Gary~What's the plan for Stratolina?

[Nathan]

Hi Gary,

Just curious what the future plan is for Stratolina and asking for progress you make on her. I am hoping to see it at an airshow soon!

asking out of bordom

[retroaviation]

Ha! Boy, you are bored, aren't you???

Well currently, the Stratolina is undergoing its continuing stress analysis. I'm allowing the West Texas dust to accumulate on it's wings, which will certainly put a gradual strain on the rotten wing attach points. Just yesterday, I saw a roadrunner up on top of it, so he's either inspecting it, or trying to cause ultimate failure of the wings. Not sure who's side he's on yet.

I've been cleaning up the cockpit a little bit, but haven't really worked on it in a week or so. The main focus of my ever-wandering mind has been on my clunky ol' '39 Ford truck that I'm throwing together. I'll get back on the Stratolina when I get bored with the truck, I'm sure.

Gary

[Nathan]

Gary,

Is the stratolina going to be a seaplane? Seeing how you have a pond I been told. If you ever need help with it let me know. Also I would like to make a donation towards the Austin Acres Air Force.

P.S. Still bored. Figured I'd try and humor someone. Your the first person that popped into my head!

[retroaviation]

Well, sure...it's a seaplane. Every time I walk out my door, I "see, plane."

And as much as I need money, and moreso how much I appreciate the offer, I just simply couldn't accept any donations for the Stratolina. This ol' thing is just something for me to keep my mind busy when I get deeply depressed or just bummed out in general. It's hard not to work on little projects like this without having a stupid grin on my face.

But I'll tell ya' what......If you wanna come down and tinker with the ol' Stratolina so that you can put a stupid grin on your face as well, then just come on down and I bet we can find a project for you to do.

Gary

[Jack Cook]

Gary these are 2 great projects you've got going.
Why not combine them then you could take her on tour like the Merry Pranksters

[retroaviation]

Well Jack, as you can see, I'm not as far along on the '39 Ford as I'd like to be, but I'm sure that if and when it's done, it'll be making a lap or two at the local parade.






Gary

[Jack Cook]

Maybe a bus chassis would work better.
Check your email!

[Michel Lemieux]

Neat block. What is it ?

[retroaviation]

Neat block. What is it ?

Just a little 350 Chevy. Nothin' too fancy.
Gary

[Tulio]

So, when are the Stratolina T-shirts coming up for sale?

[Only half jesting, by the way]


Saludos,


Tulio

Last edited by Tulio on Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

[engguy]

The small block chev is kind of an insult to ford isn't it?
So how come the stratalina isn't painted that pretty? So is the blower just for looks or will it be functional?
Hmm airbags for that cool low to the ground action huh??? And I thought you where an airplane guy that likes the high ground. I would think 2 foot lifts would be the thing.

[retroaviation]

Tulio.....ya' know, shirts aren't a bad idea. I'll have to tinker with that thought some more and see where it goes.

engguy.....the Chevy engine is an improvement to the Ford, not an insult.
The Stratolina takes more paint than the hot rod truck, but it'll get prettied up over time.
The blower is functional and the engine was built to accomodate it (blower pistons, cam, etc.) It oughta breathe pretty good.
I am building the truck low to the ground to mimic the way I'd occasionally fly (like at Reno). After all, I'm afraid of heights. Heck, I'd get nosebleeds if I put the truck on 2 foot lifts.

Gary

[mustangdriver]

So, when are the Stratolina T-shirts coming up for sale?

[Only half jesting, by the way]


Saludos,


Tulio

I would so get a Stratolina T-shirt

[BHawthorne]

lol, whip up something on Cafepress.

[Robbie Stuart]

Gary, you have the coolest projects!