Guest Blog Series from our friend David Paul.
David Paul is a friend and Farmall fanatic from California. Periodically he sends us stories & pictures about some of the adventures he takes with the FlaBob Farmall. FlaBob is the name of the little airport that time forgot. Keep in mind when reading this story, that this takes place in Riverside, California population 300,000. We hope you enjoy these adventures as much as we do.
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To: Steiner Tractor Parts
From: David Paul
Re: Flabob Farmall Adventure Report
We haven’t visited in awhile as I have been going at 90 mph it seems with all sorts of projects and adventures. Well actually only 14 mph as you will discover when you read about a crazy, fun thing I did May 19th.
The 1952 Farmall H is just about 100% now. I have to make some tips for the winglets. Then the “most uniquely accessorized Farmall H ever contemplated” will be fully ready to devastate frowns where ever she finds them. Did we ever do that Saturday!
Here are some pictures and the story of my Saturday adventures with my 1952 Farmall H tractor. Stories as reported to my “CO” at Flabob, Col Jon Goldenbaum USAF (ret) and T.W. Cook long time Farmall H tractor historian and restorer.
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To: T.W. Cook
From: David
Re: FlaBob Farmall Adventures
Well if you ever had any doubts about a poor 1952 Farmall H being in the clutches of a nut case, this little adventure of mine yesterday should remove them.
Yesterday was one of the top fun days I have ever experienced. I know the logical city slicker computer programmer mind I have said over and over again “this really is crazy!” while I was doing it. Last time I worked on an updraft carb was when I was 17 on a 1930 Buick. This Farmall is running with a carb I pieced together from a $10 dollar rusty antique store find. The H came thru with flying colors on many levels. Never missed or sputtered on the trip.
Tractor touring is definitely great fun. Please advise other Farmall H owners adding rear view mirrors is simple, stylish and adds a great deal to basic tractor safety.
Enjoy the story.
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Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:32 PM
Subject: We Drove It!!!
Jon,
All I can say after yesterday is that being around Flabob has definitely changed me from a conservative Republican into nearly a devil may care pilot type. Well at least a ground pilot “flying” at 14 mph a dual “Sonic Cannon” equipped red “attack tractor”. We utterly destroyed countless frowns on our first mission.
I admit I was very upset Friday when all my efforts to get the Farmall trailered to my house for driving to the Harley show failed.
About 9:00 that night I called my Model T friend I have talked to you about and was sniveling about not getting the Farmall to the Harley show the next day.
He responded with “What’s the problem? We’ll just do it like they do in Kansas and drive it from Flabob to Montclair”. At first I was shocked by the idea. Then we spent 10 minutes using our computer maps planning a route. Mission to Jurupa to Van Buren to Mission then straight up Central Ave past the Montclair shopping center to the Harley dealership. About 14 miles. Take an hour to do in 5th gear. Took slightly longer because of a stalled truck and a few rough road patches.
Decided it might just work. Tractor runs pretty good so why not try. If tractor kaputs, then AAA would have to tow me home….
Watch for part 2 next Friday
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