RANDY POWELL...DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

[Shultzie]

Yesterday at the Tacoma Narrow Airport...
We had a chance to see Randy's beautiful new stunt model up close and personal.

CONGRATULATIONS RANDLE-DANDLE!!!
! This great looking new CLPA models appears to fly as well as it looks!
 
Randy has shared with us over the past months...just how much of a HARD LUCK this has been in the making. First being been constantly attacked and plaqued with everything from  from a dying fruit-bat in its last dying  squiggles as it flipped and flopped trying  to free and unstick itself off that beautiful freshly clear coat finish...and later to finally be   plagued with everything from those usual little hanger dingies'dust...followed up with a nasty spluttering spitting spray gun bugga-boos.

After seeing your model fly yesterday...it appears that this model that proved to be born unto you with a very laborsome birth so now one of the most elegant models I have even seen.
THOWIN ROSES...ELL YES!  

I have seen many many many beautiful stunt models over the years.....but I gotta say that Randy's new CLPA BATMOBILE BEAUTY (after all is SAD-SAID N' BAT DUNG DONE) is an AMAZING EXAMPLE OF DESIGN,BUILT,CRAFTMANSHIP EXCELLENCE that has to been seen to be fully appreciated.
Late as usual...with nothing to fly but an old Minolta X-700 film camera....Randy's new model sitting there on the Tarmac under that RARE UNUSUAL BRIGHT SUNNY SKY was a TREAT TO BEHOLD!
The best part...this model seems to fly the pattern as beautifully as it looks. It flys crisp-tight corners...that great running piped engine pulls that light weight big 640ish wing with power to spare...etc etc etc!!!
Just as Randy was putting away this model back into the truck...I can't believe what I heard his these words.
"I THINK I WILL STRIP THE FINISH OFF AND "REPAINT THIS MODEL!"
Those words keep goin' round in my head ever since?
Randy...You are not reeeeeeeeeaaaallly serious about refinishing that beauty?
Trust this!!

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!
(pictures to follow after film process to follow)

[john e. holliday]

Thanks Schultzie,  after all those kind words for Randy's plane how can I expect him to give/donate it to the old DOC Holliday?   Anyway I wish I could have been there to see it fly.  A little far for me to travel.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Randy Powell]

I may give/donate it to Shultzie.

It flies OK. Still doing some trimming, but it's coming around.

Hey Shultzinator, you should have been there today to see the new Ringmonster fly. All I can say is, WOW!   

[Shultzie]

I may give/donate it to Shultzie.

It flies OK. Still doing some trimming, but it's coming around.

Hey Shultzinator, you should have been there today to see the new Ringmonster fly. All I can say is, WOW!   

Randy.... Donating it to me would serve little purpose EXCEPT:

It is such as AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL MODEL....IT DESERVES TO BE DEEMED A PIECE OF RARE COLLECTOR ART  (WHICH IT IS) AND NEEDS TO BE FRAMED AND MOUNTED FRONT AND CENTER IN MY  "MAN CAVE" AND LIGHTED WITH A SPOTLIGHT!

(how is that for shame-graaaalin'  ?

[Larry Cunningham]

As typical, Randy's creation is art as well as a model airplane. Just gorgeous; I've never cared for
the jet styled stunters, but this one changes my mind.

Wonderful work.

L.

"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand" -Steven Wright

[Randy Powell]

As I told Donnie, the idea was pretty cool, but the execution needed work. A lot of work. The plane really flies pretty well so I think it would be worthwhile to think about stripping it down and refinishing. I doubt I'd use a stripper like I did the Cobra. More likely would be get out the 320 W/D and a tub of water and Dawn mix and start sanding. I mean really, the thing weighed 37oz ready to fly with engine, tank, prop, ext prior to finishing. The final weight, ready to fly is 60oz. That's 23oz of paint, folks. 23 OUNCES!!! Ye, Gads. I wouldn't mind so much if it was a spectacular finish that shined like the sun.

If I do decide to refinish it, I would probably keep the same basic paint scheme. With one change that occurred to me as I looked at it on the tarmac. The thing really needs a bit of white.

[Shultzie]

RandleDandle!!!
Not only is that model a beautifully designed and beautifully crafted stunt model with an exceptionally beautifully  laid out paint scheme but it also appears from lookin in from the outside of the circle...THIS MODEL FLIES AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS.

 I am forever blown away at your talent for habitually coming up with so many paint schemes that always compliment, enhance and follow the artistically scupltured wing and body lines of your stunt models.

THAT IS A RARE  GIFT, INDEED!

I guess EVEN THE MERE THOUGHT AND IMAGE  of you taking wet-dry sandpaper and then... suddenly erasing all that artwork was just too much for me to take into my head at once.
One thing the pondaaa'...
Randy, remembering that beautiful model is a pretty large sized model,  with a lot of sq. inches of  wing.
Actually your model didn't really feel overweight....and I agree with you, that your new model is an EXCEPTIONAL flying model AS IS!

RANDY! You amaze me...when it comes to the WILL AND PASSION DEPARTMENT! !!!
Will the refinishing effort to save that weight....JUSTIFY the time and effort in refinishing?

Sorry for the  again...however!!!  Truly something to think about?
I am dropping the film off this morn. at my local Targetto...will post the photos later this afternoon.

 

[Randy Powell]

Donnie,

Thanks for the compliments. I'll pay you later.   

I suppose it isn't too bad. I mean, it's 640 square inches and weighs less than Ted's Trivial Pursuit.   

It's just the embarrassment of putting on that much paint despite doing it to cover up calamities.

[Mark Scarborough]

Randy,, you really dont have the time to refinish that one,, you have other things to work on,, and since its so emberasing to you,, I have a spot on my wall now that I am flying the Freelancer,, 

[Randy Powell]

As is often the case, it looks better in the picture than in person. Sure was a nice day, though.

[Shultzie]

Yes...A great day...and Yes! That was a great model on that great day!
I gotta get outta here and go to Targetto and fetch what is left of those photos after their MAKE-OVER! 

[Shultzie]

Just got back from Targetto....
Picture quality is even worse....although they have gotten rid of the funny little shadoweee' lines on the prints. It would seem that all Targetto did to try and improv the photos...was just to print them darker which does seem to hide the botch job.
HEY! AT LEAST THEY GAVE ME A COUPON FOR $3.00 OFF ON MY NEXT PROCESSING ORDER?
Much has changed...(in the old daze-days....Leo and I would not only give free processing on the next order but also replace the customers film.) Must be a new day in customer service practices.
Hummm?

Will scan these later today...gotta go kill some moss before my wife Carol catches me on this computer..

[Bradley Walker]

Wow, super duper nice. Randy!!!