Mystery model, my newest project

[John Miller]

I folks, here's a quick view of my latest project. I'm really liking the appearace of this design. Some of you will recognise it, and know who the designer is.

I know that it is NOS 30 eligble. Might be Classic legal as well. I'm checking with the designer for the date he created it.

[Tom Niebuhr]

John,
I don't recognize the airplane, but it looks like a natural for electric and retracts.

[Tim Wescott]

Whatever else it is, it looks neat.

[Trostle]

I know what it is.  It is a profile and the publish date was Jan 73.  The designer wrote about flying it for the first time on "August 12" but does not give a year.  That could well have been August 72 or even August 71.  Good luck on your quest to determine if this is Classic legal.

Tim mentioned retracts.  The original had a tricycle gear.  It would be interesting to see a retracting nose wheel on a profile nose.

Nice looking profile.

[Dick Pacini]

August 1972.

[Jay]

The plane looks like the Spirit of Saginaw. 

[John Miller]

You guys are right. It's Dick Pacini's "Spirit of Saginaw". Thanks Dick, for the clarification on the date. If that's the date it was designed, then it's NOS 30 legal, but not Classic legal.  It would have to be designed before 1970 to make Classic status. Nice looking design, with it's throwback to the F14 Tom Cat like looks in profile.

Kieth is correct that it is a Trike Geared Profile design. A full bodied version would indeed look good with E-Power, and retracts. Perhaps down line, Dick might pick up the challenge.

As I go along with the project, I'll try to make additional postings, showing it as it progresses.

Thanks for your interest.

[Dennis Adamisin]

GREAT project!

[Dick Pacini]

I started fooling with the design in late 1971.  Again, it was influenced by Jack Sheeks' Magister which was published in August of 1971, and the swept wing he had designed for me when I moved from Indy in 1968. It was my third attempt at designing something that actually flew.  I took the skeleton to the 1972 NATS and showed it to Don McGovern, who was with Flying Models Magazine.  Jack introduced us and Don told me to submit plans, pictures and an article when it was done.  I beat feet and finished it in time to fly in an August contest.  It placed 2nd and I recall it took more trophies in a few weeks.  It made the January 1973 issue of Flying Models Magazine.  I had great success with it the following season, although I was probably getting better as time went on.  I designed and built a full fuse airplane borrowing features from that one and named it the Free Spirit.  It placed 18th in the '73 NATS.

BTW, the profile in question was actually the Spirit of Saginaw III.

[wwwarbird]

 Neat looking plane John, nice choice.

 Doe's this mean you're back to building again???

[John Miller]

Neat looking plane John, nice choice.

 Doe's this mean you're back to building again???

It is a nice looking plane. I think Dick did a great job with it. He won a lot of trophies flying it in competition back in the day. It makes me believe that it has very good flying qualities.

No, I'm not yet able to do the fine motor skills necessary to build a decent competition ship. The damage to my hands was enough that I'll be spending a lot of time in therapy. The good news is that every week, when I go to see the therapist, there's good measurable progress. I've hopes that I'll be able to fly again eventually, and be able to build my planes again.

What I am able to do is use the computer to draw the planes. I can't yet type as fast as before ,I am forced to "hunt and peck", but at least I'm becoming functional in these skills. A good friend brought over a program called "Dragon Speak", which I'll install soon, so I can work a bit faster.

[Tom Niebuhr]

John,
It is good to hear about your improvements. Enjoyed our talks last year at VSC, hope to be able to do it again soon.

When I mentioned retracts, I did not realize that it was a profile airplane.  But with a full fuselage that would be neat..    Dick?

[wwwarbird]

 Great to have you back on board John, keep on truckin'.

[Dick Pacini]

When I mentioned retracts, I did not realize that it was a profile airplane.  But with a full fuselage that would be neat..    Dick?

Already done in 1973.

[Randy Powell]

And I built on in 1973 powered with an Enya 35. It's a cool plane on a lot of levels.

[wmiii]

John, Dragon works reallly well.  I have Ver.12, it was developed for medical transcribers. I t takes a little time to train , but is worth it.

 Walter

[Mike Keville]

Just glad to see you back among us, John.  Take it slow, but take it seriously.  Looking forward to one of those crushing hugs (well, maybe not) at VSC-25.

mk

[John Miller]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I'm so blessed with model aviation, for the help and support so freely given over this past year especially. I am happy that it appears I can still enjoy some  aspects of our activities.  I hope to be able to fly in competition again, but only time and healing will tell. Until then though, I can spectate, and visit with friends.

Thanks for the report on Dragon, it has inspired me to install, and begin training on it.

I'm plannng on being at VSC. so get prepared for a "Bro Hug".

The Spirit of Saginaw 3 is coming along nicely. All the ribs are lofted, and the basic top view of the wing has been generated. I'll be posting a PDF later today, so you can see more o fthis nice NOS 30 legal profile.

[Mike Keville]

. . . I'm plannng on being at VSC. so get prepared for a "Bro Hug".

Lookin' forward to it, Big John....though I'm not sure my skinny little ribs are!