I've thought this over, asked questions, investigated supplies/etc, re-evaluated where I'm at with C/L, as well as what C/L has meant to me historically, and I have come to a conclusion:
Though I have traditionally been off/on with C/L over the near 6 decades I've been involved with it, and though it will lie dormant for years, it seems C/L always comes back. After all, I received my first C/L airplane in 1958 or 1959. There's just too much history and enjoyment I've had with over the decades to just summarily decide I'm done and that's it. (That didn't work!)
The above decided...
I have already begun replenishing my supplies. In fact, the other night I purchased a new (to me) Top Flite Monocote iron w/sock. (To replace my nearly 50 year old one.) In addition, other needed items are being purchase. (Shucks, I'm even thinking about what vintage combat plane I want to build once I'm back into building planes!)
Concurrent with the above, I have also discovered that my Demon I built in 2000 is still quite structurally sound, so I cleaned up an excellent X engine I had on hand and installed it. (See pics.) Yes, it has a restrictor in it. No, I will not try to fly my Demon first!
One of the biggest things to happen that will be a tremendous time help,is that a friend I've known through the Tulsa Gluedodders and Stunthanger, "Doc" Holliday, is giving me a Flite Streak with a McCoy 35 Red Head on it, as well as a Combat Streak with a McCoy 35 Red Head on it!. I'm leaving early tomorrow morning (Tuesday) to make the trek to Shawnee, KS to take delivery. I intend to use the Flite Streak to get myself back into the air. (Baby steps. After all, it's been 7 or so years since my last time to fly.) I will also use these McCoy Red Head powered airplanes to get the daughter back into the air, and possibly use it to teach her boyfriend to fly. This very generous gifting by "Doc" will save me TONS of time in my re-start and it is highly appreciated.
The future? Who knows? However THIS much is certain: The next time C/L goes dormant on me, I will NOT be tossing stuff or giving it away! My desire to fly some C/L line always comes back!
The Pics...
Pic 1:
A skinny me during my personal Endless Summer (1970, barely 18 years old) at the Fort Smith flying field (at that time) wherein I learned to build airplanes and to become a proficient flyer. In this pic I'm standing beside mentor Bill James' Mercedes in his driveway holding what I think is my first kit-built Demon. I think this airplane was also my first time to use silk. Never mind that I didn't get my paint trim angles symmetrical! I was proud as punch about this Demon! Shame it didn't last very long! (Learning stunts at combat speeds is tough... but I wasn't known for smarts.)
Pic 2:
Pic taken this past Saturday. The engine's been loosened up and gone over (feels excellent), a restrictor is in the venturi, the airplane's structure is sound, tail booms still firmly in place, motor mount as solid as can be. The airplane's structure gives all indications of being airworthy, so I intend to use it to help me start getting back up to open venturi speeds.
Pic 3:
Did you look closely at the engine? That's NOT a 36X. It's a 35X. I built this engine several years ago using parts I had on hand. This engine started its life as a forlorn leftover and unused case that was out in the "Bone Yard" at Fox Mfg. I found it while while rummaging through the old obsolete and forgotten piles of stuff that languished in the Bone Yard during my employment years at Fox! It resided in my "Goodie Cabinet" for decades until a few years ago. By the way, when I first hired out at Fox Mfg as a young man (barely 18 years old), Duke sat me down and told me I could have all the engines, fuel, whatever was manufactured at Fox, that I wanted, as long as it was for my personal use and I did NOT give any of it away or resell it. (Essentially he gave me the run of the factory!!) I have held true to his terms to this day and I STILL have all the engines, parts (and what have you), that I received while at Fox Mfg. (Of course, the fuel the factory furnished got run through the exhausts of my X engines and 35 Stunts!) Anyway, this engine is lap fitted/etc. It has excellent compression, both cold and hot, and its starting characteristics on the test stand are superb. Once I fly the Flite Streak to the point I'm comfortable and ready to tackle some more speed, the first flight of the Demon will be this engine's first time in the air. Eventually, I hope to remove the restrictor and tear up the sky again. As you can tell, I'm starting to get pretty revved up about flying again. That's a good thing, no?
Oh, and about that "35X":
I would be remiss to not point out that internally that is a 36X. The case is the only thing that's a true 35X. The fact of the matter is that there weren't any 35X cranks to be had during those years I was at Fox Mfg. So, it has a 36X crank therein. When I built this engine within the past 10 years, I polished the crank before installation, but the timing, and all parts, are stock. (Only fitted.) In fact, I don't think I have any of my old modified engines still intact. I think all of them have been rebuilt with stock parts. My goal for my X engines is now longevity. In fact, that is now the goal with all of my engines. Out and out speed is no longer important to me.
Just one more thing... (sounding like "Columbo" there!)... I DO have a NIB honest-to-God Fox 35X, but I seriously doubt I will ever mount it on an airplane, or even clamp it to the test stand for a run. Sort of feel it's important to keep it NIB with no user added marks of any type. However... I may cave in!
All fer now!
Andre
Topic: FWIW: I'm Officially "Back" (Read 965 times)