Fabric work on a Skybolt wing

To: <markl@intercom.net>

Date: Sunday, August 28, 2005 12:59 PM

Tony,

As you know, it all started when I showed up at my house with a one piece, twenty-four foot, compound curved and swept wing from a Skybolt. What could be more difficult? The more I studied the wing and process to cover it, the more I knew I needed someone else's expertise to cover and finish it. But, I didn't want to drop it off somewhere and come back to a completed project. I starve for any aviation knowledge I can get and learning to cover my own wing in my garage was too good to be true.

I found your web site while reading about fabric covering on the Internet, and immediately called to start the process of setting dates and getting you to Beaumont. I didn't have to find my calculator to figure out that having you teach me how to cover my wing, would save money and give me the knowledge to cover my next project. So, a date was agreed upon and you I started our journey to cover my skeleton of a wing.

While you were here, I was most impressed with your ability to improvise when "stuff" was missing and the long hours you were able to keep in the marathon week we spent in my hot garage. Tony, you wore me out! I needed a vacation after my vacation but you seemed no worse for wear. Even better than getting my wing covered, our talks about your Vietnam Skyraider experience and informal flight reports of the many different aircraft you have flown in your aviation career made the hours pass quickly.

As for the Skybolt, as you would guess, work has slowed as the temperatures rose. I am now ready to start the spray and sanding process when the cooler weather gets to Texas. I feel well equipped with the knowledge you imparted and will in the future start my next project without fear.

Thanks again for the above and beyond effort,

Best Regards,

Phil Salter

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