Chapter 36

Authors note: We had AD’s on the Ranger in 1959 and 1960. They are HUGE. From a distance, the engine that is so big on a B-29, looks like a toy hung on the AD. They were used as ‘people haulers’ ... among other things.

One thing about a ‘Spad’ ... they’re awfully roomy ... and this one was a two seater.

As for roomy ... with seating in the aft fuselage a Spad can seat 8 in the eliminated torpedo/bomb bay ... and did ... regularly.

It was roomy enough that I could use it as a pickup ... and I needed one. Or so I thought.

Auntie Surprise said, “Dorm rooms aren’t very big, there will be two of you in the room ... and you can’t take your cat.”

“Oh no!”

“You should see about buying. You have the summer.”

I was planning to sail and beach this summer ... I had this new body and I felt ... strange ... itchy...

Ah well ... no plan survives first contact.

Thanks the gods for the internet. A little airfield operator answered the phone.

“Good Morning ... Bud Field.”

“Hello ... can I land there?”

“What cha got?”

“Big single engine...”

“We’re grass.”

“If the gear will handle an aircraft carrier ... it should handle grass.”

“No jets...”

“Prop job.”

“Well ... call when you get here and I’ll have a look ... if I don’t think you can ... you can always go to Executive.”

“On my way ... say ... you know of any place that’ll rent to a student?”

“Well ... no ... but I’ve got a shipping container I’ll sell ya ... and rent the land it’s on.”

“That’s interesting ... how much?”

“It’s a 40 by 12 by 10 ... bigger than most ... I got 4 of ‘em.” He said. “I’d take 4 grand for the bunch.”

“I’ll give that a think,” I rang off.

I was on the ‘net that afternoon and found that 12 wides were too big under the new regulations ... can’t be shipped to Fed A destinations. Hmmm? And ... and ... and ... I found a company that builds 20 year canopies that bolt to the containers. They have a canopy that the Spad will fit under. I called... ‘Yes ... they would assemble the Eighty on the tall containers. 27 grand assembled.’

I called Bud back.

“I’ll take all four. I’ll be down tomorrow.”

“Auntie Mom?”

“Tyche?”

“I’m going to Austin tomorrow ... wanna come?”

“I’ve got cabinets to build ... I can’t take the time. Go ask Alice. I think she’ll go.”

Alice wasn’t permitted ... she was sent.

“Take her,” said Mrs. Olsen. Alice was having itchy feelings, too. Pentwater doesn’t have all that many choices ... and Alice is a fraternal twin.

I taught Alice to fly on the flight down. Well ... I taught her to maintain level flight and how to turn. I’m pretty sure learning to fly is going to be her next want. Poor Mr. Olsen.

Columbia, Missouri was about half way ... and I didn’t want to risk a 1070 mile flight without refueling. Fuel was fifty cents a gallon cheaper. Oil was another story. Radials use a bunch and the AD was no exception. Nearly 40 gallons of MILSPEC per mission. I spent a lot of time washing the aircraft. Maybe I can get Alice to do it.

Well ... it was a thought.

Alice said, “As long as you don’t try it.”