented from years of storage and moving. It's in bad shape.
I have 11 days to make a nice static display model (it will never fly again). I'm going to clean up and mount its GH .35 and hope I can find an old TF wood prop to top it off. I even have the pilot figure for it. This was one of only two models that made the trip when the family moved from Wisconsin to California in '64. The other model was JD Falcon built from MAN plans, and I have that one too.

Wish me luck! Hopefuly I can get some before and after shots of the plane.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2007, 02:39:28 AM »

good luck

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2007, 08:19:33 AM »

Hi Clint,

That's a great thing to do. Good luck with the project, I am sure your Dad will be very happy to receive it.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2007, 08:41:50 AM »

Pictures, pictures, let's see some pictures...

--Ray

Gary Anderson · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2007, 08:51:09 AM »

Hi Clint, why not make it flyable? Don't know how old your dad is, I bowl with a lot of people that are in their nineties and they do fine. Wouldn't
it be great to see your dad make a few rounds or fly it for him. I'm sure he would love it. You got eleven days, rebuild from scratch and use some of the parts and it would be the same plane. Being an older dad myself, I would love it if one of my boys would do something like that for me. Sounds like you guys are very close, gives me a good feeling knowing that, take care, good luck, and what a great son to do something like that, Gary

Tom Perry · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2007, 08:54:39 AM »

Clint,

If you PM me your address/phone number I can fix you up with a top flite prop.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2007, 11:18:16 AM »

i THINK THATS A GREAT GOAL I wish I had the oppurtunity to do the same for my dad, all his flying was in the late 40s and 50s,, the only thing from his days was a couple picts, I am trying to find them so that i can replicate a non flier for him as a display. He got me interested in airplanes at a very early age, He used to fly search and rescue for the CAP and his stories are still floating in my head. He helped my build my first balsa plane, a comet taylorcraft, then my first control liner, goldberg 1/2a little toot.. Best of it to you, I hope you pull it off

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2007, 12:06:25 PM »

Quote from: Gary Anderson on June 06, 2007, 08:51:09 AM

Hi Clint, why not make it flyable? Don't know how old your dad is, I bowl with a lot of people that are in their nineties and they do fine. Wouldn't
it be great to see your dad make a few rounds or fly it for him. I'm sure he would love it. You got eleven days, rebuild from scratch and use some of the parts and it would be the same plane. Being an older dad myself, I would love it if one of my boys would do something like that for me. Sounds like you guys are very close, gives me a good feeling knowing that, take care, good luck, and what a great son to do something like that, Gary

Gary, I would love to make it flyable. But I really don't want to tear the plane apart enough to rebuild the controls and make a solid enough nose. I'm trying to preserve a little of my grandfathers craftmenship. Dad is almost 57, and not really interested in flying himself although he loves to talk about his old flying days and still likes to watch. Even though I slapped MonoKote and paint on the plane in my youth, I've never flown it. Maybe by just having it to look at, dad will want to try flying something else. He has always refused when I offer to put him up with one of my models. I think maybe he doesn't want to crash in front of his son.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2007, 12:07:51 PM »

Quote from: Tom Perry on June 06, 2007, 08:54:39 AM

Clint,

If you PM me your address/phone number I can fix you up with a top flite prop.

Thanks a Million, Tom! Sent you a PM

Gary Anderson · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2007, 01:30:13 PM »

Hi Clint, show him some pictures of the old fliers. Most of them is older than dirt (Ha Ha) and they still look good doing it. Ask your dad if he ready to handle a 1/2 A, and challenge him to a match. Tell him you will give him the edge bye flying with the opposite hand. Just kidding, but it would be nice to get him to do a few circles. Have a nice day, Gary

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2007, 03:35:42 PM »

I did get him to attend a contest with me last year. That sort of piqued his interest, so all hope it not lost. The last time I saw him fly was in 1981 when he taught me with a Wizard.

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2007, 07:33:40 PM »

Quote from: Clint Ormosen on June 06, 2007, 03:35:42 PM

I did get him to attend a contest with me last year. That sort of piqued his interest, so all hope it not lost. The last time I saw him fly was in 1981 when he taught me with a Wizard.

Clint, Tell your Dad that he's about my age and he NEEDS to fly!

And remind him that he can't embarass himself in front of you, of all people. When my oldest gets to fly, he kicks my butt all over the field!

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2007, 05:46:12 PM »

Everyone should fly at an advanced age-Trying to soften the blow about old age here-I can still do it at 75. the building a lot tougher because eysite is not too good but cand feel my way thru it. We all need to do something when we get to the Golden years and I cannot think of a better time to give it a shot. Maybe, just maybe your father might try to do this again.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2007, 07:49:36 AM »

Clint have you got your dad out yet? Show him the pictures of the Brodak get together, with the pictures of a couple of youngsters still whipping up on me. Marvin(bigiron) Denny is at least 10 years older than I am. Also Lew Woolard is in his mid 80's. I suppose there are a couple more there that are in their 70's. But, don't push him too hard as he might show you a thing or two. DOC Holliday

Gary Anderson · « **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2007, 11:50:18 AM »

Hi Clint, fill us in, did you get her refinished and where is the pictures? Did you talk your dad into flying it, with the picture of the plane have a picture of dad holding it. Proud of you for your efforts, have a great time and good luck, Gary

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2008, 11:32:23 PM »

Hi guys! Sorry to dig this one out of the archives, but I never did finish the topic.
Yes the Smoothie got done and Dad was thrilled to get it back. Although not a flyable model, it looks pretty good considering what I started with. Since I was over to my folks showing off my Chipmunk to dad, I took a couple of shots of the Smoothie with the old man.

Dwayne · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2008, 06:06:53 AM »

Way to go Clint!

Tom Perry · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2008, 06:09:48 PM »

That old topflite does look good on it Clint.

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2008, 06:30:22 PM »

Quote from: Tom Perry on March 08, 2008, 06:09:48 PM

That old topflite does look good on it Clint.

Thanks again for that prop, Tom. The donations of the prop, wheels, and spinner really helped me recreate the look.

Mike Lauerman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2008, 08:45:32 PM »

Darn you, Clint!!! That's the "old man"? HE'S NOT SO OLD...LOL
Well? You boys say you're the ones in the "Big Valley". We're here too!
(But a little South...Merced area, 6 mikes North.)
One 'old man' to another...he looks just fine with that handsome smoothie!
Hope to fly with you boys sometime!

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2008, 01:56:04 AM »

Come on up anytime Mike!

Author Topic: Father's Day project Revisited (Read 2983 times)

Dwayne