Do y'all have any interest in a little air racer project?

[retroaviation]

Sorry I haven't posted any updates in a while, but there's been nothing to update. I'm working on my tow vehicle for Another Solution, along with the trailer for it right now. I now that may seem a bit backwards, but I have all of the airplane stuff stored away in my hangar since I had to get it out of the CAF hangar for Airsho. So, I figured I'd just get the other projects knocked out real quick and get back on the racer soon.

Any pictures you post of the races, Neal, will be appreciated......as always.

Gary

[Tim Adams]

I will have a bunch of pictures up soon on my site from all classes also. I'm just getting them all done before I get them up on the site.

[JHall]

So, since Gary's airplanes did not make it to Reno is there some interest in other IF1 action and aircraft at Reno? If so maybe I'll start a thread...

Yes!

[MX304]

Here are a couple of shot from the original SHoestring N26C during construction.

[Second Air Force]

If you aren't going to fly it to the races, that is by far the next coolest way to get there.

[Eric Presten]

Does anyone know the exact date of the first test flight of the original Shoestring prototype? How about the same info on the Cassutt and the Midget Mustang. Forgive me if any of this is in the other 22 pages of this thread, as patience is not a virtue that I have in abundance.

[bdk]

Does anyone know the exact date of the first test flight of the original Shoestring prototype? How about the same info on the Cassutt and the Midget Mustang. Forgive me if any of this is in the other 22 pages of this thread, as patience is not a virtue that I have in abundance.

http://www.mustangaero.com/Midget%20Mus ... story.html

[Eric Presten]

Thanks, good history. I have the year, and am still hoping for the month and day of the test flight for these three types.

[AiRick]

Wish I could help on the date on the Shoestring test but nothing on the back of the photos. I do know that Fish Salmon was the test pilot. My father said that he tested the largest plane(Lockheed Constellation) and the smallest plane (Shoestring) He always thought that was funny.

[retroaviation]

By the way AiRick, thanks again for the CDs of your father's pictures and it was nice meeting you at Reno this year.

If it's okay, I may post one or two of his photos, like MX304 did as well. Really cool collection for us air racin' junkies.

Gary

[AiRick]

It was also nice to meet you and Bill and Aaron and Lista! Feel free to use any of those photos as you wish. I have enjoyed your saga of getting your race plane going, good luck this next year. Sorry you were so hurried that last day at the race, we can catch up next year. If you need someone in the pits let me know. Eric

[stumac]

Is the gentleman standing in front of the airplane Bob Downey like it says under the canopy? Was that your father?
The reason I ask is because I race RC airplanes and every year in Whittier Narrows, CA we have the "Bob Downey Classic". I am not really sure of the names origins (shame on me) however I have heard that Bob Downey was a model flyer and also competed at Reno in the F1 class.
There are quite a few people who have flown (raced) RC and are also full scale racers at Reno!

[AiRick]

That was my father Vincent Ast in front of the Shoestring. He helped build it and owned it till about 1950. This photo below is Bob Downey if front of the Shoestring.

[AiRick]

Another photo of Bob Downey. On the back of the photo was this info : " Bob Downey a paint salesman and an ex-Army flight instructor from Whittier Calif., is at the controls of No.16 in the Goodyear midget races. "

[stumac]

That cool stuff. Thanks for posting those pictures.
If you have more pictures and time please post some more.