For most of us who are into these "classic pattern planes", our love affair began with a plane that you saw. For me it happened at a young age. It burned a unforgettable image in my mind, much like the sky it was flying in. That image is still in the back of my head. For me.... the era of pattern planes that caught me hook, line and sinker was the " ballistic pattern planes" (or "muscle pattern" as I call it, much like a 69 Camaro, Chevelle, or a Dodge Charger.... Muscle cars..... Muscle pattern ). Sleek designs,Retracts, screaming 60's/61's with tuned pipes burning up the skies.

Some 20 years ago in Rochester MN, where I learned to fly. One of the guys who taught me to fly bought this Incredible looking plane to the field. I will never forget this plane!!!! I can still close my eyes and see/smell that Webra 61 RE hauling around that beautifully finished airframe, effortlessly through the sky. The way that plane took off, retracts folding up, Sure power and Performance, Speed... oh the speed....,retracts coming down to make a perfect landing..... That is what I wanted!!!! Shortly after... we moved to IL never to see that plane, or the wonderful people from the flying club in MN.

I have/had Bootleggers (thanks to a few people hear on RCU, a plane that has proven hard to find!), Tiporares, 1st Generation Eclipse, LA-1, DB 60's, etc..... While all are among my favorites. None could compare to this plane that etched its every detail in my memory! Kind of like you first love.

" One In A Million " Lets talk about "one in a million" for a minute here. That is the odds of winning the Lotto. That is the odds of surviving a plane crash. That is the odds getting struck by lightening. Some have better odds/luck then others. I am one of those guys that win a bet.... as long as there is not money involved. Even if there is 99.9% chance of winning.... I fall in that .01% . Every now and then though.... The sun shines on the dogs back side!!!! That is exactly what happened to me!

One day I hopped on the PC, only to have my eyes pop out of my head, mouth wide open, tongue hit the ground (much like when I found my Dad's Easy Rider magazines). There she was... and for sale!!!!!!! Every bit as beautiful as the first day I laid eyes on her!!!!! Could it be???? 20 years and there it was?????? My mind was blown away!!!! What was even better though is the fact that the same person who had it back then still has it now. It was neat to play catch up with him. After e-mailing back and forth, a few phone conversations... we struck a deal to get my hands on this bird.

For those of you who have read this far...... with out falling asleep....... the plane I have been referring to is a modified Mach One. The tail feathers have been altered (this is what got me hooked on anhedral stabs) , fuse was switched up to use a rear exhaust engine, few other things here and there. This is also the plane that got me hooked on the Kraft slimline wheels.

"One In A Million" That is the chance of me getting my hands on this bird that I owe my addiction too. I have found the 13th step to the 12 step program!!!!! I can't wait to get this bird in my hanger..... yet alone back in the air!!!!!

Pretty neat story!

IT is still mind boggling that this bird has stood the test of time! (wish I could say the same[&o]) Check out the underside of this plane. I remember how this thing looked like it was waving to you when it did a knife edge from one end of the field to the other.

Trike gear too! Sweet!

Only way to go! I had a GS Hobbies DB 60 that was set up as a tail dragger. I built another wing and threw in the nose gear. All was better[sm=thumbup.gif]

Good story and good looking plane. Got two mach one's NIB
and one just about built. Just love em.

Ron

Ron, when you get that Mach 1 together. You half to post some pictures. They are great looking planes. Norm Page knew what he was doing when he designed this bird.