Nostalgia Combat Sept. 24th, 2017

[Tom Luciano]

It's not too late to get that new Voodoo, Combat Cat, etc. built for this years event at the GSCB field!

I'm finishing up trim on my 1960 Scarinzi designed "Hatchet" I had a yard of pink esaki silk laying around.....

Anybody working on anything new?

Tom

[Frank Imbriaco]

 Tom:
LOOKS KOOOL...
Time to get 'em out and fire 'em up for some practice.

[john e. holliday]

Looks great.  Wasn't so far I would bring my fleet.   Finally getting engine broke in on the Equalizer.

[Andre Ming]

Looks like I'm going to be a no-show again this year. Rats. 

I hope you guys have a great turn-out, have a ton of fun... and take LOTS of pics n' vids for us that can't make it.

I haven't even flown or fired up an engine since the 'Dobbers Combat Legends Reunion last October.  Shame on me.

[Tom Luciano]

Andre,
  We still owe you a Jimmy Buff Dog! You got to get back out here.

Doc,
I'm still working on winning that lottery ticket!
 
Frank,
  Maybe we need to plan a warm up at the GSCB field. Since we are grounded at our place for another 2 weeks!

Hatchet-  I'm torn between putting my small case Johnson in it or my Johnson Combat Special. Larrys original had the small case.
 I also want to thank Barry Baxter for helping out with a set of plans.

Tom

[Al Ferraro]

     I got a 1961 vintage Johnson CS that I put on a Voodoo for this Sunday. I want to see how it will go on some extra vitamin N  , lets see if I can get it over 100mph. Bring your stopwatch.
Al

[jfv]

Working on a new Double Diamond.  First couple coats of clear on but the silk is not cooperating.  Hoping another 6 or 7 coats will clear it up.

[Frank Imbriaco]

Hats off to Jim and Tom- prolific builders !  The forecast is looking great. 80 degrees and sunny. Rang up LS hisself and told him to have Ginger put 9/24 on his Dick Tracy watch.
Frank

[Tom Luciano]

Guys, Check out my you tube channel with flights from years past. Look up the TBone1260. Here's a couple of favorites of mine. Hope to see everyone out at the field this Sunday! It is the highlight of the year!  Bring your planes and your cameras....See you Sunday!!!

[C.T. Schaefer]

Can't wait. Hope we get to fly every one of them...... and use up all of our nitro   TS

[Frank Imbriaco]

Thanks, Tom L. for rekindling  old memories.
A whole lot of new ones just ahead.

[tom hampshire]

Memories?  You guys have memories?  I rely on BS.    Will have a new combat streak.  C ya Sunday.

[john e. holliday]

If it wasn't so far.  But I'm looking forward to the Okie get together next month.

[Andre Ming]

You East Coast Crazies are gonna' have SOOO much fun! 

Hoping to make it back up there in 2018. If all goes according to The Plan, I'll be retired come June 2018... so I can have some time to build some airplanes for it! Andre Mingliano needs to get back up there and hob-nob with his East Coast buds in the worst way.

[Frank Imbriaco]

Yo Andre :
Glad to hear that 2018 is a possibility !
Frank

[Andre Ming]

Frank:

Sharon is up for a trip back to New Joisey to have some great visits and laughs with the East Coast Crazies, too! (Of course the great food is a plus, too!)

As mentioned, I should be retiring next June, and having the time to actually sit, relax, and build some planes for the GSCB's Nostalgia Combat Meet sounds so appealing at this point. Why, last year I had a 16' x 20' out-building constructed for my hobbies... and I've not had time to get my hobby stuff moved in, set up a work bench, and all that jazz.

Attached are some pics of my "Hobby Shack". That's a wall mounted HVAC system that has a heat pump (and electric coil "emergency heat) as well as an AC.

[Dane Martin]

So not this time for me, but in the very near future. Next year sounds like a strong possibility. We'll do the James Mears memorial combat bash and then Nostalgia combat next year. Should be enough time in between.
So..... Would the Blackhawk models Apocalypse count as nostalgia combat? It was introduced in '76. It's definitely older than I !

[tom hampshire]

Dane you are most welcome to come on out.  We have no roolz other than that we require that every entrant enjoy to the max.

[Dane Martin]

10-4, will comply.
So that's a pretty reasonable distance away. I might have to ship a plane or two and me and the wife fly. I doubt she'll want to drive that far with me! Las Vegas to parts of Texas seems to be about her limit. I've been wanting to come out. I'm thinking next year is the year!

[Frank Imbriaco]

Great news from Dane and Andre ! Andre, you really gonna build in that nice building ?  From appearance, it almost seems too nice for balsa dust and chips. Way to go.

I spoke with Larry "LS hisself " Scarinzi this morning. He's readying the fleet for Sunday. Anyone reading this within a half day's drive should come on out . Larry's original designed and published combat aircraft are works of art with dyed surfaces, fantastic silk jobs , detailed paint , striping and lettering   and less I forget, ultra performing Fox engines.
Individually, they  each display the evolution of combat aircraft and history of a bygone era- the 50s and 60s designs(coast to coast) were arguably the  most beautiful combat ships ever , IMO.
Frank

[Dane Martin]

Andre, maybe I'll just mail you a kit and come visit with you a day or two early. Borrow your building room and throw something together !!!

[john e. holliday]

Let Andre build it for you.  I've seen his work.

[peabody]

Good News! It might warm up some Sunday!
Have fun!

[Andre Ming]

I'm tellin' ya... you guys are gonna' have SO much fun... and I can't be there! 

Frank:  Amazing what a broom and dustpan can accomplish! I'm going to be very busy for the next several weekends, but I'm hoping to start moving building supplies and stuff out to my new building as autumn progresses so I can have all in place for winter. Below is a pic looking out the window where my work bench will be sitting. Looking forward to sitting there watching it snow... toasty warm and working on a combat plane!

All fer now!

[Andre Ming]

Oh yes... one more parting shot before you all load up and get ready to take off for the GSCB field:

Like I said above... PICS... lots of PICS and VIDEOS.

Us fellow VCC's (Vintage Combat Crazies) will vicariously enjoy the GSCB's 2017 NCE (Nostalgia Combat Event) through your pics n' vids!!

(You guys are gonna' have SO much fun!)

[Andre Ming]

So it's about 7:30 AM or so at the GSCB field. I suspect the Crazies are wearing hoodies or sweat shirts. The morning air is crisp as they're unloading their latest masterpieces and prepping for a day of BS and vintage combat plane flyin'.  Larry is probably running a bit late... but there'll be a squadron of original (and very historic) vintage combat planes lining his area soon. They're gonna' have so much fun!

Darn.  And here I sit looking at a busy morning of non-vintage combat commitments. My commitments are good things for sure... but part of me will be up in Whippany as I go about my duties here in the Sunbelt.

Have fun guys!!

[john e. holliday]

Well Andre the old DOC is sitting here wishing he could have made the Tulsa Stunt fest.  Hope nothing changes plans for the combat get together.   Also hope I got engine run problems cured on the Guilletine and Equalizer.  Jimj Lee doesn't think Fox 35 Stunt is enough on the Manx Cat which I plan on using 52 foot lines.

[Al Ferraro]

Great weather today.
Al

[Andre Ming]

Al:

Can't wait to hear all the stories and who won the "Fastest" award this year! 

Wow... that "Purple Brew" gallon can brings back SO many great memories from my youthful years and my Fox years!  I had one left over empty MM can from "back then"... but made the mistake of storing it up in the attic. Years ago, the cold of winter (I guess) caused it to implode. 

I would purchase another in a heartbeat if I could find one in excellent shape and reuse it for any vintage combat get-together's I have the privilege to attend in the future.

[kenneth cook]

            The B-17 flying over the field was indeed the coolest. Hearing those engines just prior to clearing the trees absolutely had some heads turning. Ken

[Tom Luciano]

The B-17 Flyover was spectacular. He was flying what seemed to be just over the trees on his first flyover. I happened to be in the air on that first flyover and did everything I could to not just watch and fly my plane into the ground. I was lucky to be only flying my stunt speed combat streak as a warm up.
  It was a great day but very hot and muggy. More like mid July in the northeast. The speeds obtained were just a hair under what the nj crazies are known for. The day was low key with the speed runs starting later in the day. We had a really cool match with a pair of Midwest Hornets! Al and Roy mixed it up for a bit but Roy got Al's streamer wrapped around his prop. I'm downloading 6+ hours of video while I'm typing this. I'll try to get that match up by days end.

I hope someone took pictures!

Tom

[Tom Luciano]

 Hornets make interesting take offs!

[C.T. Schaefer]

TL forgot to mention that his SS took the top speed award this year! It was a close battle between 5 contenders. All were within a couple of MPH. All were Fox/LS/Gardner powered. One SS, two Double Diamonds, one Voodoo and one Scrambler. No one topped 120 this year. We are blaming 'bad air'. Tom's speed was a tick over 118. LS himself presented the award. There were pictures taken.
   The whole day was spectacular, if perhaps a bit warm, but we had one dark and sobering moment. My own Voodoo was blasting around at about 117 when I felt a sudden double jerk when the plane pulled free from the lines. It buried itself about 50 feet outside the circle to an empty space. Although the plane is destroyed and my best motor filled with dirt I am giving thanks that the plane did not go through the peanut gallery!! The lines were in good shape and had been pull tested at previous events for 3 years or so. It looks like they pulled free of the wrapping at the handle end. It is easy to get casual but this was a reminder to always inspect and pull test.
   Can't wait for the movies!!    TS

[jfv]

Here's Tom accepting his Scarinzi Speed Challenge award.

[jfv]

Here's a pic of the B17 flyover.  Quite the sight and sound.

[Frank Imbriaco]

Here's Tom accepting his Scarinzi Speed Challenge award.

Well deserved.

[kenneth cook]

           Here's 2 more shots of the B-17

[Andre Ming]

A B-17 flyover??

Wow... I figured it would be another epic event... but not "B-17" EPIC! How did you pull it off getting a B-17 to buzz the field?? 

Was pizza served for lunch again this year? (The "carry-out" pizza up your way is better than our "dine in" pizza places!) Did you guys all go somewhere and eat after it was over on Sunday? Was Tom Hampsha bragging about Jimmy's body in his toolbox again this year??

Good to see Larry is still kickin'.  I sure like that old rascal.

Say... speaking of 2018: Wife and I are pretty much talking like it will be done deal. Wondering: Any of you want to get together at the GSCB field on Saturday for some flying?  Seeing as I'm talking another 1300 mile trip up your way... I would like to cram in all the vintage combat craziness I can! 

Also: Getting ready to start moving stuff into my "Hobby Shack" and I intend to start building a plane or two for the 2018 event as soon as the weather turns off too nasty for my other outdoor activities I'm interested in.

All fer now.

[Tom Luciano]

Andre,
  No doubt we'll get together for a primer and a Italian Hot Dog on Saturday. This year was a little different than most for me at least. I was dusting my planes off at the field. I had not turned a lap under 5 seconds in a year and I was very nervous with my first flight. I chose my Blitz for the first flight and thank goodness it worked out. The plane is very predictable with a good turn and one of my dads old reiiable x's on it. Still runs strong for almost no compression! Think I blew the plug!

[Andre Ming]

Tom:

Your Blitz flight...

Lookin' good to me! You were whipping it around like a boss! Appears to me it can turn pretty good when you want it to. I just might need to think about building a Blitz, too.   

Saturday Early Bird Fun Fly...

Super! At least it will be you and me!   

I'll bet more of the East Coast Crazies will come on out and join us as the time nears. And ABSOLUTELY on actually getting an Italian Hot Dog this go around!

Looks like that cool front that was supposed to put our temps in the low 70's by this Satuday is fizzling out. Already upped the Saturday temps into the mid-80's.    I don't like to ride my dual sport motorcycle off road when it's into the 80's and humid... so I'm likely going to scuttle my planned "First Ride" of this Autumn season that was hoped for this Saturday. Instead, I'm gonna' start moving stuff into my out-building in preparation for being able to build some planes out there!

All fer this 'un!

[Dane Martin]

Andre,
  No doubt we'll get together for a primer and a Italian Hot Dog on Saturday. This year was a little different than most for me at least. I was dusting my planes off at the field. I had not turned a lap under 5 seconds in a year and I was very nervous with my first flight. I chose my Blitz for the first flight and thank goodness it worked out. The plane is very predictable with a good turn and one of my dads old reiiable x's on it. Still runs strong for almost no compression! Think I blew the plug!

My stars! Very nice flight on a well trimmed out lookin machine!

[wwwarbird]

           Here's 2 more shots of the B-17

 Looks like EAA's "Aluminum Overcast", where was this contest at?

[Frank Imbriaco]

Looks like EAA's "Aluminum Overcast", where was this contest at?

 GSCB Event held in Lincoln Park, NJ .

The B-17 from the EAA event that was right next door at the Caldwell Airport

[Tom Luciano]

Jim V with his beautiful 36x powered  I-Beam Lancer!

[Tom Luciano]

Next year I need to take a picture of the plane and pilot prior to the flight. This ensures I don't get the plane wrong and viewers can see the ship.
Tom L

[Fredvon4]

Note for Dane Martin above ref his Nostalgia thoughts on the Apocalypse

Larry Rice -Black Hawk models- kitted the Dick Mathis, early 70s Slow Combat, Mongoose and then added the Apocalypse to the line up---- so two guys could have similar but different planes to chase streamers with

For me, a '55 born kid, who played with balsa combat planes in the late 60s early 70s a Mongoose is MY nostalgia plane... My local down the hill (Oakland CA) pharmacy/ Five n Dime/ TV Tube/ soda fountain/ shoe store ----had a close out deal around 1973.5..... Mongoose kits were $5.95...if you bought 8 you got a free Enya 5224 .35 engine

I actually managed to ship, in house hold goods, all around the world on Army assignments; one built Mongoose for 19 years before the packers finally crushed it beyond repair

In 2012 when I returned to balsa models...e-bay original Mongoose kit got bid to way too mucho $$$...but not by me ( too cheap skate)
Imagine my joy when I finally found BK models and they actually had a (close) replica of the Mongoose....went nuts scarfing them up

I have several BK Mongoose kits, so if you want one to hanger next to your Apocalypse let me know

[Al Ferraro]

 For all you Johnson CS 35 lovers. 40% Nitro APC 8x8 prop on the Voodoo in the photo went 96 mph running on the rich side. It would have hit 100 mph if I  squeezed the needle in some more but I had to many other planes and engines to run. Nelson 36 combat, Fox 36 Mk Vll, Fox 36xBB, Fox 36xNB, McCoy 35 Lightning bolt, all out of my stable. Other engines people ran Torpedo 35, OS 35, Rossi .15, Cyclon 050, Super Tigre 35G 21 Combat, Super Tigre 35PB, McCoy 35 RedHead Fox 36x BB, Fox 36NB, Fox 36PB  plus a few more. I would estimate everyone lost about 5mph from heat wave we had.
Al

[Tom Luciano]

Okay, here is Al with the aforementioned VooDoo!

[Ken Burdick]

nice one!

[john e. holliday]

Would not call that a legit speed with him walking backwards.    Really pull hand into center of chest and pivot on left foot.