Fred Wickens, shortly before his death at 91 years old and still building models for future full scale projects.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...redwickens.jpg
I can share a bit on Fred and it comes from his neighbor in charge of his estate....Seems Fred made a deal with him that if he would take care of him on his bad days so he didnt have to go to a retirement home, he would give him all he owned! This was in Independence Oregon where you could taxi your airplane right to your house. Freds house had only boats stuffed inside his attached hangar!
Also parked beside his craft was a v8 Jag! It sported a 383 Lingenfelter chevy and a dash mounted TV. The story goes that Fred loved to watch Jeopardy and after being pulled over by the Oregon State Police, the officer could not get Fred to roll his window down. After several bangs with his flash light he powered it down but still didnt acknowledge his presense. Finaly, the show broke for a commercial and Fred asked him what he wanted. Sir, you were doing 92 back there can I see your license? So, Fred explained that it was very hard to see the speedometer and view the show at the same time. So if he was giving him a ticket, to hurry up before the TV ad was through! He could NOT miss his show! I believe Fred was in his 80's at the time!
Fred was a favorite with the antique airplane buffs. He could pound out almost any cowling or rare metal part they needed. His last hydro and hiss first 1965 race flatbottom are here in Spokane gathering dust!