Friday, November 27 — In at 6:15, cool, almost no breeze with light rain. A second bird was parked on the ramp: another Mooney. Phot’d them. Processed the pics. Had planned to work at employer from 9 to 5 today, but business was very slow, the owner was there, and he turned me loose at my request, so I could attend a model club party at the airport. Had a good time. Worked on the XB-49. The meet ended at 5; returned to office; processed pictures. Josh and an associate with the airport Safety Department dropped by Horizon for coffee and I had a nice visit with them; showed them the WELCOME Room and they liked it. Processed model club photos until 8:00 and departed for grocer and home. Day rating: B.
A few years ago, I discovered a plastic model builders’ club that was meeting regularly in Springfield. I attended a meeting and enjoyed the group: about six fellows, friendly, non-combative. When the war gaming business where we met altered its open hours, the club lost its meeting place. I asked the co-owner of what is now Horizon Aviation,the FBO that hosts AeroKnow Museum, if the club could meet in one of the AKM-occupied rooms. And that’s where Central Illinois Plastic Modelers has met ever since. We outgrew our first meeting room (AKM’s Process Room upstairs) and today meet every Wednesday evening at the FBO’s conference room. The meetings start about 6:30 — though early comers are welcome — and stay until 9:00 or about 9:45 when we must stop because Horizon closes for the day at 10:00. Some of us build models of airplanes, armor, cars. spacecraft. Lots of variety. The reference materials and other resources at AKM are just a few steps away if there are questions about airplanes and aviation history. Some of us attend every Wednesday, some don’t, and that’s okay. We have no officers, no dues and no committees. We have considered forming a chapter of IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) and have not, so far. One member flies Boeing 777s for a major airline. Another is a security consultant. Another is chaplain for the local Civil Air Patrol squadron. And there’s always room for more. If you’d like to know more, comment following this post or just come to a meeting. The next one comes together about 6:30 December2. We look forward to seeing you. Pictures are a random selection from past meetings.
Abe Lincoln's Air Force 