thunderboltaroger/ribcrackers/thunderbolt/2011-01.pdf · rate maybe we should get together more...
TRANSCRIPT
Monday, January 3, 7:30 pm
Livonia Senior Center 5 Mile & Farmington Livonia
Ribcrackers Model Airplane Club
Thunderbolt January 2011
Club 2067
We’re on the web!
http:/www.ribcrackers.org
Gus Dabringhaus
Gus
January Club Meeting
President’s Message Once again ―Happy New Year‖. It is hard to believe that
2011 has arrived. From what I have gathered from some
of our members, new airplanes have been showing up at
new hangers too. The hobby spirits and other types are
being consumed or are at least in the works. It is great to
hear the enthusiasm in the ranks. From big to small, gas
or electric they are all good. I hope to start seeing the
new ones at the model of the month showings.
The New Year also brings some new opportunities for the
Ribcrackers. We have a little momentum of the continu-
ous improvements that have been implemented so far.
Members are now discussing an Air Show of sorts. Keep-
ing in mind that our field has some minor issues but with
all of our inputs, I am quite sure that with proper plan-
ning and some genuine effort from more than just a few
we will be able to make an event happen in a positive
way. You should all spend some time and bring your
suggestions to the meetings in the next few months.
Don‘t forget the electric club that needs a helping hand in
the beginning of the year. I have been told that standing
water really slows them down in spring so why not invite
them to spend some quality flying time with us. Maybe
some will cross over and join our club also. And if we
ask right, maybe they can put a baseball card in their pro-
peller so we can all think that they have a real motor in
them.
For a day or two I checked in with some of the members
and I seriously thought about getting into the indoor fly-
ing at a dome in the Pontiac. I miss flying but I would
have to get all new accessories plus the simple flat foam
aerobat. I found that it would be a little cost prohibitive
in my situation. Maybe one of the guys will fill us in at
the meeting but by now the season might be well under
way. We can only ask. HINT – HINT.
From what I gather quite a few planes are flying in a
some what organized pattern with all things happening
at the same time and in the same space. Mid airs happen
but to what degree I have no idea. I‘m also told that there
is a 3D area with better odds of a complete flight. I be-
lieve that they fly on Tuesdays around lunch time.
Speaking about food, some of the members gathered at
the Library pub just before Christmas and I think that the
idea of a party will grow into a second annual party next
year.
We all most were too big of a group without any reserva-
tions but a good time was had by all that showed up.
Come to think about it, I think that some of the ideas of
what our club can do came out of this gathering. At that
rate maybe we should get together more often before all
the snow birds head south.
I would like to wish every one a safe, healthy New Year
and I hope that all of your airplane wishes come true in
the months to come.
Rudder says
” Happy New Year”
too!
Runner Up winner
was Dino Marashai
with an E-Flite
BEAST
And the winner is
Warren Wells and his
Dave Patrick Edge
540T. Warren custom
made the decals and
constructed a gas tank
from a Miller Lite beer
can. Good job!
CAN SPRING
BE FAR OFF?
Both entries
MODEL OF THE MONTH
THE PICTURE ON THE BOX WAS LARGER THAN THE PLANE!
Ribcrackers December Meeting Minutes - December 6, 2010
Meeting started promptly at 7:30
Minutes from previous meeting were approved
Treasurer‘s report - End of year numbers were close
to the budgeted numbers.
Due to impending bank fees the money was
moved from Charter Bank to Huntington .
Vice President - Nothing to report
Secretary - Time to renew
Editor - Not at the field much. Thanks for all the
contributions to the newsletter. It really helps. Need
more help. Any contributions to the newsletter
would help. Don‘t forget about ads if you have any-
thing to sell Let us know if you can receive the news-
letter electronically instead of via snail mail to save
the club money.
Old business/New business
In order to clear up any misunderstanding
you must be a certified instructor in order to
work with a non-flyer.
Only a certain number of instructors can take a
non-AMA member as a guest on a buddy box.
Marshall suggested that we put posts at the
end of the runway to mark the centerline to
help guide landing efforts
The video library has been almost completely
converted to DVD. Is there a way to get the
list of videos onto our web page?
Turns out that the Novi Field house is $75.00
to rent plus janitorial fees.
Once again a holiday gift will be given to Wal-
bridge Aldinger
Need flyers delivered to Nankin. Don will
design one and Hank will deliver.
Yearly Ribcracker dues are $70.00 + $20.00 if
no work hours were completed. This is the
same as it has always been.
The current board has graciously accepted
nominations to remain in their current posi-
tions and have been voted back into office.
There will be an ad hoc party organized and
members will be notified via email.
There was a suggestion that the constitution
needs to be brought up to date and published
again for new members.
Model of the Month
Dino brought in an E-Flite Beast with a 180
brushless motor. Dino said it is agile and fast.
Warren brought in a Dave Patrick Edge 540T
with a GME 50cc Gas engine. Warren made
his own decals and fashioned a gas tank from
a Miller Lite beer can. Congratulations go to
Warren for being this month‘s winner and for
his innovative use of materials
Respectfully submitted by Gerald Klose
Warren produces prizes
like these every month.
Your chances of winning
are very good, so come on
out to the January meeting.
Raffle Prizes
Field Marshall/Safety Officer Reminder Hello Ribcrackers,
I want to wish a Happy New Year to all of you and remind every one: same rules apply at the field even in
the winter months ...especially about our spotting policy ..so when you decide to head out there make sure
you pack a pair of skis and a spotter
I also like to remind the members that now that Walled Lake is frozen over, a few of us fly there on occa-
sion ....conditions are ideal when temps are over 30 with no wind and you can usually see us at West Lake
Drive (Dugs doc) or by South Lake Drive where I live.
OK the truth....it gets really cold out there but seriously we have a lot of fun especially when the sun is out.
Let me know if any of you want to come out (fly with wheels most of the times).
Please have current AMA card. Happy New Year to all. ALEX
“It only took me a week to
clean up my shop!”
Where Dennis builds those great models...
Okay Ribcrackers, Gerald and Dennis have shown us their building habitat, how about the rest of
you? Your Editor is always interested in where you do your magic. Remember the famed DC 3 tail
feathers were built on a kitchen table. Send me your pictures . Don
Don
Escadrille des Côtes
Cassées or literally
translated is Squadron
of Cracked Ribs.
Flyboys Recently I read ―Fall of Giants‖, a very entertaining novel
written by Ken Follett concerning World War I. I‘ve al-
ways been interested in why the “war to end all wars”
began. The book provides some answers to that ques-
tion. It also reminded me of a very good movie produced
in 2006 called Flyboys.
The film is about young Americans going off to war in
Europe to fly those new flying machines before the United
States entered the conflagration. This took place in 1916
and the airplane was only ten years old, still a novelty,
and already made into a war machine. The movie was
well researched for details on the pilots and the air-
planes. Such as, pilots were issued small hammers for
unjamming the machine guns and why the long leather
coats and long silk scarves were worn. Some actors por-
trayed real persons, others a compilation of real pilot his-
tories.
The movie was based on the Escadrille Lafayette. This
unit was originally called Escadrille Americaine but the
Germans protested ―neutrals‖ in the war so Escadrille
Lafayette was settled on. The first squadron had thirty
eight Americans in it and by 1918 over two hundred.
The airplane shown on this page flew in the film and is
on display at Herman Week‘s Fantasy of Flight in
Orlando.
This winter go to your local library or video rental center
and get the film. Be sure to watch the trailer. The pro-
ducers discuss how the film was made and their research
results. There is enough material in the film to keep you
entertained. (It ‗s too rough for children).
From the Herman Weeks collection
at Fantasy of Flight in Orlando
Perhaps it will interest you in building a WW I plane for the upcom-
ing Warbirds over New Hudson. I had my favorite French expert
(daughter in law) do some translation for us. Escadrille is
―squadron‖ and the Ribcrackers could be :
So will we see some Spads, Sopwiths, Nieuports, Rumplers, Fok-
kers at the field this coming flying season with
the new logo emblazoned on them?
Escadrille des Côtes Cassées
895 Grace, Northville, Michigan 48167
Club Positions
Vice President
Hank Wojcik
313-659-1677
Treasurer
Dennis Robbins
248-661-3562
Thunderbolt Editor
Don Unsworth
248-348-0961
Minute Recorder Gerald Klose
248-582-1803
Raffle Coordinator
Warren Wells
Field Marshall/Safety Officer
Alex Alexopoulos
248-909-6869
Chief Instructor
Warren Wells
248-437-2694
Ribcrackers 2010 Board of Directors
Librarian
Ken Hilton
248-374-8259
Secretary
Matt Jerue
248-348-5948
President
Gus Dabringhaus 810-986-0375
810-222-6300 fax [email protected]
LOCAL COMING EVENTS
January 23, 2011
R. C. C. D.
15th Swap Meet
K of C Hall
Warren
Robert Hunt, CD
313.920.2329
www.rccd.org
February 7, 2011
Ribcrackers Club
February Meeting
Livonia Senior Center
Monday, 7:30pm
January 9, 2011
D. A. M. Swap Meet
Monaghan K of C Hall
Livonia
Charles Thomas, CD
313.565.2973
www.
detroitaeromodelers.com
REMINDER Don’t forget to re-up your AMA membership.
FOR SALE
O. S. .46SF w/muffler $50
O. S. .55AX w/muffler $75
O. S. .91FX w/muffler $100
All engines are used and are in good condition.
Warren Wells 248.437.2694
February 2011 Events
February 6-Mid Michigan
Swap Meet—Chesaning
February 16 -Skymasters
Swap Meet—Troy
February 19-Thunderbirds
Swap Meet—Kalamazoo