Well Jack, According to your weather link it looks pretty cold and frozen over there,
And You've got quite a hanger full, You should send me a snapshot of the whole fleet put together, I only have 6 in the Hanger right now, and that includes the 1.20 Ultra Sport I'm Building.

And if your letting the Twist rest between other birds I don't believe your your hurting yourself, the various planes you fly, always sets your path as a better pilot with more knowledge, HOWEVER, I do believe the Twist has feelings, and she's probably feeling a little spiteful and Jealous as she watches other birds soar through the sky, But I always apologize to the Twist as I do all my other crafts when they have to sit and watch, and ensure them their turn is coming, But I'd rather have one bird jealous and snotty acting instead of the whole fleet, because If all my planes caught that attitude I would be rebuilding them constantly, My Bipe used to fly great for me Then I introduced the Twist to the Hanger, Hence my first Bipe Crash was that day, and she fights me in the sky all the time now, the more I take her up though, the better she responds.

my Birds must work in Harmony !!! the other 3 I never have a problem with, I'm not affraid to show them the consequences of giving me a hard flight time by introducing them to the incinerator Pit, When I incinerated the 4 star, which was in respect, not anger, I brought the Bipe up and let it witness the Waldo method of Plane retirement. [>:] (she hasn't crashed since) The Twist has the same Characteristics, THEY'LL BE NO BRATS IN MY HANGER!!! THEY WILL ALL FLY & GET ALONG ALWAYS!! or they will face the wrath of unprecidented brimstone,,, MYHOOOHAAAA haaa haaa haa.[sm=bananahead.gif]

Well, Waldo, ya got me laughing for sure. Can't let those balsa and monokote kids rebel--ever. Yet, I agree. Don't scorn the Twist. [Witness Gary's finger!]

By the way, I'm looking for a good Bipe. I've flown the Ultimate and Skybolt on RealFlight G3. The Skybolt seems more forgiving, but I've heard good things about the Ultimate Bipe. But they only sell the Skybolt in kit form, no ARF. And you can't trust the aerodynaics of a simulator. What's a good choice? Those bipes don't float, not that I want them to, but I seem to have trouble keeping my Saitos going. The bipe I get MAY get the new 125 Saito--sounds like a great engine. And I MAY have the tuning of them in hand now.

I didn't fly today. But I have a drink in my hand--and some Elmer's Probond curing on the fix of the P-51D's wing. I'll be okay, I guess....

Jack

In order to become "one" with the Twist its necessary to focus. This higher level of consciousness can only be achieved when all extraneous stimulation is eliminated. It is folly to even consider flying another bird during this time of "inner cleansing." This dedication is rewarded when the Twist begins to speak to you through her subtle movements. Time slows down and life is good. If you give her your complete attention, she'll take you by the hand and show you things that make the heart race and face flush. Only then can you abandon yourself to the "Twist Experience."

I couldn't help but love Downs' interpretation of connecting with the Twist, I believe that 100% but unfortunately,, I am a spoiled brat and must have many planes to caress the skies with. and I like to be in touch with all of them. so therefore I shall glue & repair the wounds of which I inflict on my little balsa attituded defense system.

After flying the Ultimate 40 she was a dream, it took a little getting used to, unlike most Bipes, but once it was locked in it was my favorite plane to fly, until I bought a Twist of course, and she showed her attitude of rage and crashed once, thats all it took, I'm having a hard time getting it back to that nice flowing and attacking plane, I used an OS .46 but she wants the 70 4 stroke for sure, I have just finished re overhaulling her again for this season, so it should be back the way it was. I did really like it and it flew great, it was a great Planes, you have to watch their directions carefully, they screwed up a few things, I was just helping my cuz out last night, and they had the same screw ups on his plane, ex.. motor they want mounted 4 x 7/8 in front of the firewall to the rear of the nose spinner, on all 3 models the front to engine mount holes are off the engine mounts by at least an 1/8.... Whats up with that??? I might be done buying the Great planes Kits, this was my 3rd and 3 strikes and your out in my book, They are very very fragile too,, for speed I assume, but if you use your own intuition you'll be fine. Try the Goldberg Ultra.

I'm hoping Hanger 9 will put out some kits, as I like to build, and the Twist is an awesome flying machine.

Yes, Waldo, when Down gets away from his Twist, he gets sick--and poetic. Love it. And he ain't gonna like this weekend's weather. It's going to be bitter cold, "breezy, and snowy. But I'll bet ya a new Twist he'll find a way to fly it--even if he has to run around inside the house with his fingers under the fuse. I've gotta get a pic of that, too. :-)

Here's a couple pix of my birds (at our "summer field")--and Swedetown Ponds, with Down's Zaggi and Twist--on a nice day.

Recently we ran into a couple other flyers who have much larger fields to use. One field is maintained by a flyer, a very old flyer (big planes), who keeps a windsock on his garage--and MOWS THE GRASS ALL SUMMER LONG for the R/C flyers. Nice guy. Came to stand with me while I was flying at their other field, just down the road, and talked and talked planes. I plan to get him up on a buddy cord this summer, just for kicks. Hm, maybe before.

Swedetown Ponds and the other summer field, the old Houghton Co. Airport (50 years ago), now filled with baseball fences! and growing trees are not ideal, but they're very close--within a mile of Down's house, 6 miles from mine. The new fields are 14 miles away. Doesn't sound like far, but it's across the Portage Canal, which means you burn gas going and coming, deep, steep valley.

No flying today--and I'm getting twitchy. Down's gotta be in deep DT's. That's "Down Twist."

Jack

NICE PICS !!! why is that the Miss America Mustang I see in the back ground?? that is going to be the next plane I buy I think. I don't know though for sure yet I think its only an ARF at the moment. I need the kit.
And I'm freakin too right now, we are having 46 degree days up here beautiful and Sunny, but my Twist must remain grounded, for fuel won't come until Next Wednesday, ARGGGHHH.... what a waste of a warm winter week, all the snow is gone right now, and of course the blizzard of 2006 should be here Saturday Morn. or so there saying now.

The TWIST must SOAR!!!! I think I'm going to have to add some weight to the tail end of her I can't get the balance to be 5.0,, thats all I want is 5.0,,, I already cut a hatch behind the wing and put the Bat back in there, I suppose I could also add the receiver, but I kind of like where its at,, I just hate to add weight..

Waldo, I could use some fuel myself. What say you and I don our Ninja suits and make a raid on Jack's garage? Well fellow Twistophiles, I finally got my comeuppance. I had a big Twist party planned down at Trona this Sat. with gjeffers (usually hanging at the Saito club). I went out this morning to feed the critters and it's back down in the 20's. Dang it. A cold wind is blowing and I'm staying inside. Maybe it will pass through by the weekend. Nice photos Jack. That pond looks cold! I like pics with green in them. That's one thing that is lacking here in the desert, green.

Waldo, if you get the P-51, ARF or kit, think about putting in one of those "sound like 20mm cannons" thingys to put in her. She's a dream to fly, looks awful good in the air with the retracts going up, but she's just a show plane, not a flying challenge--unless you flame out, then keep the nose down 15% and flare out at 35 mph, if ya can. Sound in that bird would make those vertical diving runs and straffing attacks real crowd pleasers.

You're getting as bad as Tim, talking about days over 40--in the WINTER. We won't see a day over 40 for a month, I suspect. Tim warmed my heart when he said it was 20 in Lone Pine. Huh, go figure THAT out.

"Insurance bliss," these days, for me, is having both a Twist AND fuel in the hangar. I presently have TWO Twists and 43 gallons of Wildcat, so enjoy thinking about THAT as you sit, not flying, in your sun and balmy weather.

As I sit, not flying, I'm considering changing out the ST .45 on ONE Twist and putting the 82a back on her--with a velocity stack, which may help with the fuel efficiency. The 82a weighs less than the OS .61, so if I put the bat behind the canopy I MAY be able to get that bird to the 4.25 CG that Down has his at. THEN we can discuss abilities on a level playing field. And landing tail heavy planes is a real challenge.

Oh, and NOT included in that 43 gallons are 8 QUARTS of Wildcat 35% nitro--my pal at Wildcat sent them, gratis, with the last order--so he could get me hooked on flying high test stuff in my Saitos. I hope the 35% is also more fuel efficient, bigger props, velocity stack, lower rpms.... We'll see.

I've gotta get off line. Down just may call and say he wants to wreck a plane in this weather after 4 pm. The snow's stopped even if the winds are still gentle-breezy (23 mph gusts). The wind chill is still above zero, by three degrees, anyway. Yeah, he'll call.

Oi.

I don't guess I should tell you guys that our temp right now is 70 degrees!?!?!? [sm=cool.gif]

http://www.waff.com/Global/category.asp?C=4211&nav=0hBG

Yes, but look at what's in store for the weekend. Yuk yuk. Ghee, you better grab a plane and get some air time in before it's too late.

Count me in Tim, I haven't put my Ninja suit on in years, I hope it still fits over my potbelly, but Jack wouldn't even miss a Gallon or 12 I'm sure, well,,, errr, until next week anyway when he started to run out. We attack at 5:30 when he and Down are out cascading the Skies with yellow and purple streaks and foggy breath.

Ghee,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, your just not right!!! [:'(] 70 degrees !!!!! thanks..

I will of course be arming the p-51 with whatever I can, Gatlans, 20mm, etc.. I'm hoping to drop a 10 Oz balloon bomb filled with Chicken Soup and Estes rockets make great sidewinders, we like to dogfight at our field we just keep forgetting the streamers so we have had a few casualties of war already, the Twist has been successful in coming back whole and with no damage twice now, Gotta love that plane.

Gary, that's a heckuva weather site. It forecasts a "high, 68" then shows 70 degrees! Can't those good ol' boys just put a hand out the winder?

Hey I was just on the U-can Do thread, (followed a friends link) those guys are on page 168,, I thought the Twist was the longest running thread on here, Dag-nab-it-all,, competition is everywhere, what ever happened to the good ol days, oh I almost forgot,, I like competition, these ARE the good ol days, I have to win my trophy back this season and I will with the twist in my corner.

15 minutes until we arrive at Jack's,, Tim[>:]

We sure could use some of that up here!(Heat, that is.) I'm doing my internship at the local Salvation Army (University Requirement) and you can't imagine the number of people coming in with shut-offs! I've been seeing bills averaging $400/month. The money won't last long at this rate.

I personally don't mind the cold, I just hate this @@%$@%#@%$#@#@%#@%$#@%$#@%$@$@$@$@$@$#@####$$#%#@@ %$#@%$@@!@!$!$#@$#@!#@$!$#@%$#!$#@%$!$@$#!$#@$#!$@ !%$#@$#@!$#@%%#$!$#!@$#@%$#!$#!$#@%$#!$@$!$#@$#@$! $!@%$#!$#@$#!$#@$#@$!.....GREY!!!!

Peace.

Waldo, I think we better cancel the raid at Jack's house. I did a pre-raid recon and spotted old Sparky the Pit Bull sitting on top of Jack's fuel cache. Down, I just woke up in the back yard where I passed out after the propane truck driver handed me the bill. At least glow fuel is staying pretty much the same price. The last gallon I bought was the same as it always was.

Waldo, mind Tim's powers of observation. The big, black, unsmiling dog in the Twist/Dart/P-51D pic is Jake, near the Jeep. He NEVER smiles, and, ask Down, Jake growls even at ME when I put him in the Jeep where he can't see the Twist fly. You don't even wanna CONSIDER what he'd do if he saw strangers taking glo fuel from the garage. And I leave one of his plastic dummies on TOP of those cardboard boxes, so NOBODY will touch that fuel.

Funny, that dog is 8 yrs old. I brought him home on my lap as a pup. Since I retired that year, that dog's been my shadow, under my feet or in my lap (a "lap" dog at 95 lbs.) since then. When I started flying with Down, I left him home. Jake got so angry he peed in the closet, then downstairs, and I had a donnybrook with the wife. Now I take him every day I fly, so he's gotten over it, but the kid likes to fly. I put him on the buddy cord, once, but he had a hard time going between the sticks with his nose, then his paws. He landed awful close, got balsa, purple and yellow in his teeth, and I called it quits. But he watches. He delights in watering Down's tires, too.

But you spoke of flying combat, Waldo. Down and I tried it once, in winter, with our Dirty Birdies (Sturdy Birdy IIs with ST .51s, fast as hell). I put some surveyor's tape on the back of my bird with about 10 feet of thread. In the middle of the flight the thread broke, so, says I, "Well, we can go up and have some fun." We did for another flight. Then, asks Down, "What're the odds on us hitting one another up there?" "Golly," says I, "way out over the pond? ah, I'd say 50 to 1."

Well, I was wrong! The odds were 1 out of 3. Third flight we were 75 yards out, 30 yards up, over the opposite shore of the frozen pond--a loooong way away. I made a loop, Down got on top of me, somehow, and hit my wing, knocked it off--I can still see it floating, flipping in the breeze, coming down. I can't recall what happened to Down's bird, but it came down in deep, soft snow. Bits and pieces of planes coming down in a shower--with me still at full throttle (panic), heading for the pond. Nosed her in good, bent the drive shaft. The durned tail didn't have ANY lift, none. Believe that?

We'll have to try that again, soon. MY Dirty Birdy is ready to go--and I'm bored with her. And I have outsized ailerons on it. {Sigh} But Down's too busy with school--and he won't let me fly the Dirty Birdy against his Twist. Can't imagine why.

We are working out a flight pattern, a show, a ballet, with two Twists in the air. That'll take time. Our engines sound the same and we really like to hear them, but with two in the air at the same time, it's a chore. I have to hear the engine. Maybe I'll get over that.

Bigger challenge: Someone in one of these forums said we ought to tune two identical birds perfectly, trim them the same, and fly BOTH planes on ONE transmitter at the same time, windless day. Now THERE'S a thought that'll keep you busy on a a non-flying day. Doable?

Fly 'em like you hate 'em.

What fun.

Can't be done successfully...there, I put in my two cents. Two planes on one receiver could never function for any length of time... a slight misalignment of one without the ability to correct it hence over-correcting the other. Sorry, too tired to correct....need sleeeeeeeeeeeep..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well if you can't do 2 successfully then maybe I'll try 4 maybe I'll get 2 of the 4 to land and if that doesn't work well 6 is the next magic number[>:] I'm a mule I have to see it to believe it and one day when I hit the lotto I might just try.

Dog fights are the greatest, we actually have hit 3 times in the air, and twice we both were able to land, we actually were formation flying not fighting the first time, the Twist and its big ol 14 x 4 prop cut a nice slit down my good buddies extra 300 wing from the center spar near the fuse right out to the end of the wing tip, Twist no damage at all, buddy landed and we couldn't believe it was still flying, the next time I took out his back stabilizer, again with the 14x4 prop, we didn't know we hit each other but we suspected it, as we did a fly over you could see sunlight through the stabilizer, but he landed that okay, the Red 4 star was a victim of our 3rd smash, we were taking off in formation when the wind separated us a little, so I went to fly over to him and the wind picked his plane straight up as I arrived and his prop cut the 4 star wing right in half, needless to say they dropped from the sky with the look of the famous Ernst Kessler death spin on that one. it was great,, what a show..

as far as the dog goes Tim, Have no fear, because I love to Dog fight, and there is nothing like a peanut butter steak sandwich to soothe the wildest beast, I have no fear, but then I'm a moron. a moron with no fuel, but I have a TWIST

Waldo, put on some old ragged clothes and set up operations near the entrance to the local flying field. Have an empty jug and a sign " Wife and kids need fuel". Practice your hang-dog facial expression.

You fellas must live farther in the "sticks" then Jack or I. I figure you both could have distilled some 'bout now! Speaking of distill'n, I ran out of water upstairs so I started drinking this clear stuff in this bottle........but the labels all blurry. somthin bout 100 roof? or 50%buy voulumes.........hmmmmmmsheeeeeeeeeesh the room..... shes' a spinni'n.

Great Idea Tim, that's better than wrestling Jacks dog to the ground for a container of flight time, besides I ate the Peanut butter steak sandwich, and I won't have the money for more steak until Wednesday, so I can just buy the dang fuel by then.
I'm just a scared that I will put up my sign and people will bring me job applications, their like that here in NY, especially to us 60's hippie's

GREAT NEWS !!! 50 mph breeze expected today, gusting to 70 mph, the temp is around 50, WHATS GOING ON UP HERE??, Cats & dogs living together, its mass hysteria I tell ya, we're going be warmer then Ghee's hometown soon, I can feel it. when I get home from work I'm going to tie some twine to the nose of the Twist and mount the other end in my second floor window, then I will practice my climb and descends and snap roll & Knife Edge techniques, for today the Twist is a Twistkite. no fuel required.

I never tried the clear stuff DownT, but it sounds great, I might have to try that, I use to have a connection in Alabama that would bring me the "White Whisky" when she visited us Yankees, I might have to have Ghee look into it now, as that connection has been broken, so maybe he can help me there, I was going to try some White lightning in the ol os motor, but I didn't want to waste any, it came so infrequently that we would savor every single drop.

So there you have it Jack, you can rest easy with your supply of fuel, I thought if Tim & I were able to get some this week, we could be flying this weekend, but this weekend is on us now, I will just get my fix with the Twistkite today, and by next weekend I'm going through a couple of tanks myself, providing of course the string doesn't snap & my kite doesn't fly away tonight.

I know a few "seasoned" shine runners.

I knew I liked you

WAaaaahlllllllllllllll, I made a big mistake this morning. I went out to blow snow from the driveway and saw some SUN. The winds seemed down, so I asks myself why I couldn't fly alone this morning. [Rick called to ask me where to put his Twist's CG, and I asked him if he wanted to fly. Said "No! You crazy?" You know my answer.]

The mistake was coming in, going on line, and checking the wind chill. Winds are gusting UNDER 20, but wind chill is in the minus numbers. There's a difference from thinking of "cold" in your mind and SEEING the numbers, THEN thinking how monokote will explode if you drop anything, even a snowflake, on it, this weather. And those ol' yellow cheeks would just bunch up and fracture the OS's head.

Waldo, tell me again how you tie a line to the Twist so I can practice a bit, right here at the house. There's an 18 foot drop from my south-facing roof to the ground--and the wind is from the west. Oughta work, I reckon.

I'm REALLY tired of this blankety-blank weather. (We have a "winter storm watch" on until Sat night). Now, you couldn't get where I live with less than a 32 foot drive (that's 8 dog) sled and 60 pounds of down coat, pants, and boots. But if you CAN get here. Some--I say SOME-- of that fuel is yours. You know that.

This time of year I think they just take the Keweenaw off the map. I haven't even seen a snowmobiler on the trail, either. So much for THEIR passion. And I live right on the main snowmobile trail that goes from Hancock to Copper Harbor, 40 miles away.

The pic is the way it looked here our first winter, 1984, a "true" blizzard. I should have learned. Down will appreciate seeing the old 350 Chevy 4X, sitting near the road in the DRIVEWAY. See the snowshoe prints behind the truck. I had to blow all that snow OUT of the drive. Took half a day. It MAY look just like this Sunday morn.

Hm, the pic didn't load. Try again.