Warbird Information Exchange

Then we practiced for the next day's Battle of Britain flypast, which was part of a formal RCAF parade across the river at Rockcliffe.

On the Thursday we did it as a mass fighter formation because the Lancast was still at Hamilton. The Corsair played the part of the Lanc, and the F-86 came along because... what the hell why not?




I didn't have a camera. I had the Snowbird Lead in the back seat of the P-40, Chris H (whom I probably scared the crap out of, but he was cool) and I passed him my iPhone, so that's all we had to document the flight. The thing was not wide angle enough. So here's the front of the formation,



And here's the back,


So we were in a 5-plane vic with the F-86 in the slot. Actually all I saw was this,



because it was bumpy and all I was trying to do was hang on. Not making excuses, but in the P-40 you really notice the bird-cage enclosure. All its lines and angles mess you up. There's one usually right in the way, at a weird angle. It would be much simpler with a blown canopy like the P-51. And of course we had 6 different aircraft types. But not to give the wrong impression -- it was a fantastic experience.

The flypast with the Lanc worked well. All engines started, and we got formed-up with no problem. And on this day there was no politician delaying things and making us hold, like last year when we held for :45 due to outgoing Governor General Jean, nearly running out of gas to do so.







The flypast was thunderous, as in this short amateur video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV3D0kBOxKc

Then the fighters broke into 2 2-plane elements for topside passes and landings.



And now it's all over! Done except for a few sponsor flights for new members (you can fly in anything with 2 seats in the collection) and some training.

... sigh...

Dave

i know how you feel i flew my last C47 sortie in late August,she is down for her annual now and we will not turn prop till spring,no round engine music, no breezes in the cockpit, no tailwheel flying till 2012 !!!

Flew to Orillia the other day. Lovely day, and a lovely location on Lake St. John.



It's one of the few places where a floatplane can get gas, so it's busy. Many cottages lie just to the north, so there is a real need to get the aircraft out of the water and back in again simply and without risk. They use a vehicle like this:



Odd-looking thing. Not uncommon on a float base, but perhaps a bit different to some eyes. The aircraft taxi up to a ramp until they touch the land, then they shut down. The "mover" runs down the ramp and positions its forklift-type arms under the spreader bars of the floats, the arms are spread to the correct width, a hydraulic system lifts the arms and thus the airplane, and off it goes to a set of tie-downs where it can be secured against thunderstorms -- and can't sink.

Some other photos have arrived in my In-Box. Here area couple from the Airshow: dew on the Fairchild in the morning before the crowd arrives...



And after the show, some sponsor-flights in the Yellow Wings birds.



Plus me having fun...

I should also mention that the new VHF radio works. It acutally functions! Transmits and receives and everything! (MGL-10)



It may be a complete anachronism, but its modern solid-state programming does a superb job of eliminating the static that was so horrible in the old radio and in the hand-held Icom I was using.

We had to replace the antennae (and supply a proper ground) and the coax cable as well, and once that was done -- success! It functions as a very good intercom, and adequately as a radio (not a gigantic radius of reception or transmission, but plenty for what I need).

Also I found out from the previous owner, the old Spitfire pilot, that he still has a box in his garage that has the old radios that came out of the panel in 1973, dating back to the '50s. So I'll get them and improvise a false-front for when on static display -- winter project.

Renton Muni (Renton WA.) used to use a cutup Caddy Eldo, stylin'!!

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Inspector, can we have a pic of that jewel?

_________________
"I love the smell of 100LL in the morning."

That was a long time ago, the Eldo was about a '75 or '76, and I can't remember the last time I bothered to drive all the way down to Renton but it's been years because even @ 3:30 A.M. I-405 absolutely sucks and now they're working on it again.
Maybe someone in that end of town has a picture of it.

_________________
Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

We've flown a good few times since the summer. The other day a fellow I used to fly with on the DC-9 called and asked if I'd take up his son, who was interested in this whole "flying thing". So of course I did -- fine young guy. I made him fly from when I first levelled off until short-final. And since it's a 4-seater, his Dad came along (but obviously sat in the back!).

I made him follow me through the walk-around.



And he had a fine time in the right seat.



Happy Dad and son!



All good fun.



Dave

Then last week we flew to Stan-the-AME's freshly-graded and seeded strip in Grand Valley, for a recon. Looks like we have a few things on the list to get done this winter. Probably have to pull a cylinder -- the compression is close to limits. (That's all right -- after pulling the prop through all season it wasn't entirely unexpected.)



While there we had a look at the ECAF Tiger Moth, being recovered after its engine failure last summer. Good progress! There was surprisingly little damage. A lot of the wing work was replacing old casein glue joints which were getting marginal. The fabric is about to start going back on.



The fellow in the photo is Ernie, one of the ECAF Volunteers who contribute so much to keeping that place airborne. He's put in a lot of time.



Here's that Moth from last year -- it's a total 1942 time-machine, still operating with a tailskid and no brakes.



Then later we dropped in at my Dad's, where he has completed the Hucks Starter. It really works, and effortlessly spins the prop on the Stampe. It's due to go to Vintage Wings shortly.





Dave

Hmm, that Hucks would go really well with a vintage Hawker Biplane
Too bad there isn't one around

_________________
...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

What a terrific idea!

I wonder if we can make that happen?

Dave

Beautiful day. Cool, but sunny and perfect. I was supposed to be studying the B-777, because I start Course mid-Nov, but I couldn't stand it. Went to the hangar.

I'd noticed some red fluid seeping onto the starboard wheel pant a while ago, which stopped after a teaspoon or two. So I called the old Spitfire pilot (previous owner), and asked what was that about? He replied that it was probably a jolt on landing, or landing on a rough strip, which punched some oleo fluid out the top seal in the gear leg. Well, I don't remember any hard landings (I prefer to forget the hard landings), so I'm going to say we landed in rough grass somewhere -- it may even be true; we avoid pavement wherever we can.

We're talking about this, shown with the fairings removed, for the Annual Inspection coing up.



So, I talked to Stan the AME as well, and he asked what does the manual say? -- good idea...



Time to check it's level, so I found the full-quantity-tap, cut the witness-wire, removed the plug-screw, and noticed nothing running out. Hmmmm, must be a bit low...

So after researching the correct fluid (also there was a container that came with the airplane parts labelled "Gear Struts"), and using a handy-sized syringe liberated from my boating-building activities, I squirted it in until it flowed back out the hole, as per the manual.



Then re-assembly, a second-check from the appropriate authority, and time to go flying. Now, Cleo, my wife's dog (a Weimaraner) had been looking anxious as I left the house. (Robin was away for the day to go to a wedding.) So I brought her along. She's flown before, but as you can see, she gets tremendously excited at the prospect of canine aviation.



Off we went, on a tour, Cleo surveying the countryside. (If she had hands she'd give a "Royal Wave".)

We searched-out Robin T's new strip, which was short, wet and crosswind, so we didn't land there. Just circled overhead and wig-wagged, making radial noise. Then to Edenvale to pay a bill. While there, I checked out the new donation -- someone has given the ECAF this airplane.



Pretty nice! It even flew in! But on closer inspection, it needs a lot of work. Clean-up and repaint and new interior and who-knows-what with the engine. However, if there's one thing an organization of volunteers can do, its contribute labour. With a winter's elbow-grease, that stalwart Republic aerial edifice (I love the corrugated sheet-metal wings) will look a lot better. If it pans out mechanically, perhaps we can attract sponsors for it. Many people would love to experience landing and taking off from the water -- particularly visitors from Europe. I'd sure enjoy it, me and my magnificent 50 hours of float time.

Beside it was a very nice homebuilt, stored outside as well. Lovely go-fast airplane. Probably quite valuable. But look at the tie-down...



Why would anyone go to all the trouble and expense and sacrifice of valuable time to build an airplane, then tie it down with the crappiest of rope? That stuff, 1/4" polypro, disintegrates in sunlight as you watch.

Then back in the airplane and away. Another Classic on the ramp.





She sure looks naked without any spats or trousers. Nudity in a public place. I need to get the Annual done and put her clothes back on.

Oh well, a much better day than one spent in front of a laptop, looking at Systems Schematics.

Dave