An honour to be called it, Tom!

It's not anything I ever heard before Vietnam, so likely it started there and moved along as various vets took it elsewhere in their lives. Stayed in the military, would have shown up in the fire services, etc.

I gotta say David, I suspect working with you would be very worthwhile, but I do really like my female "shrink," particularly since her mother was a Hollywood Star who she barely survived, and she understands that my "war stories" aren't entertainment. I do think women are better at the job (for the same reason I have a female attorney and a female agent - they listen, they hear me, and I know they work 3 times as hard as a man to be considered as good (and are thus 3 times more capable and competent). We guys are not as great as we think.

I certainly agree, Tom. Sad to say that momen have always had to work much harder (often just to be taken seriously) than us men. I’ve often fought with colleagues over men who were promoted over much more hard working and gifted women.
Seems to be changing, glad to report.

With all deference to the discussion about women in various professions, may I add that the SE-5 is looking exceptionally well Paul. Keep it buddy I'm enjoying the view.

Well, I’m late as ever. And for a party I have part hosted too. And here’s why (apart from being talked into an extra 2 weeks of consultancy work just as school broke up) - bleedin’ rigging. It is a new kind of hell. The SE5a has sat upside down in a vice for three days now. And although I am not too much of a one for swearing - especially since the kids were born - there has been the odd passage of blue air. The tail plane is mostly done, the wheels too. And there are now exactly twenty 0.03mm strands hanging from the upper wing. Tomorrow the final reckoning - it has been testing but at least it will be over soon!

Only one thing, Paul. Ailerons don't droop simultaneously on both sides. One side up, one side down (and In WW1, the deflection was equal up/down - nowadays ailerons go down 2x as they go up). Not a criticism, it's an easy thing to fix even now, and you did a really outstanding job for a first WW1 airplane. I can assure you there are now-advanced WW1 modelers who wish their first had been anywhere close to this one.

Beautiful plane Paul !

Bernie would definitely be proud of it. No doubt. I’d be honored to have it in my display case too. I’m a little too chicken to try and build a 1/48 scale biplane that has a lot of rigging.

I have a few Stearmans in 1/48 and the rest of my biplanes are in 1/32 scale.

Well done my friend. I’m glad that you posted it on here for us to see.

It’s also very good to see you back at it. I know that you have been very busy lately. I was wondering how you were doing earlier today.

Then you posted this one and answered my thoughts.

Thanks