[Bob Kuczewski]

That all sounds super Frank!!!

We haven't really done any media advertising of the event yet. I'm down in San Diego, but if anyone up there has any media contacts it might be time to start calling them.  

[Frank Colver]

I put some 1976 HG photos in my Dropbox with an open share link. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x6x5b5axwlql ... sSfLa?dl=0

A few of these are at Escape Country but most are at Dockweiler. I had converted my Colver Skysail to parallel bars, from triangle bar, by that time. I can't identify the man who is standing in the bars holding my wing. Anyone know who this is

Frank

[JoeF]

I do not recognize the man in the cockpit.
Note that you have a triangular frame with a basebar with wheels, but the basebar is not used for direct flight-control handling.
That basebar ... upon option --- could hold a full-width long roller (very wide wheel) or a full-width skid or very-wide ski for handling splats in sand; the narrow wheels gouge into the sand more easily than very-wide items. Thanks for your comment, Frank, in the Safe-Splat discussion thread.

CU May 23 at the Otto Birthday Part at Dockweiler.
Jackie and Tracie, friends of Art Bean (RIP) might show at the party. They were present at some Escape Country meet in the early days. They have preserved much of Art Bean's HG items. They now have a olive grove and make olive oil.

[DukeB]

What a treat!

Had no idea the history to be on display at this event!
You all rock...just for trying~

"smiley-code spells: appreciation"

[Frank Colver]

Unfortunately, one historic item I won't have is my traditional Sears ratchet wrench for the Flexi Floater's 1/4-28 nuts. These wrenches were ubiquitous in the early days - everyone used them. While the Eipper was set up for display, during the last anniversary get together at San Miguel park, in Newport Beach, someone walked off with my old tool kit for assembling the glider.

Photo is me flying my Flexi Floater at Little Norco back in the seventies. I recently visited that site and walked the hill and former landing area (it's all still there but not used). Lots of alone time to let my mind wander back to those heady days of trying to get a "standard" to reach the dirt road at the far edge of the landing area. Once I was flying a Wills SST I always saw that road pass beneath me.

Long after I started flying from the big mountain sites I would occasionally return to Little Norco for a fun afternoon of purely enjoying small hill flying and ground skimming. Often Bob Wills would be there also just playing around in the air. On a good afternoon he could "park" about fifteen feet above the brow of the hill. I never tried that because of concern that I would "blow it" and be blown back into the rotor behind the hill. One time I almost did that and was saved by Ernest Feher jumping straight up and grabbing my base tube to load the SST enough to bring it down before it could get blown over backwards.

fcolver

[Bob Kuczewski]

Unfortunately, one historic item I won't have is my traditional Sears ratchet wrench for the Flexi Floater's 1/4-28 nuts. These wrenches were ubiquitous in the early days - everyone used them. While the Eipper was set up for display, during the last anniversary get together at San Miguel park, in Newport Beach, someone walked off with my old tool kit for assembling the glider.

We can ask around at this year's event ... maybe someone will know something about it.

Photo is me flying my Flexi Floater at Little Norco back in the seventies. I recently visited that site and walked the hill and former landing area (it's all still there but not used). Lots of alone time to let my mind wander back to those heady days of trying to get a "standard" to reach the dirt road at the far edge of the landing area. Once I was flying a Wills SST I always saw that road pass beneath me.

Long after I started flying from the big mountain sites I would occasionally return to Little Norco for a fun afternoon of purely enjoying small hill flying and ground skimming. Often Bob Wills would be there also just playing around in the air. On a good afternoon he could "park" about fifteen feet above the brow of the hill. I never tried that because of concern that I would "blow it" and be blown back into the rotor behind the hill. One time I almost did that and was saved by Ernest Feher jumping straight up and grabbing my base tube to load the SST enough to bring it down before it could get blown over backwards.

Thanks for sharing those really wonderful memories Frank!!!

Now let's make some new ones this coming Saturday!!!!   

[Rick Masters]

Forecast, Saturday, May 23, Dockweiler Beach
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w1=td&w2=hi&w3=sfcwind&w3u=1&w4=sky&w5=pop&w6=rh&w7=rain&w8=thunder&AheadHour=106&Submit=Submit&FcstType=graphical&textField1=33.9454&textField2=-118.44&site=all&unit=0&dd=&bw=

[Bob Kuczewski]

Neil posted a video showing some early clips of what we currently call "Dockweiler". Here's a frame from the film:

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And here's Joe Faust in 2010 at nearly that exact same location:

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And here's another shot from the film (you can see the same tanks in the background):

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Here's a shot of Joe Faust flying a Wills Wing Condor 330 back in 2010:

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And here's a shot from the film:

Dockweiler.png (91.12 KiB) Viewed 5959 times

And of course, I couldn't leave out these characters:

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Dick_Eipper.png (101.04 KiB) Viewed 5959 times

Possibly_Chris_Wills_2.png (105.11 KiB) Viewed 5959 times

Thanks for sharing a great slice of hang gliding history!!!!!

Chris_Talbot_Jones.png (88.6 KiB) Viewed 5959 times

Bob_Wills.png (98.86 KiB) Viewed 5959 times

[SamKellner]

Hey,

How much is gas out there now. Any suggestions on where to lodge?

I'm all packed. It's gonna be a blast Here we come Otto

[Bob Kuczewski]

How much is gas out there now.

I have no idea. I just give them my wallet and I'm happy to get back the change.

Any suggestions on where to lodge?

I called and left a message on your phone about a possibility. Call me back when you can.

I'm all packed. It's gonna be a blast Here we come Otto

I can't wait to see you Sam!!!!