Updates and Wichita Vintage Rally!

Well I've had a few conversations lately that deserve an update here. We had a good time in Uvalde although stayed busy enough that I didn't get time to write much up. Seeing the Concordia up close and personal as well as all the other new racing gliders was quite a sight. I'm not sure how I'll deal with seeing the short span of YYY the next time its out of the trailer after spending the week with Open Class gliders.

Al Clark sent me the following picture of N4937C. He saw this glider in the hangar at Eagleville, TN when he first started flying gliders and eventually went on to own N4182 with John Chapman.

I also received an email from someone who is trying to sell a Cherokee II project. Their Dad has had it for several years, hanging in his garage, and come to the conclusion that they won't have time or energy to finish it. I'm still working on getting details but if you are interested let me know and I'll get you in touch. It is located in Wisconsin.

Finally I checked in with Greg Pelfrey and they are still working on restoring N3393, an RM in West Virginia. As often happens, some other projects have gotten in the way but hopefully this winter they can get the glider finished up and back in the air for the spring.

Finally, the Vintage Sailplane Association's annual rally here in Wichita is coming up at the end of September. Please contact me at abcondon@gmail.com if you are interested in attending. Bring your glider or if you don't have one just bring yourself. We'd like to see as many people there as possible! I'll definitely have YYY and the NG-1 there, and probably Kate the Std. Cirrus. As we did last year I think Leah and I will have a cookout at our house on the Thursday night before the rally for any early arrivals, then you can see how slow the progress has been on 4653T. Speaking of, Matt is nearly finished with his Std. Austria, the fabric is back on the wings and tail surfaces and painting will probably begin next week. It has now cooled off to the point where it is bearable to work outside so we should be back to work on 53T once that project is finished.

Uvalde Day 1

Well this isn't exactly Cherokee II related but I'm in Uvalde, TX this week for the World Championships. Matt & I arrived yesterday evening and we both had a great time watching the first day of competition. The gliders here are amazing and on top of that I've enjoyed just one days worth of visiting with new and old friends that I've seen so far.  I did get a chance to have a good visit with George Applebay, who built one Cherokee II, with Mickey Jensen, in Wichita back in the late 50's. I believe that one was N7616B. Of course George went on to bigger and better things, notably designing the Zuni 15 meter racing glider. He also built a modified Cherokee II with a 15 meter wingspan. He told me that it is now hanging in a school south of Albuquerque.

Also saw Ritz who is doing the contest reporting for Soaring Cafe as well as Bill Elliot (WE) who is flying his 18 meter JS-1 for the US Team. He hooked me up with a Soaring Cafe bucket hat to replace my old one which was nice of him. It started off the day nice and white but with all the blowing dust here by the end of the day it was a light tan. By the end of the week I'm sure it will be completely brown.

After the launch we met up with club-mate Steve Leonard who is crewing for his brother Dave (ZL) in the 15 meter class. With him we ended up back down by the US Team trailers which was a great vantage point to watch the action once gliders started coming back. The weather on course was tough with some rain build ups in the task area and the sea breeze all influencing to shut the day down early. This did not help the US Team any as 4 of the 6 pilots were scored as landouts. Ron Tabery (SS) was able to use his motor to still make it home but everyone else ended up at airports I believe. Dick Butler (DB) was aero towed home in the Concordia and we all were happy to help his crew get it tucked in for the night. What a glider!

Finishers were Bill Elliot and Dave Leonard. Dave said he spent about an hour trying to make it the last 10 miles to the finish. But, he finished!!

More tomorrow if I get time.