Teachu2

My Feedback: (133)

I started flying R/C about 40 years ago, with no injuries I couldn't handle myself - until two weeks ago. Getting ready to maiden a 80" OV-10 ARF, twin Saito 82GKs, APC 14x6 props. Plane is too big for thr safety stands, and I didn't want to be on my knees in the dirt - which, in retrospect, was a poor decision. Used one of the workbenches for startup, with a friend (who had assembled the ARF for me - I'm working too much!!) holding the plane. Surprise - throttle was backwards - no problem, shut it down and reversed the channels. Second start was smooth as silk, but the motor was running rich at about 8k. Being on the worktable, with tall gear, the prop was nearly eye level and in the shade to boot - so it was virtually invisible. Yep, I reached for the needle valve...

In the last couple of years, I'm at least the fourth experience modeler in my area to tangle with a prop. One guy had to go to San Francisco and have what was left of his hand rebuilt. I got lucky - when it reached the bone in the middle finger, it broke off 1/8-1/4" of the bone and threw my hand clear of the prop arc. I had 3 clean slices on my pinkie, two on my thumb - no stiches there. That surgical APC cut so cleanly that the cuts were easily closed and healed quickly. The index finger had the end of the nail sliced cleanly away, but no damage to the flesh. The ring finger had two deep cuts and the nail detached - 13 stitches and healing nicely. The middle was a mess - took at least four hits and was almost inside out. The doc found the nail inside the wound and was able to straighten it all out and close with ten stiches. I lucked out when I chose to go to the emergency room at Bakersfield Heart Hospital. The doctor in the ER is a Lt. Col. in the Army Reserve, combat surgeon, has done two tours in Iraq and is headed back next month. REALLY knows his stuff, and acted like I was the only patient he was going to see all day. Probably why I had to wait two hours to see him... When he was done, he insisted on referring me to the best hand surgeon in Bakersfield, who examined it the next day and said I owe the combat doc a Christmas card, as it was done perfectly.

Be careful out there, guys! It only takes an instant to really mess you up.

Teachu2

My Feedback: (133)

pic won't load

outdoorhunting

Pics won't load, good. Ican see in my mind what it looks like!! Spare us.

Hill202

My Feedback: (24)

Glad you're ok Trent. Its a good thing it was not the 180 you sold me.

oskartek

Teachu2,

Glad you got a top notch surgeon to fix the hand.
Hope you get good rehab which is just as important.

What OV-10ARF is this, I am interested in this aircraft. Thanks


Happy flying, Oscar

Update, I think I found it. Hobby Hangar, right?

BUDMAN27

I,m glad your ok too ,and I,m glad the pic wouln,t load to. Nobody likes to get hurt ,and nobody likes to see what it looks like to get hurt or I would hope so anyway.

scottrc

Man that smarts, glad you are doing well.

Bill Vargas

My Feedback: (5)

Keep trying,,, use the good hand if you have too


BV

t_burley

My Feedback: (59)

Trent yer still ugly so taking the stitches out isnt going to help

let me know when the re-maiden is