Catching up

Things have been really jumping(not talking skydiving) at 2B2 this past month. We had quite a bit of glider activity,our annual L-19/taildragger fly-in, the first flight of the TG-2 and a celebration of the life of Virginia Paquette, who graced our little airport for too short a time.
Ron DeLalio was up from Long Island to help out on a few projects and while here he soloed the 232. That's Ron next to smiling Captain Tom Mason.
September 18-19 Steve hosted the annual(actually the 14Th annual) Birddog/taildragger fly-in. We had a good turnout both days with plenty of burgers and hot dogs along with the usual hangar gabbing.

Last year when the trailer rolled in with a rusty old glider fuselage on it, I thought it was going to the scrap yard. I soon learned it was the skeletal remains of a 1942 Schweizer TG-2 training glider and that Steve was going to restore it. I have witnessed some great restorations over the years but even with Pfeiffer, Uncle Bert and other transient talent that drops in the hangar from time to time, I still thought this pile should go to the scrap yard. During the year, while other projects were in the works, including another Super Dog for the Canadians, Steve was able to fit this restoration in and last week out rolls the completely restored TG-2 with some intricate scratch fabrication, especially in totally new canopies and with all the historic markings reminiscent of Schweizer's 1942 production.

The moment of truth was October 1; a breezy morning with the wind blowing down 32 and Captain Tom set for a flight test or two before flying off to Rome in the Big Bus. With the wind at their nose,, Steve in Superdog and Tom in the TG-2 they were airborne in a flash. Steve's promise to restore it to flying form was fact. Tom brought the glider in for a nice landing and had time for a second flight, this time with Bill Pfeiffer riding in the back seat with the canopy removed. Bill got some stick time and it was back to 32 for another successful test hop.
First flight testing done Captain Tom jumped into the phone booth and changed in to his work clothes for one more photo before off to Rome.


August 30, 2B2 lost a wonderful friend and supporter, when Virgina Paquette passed away. She was the wife of our 210 pilot and all around great guy Don Paquette. On Sunday October 3, a celebration of her life was held at the airport hangar. It was organized by her friends and colleagues from the Newburyport Elementary School system, where Viginia worked as an Instructional Assistant at both the Bresnahan and Brown Schools.. The celebration was an acclamation and witness to the good and gentle woman she was. Friends and relatives as well as former students remembered Virginia in word and song. Charlotte will address Virginia's life in a future posting.Rest in peace dear friend.