Being a very penny pinching person, PPP, I ran across several kits I wanted to build, but just totalled things up after equipment purchase, and other items and the cost grew and grew. I came to the conclusion, this past winter, the best way to re-enter the hobby I so loved was to perfect my building skills that had needlessly been squandered building planes for other people (I used to have a side business as a builder). Nothing would amuse me more than to download a lot of plans and decide which one I should scratch build. My wife of course was more than all to happy to provide the necessary financial support to buy the wood.. (lie) and I was off and running.

What does one do when one first starts scratch building after selecting the plan? You make a materials list of course, and Fortunately for me, sheldons hobbies in fremont california was moving location and was having massive discounts off items before the move, so I obliged with the wifes tortured consent and loaded up on wood, glue, etc... and so began the building season of 2007. At this point, I can say I have began framing the wings on the 3rd airplane, the Cap 232, but still have yet to actually finish any of the planes I began scratch building. In an efffort to utilize my building board more wisely, thus pumping out more planes before flying season starts in 2008, My strategy was to frame and get all planes to the stage of final assembly and do that as a second step. Scratch building has been a very NEEDED and definitly lost art I wanted to pursue, for as you know, many people can fly, but those who can actually build they're own aircraft are growing few in number. The Ultimate .40 size has taken some twists and turns. At this point, I dont have a cowl and dont have the funds to purchase one,, Wo is me. I dont want to build the front up with balsa would as that would take a very long time, so I'm still at a loss there. If any modeller out there wants to part with a .40 size ultimate cowl, I would be most gratefull. I have decided to paint the fuse entirely, and deviate from previous monokote days. I have an airbrush and I have always admired scale craftsman like Dave PLATT who could construct such beutifull craft. I know Dave was in love with painting and so I thought in his honor, I would paint this ultimate and see how it goes. I plan on something dark, metalic, and utterly devistating to the eye. Something that will scream 21st century gothic wonder.

Thats all for today, I'll continue posting my articles and have pictures soon.

The winter building season is upon us here in sunny california.  Our basic notion is that there is about a 3 month window when building our lovely machines turns into an obsession our wives tend to deplore.  Oh honey, can you take out the trash.  NOPE, mabey in a few hours as right now, i'm deeply in the throngs of SERIOUS business here.. Busy removing resin from my fingertips with rubbing alcohol and fixing the plane I had spent the last month in obsession (cap 232) scratch building, that suddenly took a bad turn while in exit to the outside porch attempting to test the smoke system for leaks, a nasty bang occured against the doorway and suddenly my entire tail section was in pieces on the floor.  Nothing like rebuilding a plane over again.   The cap is becoming a true love of mine, like a crazy aunt kept in the basement to unleash upon the weary masses, I have kept this cap, biding my time, building, perfecting, loving, till the one day I can take my tesla powered dream machine to the field and let loose this cannon on the "club Guys"  .. hehehe  

SO all is well in scratch land here, The cap is in full swing, ready to cover soon, The ultimate sits disposed, waiting for a carb that will fit the .40 webra speed.  I have been short of necessary funding to purchase the roughly $20 carb needed to finish the model and make it airworthy, as I have been saving the recycle money for my club membership.  The P51 project hasnt made any progesss since last year but should be ready for next flying season.  I did have an ARF complete "Facination 50" that will enable endless hours of pattern practice.  I can once again achieve the level of flying skill I had aquired as a young man going to fly pattern.