The cowling over the tank will also be held in place with a strapping arrangement.

"Did you have any doubts about whether you'd get this far?" I asked. "Who could you turn to for help?"

"Not really any doubts," replied Rick. "There's always the Yahoo discussion list and the websites."

It all started here.

The well thumbed plans for the Niueport.
To the left is an air speed indicator that Rick picked up off eBay. Untested.

"What about safety?" I asked.

"The key is to take your time, don't rush things. If something looks wrong, go over it and fix it up," said Rick.

"Would you do it all again? I mean, in hindsight," I asked.

His face lit up, the smile came back. "I saw these plans for a Flitzer."

There on the bench, there just happened to be diagrams for a 1930's Stummelflitzer.

Rick Hull

Proud owner, builder, tinkerer, pilot and dad.