Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Guys (and Gals),

In our lives we all have a handful of people (if you are lucky) that we consider family. That person is better than a best friend, they are your wingman. Four years ago I lost my wingman to cancer. He and I were great friends and I miss him to this day. We met in the scale helicopter circle and we just clicked...epic friendship no doubt. He was a master builder and I would test fly all his creations...

Now he is gone and all I have is the memory of him talking me through those first flights on a new machine. If you have ever seen me at the flying field you will notice this frequenct pin that hangs from my neck strap, thats Marks old pin. We still fly together to this day....

Anyway, I have wanted to do something in tribute to him that had to do with modeling. This is what I came up with. Not super flashy (Mark was net either), but IMO respectful.

Just wanted to share, what do you think?


Ps...we all have a wingman, if you are lucky enough to still have yours, seize the moment...they go too quickly!

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Looks good..... Well done.

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Dave, right on...looks good.....u do know that the "boss" sits in the back of the 339 and the student sits up front? :D

Ryan

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

I do. I was always the student, Mark was the teacher....and so it goes...

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

cool thing to do.....

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

[sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Excellent tribute!!!

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Very Cool tribute

Love the paint scheme also;)

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Semper Fidelis .....[sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=thumbs_up.gif]

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

looks awsome great way to remember your buddy

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Awesome tribute Dave.

I'm sure most people realize this, but for those that don't, that Mountain Dew helicopter is actually a scale heli that Mark Alpine built and painted. To see it in person is really unbelievable.

Enjoy every minute guys.......toy airplanes (and helicopters)......nothing more. It's the friendships that make it worthwhile.

Chad

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

I think that you have said it all!!

Rick :eek:

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

It's all about the people. Well done.

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Very Nice indeed..

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

I met Mark in the scale heli world at the first circumgyration, his work was magnificant and inspired me to always try harder for that last little perfect detail. he is truly missed.

Kevin

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Very cool Dave

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Very nice tribute Dave! Mark was a great friend and I always enjoyed competing against him. At the 2004 Southern Nevada Scale Classic contest, Mark beat me by 1 point! I had never seen him fly better, he had perfect rounds. I was proud to take 2nd that year. Every time I go to the field, I dedicate a flight in his memory.

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Nicely done Dave!

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Thank you guys. Seems many of you knew Mark...of little surprise, he touched many lives.

Dan, you coming to the dark side? You move to flying fixed wing turbine?

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Hi Dave!
Yep, I have always loved jets, but not as much as helis. I am building a Ziroli F9F Panther and have a P-80SE sitting waiting to go in it. I have the fuse built and am sanding on it and will complete the wings this winter. Hope to fly it next year.

You should come out for our jet rally, it will be May 21-23 next year. I wanted to come down to the SIn City jet rally, but didn't get the Panther finished in time. I always love coming to Vegas to fly with you guys, I really miss the SNSRC, it was a blast!!!

Take Care,
Dan

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Dan,

Great news! Sorry you could not have made it down, I will keep yours in mind, seems I owe you a trip!

Whats the DA up there? You guys are at like 12 million feet ASL, no? :D

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

That's great!

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Dave,

That' s so nice of you making a tribute for our friend! I miss Mark too! I wish he can be here today and joing us flying the jet planes too....

All the best to you and hopefully I can see you at CA Jets this year. I still fly the helos too as well as the Jets.

All the best,

Gonzalo

RE: Fallen Wingman Tribute
 

Dave, nice thing to do as i lost my son a years ago[he was 22] and im going to do the same thing on my f18f. you know they both are in a WAY BETTER place and your best freind is flying the best stuff and i KnoW my boy is driving the coolest car and still racing snowmobile they will always be with us scottkieper