NCBGD!

[WRM]

I retired at the end of last year from a Company that repairs helicopter rotor blades and produces rotor blade static balancing equipment. They had my retirement luncheon today and I was totally floored with the retirement gift they presented to me!

It's a 4-string CBG made with rotor blade materials. The body is made from fairing skin pieces from a CH-47 rotor blade, the bridge and nut are solid composite from a trailing edge wedge, the sound holes are lead-lag damper bushings, the pick-up cover is the pre-cured skin that we use for patches, the purple paste adhesive is the EA9309-3NA adhesive that we use for repairs, the neck is purpleheart (with a touch of flame), and they even put a custom UID data plate on it! Shellac finish.


I'm a big fan of re-purposing materials, and boy did they come up with a great plan/design with excellent execution. I promise to play the heck out of it (probably into a MB Subway TT-800 w/SW112), and will always treasure it!

Now I need to come up with a good name for it....

Cheers,

 

[fourstringdrums]

It looks like a robot. I love it.

 

[bholder]

I know what I'd call it!

 

[WRM]

I know what I'd call it!

Thank you - that's perfect!

 

[flojob]

Looks like a resourceful nerdy guy with glasses. I'd name him Ben Franklin

 

[Killing Floor]

That is really cool. The fact that they know enough about you to design and execute for your gift speaks highly. Congrats. Really looks like a fun instrument. They even took the time to learn that chicken head knobs rule the world.

 

[WRM]

Looks like a resourceful nerdy guy with glasses. I'd name him Ben Franklin

Ha! Another good one! This won't be easy...

That is really cool. The fact that they know enough about you to design and execute for your gift speaks highly. Congrats. Really looks like a fun instrument. They even took the time to learn that chicken head knobs rule the world.

It really is a good bunch of folks that are very good at their jobs - true "artisans". Chris headed the project and is probably the most details-oriented person that I know, and is doing a great job taking over my former duties (QM/MR). I sent him the link to this thread, so I'm sure that he'll get a kick out of the "knobs" observation!

The long commute was a big part of my decision, and when I took dad up there today (for the first time), he couldn't believe that I had to do that drive twice a day - I told him the money made the commute worth it.

Thanks,

 

[ThudThudThud]

Name? Easy. Chinook.

 

[WRM]

Name? Easy. Chinook.

Ooooooooo - you just made it a whole lot easier, I really like that!...

 

[ThudThudThud]

Ooooooooo - you just made it a whole lot easier, I really like that!...

I didn't come up with anything. It was in the OP!

 

[HJFree]

How about you call it Rotor Wash in C minor?

 

[fnp5150]

Gumby?

 

[fhm555]

How about the original nickname for the H47?
Shithook

 

[WRM]

How about the original nickname for the H47?
poopiehook

Be nice, we all heard that one before.

Hard to ignore facts - it's been around a long time as the Army Cargo workhorse, a lot of folks told me some good stories about them, and they're going to be around for a long time....

Cheers,

 

[stigbeve]

"Huey"

 

[Katoosie]

This is the goofiest looking thing I have seen on TB! Not even THE MOTHMAN can scratch this!

Are rotor blades good for metal?

 

[fhm555]

Be nice, we all heard that one before.

Hard to ignore facts - it's been around a long time as the Army Cargo workhorse, a lot of folks told me some good stories about them, and they're going to be around for a long time....

Cheers,

No doubt, i’ve been very impressed by the success of the helicopter. I was a teen around Ft. Rucker when it first showed up. It was plagued with problems, mostly underpowered and tended to break driveshafts. 2 of my school chums lost dads to it in those days, but it has certainly turned out to be one heck of a heavy hauler after the teething problems were addressed.

 

[BAG]

That is brilliant.
Does it ring like a "Bell"

Maybe call her Belle.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

That’s awesome!

 

[WRM]

No doubt, i’ve been very impressed by the success of the helicopter. I was a teen around Ft. Rucker when it first showed up. It was plagued with problems, mostly underpowered and tended to break driveshafts. 2 of my school chums lost dads to it in those days, but it has certainly turned out to be one heck of a heavy hauler after the teething problems were addressed.

Flying always has its' risks, and always sad to hear about those lost Souls. They were converting C's to D's when I started in '85 - I worked the OH-58 A/C/Ds & AH-1 G/S.

This is the goofiest looking thing I have seen on TB! Not even THE MOTHMAN can scratch this!

Are rotor blades good for metal?

Nothing, ever, will de-throne the Mothman!

We might need to do the math, but judging how it sounded when we plugged it in today, the answer is YES! It defintiely made nice Blues R&R sounds when plugged into the little battery-powered portable Orange amp that they just "happened" to have handy!