SWEET....

Brings back memories of airshows past...

I've got to get out to one soon.

Thanks for sharing.

Tom

And her she is, the belle of the ball.  FiFi....



Vids coming.
Sadly, I need a better camera.  I have heard sound from other folks on u-tube, and they all fall short. I got a great sound bite from the engine runup, but it wont hit you like it hit me. Not even close. Made the hair on old mens neck stand up and made children reach for their mommies.
Maybe they were just showing off, I dont know. They ran the far engine first. Then they made it [and them all] idle.
Then they let the second monster loose.
WOW.
If you have not heard prop blades "chop", you will not understand. Something to do with pitch and airspeed and all I know is this jewel makes an attack Heli sound like a puny weed eater. 
Then they put in on a leash and released the third engine, first one on our side. OHHH baby. 
Then it all got kinda quiet, [ as much as this thing can be quiet,] for just a moment longer than the rest, dramatic effect, and they let that last engine rock!  We were maybe maybe 200 feet from it and I could feel the ground shake.

Being a man who has spent a lifetime listening to engines, I almost cryied. Words cant express......

Vids coming soon as I can.  Will add them to each post, so check back and re-read. Please forgive the frame rate of my camera. No, those props are not just free wheeling in the wind. She landed and taxied on just the center engines, as you can plainly see.

Sorry for the delay folks. Here's the dirt.

John Ashford came to visit with my friend Bob and spend a few days. He has been flying control line for over 60 years. After a short break, he's back in the game and on his way to Pa. for a big meet. I am hoping for news of that event.

Along the way, he will be stopping and visiting with many old friends and making new ones.  Each of the planes [except the smoothie] is of his own design and construction. The attention to detail is fantastic. Works of art, every one.  I wish I had a better camera. Every color except the white is a metallic. One had an adjustable tail.
Each had a hand made fuel tank.
Each has it's own handle and several sets of cable to fly with. 

It was a real joy and honor to watch as he flew around a field I didn't even know existed in my own town. Turns out, it's pretty much right in my back yard. 

I'm not sure which was more of a thrill, seeing my first control line flight, or spending a few fine mornings under a shade tree listening got a couple old pros talk about planes and life. I learned quite abit from John and  he was very kind and forth coming with his info. It only took a minute to feel right at home with him.

John, good luck on your journey, and I hope to meet you again. Thanks for the time you spent in Springfield.

Eric

Thanks Faif2d.  They really go all out. 

Was hoping to have some pics of the two day float fly, but no.  It rained all day both days. 
Also rained out the big steam show this weekend.  That event only happens once a year.

Not sure where to start.   Had a big time looking at allthe big birds. A group came from AR. and brought maybe 10 with them and over all, there were probly 40 HUGE planes.  There were 2 Kadets like mine.  One was the club trainer and the other was brought out of mothballs just for this event. 
Electric.  18 pounds.  Jason is one of the most widely know flyers in the area and one of the most helpful guys you can meet. 


Bob Schwaindt.  One of the few builders.  Recently had his 78th birthday.  Swears this is his last build.  Locals say he's been saying that for awhile.  Invited me to come see his workshop.  REALLY looking forward to that. 





This enormous cub is built by Bryan Pfeifer.  He does graphics for a living.  If you look on the dash, you will see two "books".
One has a Cub on the cover.  Its THIS cub.  The camera wont let me get a could pic, but the inside is filled with maps.  Even in the flight suit.  There's a coffee cup on the dash and the instruments look pretty good. 







Here are a few random shots. 











Next time I will try to get a shot of the whole flight line.  I forgot my hat so walking around became painful pretty quick.