I Have To Stop Buying Airplanes!

[Dick Pacini]

Well, Saturday I received my Pathfinder profile kit.  A few minutes ago, I pulled the trigger on the Pathfinder LE kit.

That will make 5 new kits and 5 engines.  Must stop...must build...must fly...must stop beating AMEX card to death.

Is there a shrink in the house?

[wwwarbird]

 Dick,

 Don't worry, this type of behavior is completely normal. Since June 1st I have started building a new Brodak Zero, bought an old NIB Sterling Corsair off of Ebay along with about a dozen various old model magazines, a NIB ARC "Bi-Slob" from the SSW classifieds, a new Brodak .15 delivered by a friend who attended the contest, two sets of new laser-cut "Challenger" ribs and plans from Walter Umland, ordered and recieved some engine parts and insignia graphics from Tower Hobbies, made three different stops at the "LHS" (which is 100 miles away) and attended two U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" airshows in separate cities. All this while putting in 50 hour work weeks too.

 Oh yeah, tomorrow I have to remember to call Joe at Sam's Stuff and order a fuel tank and some other stuff...

[Chuck Feldman]

Dick you must get it undercontrol!!!!!! Very soon you shop area will look like mine; full of unfinished projects. LOL

[Randy Powell]

Dick,

The only kit I've built in years and years was a Umland Cobra kit a couple of years ago. And yet, I now have 6 kits under the bench. I keep collecting them. I suppose at some point I'll have to build them.

[W.D. Roland]

Perfectly normal Dick.

I myself also need more airplanes  and below is the evidence.


Opps! Never mind I have just been informed that this is not normal.....

[Tom Niebuhr]

David,
I like the low flying #33! Please tell us more.

[Matt Colan]

I have 5 airplanes, ready to fly.  2 I fly in competition, and only one other one is competition worthy.  Yet my parents say I have enough airplanes, yet I have a Cobra under construction, and soon will receive a Trvial Pursuit kit.  That makes a total of 7, plus a P-40 kit that I won here, which I'm considering powering with electric.

Dick your not the only one, trust me.

[john e. holliday]

All you guys are something.  I got rid of a couple of planes in Topeka.  But I just looked at over 30 kits waiting on me.  More than that in planes waiting to fly.  Don't even want to think about how many engines I have stashed away.  Finishing up two more planes with several more that have yet to be put in the air.  Do I need help?

[bob branch]

Dick

I'll be happy to act as your shrink. Just send the AMEX card along with passwords to me and I'll help you right out! 

bob branch

[wwwarbird]

 Sounds like you're right on track Doc!

[Mark Scarborough]

Doc, remember, Kits take a LOT less room than built airplanes, so if your going to collect, then by all means collect kits,,
Oh and you dont have to make excuses for the finishing problems when they are still in the kit box,, 

[Dwayne]

Perfectly normal Dick.

I myself also need more airplanes  and below is the evidence.


Opps! Never mind I have just been informed that this is not normal.....

Hey David what's the open wheel race car?
Thanks

[Bill Little]

Hi Dick,

You are in absolutely no danger, yet.  I am with Doc, I have too many, but not enough!

I let VERY few people into the Fortress of Solitude, and all but a select few get eth memory erase when they get back upstairs....

Hey, Doc, I *might* start counting my engines if I can get them all in one place!

As to kits, I have 5 and about that 3 or 4 *short* kits.  Plus a few sets of laser cut ribs and a half dozen, or so, sets of foam cores, plus 5 lost foam fixtures.  That does not include the stuff my oldest son, Aaron, has here.  He's been married for about 10 years now, but he still builds here (and stores all his stuff here! LOL!!).

Projects underway?  The FCC will not allow me to divulge that information through public means.  It could cause Nation wide panic!

Big Bear

[Bill Little]

Off topic, but I gotta ask!

DAVID!  What is the little open wheel racer?  A Formula Ford?  (I work with a NASCAR/ARCA team whenever I can get there)

Mongo

[Dwayne]

Off topic, but I gotta ask!

DAVID!  What is the little open wheel racer?  A Formula Ford?  (I work with a NASCAR/ARCA team whenever I can get there)

Mongo

I asked the same thing, could also be a Mazda? So Bill who do you wrench for?

[Kim Mortimore]

Ask the wives/girlfriends how many pairs of shoes they own.  Then ask how many they actually wear.   

[Bill Little]

I asked the same thing, could also be a Mazda? So Bill who do you wrench for?

HI Dwayne,

I work for Hylton Motorsports and (until they dropped) for EM Motorsports in Cup (the old #08 team).  James was closely connected to EM/John Carter.

The knees are shot, so until I can get them back in shape, I don't go over the wall anymore.  Well I can do the Catch Can! LOL!!  I usually handle the fuel cans, set up the tires, do fuel mileage, things like that on race day.  (and I don't have a fire suit that fits now!  It's been real hard to find a one piece with a size 60 chest )

It's fun, no real pay, but license is covered plus room/board. (it's also where I picked up the nickname *Mongo*.... long story! LOL!!)

Mongo

[Robert Zambelli]

One of my best friends has a similar problem accumulating engines and kits.
His will all be donated to the Brodak Museum and between just him and me, we'll have over 2000 on display. 
Plus, many other people have offered to loan or donate engines.
We hope to make it the most comprehensive engine display in the world. I think we have just about every American made engine plus many foreign examples. There are probably well over 100 that we can't even identify.
If all goes as planned, there will be more than 500 kits on display. 

Bob Z.

[Mike Scholtes]

To Dave Rowland:

I want to know about the radioactive glowing eyes on the german shepard guarding the shop!

[Bill Little]

To Dave Rowland:

I want to know about the radioactive glowing eyes on the german shepard guarding the shop!

LOL!!!!  That is one HUGE frickin' German Shepard!

Could they actually be the tail lights on a Willys??

Mongo

[John Stiles]

Well, Saturday I received my Pathfinder profile kit.  A few minutes ago, I pulled the trigger on the Pathfinder LE kit.

That will make 5 new kits and 5 engines.  Must stop...must build...must fly...must stop beating AMEX card to death.

Is there a shrink in the house?

First, at least you can admit you have a problem..that's good.....not get into group therapy the first chance you have

[Dick Pacini]

First, at least you can admit you have a problem..that's good.....not get into group therapy the first chance you have

I joined AA (Airplanes Anonymous).  "Hello, my name is Dick and I buy toy airplanes"...

Well, 5 ain't going to cut it.  I see a Vector, UHP Nobler and a T-Rex in my future.  I will need more engines...

[W.D. Roland]

Dick
You need another airplane!
Are there any cute women at the AA meeting?
That alone may led to permission to build more airplanes!

Ask the wives/girlfriends how many pairs of shoes they own.  Then ask how many they actually wear.   

You forgot sweaters!
5 drawers of Sweaters? Where do all the shoes come from? Jewelry wont fly.
So if you buy her a cute little Miata MX5 to transport the above items how many airplane is a man allowed?
Don't know yet but I am trying to find out!

Matt
I am the parent of 3 children and I can tell you with out a doubt YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH AIRPLANES
(It is also well known that I am a bad influence)

Robert
Thanks for the proof that I need more engines!
Thanks man!!!!

Doc
Sounds like you have it under control!

Tom, Bill, Dwayne, Mike, all friends, countrymen, neighbors and dogs,
Off topic we go!
The Shepard is my best buddy, sits in the circle while I fly and laughs at my squares. The X-Ray vision is for helping to sniff out structural failures ahead of time. She needs more practice.

The #33 car is a Van Diemen F2000 allowed in SCCA as FC.
The 4 wheeled thingies are where I have been for the last 25+ years.
Have had alot of fun and even made a little money restoring, repairing and prepping race and sports cars.
Not as much fun now with the modern cars(#33) that need several full time knowledgeable mechanics to keep all systems functioning. Everything is to the minimum in the durability department, drive train bolts that need tightening every session, Parts on the bottom of the car that abrade away, tires that are dead in just a few heat cycles and on and on. Dampers that need rebuilding several times a year.
The older cars( like in avatar) were more fun , less work and $$.($$ I don't have nowadays)

The red and white car is Dad at 74 years old and still fast even though C/L makes him dizzy

My back ground in model airplanes was a big asset in the cars and now the education from cars are being the same for model airplanes.

[Bill Little]

Thanks, David.  Sorry to the other guys that we got off topic!  I used to help two different guys in SCCA many years ago.  

I would DEARLY love to find an old TR-3A.  I had one in 1967 (with a TR-4A engine/tranny) and a fellow here in town used to work for Paddy Hopkirk.  I got some parts like a roll bar, and engine stuff from him.  It sure was fun!  Now they cost too much.  I would take anything, probably even a basket case!

Mongo

[Terrence Durrill]

Dick,

     I started control line flying in 1953.  I had one airplane...a Scientific Little Ace/O.K. Cub .049.  Over the next few years, I accumulated 5 or 6 planes...Ringmaster, Half Fast, Reactor, Pirate, and an original or two.  I never had enough engines and had to swap engines from plane to plane at the field.  Nine or ten years later after service with the Navy and college, I started to build planes again and accumulated 10 or 12, but never had enough engines.  And so it remained until the 1980's when I found a hobby shop going out of business......no engines, but lots of kits on sale at 70% and more off....example Sterling Ringmaster at $6.95 (reg. price $21.95 to $24.95.)  I bought all three.  Yak-9's at $6.95.....I bought all five Yaks.  Goldberg double VooDoo kits......$6.95 or $7.95 each.......I bought 8 double kits.  Also one winder kit for $6 or bucks and a Midwest Magician......don't remember the price but cheap.  Goldberg P-40 stunters......$6 or $7 bucks each...........I bought 3 of 6 on the shelf.  Goldberg Busters........$6 or $7 bucks each.......I bought 4.  NOW I REALLY WAS SHORT ON ENGINES.  THEN CAME THE INDY R/C USED ENGINE SALE WHICH TOOK PLACE BY MAIL EVERY MONTH OR TWO.  Used Fox .35's were sold over the phone from Indy R/C for $5 to $15 dollars each depending on condition.  I ordered 2 to 6 engines each month......mostly Foxes, but I got a few others as well at good prices.   O.K., now I was on the slippery slope.  THEN CAME EBAY.  FROM 2093 UNTIL TODAY, I HAVE PURCHASED MOST OF THE OLD KITS I ALWAYS WANTED, (such Veco Chief, Top Flite Jr. Flite Streaks,  All American Sr., etc.).  I was also able to find some hard to find older engines I knew from my early days...(Torpedo green heads, Foxes, McCoys, Vecos, Max-S stunt, and even a Forster).  I counted the kits a while back ...... exactly 50.  I have never tried to count the engines, but it is well over 100.  LOTS OF KITS...........AND NOW....PLENTY OF ENGINES.  iT IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE, INDEED.  I HAVE JUST TURNED 70 YEARS OF AGE, SO I WILL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I HAVE GONE FROM A SPORT FLIER TO MORE OF A COLLECTOR.  Oh well, I have really enjoyed the ride up to this point. .   ........ TDurrill    

[dennis lipsett]

Dick,
Your just a pup at this collecting stuff. Heck you don't have a thing to worry about at the rate that your collecting stuff you'll never amount to much. Now I have well over 150 kits and about 400+ engines and boxes of supplies, and engine parts reams of plans and absolutely no room for anything more. However that isn't about to slow me down.Look at Bob Z's post about having stuff. Every guy has to have 'stuff' you know. It's the 'stuff 'that gives you warm puppy feelings when your drooling over your acquisitions.
Just think of your purchases as satisfying your inner chiild, yes it's used in therapy, and get on with it. Have fun, lighten up and relax.
if you feel really guilty about it . I'll take the stuff off you and you can worry about what your going to fly. Now that would really be stressful.  :-)
Dennis

[Dick Pacini]

Back when, 35 or so years ago when I left modeling, I was only able to scratch out one plane at a time.  I would buy a new motor when mine was worn out, build a new plane when the old one was junk or ate the blacktop.  It was always a challenge to buy fuel and dope at the same time supporting a wife and 4 kids.  I remember spending part of the mortgage payment for gas money to attend a contest.

I guess I am making up for all those years I was absent in the hobby.  now, in semi-retirement with all the big expenses long gone, I am able to get silly with the plastic and cater to my whims.  I will say that if it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't be in the loop again.  I wake up late at night to take a pee and think, what can I buy tonight on the web?  Oh, I like that. Click.  Done deal.  I own it.

Must...stop...

[john e. holliday]

I guess that is where the good Lord helped me in having a job that paid well.  Just didn't manage the funds right I guess.  Worked nights and weekends in later years of my career.  When they made the offer for me to retire I was not 62 yet.  Looked like a good deal and would have been with the social security if the economy hadn't decided to go bananas.  Can't blame the wife for a mistake I made in finances but, am slowly getting used to it.  Sure glad I stocked up on kits when I could.  Enough of this, back to the Thunderbolt.   

[Terrence Durrill]

DARN, DENNIS..................I THOUGHT I WAS OVERDOING IT!  STILL, I LIKE HAVING SO MANY CHOICES OF PLANES TO BUILD AND POWER PLANTS TO PUT THEM IN THE AIR (even if I never get them all built!). COMPARED TO THE OLD DAYS OF SHORTAGES OF EVERTHING, IT IS STILL THE BEST SITUATION TO BE IN.      

[Randy Powell]

I realized last night that for probably the first time in my building career, I have everything I need in the shop to build and finish whatever I want without having to buy anything (maybe a paint color or glue, but even that is pretty well stocked). It was a weird feeling.

[Bill Little]

I realized last night that for probably the first time in my building career, I have everything I need in the shop to build and finish whatever I want without having to buy anything (maybe a paint color or glue, but even that is pretty well stocked). It was a weird feeling.

Hi Randy,

After reading this, I looked over what I have.  Seems like I am in the same *boat* as well!  Actually more than enough to do what I have underway.  And enough wood, etc., to do SEVERAL planes.  Didn't stop me from buying some more balsa from National, though!    Seems like I never have ENOUGH even if I do.

I think I suffer from what some of the other guys are saying..... I couldn't get much growing up, I never had more than a profile, a *big* plane, and maybe a 1/2A or two at a time, if I was real lucky.  I guess I have been trying to make up for it the past few decades! LOL!!  I have more engines than I could EVER use if I lived to be 200, but engines were always something I couldn't get as a kid.  Never thought of myself as a *Collector*, but it seems I have a *Collection*!   

Anyway, I am I having fun!

Big Bear