I had a few messages from Eric Clutton over the last week or two which I decided to save for today.  An ugly Tennessee winter has generally kept Eric grounded so he has been keeping busy repainting FRED, now “Rustoleum ‘Safety Yellow’ with RAF roundels and a new engine cowling.”  He has also been pursuing his other great passion, scale model aircraft, using a subject we all recognize.

Per Eric, the 2” to 1’ (1/6th scale) radio control model FRED “appeared as a free plan in the Brit model mag  ‘Quiet & Electric Flight’ in the Nov 2009 issue.  [The model plan maker] had done the VW powered version, so I shortened the nose to make my Continental version and powered it with a diesel.”

Just a few days ago Eric reported, “Weather here has been bloody awful.  I managed to fly FRED and the Luscombe briefly about ten days ago but that is all. The mini FRED also has to wait for better weather!  Maybe it will change on my birthday…only problem is that I will then be 82!”

In honor of Eric’s birthday I have added many, many more photos to the FRED photo galleries.  One of those is a photo of Eric’s big and little FREDs together!  I have also, at Eric’s request, clarified the postage situation for books and plans on the “Contact” page.

So here’s wishing Eric a very happy birthday and fair weather for more FRED (and Luscombe) flying!

Photo:  Eric shows off “Little FRED.”  Courtesy of Eric Clutton.