My 99 plane carrying van looks new again

[Jim Kraft]

A week ago monday, my wife and I went flying for the first time in a long time, as the weather here has not been very good. Well, I had a great time flying and stayed at the field until almost dark. About 7 miles from home on interstate 70, we hit a deer. Wiped out the grill, bumper, hood, and both right doors. Took it to the body shop on tuesday, and got it back yesterday. They did a fantastic job. They even polished the whole thing, and cleaned the inside. No rock pits in the front end anymore.

I was afraid they were going to total it, but the body shop guy said he could get it under the total amount by using used parts. So; I have a new looking van for the $100 deductable. Best of all, I have my plane carrying van back in service. Now if the weather would just cooperate, I could go fly. It has been blowing around 35 to 40 here, and looks like the same today. Maybe I will just load up a couple of planes and drive around for a while. Just have to get home before dark. LOL

[Bill Heher]

Now you have to be careful- nothing attracts deer and cars failing to yield like a new paint job!!

Hope you get many more trips to the flying field out of it!

[Bill Hodges]

Now you have to be careful- nothing attracts deer and cars failing to yield like a new paint job!!

Bill, you live in Florida.  Surely you didn't forget about Love Bugs.

Bill Hodges

[Jim Kraft]

Oh yeah; I have heard about the love bugs down there, from the motorcycle guys. They say you need to wear armor. LOL

[john e. holliday]

Jim, I am sure glad it was only the van that got hurt.  Several years ago a lady was killed instantly here in KC area when deer came thru the windshield at highway speeds.  Amazing how many deer are within the city limits.

[Jim Kraft]

Yeah Doc; We were blessed with a small doe that we hit in the right front end. We had just seen a dead buck about a half mile before this one, so I had slowed down to about 60. Still pretty much bounced the van around. I was glad there was no one close behind me. It was still driveable, just no headlight on that side. After dark, you just cannot see them until they are unavoidable. It was probably 20' in front of me when I saw it, and hit the brakes. This was my second encounter of the deer kind, as I got hit in the side of my car 35 years ago with a deer on the way to a model airplane contest. Maybe models riding in vehicles draw deer.