Libyan rebels — tuned in, turned on, and dropping out of Gaddafi’s regime:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/02/24/uk-libya-protests-gaddafi-idUKTRE71N4IJ20110224

but when researching the web some claimed there were performance issues

A modeler should definitely research anything he or she may be considering for purchase. Doing so saved me from buying several problematic planes in the past few years.

A claimed freak broadcast that involves one of aviation’s great mysteries:

http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Archives/Documents/Notebook/notebook.html

As for authenticity, all I can say is that the artwork matches the period and the other contents seem typical of a girl that age in that era.

EN830:

Condolences on your friend’s passing.

A B&D Workmate commercial from the States at 4:24:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y56DDSLBHNA

The man in the commercial was retired football star Bob Lilly of the Dallas Cowboys. And yes, he got plenty of ribbing about building a boat in 30 seconds…..

SkyHigh:

This is the Champ I have:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HBZ4900

I bought mine in September 2010 and the link above states that it’s coming in March 2011, so I presume that it refers to a second production run. However, individual retailers or distributors may have some of the first run Champs in stock.

It should be available in the UK — after all, it has the registration G-FLYR!

I was once acquainted with an older gentleman who had been a college classmate of Charles Kaman and one of the first shareholders in his company. This led to an opportunity to pilot an early Kaman “synchrocopter.” Although he had no previous experience flying helicopters, he found it an easy aircraft to fly and very stable.

He also told me that the first Kaman rotor blades were carved out of spruce by an elderly gentleman who had learned the trade of skimaking in his native Norway. Kaman later pioneered composite blades and legend has it that the company’s move into musical instruments was due in part to find work for its experienced woodworkers.

And some here say the same about US administrations. Since 1917!

Change may be coming:

It’s time to end Big Government internationalism
Washington Examiner
28 January 2011
by Thomas M. Skypek

When it comes to foreign policy, it can be difficult these days to distinguish between Democrats and Republicans. Both parties are advocates of big government internationalism. Their differences on a range of issues—from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to Iran and North Korea—are more stylistic than substantive. And when it comes to the big strategic questions (e.g., For what purpose does the U.S. engage in foreign affairs?) the major parties are in lockstep. Both subscribe to a Wilsonian, liberal international agenda of democracy promotion and nation building with little regard for cost—or the Constitution.

A reformulation of American foreign policy is long overdue and the Tea Party movement is in a unique position to expand the ongoing national debate on federal spending into Washington’s costly and overly ambitious grand strategy.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/…ternationalism