Hello from Indiana

**SixTurningFourBurning** · Feb 3, 2013, 07:41 PM

My name's Doug. 25, and I just finished Airframe and Powerplant School. In the process of getting licensed, right now. Always have been interested in building my own tools, where time permits. Kinda toying with building a 1/4 or 1/3-scale PT Boat.

**kbalch** · Feb 4, 2013, 08:11 AM

Hi Doug,

Welcome!

I spent many years in aviation, too (love the B-36 reference in your username). Mostly as a pilot & flight instructor, though I did two semesters of A&P school after earning a Repairman certificate for my homebuilt. Anyway, I know what you've just been through. Best of luck on your exams!!

A scale PT boat sounds fantastic. I know where you can examine a well-restored original - if you're interested, feel free to PM for details.

We'd love to see any of your own homemade tools. Anything you post in our Homemade Tools forum will be added to the database, as well as to your own builder page on the site.

Ken

**SixTurningFourBurning** · Feb 4, 2013, 11:08 AM

What sort of Homebuilt?

I'll have to rummage around in the garage for some of my odds and ends. Out of the 25 in our original class, only two of us graduated.

**kbalch** · Feb 4, 2013, 11:26 AM

I built an RV-8 (and, in another project, completed the wood wings of a Model 12 Pitts) about ten years ago. If you were reading Kitplanes and/or Sport Aviation in the 2004-2005 time period, you probably saw pics of the plane, as well as some of my articles.

I'm attaching one photo, but you can find more here.

Ken

**SixTurningFourBurning** · Feb 4, 2013, 11:35 AM

What a beautiful aircraft. 2004-2005, my interest/obsession was fast Volvo 740 Turbo sedan/station wagons (Had an 86 740 Turbo sedan for my first car). My ever-present interest in aviation really came to a head around 2009, when I found a set of plans for the Ultrababy. I guess the homebuilt that interests me most is the Pietenpol Air Camper. If I build one of those, I'll use a Corvair engine. Of course, a Corvair-powered Sonex is appealing, too.

**kbalch** · Feb 4, 2013, 11:42 AM

Cool stuff. I've always been a go-fast guy (cars, motorcycles, and airplanes) and been sufficiently fortunate to have found myself at the controls of interesting examples of each over the years. From a building perspective, I'm currently finishing a concours restoration of a 1969 Triumph T120R (Bonneville) - and giving serious thought to either a 1938 Triumph 5T (Speed Twin) or a GT40 kit car as the next project...

Ken

**SixTurningFourBurning** · Feb 4, 2013, 12:37 PM

Very cool, Ken. I bought my first motorcycle, this last year. I bought an 82 Yamaha XS400L Maxim for $500. Now I just need to wait for it to warm back up, and get my Motorcycle endorsement. Overall, I just enjoy tinkering. Mom says I get it from my Papaw. He passed away a month before I started A&P School. He always loved hearing about what I was working on. My folks always said it was his way of living vicariously. Another project on my list is a diesel swap for my truck (03 Dodge Dakota). Debating between a 4BT or 6BT Cummins. Both have been done. Dodge built diesel Dakotas for export in the mid-90's.