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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Trostle on January 11, 2021, 02:02:58 PM
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There have been some recent glowing comments about Ted's tool box. I will never forget, even though it was long, long ago that I had the privilege to carry Sir Ted's sacred tool box. In my experience of control line precision aerobatics, that is one of the most unforgettable memories I have. I immediately dubbed that thing as a piece of portable Nautilus exercise equipment for whatever arm anyone used and have the misfortune to lift it. I am sure it works equally well for whichever arm is used if not both at the same time. For some unknown reason, but as a dutiful disciple, David uses a similar Nautical piece of equipment. (Maybe it has something to do with carrying those things for free on the air lines.)
I will report, however, that over the years whenever I made the mistake to again carry that thing, that Ted, and later David, would graciously always volunteer for that duty.
Keith
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Indeed. David’s carry is all the more remarkable in that he carries his airplane and a gallon of fuel at the same time. I have also seen David stand on one foot while holding the other foot up to his ear. This is what it takes to be a champion.
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Indeed. David’s carry is all the more remarkable in that he carries his airplane and a gallon of fuel at the same time. I have also seen David stand on one foot while holding the other foot up to his ear. This is what it takes to be a champion.
There is another "trick" that David performs that is just plain scary. At the beginning of a flying session, he will "burp" his engine which in itself is a common practice. But what David does is that he does it without any help. He holds his Thunder Gazer inverted, powered by his .75 piped engine, with one hand, and starts the engine for its "burp" with the other hand. That is a lot of machinery, with a lot of power turning a carbon prop to be holding with one hand in not the most comfortable positition. I cringe whenever I see it.
Keith
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. For some unknown reason, but as a dutiful disciple, David uses a similar Nautical piece of equipment. (Maybe it has something to do with carrying those things for free on the air lines.)
It's not hard to figure why - utter and complete lack of imagination. The one difference is that, unlike Ted, he probably has a complete inventory of every single nut, bolt, and screw, all carefully logged, in classic Fitzgeraldian fashion.
Brett
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I can’t speak to the issue of Ted’s Mechanics Luggage, but I can understand perhaps a certain massiveness to Mr. Fitzgerald’s semi-portable logistics support system. You see, it has everything to do with his circle at Kennedy park. At first this was not obvious to me, having flown there the first time in what was patiently explained to me to be a rather balmy, late summer day. But the second time I attended races at this same site, it was blowing a bit more strongly even at mid-morning. I unfortunately took the last choice on pit position and set my toolbox down on the edge of the circle and went out to the handle leaving my “borrowed pitman” to take care of spilling the fuel and flogging the prop. As I recall, the race was going fairly well despite the steady wind.
Somewhere during the race, however, it was discovered that a 25 or 30 lb toolbox was not suited to the Napa site—it blew over—dumping the contents into the “unimproved” area just off the circle. While the 16” Crescent wrench and other large tools were easy to find, the spare glow plug, spare prop, and inventory of nuts, bolts and washers was lost, perhaps blown downwind. Probably some spraybars and needles as well. Some of the crew were in a hurry to get to the coffee shop before hypothermia set in, but what decided it was when one of the guys that was raking thru the stubble looking for the missing ball drivers began to beat on the ground in front of him. He had found the leads to my spare battery clip emerging from the grass. He continued beating it with the rake until we convinced him it was not a snake…it was just the wind whipping the loose end back and forth....
So my thought is this: if you practice flying in the wind to be prepared for Muncie, there are places where you will need a heavy toolbox. Or you risk giving your flying buddies a heart attack…. So it's the right thing to do.
Divot McSlow
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There is another "trick" that David performs that is just plain scary. At the beginning of a flying session, he will "burp" his engine which in itself is a common practice. But what David does is that he does it without any help. He holds his Thunder Gazer inverted, powered by his .75 piped engine, with one hand, and starts the engine for its "burp" with the other hand. That is a lot of machinery, with a lot of power turning a carbon prop to be holding with one hand in not the most comfortable positition. I cringe whenever I see it.
Keith
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Yikes!!! :o :o :o it's catching.
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I still have my metal machinist box that I bought years ago when I first joined the Fling Eagles of KCK. It weighed as much empty as it did when I had all my stuff in it. At that time I flew rat race, combat, navy carrier, balloon burst and a lot of just flying. I also like to burp my engines when I get ready to fly. Makes for easier starting, but I do it over grass so the tail end is contacting the ground. Just make sure plane and hands are not oily. Silver Fox and Big Iron taught me that. D>K
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Yikes!!! :o :o :o it's catching.
Note that unlike the completely uncontrolled method used by the unidentified modeler on the left, I am demonstrating the proper solo burping technique, where my elbow is braced on my left knee, making it nearly impossible to lose control of the airplane.
Brett
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Note that unlike the completely uncontrolled method used by the unidentified modeler on the left, I am demonstrating the proper solo burping technique, where my elbow is braced on my left knee, making it nearly impossible to lose control of the airplane.
Brett
I just thought it was a combat match and you were both waiting for "Go".
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I'm confused???
So who's this guy with the heavy tool box??? My tool box is a bit heavy but that's only so I've enough cash on hand to buy a few sheets of 1/16X3 if the gangster mob shows up.
Ted
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Hi Guy’s
What a Awesome Fling site you have there, pretty Cool for the California boy’s. Miss all of you guy’s and wish I was there to bust your chops for fun. And yes, I’ve carried that tool box as well (heavy sucker that’s for sure!).
Later,
Mikey
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Hi Guy’s
What a Awesome Fling site you have there, pretty Cool for the California boy’s.
Even better for the Oregonians, you can't pump your own gas, but you can fly model airplanes at the Roseburg Municipal Airport. Sometimes.
Brett
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Don't forget about Bob Baron's box. It was also mega heavy.
Does Ted put his heavy stooge in his tool box. BB did!
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Now what are the odds that you would have a single photo showing BOTH of them engaging in this dangerous activity?
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Now what are the odds that you would have a single photo showing BOTH of them engaging in this dangerous activity?
Better than you think!
Brett
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Huh? What?
I don't understand this thread.
My toolbox only holds the 'bare' essentials (albeit modestly garbed, of course). On the other hand... what is essential to some is only a nuisance to those less urbane and knowledgeable with respect to the task at hand. David and I, quite purposefully, refuse to divulge the reasons therefore to the CLPA ragamuffins who clutter our sites.
Nothing personal, of course!
Ted "I once won a big one but can no longer remember how big or 'what' exactly 'it was'" Fancher