Sunday, November 29 — In at 7:20, calm but overcast and very cool. Processed Ces 421B pics from Sat. Devoted the day after 9a to modeling. Straightened up a lot upstairs and worked on several kits in progress. I’m starting nothing new until I finish several. I have three work areas now: the Process Room upstairs where I spent the morning, not only building but taking things out to other rooms and organizing the three model work areas I have in the Process Room — two for building and one for airbrushing. Second area is in the office WELCOME Room. This afternoon I spent time with the YB-49 and was delighted to meet Lindsey, 28 year old XOJets Citation pilot who earned her ticket when she was 17. Showed her the Northrop flying wings and the Horten, shared a lot of history. Back upstairs to work about 3 after phot’ing a visiting Falcon 2000 and Lindsey’s Citation from the fence. It was cold and windy; took only two pics of each. Am making real progress with the B-36 and B-45. Third model work area is the small bedroom at home. There are several project in process there, but I’ve touched nothing at home for more than a month because I’ve decided not to turn on the furnace until the cold weather threatens to freeze the water pipes. Net result is that I’m so cold there, the only way to get comfortably warm is to go to bed with an electric heating pad. Don’t have an electric blanket; don’t want one. When I FINALLY turn on the furnace, I’ll resume building models at home. Started to post a new AKM Gallery series but will finish it Monday. I am more than a little bit disappointed that after emailing the November Lincoln Flyer Saturday to maybe 20 people, NOT ONE has responded with an acknowledgement! Sometimes I wonder why I’m doing so much for so little return on the time invested. Truth is that I’m not doing all this for those who don’t respond and support AKM; I’m doing it to give those who DO a collection they are happy to help. Those good people validate my belief that the AKM is not offered in trade for a thing. It’s my gift to those who care. The rest are beyond my concern. Departed for home at 8:05. Day rating: C-
I seldom take fewer than six pictures of planes I phot on the ramp, but I did Sunday: just two pictures, eseentially the same view, of two aircraft. If they had been 172s or Archers, I would not have taken any. It was cold and windy out there. The Citation X is a fave of mine. What looked at first like a Falcon 20 (learned later it’s a 2000) is also a favorite. A 20 was the first business jet owned at SPI, my home turf. The light was okay, but with better, I might have taken a few more. Many business jet owners don’t want to attract cameras. They want their jets as plain as a pair of brown work shoes. I’m okay with that. But I believe it’s important for ME, as director of AeroKnow Museum, to record their time on SPI’s ramp m for the historical record. That is also why I’m sharing them with you.
Abe Lincoln's Air Force 