Flying in a Stearman
The flight was scheduled for mid-afternoon and the museum asked me to be there ten or fifteen minutes before the flight time. I was there an hour before that. I guess my watch was fast.
Of course, I made good use of that extra time, re-visiting the aircraft on display at the museum. I also took the opportunity once again to pursue a subterfuge of mine, one I've been working on since my very first visit to the museum. Careful to avoid attention -- strolling with my hands in my pockets, whistling in a carefree maner, and picking imaginary lint from my clothes -- I made my way to the hangar where the Sopwith Camel was displayed, separated from visitors by a restraining rope.
After glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I nonchalantly pushed the stands holding the rope a little closer toward the airplane. I'm hoping that if I nudge the rope an inch or two closer each time I visit the museum, the glacial movement will be subtle enough that the museum custodians won't notice it and eventually -- after another couple of dozen visits -- I'll be able to actually touch the airplane.
Of course, the Sopwith Camel is the airplane that Charlie Brown's beagle, Snoopy, flies atop his cartoon dog house when dog fighting the Red Baron. And, of course, the Red Baron flies a Fokker. Appropriately enough, at the museum and right across the aisle from the Sopwith Camel, there sits a red Fokker.
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