Memories of my father
Lynn over at Trippin’ with Rip reminded me of a trip my family went on in probably 1983 or 1984, I don’t remember for sure. My dad had been going through a phase where he was interested in RC airplane models. Byron Originals put on a show in Ida Grove, IA for about 15 years, I believe. They had large scale models and used them to re-enact the strike back after Pearl Harbor. The models were expensive as hell, I remember.
About 5 minutes in is where the dogfights with the Japanese Zeroes start. Around 7:45 mark is a B-17 taking off (at least I’m pretty sure that is what it is). Around 8:00 is the flag raising at Iwo Jima. After that, you can see how huge the plane is and a tank that is big enough to have a person inside it.
I remember the trip through Iowa. Nothing but corn and more corn. Dad wasn’t the kind to stop unless he could see food or gas from the highway. And you didn’t see much along the highway except corn. I don’t think we stopped till we got there – 1 hour south of Kansas City to Ida Grove, Iowa. I had new sunglasses and they were polarized in a way that made everything I saw have a bright blue tint. It was a gorgeous day and the models were amazing. It was pretty cool, even for a teenager at the parents and family trips suck stage of life.
One of the most enduring pictures I have in my mind of my dad is from outdoors events like that one – his jet black aviator sunglasses with gold rims, a red and blue CarQuest auto parts hat stained with mechanical grease and oil, usually a small checked short sleeved shirt with overalls and cowboy boots or sometimes just black Nikes. Just thinking of how he looked on most days even brings to mind how he smelled – masculine with Paco Rabanne aftershave and faintly of airplane grease, sunshine and fescue. He didn’t smile often but when he did, he looked years younger, despite his balding head that he joked about never tried to hide. It was probably his dimples, which I inherited. That and his brown eyes got a mischevious twinkle when he smiled. My dad wasn’t the most open or affectionate father in the world, but I loved him and I never doubted for a second that he loved me.
Been thinking about him lately. Probably because I’m thinking about some major life changes and I always ask myself what he’d think about my choices. To be honest, I probably would have taken this jump much sooner if he’d been around. If he’d been anything like his father was with us grandkids, he’d have made a great grandpa.
Tags: byron originals, model airplanes
that’s a beautiful story about your dad! you have some great memories of him. i think that’s awesome. i liked the vid too! wild to watch!
thanks for shout out!
Beautifully written. So evocative. Right down to the Paco Rabanne, smiling, unshowy opnenness…
Lost my own dad a few months ago so I got quite choked up reading that. I will seriously miss not having him around if I ever have kids.
I share your curiosity about what he would have said about things. Specially being something of the daddy’s girl I was. Basically your dad would just want you to be happy. Hope it all works out as you plan.
Thank you both.
I remember reading about your loss in your archives, Alison. I was touched reading your post about it. I didn’t comment because it was an archived post when I found it and I didn’t want to bring up any memories.
I was not planning to write about Dad, but it just came out. I was pretty wet in my eyes when I finished it and it’s been 18 years since my dad died. To the month and almost to the day. I don’t normally get all nostalgic around this time; that’s reserved for his birthday. So it must have been the video of the RC show. Pretty random what will trigger a memory – sometimes smells are the most powerful triggers for me.
Very nice, Nicole. It’s a great start to my day.
Just got to see the video. That is a fantastic looking show. They still do that?
It’s a B-29, I do beleive. The Superfortress.
I don’t think they still do the show. If so, it isn’t the same company. Byron Originals was sold when the founder died and the heirs didn’t want to continue the company. Another RC company bought the rights to the kits and such.
I bet you are right about the plane.
Thanks for the comments and for the link, Andy.