Old Time Zipper

[Dohrman Crawford]

I have finally made some progress on my Zipper. It has been on hold for a while as I had never covered a plane with silk. I paid enough for the silk that I was hesitant to try. Of course, I was crazy to do that. It is actually pretty easy to do. Even the fuselage with all the curves in it proved to be no big deal. If you can cover with tissue, you will find silk easier to use.
The plane is powered by a Shilen .29. It will have to have lead added to bring it up to the required weight, so it should go pretty good. My heart will be in my mouth when I launch this thing.
I am wearing a tie as I took the plane to our annual banquet for Show and Tell.

[DAN BERRY]

Very nice.
AMA numbers? We don’t need no stinkin’AMA numbers!

[Dohrman Crawford]

Dan, it ain’t done yet! I just took it to the show and tell so guys could see how it was coming along. Da numbahs will be on dere soon! As will some other touches.

[DAN BERRY]

Waall, ah deent know eef ya’ll wuz trahnta pool a fast won on us.

[Scott Lapraik]

Dohrm, very nice plane!!!!! It was my dad’s first pwr. airplane that he built in 1942 before he went to WWII in the Phillipines. Silk is good stuff, last plane I covered with it was an A/2 Talon in the late 60’s. The next Classic towline I build with be covered with silk. Can’t wait to get together in Atlanta to fly our fleets of new winter built planes.

Scott

[Anonymous]

Now that is a real beauty Dohrm!! Good luck on the maiden flight… 😀

[Dohrman Crawford]

When I get it completed, I will post a good shot of the plane. And, it will have AMA numbers on it!
I am new to this, but I think I can fly this thing in OT Gas Pylon at the Nats. ?????

[DAN BERRY]

OT Gas Pylon at the NATS. You won’t have the only Zipper.
You’ll need to compete against my unstarted Foo2U2.
Pensacola also offers OT gas

[Dohrman Crawford]

when you get it done, Dan, post some pix. That will be a cool airplane. Speaking of cool, can you name the aviator in this picture? [just sent to me today, it appeared from 40 years ago.]

[DAN BERRY]

Dohrm, as you might recall, I know what you usta do for a living.
I know who and sorta where.

[George Reinhart]

Looks like an L-19.
Did it have rockets on it?
That’s a blast fence in the background isn’t it?
Airforce flight suit.
Survival knife on the right hip.
Where your side arm?
Cheers!, Pete

[Dohrman Crawford]

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Right hip
Obligatory On Topic reference-the flight suit has a lot of Zippers

[Dohrman Crawford]

Smith and Wesson K38 Combat Masterpiece. Well before they started handing out automatics to everyone.
Oh, to be 22 yrs old again!

[Author]

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