Nice Remote Control Airplane.

Okay, so what if it is a little to big to fit inside your stocking.  It is still a nice toy.  This is a P-51 remote control airplane.  It is on display in the Martin Museum Learning Center where we are working on the training glider project.  It resides just inside the entrance and I walk by it every time I enter.  I have had numerous remote control airplanes (and still do), but none are this sweeeeeet!  It has retractable landing gear (fully functional) and a large engine, 20cc or larger.  This is a master piece of workmanship.  If you got one under your tree this morning, let me know.  I will be glad to come over and help you crash fly it, ha.

Hot air balloon gondola

Here is another piece of inspiration that I walk by.  Every week I see it, I want to jump in, light the fire, and float off on an adventure . . . around the world in 80 days?

Fuel and controls.

Control panel.

Hey, not much to the control panel.  So, it shouldn't be hard to fly, right?  

I want to express my thanks to all the people who have donated these and other items to the Martin Museum for display in the Learning Center.  These projects are truly inspiring, and open our eyes to the many facets of flight.

Root Ribs

Joe just drilled this hole in the root ribs.

It is not obvious at first, but you are looking at two root ribs.  They are side by side (one on top of the other), and held together by a few nails.  This allows Joe to cut and drill both at once, making it quicker and more accurate.

Close up view of the hole

If you look closely, you will see the small nails holding the two root ribs together.

BTW, we will not be working on the training glider project the rest of this month due to the holidays.  But, please stay tuned for more info.  If you like Christmas toys, be sure to stop back next Sunday for a look at a VERY cool aviation toy.  If you get one of these under your tree, you will have something special to smile about!

Merry Christmas!