A while back when reassembling PuttPutt after the tow home from Reklaw I couldn't help but reminisce a little...
In Feb 03 I flew 143 for the first time a little earlier than normally would have so dad JB could see it fly(he was a B17 pilot and POW back in the Big One...one of those we all owe so much to). He was ailing and I knew it wouldn't be long. It was just a short flight about 8 feet above the strip but it flew and he saw it. He left us 2 weeks later. Glad I pushed a little and got it airborne even tho it wasn't really ready. Max Juchheim, P47 Double Ace was there too, and still talks about it at coffee. He's 91.
I had somewhat gotten to know the Eagler higherups during the build...Leonard, Kiblinger and Bolding...and had immediately come to like them and the LEU design. It looked to me like this was gonna go somewhere. I decided to pitch in and do what I could to help get the Eagle movement off the ground. So I got 143 debugged; built a trailer and hauled it to OSH and flew it all week at AV 2005. It got lotsa attention as did Leonard's LEU and later in 2007 I think it was the DE and PuttPutt both were well received. Somewhere in there Johnson showed up with the Slug and it was a real hit what with all his craftsmanship and attention to detail. He got a big trophy and created even more interest. I hauled 143 to AV 4 times and flew it every opportunity morning and evening and folks really liked to watch it and The Slug. Leonard sold a buncha plans. And we started going to Reklaw down in Texas I think it was 3 or 4 times there and that went over big with that local market where Leonard lives. He's a legend down there; they're all proud he's a Texan. We all had a good time with those flyins and all made good friends and memories; it was FUN...and the Eagle movement grew and grew to the point that now it's self sustaining. It's just gonna get bigger and bigger and rightly so these are truly special designs. Old School homebuilding on a budget like in the old days of the EAA. Minimalist taken to an art form. Thanks for all this Boss...you're right up there with Curtis Pitts just in a different arena.
Well, those were the kinda thoughts going thru my mind as I reassembled ol PuttPutt for the last time after a flyin haul...we're retired from that now. It was a lotta work but well worth it and I'm so glad we did it...even tho it was something of a relief. That relaxed and satisfied feeling that is so elusive in our world today.
We've turned a page...
Thanks again Boss
Joe Spencer and PuttPutt
Guys try to get all the others from the old list over here with us and donate whatever you feel like you can when you can we've gotta get this new site populated and up to optimum speed. And somebody else needs to take up the haul and flyin duties its fun. Thanks all
