Well, since I just discovered this thread the middle of last week it's taken me a few days to read all the posts so I know what everyone's doing on here. I guess it's time for me to jump in with some observations, comments and questions. First, I would like to thank Stickbuilder and all the rest for starting this thread and keeping it going. It's on a subject I love. I've been a Waco lover for quite a while. All Wacos are great but the YMF is the 'crown jewel' of the fleet. I have one built and flying and finished per the kit scheme. Flys great on my O.S. 120FS Surpass. I am building another one I plan to do in red and gold and was pleased to see the pictures of Bill's in those colors. I also plan to use the FT160 twin in this one. Both of mine are the older kits.

Other than Tinkerbelle, I haven't read any references to pilots used in the Waco. I'm not using one in the existing Waco but got and fixed up a full body 1/5 scale pilot for the new one before I discovered that the cockpit is too short for him. His feet were under the fuel tank, the rudder pedals would be under his knees and the instrument panel almost smacks him in the chest! When you make the improvements, Bill, this is one area to be considered.

One other thing, I noticed in the photos and discussions, no one seems to be using the ABS corrugated aileron strips or the top wing tank cover. I was hoping to try these on my new model but am not sure which way to install them. The instruction book says they can be installed in place of the balsa sheeting on the ailerons or placed on top of the sheeting. I wonder if anyone has tried using these and which method, if any, works best. The ailerons I have built already have the sheeting on them. Bill, if you have templates of the aileron ribs, I would like to try building them with the ABS in place of the balsa sheeting as an experiment.

I have some other issues to discuss later. Don't want to bore anyone with too long a post. Thanks for any input.

Bill Hogue
WACO Brotherhood #21