David Balogh

July 31st, 2006

A week ago I decided that it was time to dust off the 10+ year old model-making skills and build myself a balsa airplane! How much fun hanging out in the studio with Margaux, crankin the tunage and building while she creates jewelry. We went to Jan’s Hobby on the Upper East Side, and had a wonderful time checking the store out. I ended up with an old competition balsa wood plane by Guillow’s. This company has been making these models for decades, and really haven’t changed much throughout the years. My dad in fact built many of the same planes I did as a kid. Anyway, you’d think I would forget how it was to create one of these beauties, but it all came back to me. Lil rusty here and there, but in the end as you can see it came out pretty good!

The big test was tonight however, when Margaux and I took it to the park across the street and test flew it. First flight went great, short but sweet. Second flight lost the nose cowl mid-flight, but the plane took off beautifully. Third time the plane ended up in a tree.

YUP. A tree. ARGH! Just like the good ole days, flying in my backyard as a kid. So M and I shook the tree, to no avail. Then M tried to climb it (I boosted her up), to no avail. Then we looked all sketched out as we broke off a branch from a close-by fallen limb, and brought it back to the tree to hopefully nudge the plane, to no avail. Next attempt, MY turn to climb the tree. I wasn’t leaving without this thing! I got a lil boost from M, grabbed a branch lifted myself up and got that lil bastard out of the tree! I flew it on down from up there, and then jumped out. AH! YAY!

Only 2 small holes in the tissue, otherwise we’re good to go! Next flight will be in a bigger park, no trees. Oh but man, it was fun to be a little kid again with Margaux. The only downfall of the night was when I came back home and had something in my eye, which didn’t go over so well with yours truly. Finally after a good 15 minutes of struggling, I got it out. Alas.

I’ll keep you updated on the next flights. Hopefully they’ll go a little smoother.

Entry Filed under: Blog, Craft