The jitters started last night, I haven't felt this much pressure in awhile! Got all my stuff ready, off to bed, surprised I was able to get to sleep. Got up this morning to a fairly nice day so I sat around drinking coffee for a while. I decided to check the weather and lo and behold, a line of thunderstorms was headed our way! So I told Teena (my lovely wife) that we needed to step things up. I started loading all the gear in the truck, grabbed the TdD Deuces and off we went.
The field was overgrown with weeds, but this was just a minor nuisance. Sky was overcast with 5-10 mph winds. Got all setup, prepped my Polaris for a wind check flight and let 'er rip. Nice flight on a B6-4, easy recovery. I then decided to put up my Deuce on a pair of C6-5s. I also loaded my new Pico altimeter so I could give it a test run. The flight was pretty good, a little weathercock and not a long walk. Man those were some great motors!! The altimeter read 62,704 feet!! And it stayed in sight!!
Oh well, I'll try the Pico later. So no altimeter in the TdD birds.
It was time for the TdD Deuces. I thought a storm was on it's way so heck, let's get it done. At this time I realized I did not have Jason's flag, nor the clip whip, nor the check list. OK, calm down, it ain't no thang... Since my Deuce ejected a couple of seconds after apogee, I decided to go with C6-3s. Good choice. I opened a brand new pack of motors and did the friction fit. Personally I don't like to FF motors, it just doesn't seem OK. But I've never had a problem so I should get over it. Anyways, loaded two matching igniters and carried TdD #1 to the pad. A few photos by the wife and we're ready. 5,4,3,2,1, launch and zoom off she goes. A nice high flight with a slight weathercock. Oh we're praying for a good chute here... and there it is!! Very nice flight.
OK, now we have the second TdD bird to fly. Man, let me tell you, the weight I was feeling on my shoulders on this TdD thing was pretty heavy! Did the loading process, took a few pre flight pics and we were ready for #2. 5,4,3,2,1, launch and off she went. Beautiful flight almost straight up. Way up there. Reco popped and we had a good chute. Kind of a long drift on this one but heck, I needed the exercise anyway. Probably 200 - 300 yards.
All right!!! We've done it!!! Two great flights and not a bit of trouble!! Yeah!!!
The bad news is we decided to do movies instead of still shots during the flight. Well the sky was bright white and as soon as the birds were in the air, you couldn't see them. So for pics, I have a few stills and then some pics pulled out of the movies. They ain't great, but what the heck.
I want to say what an honor it has been for me and Teena to be a part of the Tour de Deuce. I think this is a fabulous undertaking that Jason and Eugene has started. But the flyers themselves share the kudos also, it is quite an adventure. So thanks to Jason, Eugene, Jim Flis, and all the past and future flyers of the Tour de Deuce Deuces. I tip my hat.
bmhiii (Seasoned veteran of the TdD
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