Inspriation (Motivation) for building these toy airplanes

I am sure that there are many of you here that were in the same boat I was during our childhood.

Having to be raised by my Father's parents, there wasn't a lot of "toys" around. My toys were Granddad's tools. He was a self made contractor who ended up with an honorary degree from NCSU. Of course, he never made a LOT of money when i was a kid, and he had the "depression" mentality anyway.

This meant that there wasn't a whole lot of model airplane stuff around at any one time. I would look at the Model magazines and see all those beautiful ships and want them all.

Now, I can build what I want as long as I can come up with the extra money to get the wood. Hence I do build for others to support my "habit".

Maybe it's the fact that our days are numbered, and I am on the down side of the "hill". But I am now able to build pretty much what I want. I realized many years ago that I wasn't going to be able to spend the practice time to contend for the Walker Trophy, and that's ok. I can enjoy what I am doing.

There are maybe 25 more planes that I really want to build. Unless something happens, I'll get them done. (I have the opportunity to retire in less than 5 years!)

We all do this for different reasons, but the reasons seem to be more and more in line the more I talk with other flyers. At least the ones close to my age.

Bill <><

like maybe every I-Beam design ever made ... I understand.

>like maybe every I-Beam design ever made ... I understand.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.......... the "Holy Grail"!!
My kind of guy.
Bill <><

LAST EDITED ON Dec-07-04 AT 08:13 PM (CST)
 
Bill, I hear you, worked since I was 16, Oct heart threw a weird beat thought it was the end of the world couldn't work at my job. But hanging with wife, building all the kits I had put away for that one day down the road. Finding other c/l flyers. Life is good.
Reheat will not always stop a sink.
Boris

Bill,

I just a few years ago didn't fly much because I could not afford the fuel. I made the most of all of the flying opportunities. I really like to fly, I could be a circle hog if given the opportunity. It seems the only time I build a plane anymore is if I have to. The planes I want to build are mostly classics and the choices are not purely competition driven, just love of the design. I guess I wish there was always a Fun-Fly or Contest to attend.

>Bill,
>
>I just a few years ago didn't fly much because I could not
>afford the fuel. I made the most of all of the flying
>opportunities. I really like to fly, I could be a circle
>hog if given the opportunity. It seems the only time I
>build a plane anymore is if I have to. The planes I want to
>build are mostly classics and the choices are not purely
>competition driven, just love of the design. I guess I wish
>there was always a Fun-Fly or Contest to attend.

Well this is a heck of a plane! I love the Tempest.
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As for the Tempest, i have one kit in the box. Just drooling at it for a while before start building.

That goal of retiremant is not the answer to all your problems. When I retired ,It gave me a lot of time and energy that I had never experienced before so you get the building done sooner then you need more money for balsa and fuel and props etc so you take a part time job so you dont feel guilty about the extra money youre spending and then for each plane you build another two are added to your must list and as you age and your flying ability wanes you need more practice time to uphold your skills so its a wicked circle and you will love it,just as I do.Keith

Hi Keith,
Glad to hear there is hope!!
Like I have said before, I'm just plain dumb lucky sometimes.
When I do retire, my house, etc., will be paid for, and I will be taking home almost exactly the same amount I am now, due to the reductions in the amount of deductions to my check.
So: mo' time, mo' energy, mo' money?? sounds like a WINNER to me!
Look out VSC!! her I come!!!!! hahahahaha
Bill <><

Friends, I guess were feeling really motivated today, we have not one but two motivation post's...I feel confused about either staying motivated or being inspired to be motivated???Thanks David..

LAST EDITED ON Dec-06-04 AT 03:27 PM (CST)
 
I have pretty much the same background. Model building in the 50's as a teenager....never enough money but lots of time. Couldn't afford to build the planes I really wanted or buy that Fox .35. Dreamed of having enough money to go to the NATS.

Stopped until mid 60's.... more money, but no time. Wife, college (night school) and job. Dreamed of having enough time to go to the NATS.

Stopped in the early 70's - Fast forward 2003. Now have the time and the money. Sold the business, retired, one son graduated Michigan other finishing up at Kent State. They have other things to do rather than hang with Dad. I can within reason do whatever I want, when ever I want. Started build and flying again. I have been fortunate to locate some of my old 70's flying friends and have made new friends.

My motivation now.....being able to get out to the field on weekends with my friends. To enjoy their company and not so gentle ribbing when I do something "spectacular". The three hour car trips in the winter to a Swap meet in PA. I know there won't be anything worth buying but so what. The conversations and comradery are the real treasures. So what if I'm flying an ARF Cardinal,or a bought Tanager. I can't think of a better reason to enjoy this hobby. The dreaming is over....I am going to the NATS this next year.... to watch and enjoy.

Actually, deciding to retire is not necessarily easy. Retirement has its own stresses. While you work, much of your day is planned for you. Once you retire, you are solely responsible for planning your activities. It is wonderful and stressful at the same time. You can find yourself "killing time" rather than doing things you really want to do. Also, other people think you have all the time in the world and you can get imposed on. One statemet that I have said, and heard many times, "I don't understand how I had time to work." I've been retired for 7 years now and I love it.

SNIP>>>Retirement has its own stresses
1) What should I eat for breakfast?
2) Should I get dressed?
3) Feed the cat.
4) Mail comes and I get to do venturi's and other things.
5) Lunch
6) OH I got to go Flying
7) Dinner
8) Building time.
9) Clean Shop
10) Get ready for fly tomorrow.
NOTE. If it rains got to #4 skip to #8

sounds boring.....but it's not.
Most of the time I go flying before #3

>SNIP>>>Retirement has its own stresses
>1) What should I eat for breakfast?
>2) Should I get dressed?
>3) Feed the cat.
>4) Mail comes and I get to do venturi's and other things.
>5) Lunch
>6) OH I got to go Flying
>7) Dinner
>8) Building time.
>9) Clean Shop
>10) Get ready for fly tomorrow.
>NOTE. If it rains got to #4 skip to #8
>
>sounds boring.....but it's not.
>Most of the time I go flying before #3
>
>

Terrible advice Scott

Dick (is it time to eat yet?) Fowler

PS - In our house move #3 to #1....The cat will yell until he is fed. (part Siamese)

First of all, I envy all retired guys and those planning to retire. From where I sit, 48 and up to my eyeballs in debt, two kids in university and one in grade 8, I have NO idea if I'll ever be able to retire. No savings to speak of. Not my fault entirely, but that doesn't matter anyway. (sigh)...

Anyway, the way I read the original question, it's something along the lines of "Why do we do this, anyway, and what is it that keeps us doing it?" For me, I think, the answer is simple: "Love."

I just love airplanes, I always have. Not only airplanes, but also antiques in general, and machines in particular. When I was young, I used to dream of building my own full-size Sopwith Camel (I'm partial to Bipes, especially antique ones). I may yet do that one day. Meantime, building model airplanes satisfies my hunger, at least in part. It also gives me something moderately-to-severely challenging (depending on how I decide to go about it), and a source of pride. Granted, not too many people really understand or are interested in that "pride and joy", but I have all of you, so that doesn't lessen things for me.

Not too much else to say, really...

Tim

I don't know about the inspiration part but my life history looks about like this:

Age 5: first Comet kit.
First Comet kit well built and flown successfully: I'll let you know when it happens.
Age 7: first glider lost in a thermal.
Age 10: First C/L, a Wen-Mac Corsair. Flew it into the side of a house while flying it in the street.
Age 12: first Nobler; Crude but it did fly, kind of!
Age 14: first trophy, combat with a count clipper.
Age 16: First Nats, Willow Grove '61
Age 17-29: 5 Noblers and many,many variants, many local contest, 10 more Nats.
Age 29: Bought 1/2 interest in Aeronca Chief, learned to fly, quit modeling.
Age 30: MET FUTURE ( PRESENT) WIFE. FIRST DATE IN A CESSNA 172.It pays to start off on the right foot.
Age 56: Early semi retirement due to job injuries.
Age 56-1/4: Evicted from living room with orders to clean basement and start building models again. Never argue with wife, at least when she think's like that.
Age 58: first 500 point pattern!
Age 58-3/4: Went to VSC 2004. Wife went just 2 weeks after cracking a kneecap (view was better from the car than the recliner).
Was crash #3 on Sunday. Wife's reaction was I'd better start building because we ARE coming back next year and I'd better have a worthy replacement built!

DOES IT GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT?

Jeff Welliver

P.S.: Wife is NOT for sale or trade. I know a good thing when I've got it!

Jeff, you've got a genuyine peach there in Toni. And never forget it!
All the best to both!
Kelvin