Introducing:
Captain Dumb Thumbs

Otherwise known as Rich Moreau (aka) CDT6426@aol.com

I became involved in aeromodeling as a lad of ten, in the late fifties. A friend of the family (with a son about my age) suggested to my dad that we try control line flying. After checking his free time schedule (and his wallet), off we went to the hobby store to get our first control line trainer. It was made of solid balsa construction, and touted to be virtually indestructable. Along with the kit, we (he) purchased a McCoy .29 (red-head) motor, and the necessary items to finish the plane and put it in the air. Remember Ambriod Model Cement?? The mighty (heavy) solid wood trainer turned out to be exactly as described, (NEARLY) indestructable, and we learned take-offs, landings, and how to keep our lunch down while going in circles.

After its ultimate demise, we progressed to a Tomahawk, another trainer with a profile fuse and built up wing. After building (and crashing) several of those, he bought me an Omega Stunter, and himself--a Waco cabin bipe. Great thing, father and son involvement; but lost my plane to a goal post, and couldn't persuade him to let the Waco fly free. So, onto the lines it went. When the ambriod let go from the engine mounts, that was the end of it for him..... but I've been hooked since.

After getting married and starting a family, I spent many years building plastic sailing ships, and culminated that phase of my modelling career by completing a three foot (Revel) model of the USS Constitution, with a detailed, painted Captain's cabin, 103 individual guns (all tied in place), under 39 full sails, with full standing and running rigging (less people). After I finally completed it, a local fiberglass shop owner (who did Azar Big Boys statues) used my model to create a giant-scale fiberglass storefront for Admiral Deans Lounge, a local resturaunt and lounge. (my only claim to fame, but the hard work was Epperson's Glass Works)

I watched other people having fun in the r/c and c/l hobby for about twenty years, and finally became actively involved in the past eighteen years as a r/c modeler and pilot with the Midwest Sundowners. In January of 1998, I became the editor of our club newsletter, The Sunny Times, and remained the editor thru June of 2001, when another member took over the position.

I spend my free time helping others in the hobby, along with buying, building and flying my own aircraft, and enjoying the company of the Midwest Sundowners since my first "guest flight" nearly 20 years ago. I can still vividly remember how majestic dad's Waco looked on the end of those 52 foot control lines, and I suppose that is why I'm especially fond of biplanes, regardless how much work they may entail.

I heartily welcome any individual to join me in what I believe to be, the best hobby going.

Rich

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