Back after a long layoff

Greetings all

As my father told me a long time ago, " Once this model bug bites you, you'll never get rid of it. " Well, he was right. Getting back in the circle after a 17 year layoff. Was contemplating starting with 1/2A but deicided on an old Sterling P-51 with flaps with O.S.25FP-S for power. Also got a Magician ( Golden State Models ) with a Fox .40 ABC BB ready to go along with a Brodak Buster ( Thank you, Currell ) with a Fox .35 Stunt 40th anniversary addition. Hopefully, I can keep them from rekitting themselves long enough to get back in the groove. I'll be a frequent visitor.

Welcome back!

These guys are great, you are in good hands.
(But a few like to throw rocks. Just duck)

Paul

I just hope my airplanes are in as good hands !

Left: Sounds good. Currell

Aloha from the Peach State.

SoHawaii
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka 'Aina I Ka Pono
("The Life/Sovereinty of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness")

Ah, the old Magician. The hot ticket when I was growing up, was NOT to flap them. Jim Silhavy knew what he was doing when he made that one. One of the slowest flying stunt ships I have ever seen was a Magician with an Enya 60 with a very large prop on it at Flushing Meadows New York. In level flight, it was flying so slow that it appeared impossible for it to climb into the reverse wingover. But it did, including all the manuevers of the pattern.

Mine has flaps. I remember a thread where people debated the flaps / no-flaps issue. Got pretty heated from what I recall.

Dave,
I too came back after an "extended" layoff... I recommend practice spinning before you load up 4 oz. of fuel and try to get through an 8 minute flight! Or get a flying buddy to hang out in the circle to take the handle if you should start to get a little dizzy...I wish that I had done this on my first flight in 28 years... but basic flight is like riding a bike, a little shakey at first but you still "got it"
Have fun at all cost and keep picking up the fine bits of info you find here and elsewhere... I envy your anticipation of that "first" flight!

Oh yea, you might want to fly over grass for a while (Enter smiley face here!)

Phil

That Sterling p-51 only has a Sullivan 2 oz clunk on it and it EATS fuel. They'll be pretty short flights. The Magician is another story. It runs forever.

Dave:

Welcome back from another retread. In my case 28 years ('74 to '02). Smart move practicing spinning. Good grief those trees were going by fast on those first flights each spring......we have an extended hibernation here in Minnesota.

The good news is: 1- I'm a MUCH better ( translation: more patient) builder than the old and VERY crude days; 2- my pattern is much smoother than it used to be; 3- Electric starters are wonderful!

The bad news is: 1- no matter how much B.S. you add to it, 59 year old reflexes aren't as good as 30 year old reflexes; 2- I never forgot maneuvers on official flights 30 years ago; 3- Geez, I can't remember what 3 was......

Still, anyone who doesn't think that "OLD AGE AND CUNNING (occasionally) WILL BEAT YOUTH AND SPEED" obviously hasn't been to VSC.

Welcome back and have fun!