For the aviation enthusiasts on the board... thanks to Bob Hancock for (a) pestering me to start this thread and (b) providing a good title.
For the last 7+ years I've been dabbling at building an airplane. A Van's RV-7, to be exact.
More information on the model here.
After years of unproductive dreaming I was tipped over the edge when I found a partially completed empennage kit (that would be the tailfeathers) plus tools for sale for about 60 cents on the dollar. In a moment of weakness my wife agreed, and even consented to allowing me to store the completed parts under our bed (yes, she continued to sleep in it with me).
Early construction took place in my garage, a time-honored homebuilder tradition. That didn't last, due to conflicts with other valuable machinery, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Not much impressive to look at; the following photos give the idea.
Things got better at the end of 2005. A friend of mine scored a place on the list for new hangars being built at the local airport, and I joined him as a partner. My wife, who by now had realized I was serious, insisted that I do the "Quickbuild" option after realizing how much time it would save. Who was I to argue? Can't have a hangar sitting empty, so I ordered the big parts. They showed up in early 2006.
To be continued...