Conference vmszoo::rc

>         <<< Note 671.11 by ELMAGO::TTOMBAUGH "High Plains Drifter" >>>
>                   -< Unsolicited Review of Old Buzzard... >-
...
>    Kay Fisher has a copy of this book also (ve haf ways of knowing)
>    so what greater recommendation do you need?
    
Aw - but mine is not autographed.

I have a lot of R/C things due via UPS and mail.  The last thing I ordered
was the soaring book and it beat the others in.  It came in about 2 days
via US Mail.  I am only 1/2 way thru the book so far but I have only
one complaint - it is too short.  This guy "Dave Thornburg" is the soaring
equivalent to Al Casey - his writing style is GREAT.  He has more funny
"good old boy" comments about soaring than you can believe.  For instance
when talking about sloping he mentions a possible slope sight of the mound
of dirt above a fresh dug grave.

The book starts out by saying "This is not a book for a rank beginner to
RC soaring.  It won't tell you how to cover a fuselage or take the warp out
of a wing or put together a high start.  There are good books already on the
market that describe these things better than I can.  This book presupposes
your ability to fly.  It addresses your desire to fly longer and higher...
to be less at the mercy of gravity...to advance to the ideal of STAYING UP
UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO COME DOWN."

At $16 each it is a bit steep but if you can get together an order of 10 or
more the price gets below $12.  Still a bit steep for a small paperback
but if you had to take an airline flight to Phoenix and could purchase
this at the door the the Airplane it would be worth #30.  Its a quick read
but fun.  I took my book to the DECRCM meeting last night and passed it around.
Every body wanted to borrow it and I will freely distribute it after I am done
but I suggest instead you all team together and make a list of who wants
one and place a group order - you'll save a few bucks and the author and
a new publishing company will make a few as well.

It's available from Pony-X-Press
                    5 Monticello Drive
                    Albuquerque, NM 87123
                    (505)299-8749

I don't actually expect in the end it will change the way any of us fly
because most of what he says is common since observations but others will
disagree with me and I do think you will all get a few chuckles out of it.

So at the risk of polluting the gliding note if you want to get in on a list
for a group order reply to this note.  I already have mine so the first
one who signs up owns the responsibility of placing the order and distributing
the books.  I would advise that that person be someone that attends the
DECRCM meetings just to make the first 1/2 of the distribution easier.

Just to wet your appetite here is a quote from the end of chapter 5.
"It's time to fill the air with sawdust and with dreams."

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
################################################################################
    

    re .12
    
    Dave comes by his writing style naturally I suspect, but being
    an ex-English teacher doesn't hurt either . He gave up teaching
    because he "got tired of teaching the spoiled brats of rich Texans."
    
    He recently completed the final draft of his new book on the mores
    and sociology of trailer (mobile home) dwellers in the 30's and
    40's, and is thinking about writing a book on William Hawley
    Bowlus, who built trailers and sailplanes, among other things.
    
    Dave will be competing in the Nats this year, in all four glider
    cats., with a mini-Southwind in HL and 2 meter, and a standard
    Southwind in standard and open. Quite a character.
    
    Terry
    

    OK, I'll take Kay's bait.  I'll collect orders for this book at
    whatever price we can get.  So REPLY/AUTHOR if you want a copy. 
    The terms are that if we get enough for a break in price, great; 
    if not, you still take the book at the full price plus possibly 
    any shipping charge.  I don't need money in advance; COD is OK.
    I'll collect orders for a week, get the books, divide total costs
    by total books, and snail mail and/or locally distribute them.

    There have been several requests, so I just ordered another dozen.  I
    don't know the price, but it will be something between cost and list.

    I lost money the last time; I'll make it up this time.  There wouldn't
    be a "this time" except that I distributed *all* of the previous
    copies, and I need one for myself. 

    To reserve a copy, price unknown, send me MAIL.

    Alton the incompetent book dealer

    Totally off the point but..
    
    Thornburgh has a new book out now called "Galloping Bungalows, The
    Rise and Demise of the American House Trailer."
    
    He's also working on a history of model aviation in America.
    Don't know the publishing date on that yet. 
    To listen to the tales of intrigue in modeldom over the years, that
    he has uncovered in his research, is amusing/amazing.
    The Mafia ain't got 'nuthin on us !
    
    Terry

    The books arrived today, and the reserved ones were sent to their new
    owners.  I have some extras at $12.

    I haven't been able to put the book down ever since I got it lunch
    time.
    
    One helluva book!
    
    ajai

    I finished the book yesterday, reading lunch-times [mostly :-)]. It is
    the first book I have read in a looong time! It certainly is worth it's
    volume in Gold!
    
    Awesome book. Crammed with facts. Great humour. Lotsa stories. Must be
    reread many times before you can remember/apply all the gospel. I kept
    saying "Gee, I never thought of that before!" every few pages.
    
    Get it. You'll love it.
    
    ajai

hi to all dave thornburg fans,

there is another "second source" address to order dave thornburg's books from:

                        Soaring Stuff
                        9140 Guadalpe Trail N.W.
                        Albuquerque, N.M.
                                       87114
                        Phone # (505)898-1129

*They take Visa/Mastercard, the cost is $16.95.
Dave Thornburgs address is:

                           Dave Thornburg
                           5 Monticello Dr.
                           Albuquerque, N.M.
                                           87123
                           Phone # (505)299-8749

this address is identical to the address mentioned in conjunction with
pony-x-press. when ordering via dave thornburg directly, he will pass on
your order, but you have the chance to chat with him.

cheers
joe t.