As you scroll through these pictures taken by Dane, there is a very nice 1959 Bob Palmer Thunderbird II with my name underneath.
It was built from scratch by Don Hutchinson, using his own hand drawn plans. Don has been unable to attend the VSC for a few years, so I have exhibited some of his planes (Moitle) in the Exhibition Event. I actually entered Don's T-Bird and flew it in Classic this year.
It was trimmed out for Don's flying style and I had some difficulty getting it trimmed to the point where I could be relatively assured to bring it home in one piece. That trimming avoided me completely, then, Bob Whitley joined me on the grass circle one morning and we flew for about two hours, he helping me all the way. Larger handle, closer line spacing, raise this line, lower that one...suddenly, the plane flies GREAT! The motor, which I had deemed uncontrolable, came into its own as Bob simply listened to it carefully and needled it ever so slightly.... it began running, you guessed it... GREAT!
Forty-four ozs, Randolph dope, Magnum 36XL, Phelps prop, 20% nitro Sig 11/11. Talk about a good, no, GREAT VSC, this was it!
So much thanks to Bob Whitley, who, as SoCal Air Traffic boss, bossed me around the LA Basin in days of yore. Again, Thanks.
Next, the VSC banquet comes along with its usual special moments, it always has those, and to my surprise, Mark Gerber calls me to the podium to receive, on Don's behalf, the "Bob Palmer" award for 2018's best Palmer design, presented by Jerry Higgins.
Thanks, Don,
dale g
PS: Huge Thank Youse to Jim Hoffman, Mark Smith, John Callentine, Leroy Black, Lew Wolgast, Gary Gingrich, all Ya'll, for putting on this fantastic show.
Topic: Hot off the press! VSC pics (Read 7766 times)