So, the other day I'm watching the weather channel and on it some haircut that knows nothing more about weather then how to read the teleprompter kindly informs me that out of the past 31 days - 27 have had some amount of rain.  Upon reflection, I've noticed that since the Polk City contest I've hardly flown at all and, in fact, the only motorized toy I've spent much time with is my lawnmower.

Discover Aviation Days were held earlier this month at Anoka County Airport and although our members were ready to put on a good show, the weather was especially rotten.  Saturday had no real wind to speak of, but it was misting so much that you couldn't see the other end of the airport.  Everyone got in some flight though, so at the very least it made mowing the grass out there worthwhile.  With Sunday came the monsoons.  I wasn't able to make it to our next event, Ramsey Lions Park, on June 5th because that pesky job of mine got in the way of my airplanes again.  From all of the reports I've gotten everything went well and we expect to be invited again next year.

The next event our club will be sponsoring is the Kids Kontest on the 11th of July.  This is one of the more important things our club does and is critical in maintaining the privilege of our field.  Coming right now is my time on the proverbial soapbox.  We need participation from club members, I'm not talking the few that always help.  The other thing we need, I mentioned this at the last meeting, is getting more kids involved.  Everyone -- every single person in this club knows at least one -- so take the initiative and do what it takes to get them out.  I know first hand how difficult, inconvenient, and time consuming it is, and I'm not always thrilled to do it myself, but this one event keeps us where we are so I fully believe it's worth the effort.  As always if there are any questions, my number is on the header.

On a lighter note, Norm Anderson was looking for input on how to do fillets.  Keep in mind that I haven't yet turned this into a science but normally (no pun intended) I get good results.  Right from the start let's be aware that fillets re only cosmetic, and I rely on good joints for strength.

The first step is using only "finish cure" epoxy (available at any decent hobby store).  This type of epoxy cures without the oily film that won't allow paint to adhere (that's the good news), but it cures very slowly (that's the bad news) so have patience and don't be in a hurry.  After mixing the epoxy, I then mix in Sig micro balloons until you can put a ball of it in your hand and not leave much of a film in your palm when you remove it (epoxy, not palm).  Generally, my rule is when in doubt add more micro balloons.  Finally, I put them on the plane.

Some people mask the area or smooth them out with a rounded object, like a spoon.  I glop them in there with my finger, smooth the fillet by dipping my finger in alcohol, and then rub the fillet smooth.  Don't press hard and keep wiping your finger clean with plenty of rags.  The importance of adding a lot of micro balloons cannot be overstated.  It makes final sanding of the fillets a lot easier and makes the surface kind of porous so the paint has something to bite into.  By far the biggest problem with fillets is that the paint tends to lift.  In my experience, problems were always what I used to make the fillets with and how I applied them and another part was how I painted them and with what, so let's look at that.

One of the greatest problems a modeler has to deal with is shrinkage, and I'm only talking about paint.  I recommend brand "B" dopes (paint) because they shrink far less and cover a lot better than brand "S" paint.  The only drawback is brand "B" is tougher to get (mail order) and brand "S" paints are available at almost every hobby store.  remember to only use brand "B" thinner and retarder with brand "B" colors and likewise with brand "S" or your life will be miserable while you are sanding off all the paint you just put on (only it didn't dry all the way and now instantly gums up each piece of sandpaper).  Sorry for my flashback.

Another think I do is keep the radius of the fillet as tight as possible so there is less area for the paint to shrink off of.  Finally, don't hang a lot of paint on the fillet.  On the entire plane, I only paint enough to get good coverage and this is especially true of fillet areas.  I do not directly spray the fillets, but rather use the outside of my spray pattern to kind of dust on paint in the fillet areas.  In summary, here are my steps:

1. Finish cure epoxy - mixed properly.
2. Lots of micro balloons - added to epoxy.
3. Smooth with alcohol - plenty of rags.
4. Let dry at least a week before sanding - I told you they were slow.
5. Indirectly paint with brand "B".
6. In case of failure, don't blame Keith.

Lets all hope for an end to the windy and rainy season and plenty of calm and dry flying days ahead.

See you at the meeting,
Keith Sandberg

Vice President's Column

I'd been scratching my head for awhile, wondering what I might fill this little column with this month.  Then Ryan and I were at the place were we usually fly.  Some of you have seen this RC field.  It's really very nice and the club is very tolerant of my eccentricities.  I said something to one of the guys about Carl Goldberg, and he looked blank and said, "Well, I've only been in the hobby for a while".  Never heard of Goldberg???  Yes, it must be true.  This kid was barely out of diapers when Carl passed away.  He really hasn't heard of the pioneers.  I thought, what a shame that this guy doesn't know where all his neat stuff came from.  I don't mean China, either!  Then I found myself waxing sort of philosophic (oh, groan!).

Those few of us who dabble in CL are enjoying a rare event and a rare period of time.  Most of us are old enough to remember getting a new copy of MAN or American Modeler, and wondering how a guy could ever build something as pretty as a Smoothie, or have the money for a real Fox 35, and travel to the NATS?  NO-WAY JOSE!

Just as the story of CL Stunt was winding down, the old guys dying off, RC and ARFs and big marketers of Chinese goods taking over, something happened.  Just as CL was being consigned to Grandpa's dusty attic, the Internet happened.  And suddenly, we could find each other.  You can be the only guy flying CL in Lost Flats, Alabama (or in our case, Rochester, MN!) and still feel connected.  Bob Palmer and Walt Musciano are still with us.  Bill Werwage is still THE MAN.  The plans for all those famous planes are as handy as a phone call or email.  The quality of the kits available is unreal.  And with the powerful communication tools we all own, you can talk to the very people who designed these great ships and know the inside stuff.  It's easy to obtain parts and supplies and motors that the old guys would have given their eyeteeth for.

The timing of this whole situation is something that no one could have pre-arranged or predicted.  Just as the hobby was down to a few scattered diehards, there came a way to find each other.  The community was back together again.  Now we have the VSC and the many local OTS and classic events and forums and email and suppliers and just plain get-togethers.  We can celebrate history and even re-create it at the speed of electrons.  We get to live history all over again, only better!  After all the years of wishing, I can build that Thunderbird of my dreams.  This whole rant has been done over and over before, I know.  But, when I heard that kid ask who Carl Goldberg was, it struck a nerve.

I don't think it hurts to remember once in awhile how lucky we really are.  I just hope that everyone can enjoy being around you guys and the airplanes half as much as we do.  Write a letter or email, send a picture, draw a plan, sketch an idea for a new and better gadget, whatever, but throw in your two cents worth and make the good times even better.

See you at the field,
Kelvin Heath