Hello, District VII! I am excited that we are in the depths of the 2026 flying season. I look forward to seeing many of you at events throughout the district this summer. I have already had the opportunity to fly with some of you in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan with so many major events happening.
I want to thank those who have emailed me saying that you enjoy my column. Your emails mean a lot to me because I enjoy sharing the hobby. Those who have met me know how excited I am to talk about the hobby, and I try to share that in my column. Thank you all so much.
This month, I will share passions from others in the district with whom I have met and chatted about their projects. Steven Seltmann, a member of several clubs in southeastern Michigan, took part in the 2026 celebration of the Rosie the Riveter event, which was held in Lansing, Michigan. Early in 2025, he took part in the same event, bringing his scale B-24 that drew attention in part because that airplane was built in Michigan at the Willow Run facility. In 2026, Steve returned with it, not knowing the exciting thing that would happen. Allow me to let Steve share:
"I had the chance to talk to a special guest today. Frances Masters, age 104, was a ‘Rosie’ at the Willow Run plant where the B-24 was manufactured. It was a phenomenal experience. Frances looked the airplane over and she could describe aspects of the aircraft that many of us did not know. Frances even pointed out the area on the airplane that she worked on.
"She made sure we knew that she did not use a small handheld riveter; she used a large, pneumatic one that came down from the ceiling. She worked on the top of the wing, installing panels and working on the engine nacelles. Frances was excited to talk about the airplane. I know we could have chatted long into the night."
Francis honored Steve by signing his airplane. We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet a great contributor in one of the most trying of times. As we lose so many from that era and the stories that they share, I know Steve and I enjoyed the time spent and her. Signing the airplane will leave an everlasting memory.
At the Rosie event, I also had the opportunity to meet another airplane builder. His build is muchlarger than what many of us construct. Patrick Mihalek, the owner of Legend of Aces, is the museum director and head of restoration at the Warbirds of Glory Museum in New Hudson, Michigan. Patrick founded the museum in 2013 with the goal of restoring a 1944 North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, known as the "Sandbar Mitchell."
This labor of love is to take it from its ruins that were found in Alaska and restore it to flight-operational status. The level of detail he described is amazing. The wiring and instrument panels have been precisely restored to match their original construction. Patrick also believes in sharing the passion of aviation via student apprenticeship programs that the museum hosts, teaching students aviation manufacturing and engineering by working on actual vintage aircraft. Tours are also offered, so if you are in the area, reach out and plan a visit. If you want to see an ultimate in fullscale aircraft and learn about the manufacturing process of the time, look into this organization. The website is warbirdsofglory.org/restoration.asp.
That is all for this month. I am going back to the workbench and work on the models that I will bring to the Hazel Sig Memorial Fun Fly on August 9, which will be hosted by the Marshalltown RC Flyers of Marshalltown, Iowa. I will attend an event near you soon. Until then, continue to share the passion.