The RDRC Circus

 "The Circus" wasn't an official RDRC group, but rather a large number of members that headed out to other clubs' event on a regular basis. It was so much fun, I can't possibly explain it in a proper way...but I'll try :-) We would talk on our FB page or the RDRC forum. Back in those days, web forums were a popular way to communicate...maybe yahoo groups? Anyway, someone would mention an upcoming event on a Saturday or Sunday, and everyone that could make it, would. 

We'd arrange to meet up somewhere, head to breakfast long the way, and then on to the event. We had radios to yak back and forth on between vehicles during the trip, and that was usually a comedy show all along the way. Sometimes, we'd roll in with 10-15 vehicles/trailers deep (sometimes more), and fill in a big chunk of the parking and setup area. Usually, many of the vehicles had multiple people. Very often, clubs would say they were getting worried they were gonna have a low turnout, then the Circus would roll in. 

 All types of birds were represented...trainers, fun-fly, 3D, warbirds, etc. You name it, and it was probably in the lineup.  We would fly all day, have a large time, lots of laughs, crashes to talk about, crazy flying skills from some of the guys were demonstrated, formation or group flying, high speed stuff. Wow... the list goes on. 

Many times, the route home involved stopping to eat along the way. Foamies would often break out and the flying would continue. We had fun the entire time. The entire time. Such good memories we made, and we still talk about some of the craziness, even today. We should probably make and effort to get this started back up...and we probably will! 

Here's a few pics of the Circus, on the road, and in action...

 

 

Lucky-13 Build

 I was going through some pics today, and found this batch of build photos for the Electric Lucky-13 build, from back in 2014. They're in no particular order, but you can see what I did with it. This was a great flying bird, wish I could find another!

 

 

Super Sportster .20

 Sometime in 1988, Garry Owens and I went down to Johnny Johnson's hobby shop in Fuquay-Varina NC. This place had EVERYTHING, and was always so much fun to visit. While there, I bought a scratch-built Super Sportster .20 that someone had built and traded in. The fuse was pretty much by the plans, but the wing was a sheeted foam core. I bought new O.S. .32 for it, installed my radio, and was ready to go. Man, that thing was FUN. A great flying airplane, fast, and would still handled well at low speeds. Garry bought a kit and built it, and also fitted a .32. We burned holes in the sky for years with those birds. Here's a couple of pics...the 2nd pic is of Garry and me, I'm on the left with the yellow Sportster. 

 

 

Eagle 63

 Sometime in 1988, I pulled an Eagle 63 out of the trash can at the WRCMA field and hauled it home. It had been stuck in the ground pretty good, but had promise. I took it home, repaired a bit of it and hung it up. I was flying hot fun-fly stuff at that time, and had my mind on other things...

Move forward to 1994...my oldest son, Chris, was interested in RC Airplanes. We had just bought a new home north of Zebulon, and moved to that area. I still had the parts of the Eagle 63, so Chris and I pulled it down, and I started teaching him about construction and repair. We rebuilt the 63, and he learned to fly on it. These are the only two pics of it I can find, but I'm glad I have them. These are poor lo-res pics of Chris (age 12) at the RDRC field, prepping the 63 for another day of flying. 

 

 

DiBeaSu

 Sometime in 1988, I found the plans for a Hummer....I don't recall the mfg...Sig maybe? Anyway, I blew them up to about a 55" wing span, made a bunch of structural changes from the mostly lightweight stick construction, and the DiBeaSu was born. No dihedral, low wing thing...tail dragger. It was fun to fly with a O.S. 45 & tuned pipe. I have parts from the wreckage of one hanging in the garage. As per usual back then, this is the only photo I can find. It's a crappy pic of the original fuselage under construction.

 

The first plane met it's demise in early testing, due to a failed tail section. I started another in 1989, and it hung around until 2006, when I pulled the drawings out, and started on another one...

 

I made some notes to myself back in the 80's, and reminded me to build the next one as a high-winger... I don't remember why, but there must have been a reason. SO, I took my own advice, and moved the wing to the top of the fuse :-)  This is as far as it got in 2006. Stand by, I will get back to this, eventually...