Really LATE-season session - latest ever!

Just thought I'd weigh in...

This won't mean much to you folks in the south and California (although I hear it's been pretty cold THERE lately), and maybe even the NJ crowd, but around here, Dec. 5 is pretty late to be flying. I actually made it out to the field today and got in the air!

I certainly had no real expectation of flying this weekend... it did not look good. It'd be hard to find two days more different weather-wise than yesterday and today. Yesterday it was WINDY... must've been at least 50-60 mph winds (steady!) with gusts much higher than that, and it was raining as well. Today, on the other hand, was almost windless, sunny, and even though the temp was around 38F, it felt warmer.

I had the foresight to bring my mower with me, as this field hasn't been used in over a year... in fact, in midsummer, it was 6 feet high with weeds. Long story. Anyway, I did have to mow a takeoff strip, so I was glad I brought my mower. The field is going to be pretty nice in the spring, if the grass grows in and they do a good job of rolling...

In the end I only got one flight, because when I was fueling up for the second, I discovered the tank had a bad leak - cold solder joint at the pickup tube. Brand new tank... 3oz Taffinder. I'll check all new tanks in the future...

Anyway, nothing much to report, but I do hope I can get out at least once a month through the winter. Hopefully the weather will cooperate...

Tim

Ah, an opportunity to post a pic from my youth. This would have been about '59, in Pullman, WA (SE corner of the state). From left, John Anderson, Dave Ownbey, bent over is Jim Anderson with Mac .36 powered Berkley Guardian Stunter, then ? (not a flier), Jimmy Brink with ear muffs, me (with glasses), and Newton Orr. My brother Hugh was holding the camera. Pretty certain this was New Year's Eve, and it was ZERO degrees Farenheit when we got home from the field (afoot). I think everybody was on foot, so no car heater to warm bods or engines. Minor frostbite, no major problems. Our first winter there (from Montgomery Alabama (!) got down seriously cold, and lots of snow. Dad claimed it was -32F on New Years morning that year. Yikes! Steve

Man Steve, great shot. I wish I had some pictures from my days flying off the ice. In the late 40's and early 50's There were contests held on Walled Lake (in Michigan) about 18 miles from where I lived. Free Flight and CL. I never flew in one but remember as a little guy Dad taking me there and we watched from our nice warm (all things being relative) '39 Chevy pickup. Even up into the early 70's we held New Years small field Free Flight meets we called "Freeze your thing off" contests.

>Man Steve, great shot. I wish I had some pictures from my
>days flying off the ice. In the late 40's and early 50's
>There were contests held on Walled Lake (in Michigan) about
>18 miles from where I lived. Free Flight and CL. I never
>flew in one but remember as a little guy Dad taking me there
>and we watched from our nice warm (all things being
>relative) '39 Chevy pickup. Even up into the early 70's we
>held New Years small field Free Flight meets we called
>"Freeze your thing off" contests.
>
>Randy Ryan <><
>AMA 8500
>SAM 36
>BO all my own M's

Randy, My father had bought a new 1938 Chevy when he got married that year and kept it till 1952 till it finally wore out. I rode in that as a tot and still remember this big car that we travelled in. Wasn't till I got a little older and sat in a restored one that I realized how small it really was for a few adults. Of course it was Chevys first model with enclosed brake drums, modern times you know.
Dennis

LAST EDITED ON Dec-05-04 AT 03:46 PM (CST)
 
More recently, January 1, 2004. The Minneapolis Piston Poppers Annual Freeze Fly. Extremely good weather that day, about 32 degrees, light winds, good chili. There have been prior copies of this event that were actually in cold conditions. note Norman Anderson in the back row center with his flying snpw shovel. It did in fact fly with a Fox 35 bolted to the handle.
Kelvin

THAT's the kind of weather I'm hoping for this winter, at least once in a while. I'm a realist, though... yesterday during the storm, I made it out to the LHS to get some balsa for building...

Tim

I remember my self and Dave Merrithew flying on the local ice skating rink in Binghamton NY on many winter days in the mid 1950's. Man we must have been desperate to fly.
Ed

-22deg Celcius today.Building weather only Should get better by April

LAST EDITED ON Dec-05-04 AT 09:36 PM (CST)
 
CRAZY?????
Thanks for the memory Kelvin.

Just to highlight the point that we ARE crazy up here, that snow shovel you see (IN THE PICTURE ON REPLY #3) had an Enya .35(?) on the other end and did fly. You Southern Belles have heard of SNOW BLOWERS, haven't you?

I fit that description (crazy), since I flew a profile P-63 (Midwest?) with an O.S. Gold head .60 on the front that day. VERY short take offs and guaranteed to stretch your arm. By the end of a flight your very cold hand is really happy to quit flying!

Our New Years day "Ironman" has been a Minneapolis Piston Poppers tradition for some years up here in Minnesota. If you're in the area E-mail me for details. Free Chili, cocoa, and a prize for everyone who flies. If it's above zero (fahrenheit) and less than a gale or blizzard, we fly!

By the way, the local free flight club has a glider and home brewed "anti-freeze" get together each winter on one of our 10,000 frozen lakes. Who says modellers can't "walk on water"?????

Jeff,

I can tell you from my human stooge experiences that you pit man was extremely pleased that you did not pass Go and collect your $200 but ran to the handle and signalled for release as soon as possible. That combination of exhaust and propwash on a sub zero day can really make a pit man's day!

Sourdough:

I'll beat KDHeath to the punch on this one. Clearly, you and I have never met but take my word that in my case "Run" is not the correct term.....however a fast walk might fit. On the other hand as one of those who brings a bit more "built in insulation" to a cold day, I also have less chance of that monster pulling me bodily out of the circle than those who are "calorically challenged".

Come on down on 1/1/05 for some tropical flying!

>Jeff,
>
>I can tell you from my human stooge experiences that you pit
>man was extremely pleased that you did not pass Go and
>collect your $200 but ran to the handle and signalled for
>release as soon as possible. That combination of exhaust
>and propwash on a sub zero day can really make a pit man's
>day!

That parking lot had just enough slick spots on it to keep you very honest. Run is a very relative term under those conditions. You can find this Southern boy in that photo by his long johns, jeans, ski gloves, T-shirt, sweat shirt, two sweaters, wool watch cap, and parka with the hood up. I couldn't have gone faster than a slow lumber even with the Homeland Security Administration after me! I'm glad the engine only ran a couple of laps. I was completely worn out after starting and walking to the handle.
Kelvin

While Tim was out getting in some air time I was out indulging in one of my other passions - bicycling. Got in 20 km this afternoon and I need only another 10 to reach 1500 for this year. Then my building season will start in earnest. There's the Cardinal to complete and the siren song of that laser cut Strega kit keeps calling.

Best, Hoovie

Yes, David, but are you the BOB?? (Builder Of the Bike) Come to think of it, your pants did look a little square last time I saw you...

Actually, those hard-core cyclists actually DO build their bikes, by the time they get all those high-tech gizmos on...

Tim