1988 Sweet n Low Super Stick
Of the 50 or so planes Dad had in his home in St. Albert, he sold about half at Auction a few years ago. Then Brian and I arranged to sell a bunch more in 2019 at the Edmonton Radio Control Society Auction which left six of his largest and most detailed planes. in 2020, I donated two, the Gee Bee Sportster and the Chilton to Reg Blackwell at the Alberta's Littlest Airport where dad used to fly, and which is now my home field. That left me with four.
Chilton DH-1
GeeBee Sportster
They have told me the planes can stay as long as I like. I guess they are something interesting for customers to see, but I really appreciate it.
My friend Scott Currie, who works there, has helped me a lot over this past year with all sorts of hobby related things!
Dad's Tiger Moth - Displayed at Hobby Wholesale in Edmonton
Ercoup
If ERCS (Edmonton Radio Control Society ) have an auction next year, and I will probably sell it there. They have had to cancelled their last two annual auctions due to COVID.
For now, it is stored in the loft in my barn.
He will bring it back to flying status, fly it at our local field, enter it in various competitions, and when not flying it, he will display in the lobby of "Innovative Wings Inc." an aviation business where he works in Calgary. He will also make a donation to support the Alberta's Littlest Airport.
I couldn't ask for a better offer, or for a better person or home for the Shrike.
Bob White and I with the Curtis Shrike
Bob White with the Curtis A-10 Shrike
Bob commented to me that he was appreciative of Dad's detailed logs which included many construction details which have been extremely valuable to his restoration efforts.
He had it running and did a brief flight this fall, but had some technical issues resulting in a broken propeller. I am really looking forward to seeing it fly next year!
I had never seen it fly, although at one point, when he was in his late 80's he suggested that he would set it up so I could fly it with him being the ground crew. He said it would be a good introduction to large scale airplanes.
I agreed, but unfortunately, with his declining health, it just never happened.
Giant Sweet n Low Super Stick
The old engine runs like a top!
I had always said that I have no interest in gas or nitro fueled planes or engines, having vivid memories of dad having to wipe all the oily gue off the sides of his planes after every flight, but - well what the heck, I thought I should give it a try.
The plane needed some work, including changing all the fuel lines, the fuel tank, the radio receiver, the receiver and ignition batteries and the engine spark plugs.
While I am a decent pilot, all of my planes are electric so I have no experience and very limited knowledge of gas RC engines.
Thank goodness for Murray, Reg, Neil and a few others. I now have eight flights on it and am feeling more confident both starting and flying it.
Murray and Henry helping me getting it running!
I have to say that I am more than a little nervous whenever I take off for a flight, but I am starting to get used to it.
Of course I now have a fueling tank and pump and a few other bits and pieces, added to my tool collection, and am learning a lot about the intricacies of large planes and gas engines.
The article was published in the November edition this year and has some nice matching photos of Dad with the plane, and then years later, me with the plane in a similar pose. Apparently the article has recieved some positive reviews from around the country. You can read it here.
The Stick survived my first flight!
We will see.
Bob White and the Shrike
