Posts: 411
Joined: 11/13/2002 From: Chesterfield, MO, USA Status: offline
Well,the day has finally come.The Bulldog II is going up tomorrow.I am going over to Jasons in Illinois and flying it at his place.They fly off an old full scale air strip.Jason has been involved in helping with a few last minute things that needed to be done and I decided to go with 2.4ghz and just got that in.I will post pics Friday of the maiden.Everyone keep your fingers crossed,this has been about 31/2 yrs.in the making!!!!! Joe
Posts: 411
Joined: 11/13/2002 From: Chesterfield, MO, USA Status: offline
After all this time finally got the Bulldog II in the air!!! Not the prettiest takeoff,but got here up and survied it and Jason got her trimmed out where we could get two good flights in.She pulls hard to the left on roll out,but that can be fixed.The plane flew great and you would swear it's Jim coming by!Thanks to Steve(Mando)for shooting video.I have got to find a cable for my video camera to download to the computer.I have made a lot of friends through this project,Gordon,Andrew,Bill,Jason and of course Mike Stelleran for a great job of the mods and covering and pretty much everything.Jason made a LOT of final adjustments and couldn't have gotten her in the air without him.And last but not least,Jim LeRoy for inspiring me to put together the best looking Pitts I have ever seen,the Bulldog II!!!From the first time I saw his Bulldog I,I knew I had to have one,and when he showed me the drawings of the Bulldog II,I knew that is what mine had to be.I have a feeling he was watching us today with a smile on his face,I know Jason and I had one!!Here are some pics from the day.I will post video when I can.Let's all keep Jims memory alive with our model Bulldogs,I know I will never forget Jim and how he flew. Joe McCullar St.Louis,Mo.
Posts: 98
Joined: 9/21/2003 From: Dahlgren,
IL, USA Status: offline
Hey Joe, It was sure a great pleasure and a privilege to meet you at our flying field and to see the BullDog's first flight. Your BullDog is truly an amazing feat of accomplishment! I'm sure you were glad that diapers were available, after the first take off As usual, Jason did a great job on the finishing touches with the radio gear and control surfaces. I just hope that I did a worthy job with the video. Here's wishing you many happy flights with the Jim Leroy Bulldog II !!
Posts: 411
Joined: 11/13/2002 From: Chesterfield, MO, USA Status: offline
Hey buddy,you did a great job!!! After watching the video you shot,I crapped my pants again,so ya know you did a great job of capturing the moment!!! It was great to meet you,and what a great day we had.That is what this hobby is all about.Look forward to seeing you again in the future and hearing some of that great Blue Grass Music!!! Joe
Posts: 18
Joined: 11/23/2003 From: House Springs,
MO, USA Status: offline
Wow! I can't believe it! I don't think I have worried so much about the maiden of a plane that wasn't my own. I know how much heart you have put into this plane and I am so glad to hear it has flown! I agree with you JOE, I don't know of a better looking plane (or any vehicle for that matter) and trim scheme than the Bulldog II. And Mike pulled it off flawlessly. When you told me your plan for scaling down the graphics I really thought there was no way you could get it so perfect. If you can get the word out, this plane should be viewed by every modeler everywhere! You and Mike have completed a huge accomplishment and tribute! Congratulations!
Posts: 411
Joined: 11/13/2002 From: Chesterfield, MO, USA Status: offline
Thanks Rick! Mike is the man,and the job he did on this plane is unbelievable.I am going to put up pics of Mike with the Bulldog so everyone can see who did the beautiful work.A lot of thanks go out to Jason also for doing a LOT of last minute details.Yes,it was pretty nerve racking to say the least,but everything turned out well. Joe