First trip in the rain!

[Al_C]

This past Saturday was 8650's introduction to rain. As much as I really wanted to avoid that eventuality, I would have made this trip if it had been a blizzard...

I've wanted to get a photo of my car with a cool airplane, and have been looking for just such an opportunity. My friend Ted, who built his airplane, met a gentleman with an F8 Bearcat who agreed to let me photograph my car with his aircraft! The time was set for mid-day on Saturday. I'm in a foursome that normally plays golf Saturday mornings, so the timing was going to work out well - get home from golf, pick up Ted in the roadster and head off to the airport.

We were barely off the 18th green and the lightning alarm went off. Everybody off the course! We timed that one well. It was raining by the time I got home. Ted and I debated whether this little trip was going to take place or not, so I called the airplane owner to see if his plans had changed. We decided to play it by ear and see if the storm passed quickly. An hour later, the weather was clear at the airport (though still raining at my home). Ted and I decided to give it a whirl.

The good news is the wipers work pretty well. The red lights (thankfully not many) were somewhat damp, but the rest of the time we were pretty dry. My biggest concern was traction with the NT05s, but we did OK.

A few weeks ago when we had the Chicago area get-together and trip to Wisconsin, we had met Peter and Alissa (alig2). Alissa is a photographer. We got talking and I told her about my desire for a photo with an airplane. She said to me “Let me know if you get something set up! I want to come too!”. So I invited them to join us.

We all got to the airport, and John the airplane owner and Doug his mechanic couldn’t have been nicer. All John wanted was a photo in my roadster! Here are a few shots from the trip.

This one is from Alissa. It’s a puddle outside the hangar.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131706&d=1594644476

I took these next two.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131709&d=1594644570

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=131710&d=1594644595

I know Alissa is working on some photos too. I can’t wait to see those!

[seagull81]

Beautiful photos!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Pretty cool Al! Now you're officially indoctrinated but I'm glad you didn't get too wet :)

By the way, Nancy (my Nancy, not yours) has had coffee with you a couple of times the past week or so ;)

Jeff

[nuhale]

Pete and Chris were over yesterday talking shop on my build and he showed me that picture his wife took. AMAZING! What a keeper! Now if only his wife will photo his build :)

[wareaglescott]

great pics

[TMartinLVNV]

That is SO cool! Great pics.

[edwardb]

Awesome pics. There was a Bearcat at the airport near where I lived growing up. I think it competed at Reno several times. Always could tell when it was taking off and climbing out. Never got old.

[NiceGuyEddie]

How well is your windshield bezel area sealed? Mine is sealed something awful, and when I got caught in the rain the water ran up the galley in the hood/fender and right down through the bezel and door crack.

I got wet on my left leg ONLY and when I got home it looked like I wee myself.

I have 1/4-20 set screws and drain holes in the rear of my round tubes. After putting the front of the car up, I was surprised that about a cup of rusty water came out of each main round tube. I guess 1,000 rivets sealed up oh-so-perfectly adds up to one big hole.

[Avalanche325]

Nice pics.

There is nothing that sounds like a radial engine!

[Jetfuel]

Al...the first picture is a POM winner for sure
Nice plane too

Jet

[Al_C]

Al...the first picture is a POM winner for sure
Nice plane too

Jet

that's what I was thinking, too! May need to get permission to submit it!

The Bearcat is absolutely amazing. Airworthy. In fact, John took off for San Diego today. He was invited by the Navy to participate in the V-J Day anniversary celebration. They're loading the Bearcat onto a carrier and taking it to Hawaii. We hope they post videos of the whole thing!

[Vspeeds]

Awesome photos

[ThickCobra]

Al,

I met you a few weekends back in Woodstock, IL. and you shared your paint selection story. Yours is an eye catcher and very impressive. Hats off to Jeff also.

Jay

[Gumball]

Hi Al -

Yeah, John has his fair share of cool planes.... including a Corsair (pic too large for a thumbnail), which unfortunately is getting a little repair work due to an incident. His hangar is just two down from me, so seeing (and hearing) these things is a regular treat.

The Wildcat used to live right next door to me, but has since moved on to a new owner - was a shame to see it leave.

Let me know next time you're going to be out at the airport.

[TMartinLVNV]

I love those WWII planes. There is a YouTube channel called Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles that really gets into the weeds of the technical information about many of them. It's very interesting to watch for those of us who geek out about such things.

The expense and technical know how of keeping those planes flying is incredible.