Well Balloons Over Waikato turned out to be a very flyable event which is bad news for cutting however a home-built required some patching which worked out to my advantage. My sewing machine which hasn't worked since i got it serviced is now back in working condition. I have learnt a lot and found some gaps in my equipment which sucks but having the time to think about everything helps.
We managed to get the fan finished on Monday which was great however we discovered the prop wasn't balanced and the motor was having some trouble. Later in the week the prop hit the cage much to our surprise and took a chip out of the prop. Its a really upsetting event however it happening now allows me to sit on the disaster and work through it slowly. Not a good day for the bank account but at least there isn't a fire under me pushing to get something complete now.
The outlook for the fan is wait to hear back on the installation of wingtips then travel down repair path with or without wingtips. I want to modify the cage and put on a flat back to cut down the size of the cage along with giving it more space in the back as this is where the cage and prop made contact.
As for the balloon front i purchased a 2008 Kav 55l tank which was originally going to be two however that did not work out. The folder i have does not meet the grade so i will be going down the path of getting one custom built and not modified like the one i have. Also going down the route of polyester thread with pre-wound bobbins. I have been put onto a great company which offers an array of different colour polyester in both spools and pre-wound bobbins which the home-builders swear by. I also have purchased a brighter bulb for my sewing light which will make things easier.
I have a new project ready for when i finish up with Wintec. I tracked down Kavanagh style tank strap buckles and got a friend to buy me some black webbing. I am planning on sewing up 20 tank straps which hopefully i can on sell to balloonists however if i cant sell any i wont be fussed.
