As most know I grew up in CA and one of my mentors was Bill Noyes. I have just been put back in touch with him and he just sent me this short story I thought I would share for posterity.
Robert, True Stories....
The first model Airplane was a Firebaby, metal prop and all....Late 40's?
.. bought at Reginald Denny's in Hollywood.
Next was a Berkley Pitts Special kit. Turned out nice until I crashed on
first flight. O&R .23.
Mind you I had no one to help me, teach me to build or fly. BUT....I had a
U-Reely Control handle. ;>)
Next was Jr. High. 13.14 years old. My first and best attempt at real
construction. A Barnstormer. I think it was Gillows. Some minor problems
with the plans and construction, but I built as the plans showed, except
I ran the leadouts through the left wing. My dad took me up to the school
ground to fly it I fired up the old O&R and off she go's. PROBLEM... The
plane chased me all over the asphalt. Lucky me, I had not put in much
fuel and I managed to save the plane. My dad was laughing. I was scared.
I got home to try to figure out WHY this happened, I believed I did
everything right.
OF COURSE, I needed more weight in the outboard wing tip. Simple! Add a
couple of more nickels there. That's fix it,
Did it? Why? or why not?
Solved.. Next time I took my Barnstormer on my bike to Griffith Park
field. I did not know them then, but there was Tony and Addie flying on
one of the circles. My guess it was 1951- 1952? We, my buddy and I took
an empty circle. made a couple flights then ran out of fuel. Addie said
she would give me a tankful but it was for 1/2 A. I said OK. Boy, that
plane never ran so well, but it started to slow down until it landed, yet
the motor was still running. and the cyl head was still popping up and
down.
Why? How could this be?
Solved..
Next week I crashed my Barnstormer,,, I had pictures of this and more from
my very early years but I seem to have lost them. A real shame too.
Report cards etc from grammar school through High School. In high School I
did not build any planes. I studied music, played the String Bass and
piano had lessons at the LA Conservatory and played also with cars and
girls. I only went to Hi School half days and had a job the rest of the
days and sometimes nights.
One fellow I'm met at the 1st Old time stunt at the Narrows was from
Oklahoma. We struck a great friendship there and Met again while at a
contest I was invited to in Dallas/FW I can't believe I forgot his name
also. I think he worked for American Airlines. A really nice man. I had a
friend take the "Mars" plane, autographed by Palmer himself to a Buckeye
AZ meet to give to him.
Botta go... if I think of anything funny I'll send to you.
I was probably 20-25 years old, married. two baby girls and still in the
reserves and living in La Puente not downtown L.A. before getting back
to Models. I was mostly into cars/ hot rods, street racing.
Another fellow flyer I forgot his name also in the 60-70s used to fly .15
stunters . Not the most popular fellow but we got along OK. Randy may
remember him . He Left Calif and moved to I think, Georgia. His father
was a patent Attorney I understood, and Bob ? had a patent on the type
of handle I made and sold. I sent him one and he allowed me to go with my
improved ones.
You will notice I did not compete for very long. I could not afford the
time or money to do so plus other reasons and I turned to mostly Profiles.
Th-Th-Thats all Folks
Bill.........................
Topic: A letter from a old friend (Read 1479 times)