Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Add two to the list

Rick Shoup

Since I sold Mr. Wolff his hangar queen, I'll eat his fish.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Is anyone flying through New Jersey to Kentucky Dam? I am looking for a ride. I will share costs. With commercial air fare, rental car and hotel, not to mention food, I am looking at about $800. That's a little too expensive for a weekend for me now. Let me know.

Kurt

I hate to but I have to with draw my name for the fish fry. I have been looking forward to it for months. I have a funeral I need to attend Saturday.

I just called and canceled my reservation at the Resort in case anyone needs a room.

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

Just returned from KD with the other two amigos, what a weekend of fine weather, The Scola's had it all perfect. Hospitality, weather, Patti's, fish fry flyout at Murray. I believe there were 17/19 lost count.

Thorps (and a couple honorary Thorps) seen at KY Dam this year.

Not to rub it in, but those who missed it really missed a good one. Not sure how we could top this year, but I'm looking forward to trying next year!!!

More pics to come ...



Bob Highley




William Williams




Les Conwell




Gary Green




David Read




Eric Smithenry (Piloted By Mr. Roy Farris!)




Lee Walton




Mark Russell




Ron Hayes




Bill Beswick




Bjarne Sorensen




Paul Kirik




Chuck Schuster




Bernie Fried




Richard Bentley




Dan Wolff




Joe Wengerd




Scott Hinton (Walt Giffin's pride and joys new owner!)




Wendell Green (Wing Derringer Thorp T-17)




Ed Ludke (Thorp in disguise)




David Turner (Swift soon to be traded in on a Thorp!)

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Some things I learned at Kentucky Dam

1. I can still (lightly) bounce a T-18 and earn an approval comment from one of greater talent (Thanks Joe Wengerd for trusting me)
2. I have far better taste in beer than Gary Green
3. I am a Dumbschitt Squared (GG) for selling my plane.
4. A side throttle is a must for my project.
5. I can remain calm and humble through minor inebriation while being admonished by a champion female aerobatic pilot.
6. I must endeavor to rise to the enthusiasm of Scott Hinton, who to my face called me a T-18 prostitute!!!
7. I am a T-18 prostitute
8. More formation tricks and techniques.
9. Ben Scola is a better bartender than I used to be.


Thanks to all who made it happen - What a great time with a great group of people. The learning never stops.

Thanks Lee Walton for diverting and delivering me to and from Nashville

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

I didn't know you were a former Fighter Pilot ? [:p] You listed most of the qualities to become one ! [;)]

RB

The auto engine T-18 belongs to Chuck Schuster from Park Ridge, IL.

Oops! Good catch, thanks Bob!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Kentucky Dam was a cool weekend indeed! Thanks to Mr Paine for scouting out this locale,& Teresa Scola for keeping track of everyone!
Fraser lands & rolls out so smoothly that brakes on his plane are optional! Thanks to all who got thier fingers dirty helping me with my brake issue.
Next year i will bring beer as well,does anyone else drink PBR?)

With new friends made and a great deal learned it was a very enjoyable weekend. I will certainly be back next year.

I have been thinking a lot about why there are not more people building/flying Thorps. I don't have any answers yet, but I certainly want to make a effort to change that situation. I know that after this past weekend I am now more likely to jump into a fabrication project (new outside wing panels so that I can have extra fuel in wet wings). Having seen so many friendly and helpful people who have extensive building experience makes the prospect seems more realistic, even with my packed schedule.

The biggest thing that I think will help is to get people like me who are certainly interested in building in direct face-to-face contact with people who have the building experience. This past weekend has proven to me first hand how inspiring that is. That may be all it takes to initiate a renaissance of Thorp building.

This message has gone much longer than I had intended and as I already said, I don't have any answers yet. If anybody has any ideas on what might be done, please let me know. I will be glad to serve in any way that can move things forward.

Regards,

Mark Russell

I'm admittedly biased, but this is one good looking trio! (Thanks Karen Read Kyle Strohl!)

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Karen says I have to tell you that she can't take credit for this one. Kyle Strohl took it from the right seat of 718DR. I have to agree it is a great picture, just one more piece of a great weekend.

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David Read
Olney, Illinois
N718DR

Wait a tick .. how can you be me?!?!


David, I think I logged onto the forum with ipad at KY Dam, looks like it's still logged in. No sweat, but after a while it's going to start to look like I'm talking to myself!!!

Just click "logout"

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD