Sal Taibi Sal T
Coming together to remember the legend who designed so many great flying models.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CLINT BROOKS S
al Taibi has temporarily left us in person. However, the memories of Sal’s spirit and friendship will never depart. Each time I see a Power-
house or Starduster launch, and watch it climb, my thoughts will return to Sal and I bet he’s watching that launch and clicking his watch too. There have been many fine stories writ- ten about this legend of a modeler. What I would like to have you enjoy is what hap- pened after Sal passed away just this last December.
Sal’s home SAM Chapter Club, the SCAMPS, planned a celebration of Sal’s wonderful life at their flying site in Perris, California. Kevin Sherman sent out e-mail invitations to lots of freeflighters announc- ing a Sal Taibi Memorial Event on January 12th. He asked everyone to bring a model that Sal designed and “...we will all fly them together to celebrate Sal’s life”. Mike Taibi, Sal’s son, and Betty Moke, Sal’s companion, would be there to join the festivities and the
SCAMPS planned to cover the event with pictures of those attending. What a showing there was … over 50 Taibi designed models and their pilots flew all day. What a sight. Mike and Betty posed for pho- tographs as well as many of the attending flyers. Folks shared stories about Sal and many of the great planes he designed. One of the best stories evolved around the infamous “donut time” that occurs every Wednesday morning as the SCAMPS gather to fly together. Usually, around 9 a.m., someone yells “donuts!” and everyone drags up a folding chair in a circle and solves the world’s problems or creates a few. On this particular day, Sal had brought
his Brooklyn Dodger, which he designed in 1941. Just as he fired up the engine, some- one yelled “donut time”. Sal launched the Dodger, turned around and walked toward the circle of flyers gathering some 100 yards away. He never looked back at his model as it raced into the air.
When he sat down and grabbed a donut,
someone asked him if he was watching his flight? He casually said no and began to en- joy his donut and laugh and talk to others gathered there. The plane disappeared as the drift and a thermal caught it. Others were watching it as it disappeared and told Sal his Brooklyn Dodger was OOS! Sal said “Don’t worry, I’m not.”
The donut break ended about 20 minutes later. As we got up from the circle to resume our flying, someone yelled, “There’s Sal’s model!” Sure enough the model was return- ing to the field. It landed about 50 yards from the flight line and Sal casually walked out and got it. Amazing!
Many such stories were told that day this past January. Sal was a dear friend to us all. Some flyers he had known all his life. Others just met him recently. We were still his friend. He continued to help builders and flyers all his life.
He loved to fly. It brought joy to him and to everyone who stood and watched. We will miss him a lot.
Memorial Event
By Roger Willis & Clint Brooks
Kevin Sherman, who was the co-organizer of the Sal Taibi Memorial Event, is seen getting his Powerhouse (above left) ready for its first flight of the day. Later in the afternoon, the temperatures grew a bit milder and Vic Cunningham
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(above right) took the opportunity to fly his Sal Taibi designed A/B Spacer. Despite the earlier cool temperatures, many of Sal’s designs made flights in the beautiful blue skies.
MARCH 2013
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