MTFCA Forum

I probably shouldn't post this here as it is not Model T, but I wanted to share a milestone I passed today. Some may recall that back in January I broke my ankle rather badly in a tractor accident. A few months earlier I'd had knee surgery (same leg) which didn't help. As a result, it has been 16 months since I've been able to climb into my 1946 Aeronca Champion aircraft and fly it.... I was beginning to fear I never would. I tried getting in the way I always have but my legs just wouldn't bend enough. Today, after modifying the plane's door stop so the door would open wider and figuring out how to use a folding stool to back myself into the front cockpit, I flew it again. I stayed up until the sun went down.... it was glorious.

People in this forum and in the T clubs I belong to have been very supportive during my recovery for which I am grateful. Knowing how many of you have faced health issues, I thought you'd appreciate some positive news for once.

If you have something you are thankful for, please share it.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Good for you! Let's see more of the plane.

Looks like your livin the dream Tim! Way to come back. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Congrats. That has to be good for your soul.

Hi Tim, That's wonderful!!! The worst is behind you, now be careful so you'll be in good shape for the 2020 T season!

Cheers,

Keith

Tim, Glad to hear you are back at your "First" love. Now leave the ankle bitting tractor alone!

LOL

Hank

I will say "Thank you for posting this here!" Personally, I think how our model T friends are doing heath-wise belongs in the general discussion. But that is me.
I very much recall the accident you had with the tractor. Since I was driving similar tractors on my grandfather's ranch when I was six, I was made very aware how dangerous those tractors are. Because of all that, your accident, at least for me, really hit home. I knew it would be a tough road back when it happened, and slower than desired or not, I am quite pleased to see you back to doing things you love.

Be well my friend!

Thankful, you bet!
On a recent tour in Townsend TN, in the Smokies, we had gone out the first afternoon on a kind of shake down for the start of the five days of touring. We drove for about 3 hours, car running good, following some really neat roads that followed the river. I did not see or feel anything that indicated an issue.
When we got back to the motel, a fellow model T'er mentioned some unusual wobble in the passenger side rear wheel. We jacked the car up for inspection and after removing the axle nut, when the wheel was removed, the last 4 inches of the axle came with it. I guess maybe the rockies were assisting in supporting the wheel assembly and did not alert me to the issue.
Three things come to mind. Checking the wheels by grabbing the the top of the wheel and aggressively pulling in and out does not always indicate an issue. Even removing the dust cover, axle nut and cotter key showed no issues in my pre tour inspection. Two, always take heed when someone alerts you to a potential issue. (Thanks Scott Porter) Third, we consider ourselves extremely lucky and thankful we got to the motel safe and sound without issue or accident. Someone was looking out for us!
This particular Ruckstell was rebuilt and installed by me some 12 years ago. When I got home and took it apart, both after market axles were worn .040" to .050" under the Hyatt bearings. This generated a "ridge" at the end of the axle, at the beginning of the taper, pretty much the exact point at which the axle broke. Hyatt bearings were good, sleeves were good and well greased. More wear than what I would have anticipated under original style felt seals was present.
Additionally I need to thank everyone who participated in the loading of the car onto the trailer. This is a simple task when the car has all 4 wheels. Not so much when one has fallen off. (The Tennessee T's and their guest really rock). I think we used every jack, winch, lumber, chain and ideas anyone could come up with.
I might be looking for one of those bolt on false axles, of which I hope never to have to use!
Tom

Tim....I'd like to relate a funny thing related to you that happened when the new version of the forum came into being earlier this year. Keep in mind that I don't know you personally so this was based on exactly nothing...except my poor eyesight.

I was looking at all the new people signing on to the new forum that week and, when I first glanced at your username, I read it as "Old Bloviator". Anyway...I thought, wow...that guy really is self-depricating!

Again...not based on anything except my 50 year old eyes, which now need cheater glasses for the first time ever. And, now of course, I still read it as such, even though I know it's not correct. And, it still makes me chuckle every time.

Gratitude, and the self-awareness to always be focused on things to be grateful for,
is the key to being happy. I learned this lesson in a very backwards way from my old
man, who was a very unhappy person. Although I do not think he ever intended for me
to have such a takeaway, I open the door in the morning and relish the smells in the air,
the sun on my face, the briskness of snowy times and the warmth of the woodstove ....
little things that most people just don't seem to get much from.

A couple weeks ago I had an engine go south in my work truck. I found myself feeling
grateful that I have a shop to do the rebuild, the knowledge and tools, and that woodstove
to make it nice and cozy. I remember having to do work like this out in the rain and mud !
And I am grateful that I took the time to put up all that firewood, that I bought a super-
expensive engine crane when I was making $5-an-hour that works just as good today as it
did in 1977, .... so many things.

We all have so much to be grateful for. I always wanted a TT flatbed. I am grateful to
have one. I am grateful to have the means to have bought it, and I feel an overwhelming
gratitude every time I walk out into the shop and see it sitting there amongst all the other
steam era "junk". I am SO grateful to have been so blessed with a life surrounded by such
beauty and wonderfulness. From the sun on my face to the active awareness of all the
"little things" that bring such joy.

Thanks for bringing it up.

Gosh, Tim. I didn't know that you were just out of knee surgery when you got bitten by the tractor. Did the tractor bite interrupt your physical therapy for the knee ? There's no "good" time for an injury, but one trauma piled on top of another makes things a lot worse.

Nevertheless, I'm glad to see you're getting back in the saddle. And hopefully you can continue to restore some more leg flexibility.

Congratulations, must feel fantastic to be up in the air again.

I went on a tour last Saturday with the Escondido club. We were about five miles along the road when there was a Big Bang followed by a slight tire “cherp”. Naturally I stopped and looked under the T, nothing looked amiss but I had lost all drive....
One friend took me to pick up my trailer and another stayed with the T.
Got it home, pulled the axle and Found a broken drive shaft. I think the pinion bearing broke up and jammed the ring and pinion gears. The resulting jam broke the driveshaft and the key at the wheel.
I can fix everything so that’s no problem.
I must admit that I’m thankful for the great friends who helped, those who have offered parts and those who have offered help.
Thanks guys.

Just another guy here that's more than Extra Thankful this season. Some of you may remember one of my earlier posts when I warned about the danger of airing up our Clincher tires.

I'm extremely thankful this year that I wasn't injured or Killed when a clincher tire on a demountable rim that I had just mounted a new tire and tube somehow exploded blowing off the tire and tube sending the Rim up into the air and landing about 18 feet away coming back on the ground!
Had I been anywhere in its path or leaning over checking it out I'd be still recovering or buried by now! Make sure those clincher tires are secured on the wheel before airing them up!

Extra Thankful This Year!!

A few replies - to all, thanks for your nice comments about my return to the sky and kind thoughts during my recovery.
Rusty.... Old Bloviator - gave me quite a chuckle.... It is probably a more accurate description---especially if you ask my wife.
Otrcman.... I had the knee surgery on Halloween and had finished PT. The knee had just gotten to the point that I was waiting for a nice day to try climbing into the plane and flying. The old way I used to get in required that I kneel on the edge of the door on that knee while I pulled myself up and worked my legs and feet in (kinda like a jungle gym). I had healed enough that I thought I could do it. Surprise! Life is what happens when you're making other plans.....