Need a huge favor from a 308 brother in NJ! | FerrariChat

Need a huge favor from a 308 brother in NJ!

Discussion in '308/328' started by Birdman, Nov 21, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Anyone here from NJ want to do me a huge favor??

    Here's the story. My dad flew the C7A "Caribou" in Vietnam and is a member of a veteran's group that keeps all the C7A people in contact with each other. There is a company in NJ called Pen-Turbo which is converting the old Caribous into more modern STOL transport planes by equipping them with modern engines and instruments. It occurred to me that my dad would go nuts if I gave him a blade from a Caribou prop for Xmas. (You know...wall ornament!) So I called them and talked them into selling me one blade from an old prop. (They have been scrapping the props and selling them for scrap aluminum). The catch is that he wants cash, and doesn't want to box it up and ship it to me. We are talking about an aluminum blade which is about 5 feet long and weighs around 50 pounds. I'm hoping I might convince an fchatter to drop by, pick it up, pay the guy, then put it in a box and UPS it to me. I know, I'm asking for a huge favor. I will PAY someone to do this, pay for shipping of course, and you will have my gratitude and that of my dad on Xmas morning! It's either that or I have to drive down to NJ, which will take me 10 hours+ round trip.

    They are in Rio Grande, NJ, exit 4A off the Garden State Parkway....where ever the hell that is!

    Anyone willing??? I can send all the money for the prop and the shipping plus a fee in advance by paypal, wire, money order...

    Thanks in advance.

    Birdman
     
  2. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,379
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    That's a nice thought!

    Maybe a post in the Regional Section, or '308GTB' is in Springfield, NJ......
     
  3. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    I also posted in the regional section as well....hopefully someone can help me out so I don't have to drive to NJ!
     
  4. J430S

    J430S Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 5, 2008
    390
    NY
    Full Name:
    John M
    Where in NJ, it's a long state.
     
  5. ducowti

    ducowti Formula 3

    Jan 27, 2008
    1,557
    NY/SC
    Full Name:
    David
    #5 ducowti, Nov 21, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2008
    B-man, let me hit a friend who (unfortunately :D) lives in Jersey. Stand by....

    Eh, sorry - it's 160mi from him (and more from me) and I know he won't bite.
     
  6. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,889
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #6 ClydeM, Nov 21, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2008
    I'm in Jersey.
    Northern though. about 3.5 hours away.
    When do you want to do this by?
    Give me their phone number and I'll make arrangements if nobody is closer.

    Think it will fit in a 308?
    Think a 308 with the bird-man fuse panel will hold out? ;)
     
  7. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    Bird,

    I live in Northern NJ. Exit 4 on the Garden State Parkway is virtually down in Cape May (the southern tip of NJ). I am going to be driving up to Boston for Thanksgiving, leaving Wed. afternoon next week. If someone can pick up the prop and drive it North, I would gladly pick it up, throw it in the back of my SUV, and drive it up to Boston, meet you somewhere along the way or over the weekend to deliver it to you. I would offer to go down and pick it up, but I've got too many plans this weekend, and too busy Monday and Tues. next week to make the run down there.

    Let me know if I can help. I'll PM you my phone number if you want to arrange something.

    Regards,
    Steve
     
  8. decardona

    decardona Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2005
    1,019
    PA
    Full Name:
    Dennis Cardona
    #8 decardona, Nov 21, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2008
    You might have better luck in the PA,DE region section. Rio Grande,NJ is about 60 miles from both Delaware(Wilmington) and Philadelphia. Good luck.
     
  9. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Thank you all for your kind offers!! I know nothing about NJ, so I'm learning! OK, southern end! Let me post a note in the PA section and see if anyone there can help. As for the offers of driving it up, THANK YOU! Maybe I can get it from there to Steve to bring it up! (Steve how long ya gonna be here?? Maybe we can meet to say hi).

    Clyde, you are awesome, you Kartmaster :), but I don't want you to have to drive that far for this. There is no rush to get it to me, I don't need it the sucker until Xmas...but I do want to get it from the airport before the guy changes his mind!!

    Birdman
     
  10. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,889
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #10 ClydeM, Nov 21, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2008
    Ok, Steve going up to Boston & living fairly close to me is too good to pass up and with Snow expected Monday, sooner is better.
    So I called down there. Gobe(sp?) will be there at 10:00am Sunday so we can do this. Please PM me the cost for this. Turns out it's only 2.5 hours for me, faster if the 308 goes. Steve, PM me your address & phone # please. Can I drop this off on my way up the GSP say Sunday around 2:00pm?
     
  11. gil308

    gil308 Formula 3

    Jun 22, 2004
    1,975
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Gil
    Clyde...very good of you to help out an FChat member like that. I will be in NJ (Cherry Hill -- about 85 miles from Rio Grande) next week, but I will not have transportation. I would offer to rent a car and help out if needed...PM me if you need anything.
     
  12. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Mondialmerle has offered to pick it up too....in the thread in the PA section:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=138214809

    In another recent development, I have a friend from Boston who is going to be in NH to visit her folks (northern NJ) who is happy to drive it back up here after Thanksgiving, so that's another option to hand it off to her.

    The guy I spoke to at Pen Turbo (Joe Wolf) said that it's about 5 feet long and 50 pounds. SHOULD fit in a 308 front seat, but I can't be sure!

    THANK YOU so much everyone for your offers of help. What a great bunch of dudes we have here. I am truly touched by your generosity.

    Now that we have 17 different plans....what should we do?

    Birdman
     
  13. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Talked to Clyde this morning by PM and sounds like he can pick it up and make the handoff to Steve!! You guys are so cool! I owe you! Let me know when the blade is in-hand!

    Steve, where ya headed in the Boston area?

    Jonathan
     
  14. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    So, Clyde is on his way to pick it up today....Clyde, you are the man!! I just talked to Steve "fasterisbetter" who is going to bring it with him up here to the Boston area this week. Now we just need to figure out how to get it from Clyde to Steve. You guys are faster than freakin' FedEx! Is there nothing that fchatters can't accomplish?? The 308 Brotherhood is a force to be reckoned with!! LOL! :D

    THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart guys. My dad is going to love this gift. It's too cool!

    Jonathan

    P.S. In my other thread, I promised a free set of Birdman fuseblocks to a 308 guy if he could help me out. As chance has it, both Steve and Clyde already have them....so I'll donate them to a person of their choosing, or do a lottery or something! I'm open to ideas. It'll be fun!
     
  15. gil308

    gil308 Formula 3

    Jun 22, 2004
    1,975
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Gil

    I don't need the fusebox...yet ;) But I am always up for having one just in case :)
     
  16. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #16 FasterIsBetter, Nov 23, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Okay guys, the first leg of the prop's journey to its new home in Jonathan's dad's house has been completed. Clyde picked up the prop and delivered it to me at my house this afternoon. Here are a coupld of pictures of the "hand-off". Wed., it get's loaded into my SUV and then off to Jonathan on the great Thanksgiving Day Prop Trek!!

    Thanks Clyde for bringing the prop to my place. The Fchat Friendship Fellowship rules!!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    HOLY CRAP!!! That is SO cool! Clyde, you rock!! I just talked to Steve on the phone to coordinate his visit here with the prop later this week, and he explained to me just how far Clyde had to drive today for this (150 miles round trip!)...and I'll bet it was damn cold with the window down. Man, I owe somebody some beer or ten!! Clyde, a gift is coming your way...thank you for going well above and beyond the call of duty! You are the MAN! I say Clyde gets to decide who gets the free fuseblocks!

    That must have been hilarious when you showed up in a 308 to pick up the prop blade! (They told me it was 5 feet long...which it clearly isn't unless both Steve and Clyde are 4 feet tall!)

    How much does it weigh? It'll be interesting affixing it to the wall!

    Jonathan
     
  18. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,889
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #18 ClydeM, Nov 23, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Today was a great day for driving!
    So the schlepp down to Wildwood NJ was no biggie. Lots of police. No drama for me, but none set off my V1. Not even the ones who had folks pulled over. I suspect the staties are starting to use Instant-on rather than just leaving the units on all the time.
    Found the airport without problems. Jury is out if it's located in Wildwood, RioGrande, or Erma. Anyway, got down there, met Goby.
    A nice fellow with a passion for older Jaguars. He told me he rebuilt a "D" type and he kicks himself for passing on buying a 246 back in the 70's. But he was shaking his head when we measured the 308 & the prop. I'm sure he had a few adjectives for me and he's sharing some interesting laughs while quaffing a few with his local buddies. Oh well. Thankfully the 308 is notoriously hot running so the trip up was actually quite pleasant despite the open window

    The pics are of the Wildwood airport,
    the 308 parked there
    the Pen-Turbo office building
    Gobi's Cooper (is there any doubt)
    308 loaded & ready to go
    Prop as a passenger
    initial unwrapping at Steve's
    Yep, that's 50+lbs of Aluminium
    50" my foot! I think Steve is easy 6'

    Turns out Gobi does C7A turbo-prop conversions. He didn't have anything to fit a 308 :( There were about a dozen C7As out in the back yard. I wasn't allowed near them, but it looked like they were stripped down pretty bare.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  19. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,889
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #19 ClydeM, Nov 23, 2008
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2008
    BTW: The blade appears to be painted with Battleship Grey.
    There are no nicks or scuffs on it. It's quite a specimen.
    Gobi told me the blade will polish to a mirror luster with some machine polishing.
    DO be careful, he warned. There is an original OEM sticker on the blade. Just mask it off.

    So I bid farewell to the prop blade as it heads with Steve on leg 2 of it's journey.

    P.S. Birdman: when your mom wrings your neck after your dad mounts that monster on the living room wall- don't give her my name or address, ok? :)
     
  20. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    That is so cool!!! You should have mounted that sucker to the back of the car and gotten some down force!! :) Thanks again Clyde, you are too cool, picking it up in a 308. How perfect is that for the story???

    I talked to Steve today on the phone and we coordinated a visit up here to the man cave to swap it again...trying to get the local FFIC boys over for a meet and greet.

    I think the story of how the prop blade made it to Xmas is going to be almost as fun as the gift itself.

    Jonathan
     
  21. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2001
    11,013
    panama city beach FL
    Full Name:
    rick c
    i smell a screen play. "xmas prop for pops".
     
  22. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Yeah, but in the movie version, there are police chases, a damsel in distress, the prop is stolen by Jersey Mafiosi....

    But we can leave the part about picking it up in a 308...that is definitely movie material.
     
  23. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    Tell you what, I already have the fuse blocks (geez, how many posts have I written about how great they are?). But, I could use a set of those carpet holders, if you still have any of them floating around. :)

    Enjoy the holiday, and see you Friday afternoon.

    p.s. Email me your address, so I can throw it into my GPS.
     
  24. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    Please, no jinxing me. My part of the trip isn't over yet. The last thing I need is either the police OR the Mafia chasing me. LOL
     
  25. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Yeah, I reckon I might have a few!! Just a couple in the basement....thousand. :D

    Birdman
     

Share This Page