My current project is to not contract a virus.

Other than that, today was Free Plane Friday for me.

I was casting about last fall, lamenting the lack of a winter model-airplane-project.
My friend, Mephistopheles (not his real name) and I struck a deal: his plane, his engine, my time, our flying, to reconvene March 2020.
I held up my end of the bargain. Mephistopheles did not.

In March, when I presented Mephistopheles with the finished product ready-to-fly, he gifted me the project.
He insisted.

That was Free Plane #1 flown earlier today; vintage Bridi tail-dragger, very low-hours Saito 91 four-stroke.

Plane #2 was assembled from plans by another friend, Bugs (not his real name).
'Assembled from plans' does not properly represent what Bugs did here.
'Assembled from plans' simplifies his process like the first step of automobile engine replacement simplified to 'Remove engine'.

Bugs' airplanes are expertly assembled.
And all sport amazing covering-jobs.
And all are flown by Bugs. And flown. And adjusted. And flown.
His planes are rarely sold, and when they are sold they command a remarkable price.

Because they are remarkable model airplanes.

Bugs arrived at the airfield not long ago with a masterpiece to give away.
I, perchance, had just smashed my sixth Decathlon. (That count doesn't include smashed-rebuilt-smashed).

They pack so much easier after you smash them.

I was gently placing the Decathlon carcass in the trash when I ran into Bugs.
He saw me, saw some of my best demolition-work to-date, and was suddenly wishing that I had not seen him.

Bugs had a very nice model airplane firmly clutched in his hand.

He was very reluctant to let me know that he had brought this airplane to give-away.

It was apparent that I had room for an airplane.

After a brief conversation about a proper engine for the airframe-only offering, Bugs' only hope was exhausted when I just happened to have an OS Max 40LA engine like the one he built this airplane around.

That was Free Plane #2 flown today, Free Airplane Friday.