Introduction

Hi Patrick,

Yes, quite a step from the 65 HP Ercoupe to the 235 HP Bonanza but I loved every minute of it. Did lots of grass strip stuff with the Ercoupe (N87030) but not the Bonanza (N61JT). Lost my medical in '91 (had a stroke) and haven't been a PIC since. A little of my instrument training was in a 1960 '210' owned by a friend of mine (just before I got the Bonanza). My job required lots of international and domestic travel so I've been in quite a few from a BOAC Comet to a British Airways Concorde and many flights to Tokyo and Europe on a 747. You may very well have flown me as a passenger - I made 63 international trips between 1973 and 1980. AND, I agree about the AIRLINE MEALS , but the best I ever had was on SAS - lobster and champagne breakfast. At 78, building models is my aviation outlet now - working on a TC50/UC78 and keep wondering what it would have been like to fly one (I have a few hours in a twin BO).

Best

Hi, Bick

Quite a step from the Ercoupe to the Bonanza, are you still flying? Between military and commercial I spent 40 years and 2 months "on deck," retired at mandatory age 60, 12 years ago. Hung up the wings as Capt, 747-400. For many years I was half owner of a '66 Cessna T-210, the other owner was also a company pilot so scheduling of the 210 was never a conflict. Loved it, high wing and shade plus great view, turbo charged with oxygen, FL18-22K and 210-220 TAS. Great for X country, but retractable gear seemed a bit "spindly" so we didn't go to many grass strips with it. Probably why they made 185's.

Now I fly a Ford Pickup with a black lab named Maggie close beside, at my age I like this arrangement just as well as when flying the line, (maybe even more.) No night trips, no 14 hour legs, home every night and NO AIRLINE MEALS.

Happy building

Patrick

Welcome!  Hope to see some pictures of your builds before the kids get a hold of them.But since I have a tendency to blow mine up mabye a few pictures of the aftermath may do just as well. We can compare the resulting "Battle damage" and see if I'm doing it right!  

Welcome aboard Patrick.

Welcome to the forums!

Hope to see some pictures.

Patrick,

A big welcome from me too! I was born 6 yrs before you - in the days when, if an airplane flew overhead everyone was outside to watch. Got in my blood and have been an aviation enthusiast since. Years ago got my Private with Instrument and owned over the years an Ercoupe, Cessna SkyHawk and Bonanza. Just recently got back into plastic scale and having fun. Post lots (and with pics).

Welcome, Patrick!

Glenn

Welcome to the Forum, Patrick.

Welcome to the Forums Patrick. Glad to have another "Old timer" around to keep these young wippersnappers on the straight and narrow. My name is Jim and I am a plasticaholic. I love the smell of plastic in the mourning. I'm also 72, building since 6. I build whatever strikes my fancy at the time. I'm trying to get the grandkids interested but so far they just like to watch. I use 2.5x drugstore glasses and also a large magnifying glass with a built in light to work with. I wish that those freight trains would stop going by under the workbench making my hands shake so much while I'm trying to work (sounds like a good excuse for shaky hands ). Post lots of pics of your builds and everyone will be happy. Lots of great info on the Forums if you need any.

Jim

Patrick, It is great to have you join us. I do hope you'll post some photos of some of your models before the kids get a hold of them. I build mostly 1/48 but I do enjoy 1/72 also. Currently working on 1/72 Hasegawa FW 190 F-8. I also prefer MM paints and I am able to use them like yourself with a paint booth vented outside. Look forward sharing with you. Joe

Hi Patrick,

Welcome to the FSM Forum!