Hawkeye’s Squawkbox

A very exciting day today! Had the opportunity to see and meet, though very informally Harrison Ford. I’m waiting for a copy of the picture that was taken of a group of us with him. A simple event that will always be a nice memory to have of AirVenture. The V-22 Osprey arrived and put on a little show. Tomorrow it will do its full routine. Watched the F-22 Raptor perform today as well, it was impressive too.

The highlight of my day was being allowed to observe the taping of an interview of Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter Pilot Chuck Aaron. Chuck has an amazing story about his personal history in the field of aviation. He has accumulated over 18,000 hours of helicopter time. Even with several engine failures, he has never damaged an aircraft or been injured. I’m looking forward to building this meeting into a lasting friendship. Chuck and I share a similar dream. Chuck  donated a model of his Red Bull  BO-105  Helicopter to the  EAA Museum. That’s what ’s in the box I am holding.

John Travolta brought in his Boeing 707. It really is a great contrast to today’s airliners. I can remember flying across the Atlantic enroute to Europe as a kid in one very similar. A sad sight for me is when the F-4 Phantoms depart, but it is still an awsome aircraft to watch depart with its burners lit.

I’ll get to adding today’s pictures to the Gallery as soon as I can. Greg from Draw Decals arrived this evening and we are kicking back catching up on things since our last meeting at Nordicon. Tomorrow we’ll get up early and grab a quick breakfast so we can get on the grounds early. This is Greg’s first time at AirVenture, he is anxious to experience being totally immersed in aviations greatest event.

I’ll be sure to share our experiences in my next report.

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I’ve mentioned it before but now I can provide more details about our PHOTO CONTEST. Anyone can enter as long as the subject model (any category cars, planes etc) is finished using our products (SnJ Spray Metal, Polishing Powders or Talon Series) in the process.

Entrants will be competing for several prizes. Grand Prize-$100.00 USD Gift Certificate from Sprue Brothers Models. Second place will receive two $25.00 USD Gift Certificate one from Sprue Brothers and one from Hawkeye’s Hobbies. Third place will get a $25.00 Gift Certificate from Hawkeye’s Hobbies. Other prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

Contest starts NOW! Ends August 31 September 23, 2008. No purchase necessary to enter.

Submissions should be emailed to: hawkeye@hawkeyeshobbies.com. Attach full resolution images (limit 3), provide name address and phone number along with a description of what products were used. You can enter as many models as you want. Submit each model separately. Entries containing more than one per email will be disqualified. Contact information will be kept confidential.

Submission of images imply and act as an affidavit that our products were used as a finish on the model submitted. Grants us permission to publish the image and use it in our promotional materials as we deem appropriate.

Winners will be announced September 5th, 2008 on the Hawkeye’s Hobbies and Sprue Brothers websites.

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Most of us suffer from this at one time or another. For me it begins its onset about the time the grass needs regular mowing, the air show season is in full swing locally, the word vacation gets used more than once a month, or one feels like an animal who just can’t hibernate any longer.

Right now, I am sitting in my office looking out my window. It is filled with blue sky and sunshine and I know it is too hot and humid to even breathe outside. Yet it still doesn’t quell me from wanting to venture outside. Instead I could venture deep inside my cool and comfortable modeling cave. Nope, it feels just like that, a cave. As with animals that hibernate, when the days begin to get longer, winter edges into spring, the temperatures warm, they simply want out. Guess that is part of our programming too.

Some folks need extra amounts of proper light during the winter months to help them stay sane. I just need the bright lights of my modeling room and a television to watch old movies related to the subject I am building. I slip on a comfortable sweatshirt or sweater, prepare a cup of a hot beverage, a few munchies and I am in hibernation…make that…modeling mode.

The earth tilts to shift the amount of light each hemisphere receives, it seems to coincide with the on set of Seasonal Modeling Disorder. Is this coincidence or design? I guess it is by design that man cannot live in darkness forever…though there are those that who do, even when they are standing in the noon sun, but that is a different topic.

If you find yourself modeling less, don’t panic, it is a simple case of Seasonal Modeling Disorder, it is generally short lived…just a few months then you’ll find yourself returning to the comfort of the cave to hibernate once again. Meanwhile it is a good time to follow the instinct to hunt and gather the necessities for the return to happier times, deep inside the modeling cave.

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