The Day The PT-40 Died


lameduckie learned to fly remote controlled airplanes several years ago, with the help of the PT-40 pictured above. She wasn't the prettiest of planes, or the most powerful, but she flew around and was cooperative on landings by amateurs. Last Saturday was one of those days that just begged to have something flown around in it. Puffy white clouds on blue sky.

With batteries charged, tank filled, and engine tested, the PT-40 was straining to be let loose as we set her down on the flying field. The ugly yellow paint was the same color as the dandelions that covered everything.

My father has been flying these things for much longer than I have - 15 years now? We let him take first swing at it, and he throttled it up. As it roared across the field, it seemed well enough, but it was taking plenty long to get off the ground. Then it happened.



I laughed all the way home. I guess that's my way of coping. (That and it was hilarious to see.)

The final pronouncement? The PT-40 did not have enough power to recover once it had been pushed sideways in a crosswind. It cartwheeled apon hitting the ground, snapping the prop and ripping off the entire tail assembly. Believe it or not, the wing was undamaged.

As we walked over to survey the dismal scene, we found fuel leaking out the carbeurator as if the poor PT was bleeding to death. So sad to see it go.. However, that afternoon we ordered two new ones to replace it. duckie will fly this summer after all!