Special P-51 Recolor "Miss Essie Mae" by Dave Winfield

**ashevilleangler** · #1 03-22-2015, 07:11 PM

As most everyone here knows, I recently was diagnosed with both non-hodgkins lymphoma and prostate cancer. The toll taken by this double-dose of cancer has far more than just physical as anyone who has been so afflicted can tell you. The emotional issues are greatly exacerbated by money worries that are in turn compounded by the inability to work during treatment.

So I have started a crowdfunding campaign to help raise money to cover cancer expenses while I'm undergoing treatment. Right now there are two components to this effort. One is that I have a crowdfunding site for direct donations. It can be found at https://life.indiegogo.com/fundraise...--4/x/10079237.

The other is that I opened an Etsy shop to offer this model in several variants. It can be purchased as a digital file, a printed hard copy or I will build it and ship it to you. I'm also offering crochet dishcloths handmade by my beloved wife Essie.

This model holds great personal significance for me. Dave Winfield very graciously agreed to re-color his "Miss America" P-51 Mustang air racer as an exclusive model for me to offer for this fund raising promotion. It is of course named for Essie. It sports the awareness colors for both non-hodgkins lymphoma and prostate cancer. It carries the awareness ribbons for both conditions as nose art and finally it has two crab silhouette "kill" markings on the port side nose.

Here are some photos of the model. I hope that you like it as much as I do.

Thanks to anyone who actually has read all the way to the end of this post. Special thanks to anyone who purchases any of my Etsy offerings or donates any amount at my crowdfunding site.

And finally a very special thanks to Dave Winfield for his extreme generosity and friendship. Also a special thankyou to Geraldo for building the "beta" version of this model to provide the photos.

Curt

**richkat** · #2 03-22-2015, 07:24 PM

That is very hard news to hear my friend, I'm sure you can beat this! Can you post a link for your Esty site? I will try to help all I can.....Rich

**milenio3** · #3 03-22-2015, 08:12 PM

When I told my wife about this model for you, Curt, which Dave trusted it to me, she told me that this is a very special project and that we are using our hobby to go beyond the call.

I'm honored to be part of this project.

All the blessings for you and Essie.

**sgoti** · #4 03-22-2015, 08:28 PM

As prostate cancer was one of the things that took my father back in 1991, this hits way too close to home.

Definitely in my prayers, Curt! I'll do what I can for support (as I'm sure others here will do as well).

Do you have links for your Etsy site, as well as a link for the model?

Stay strong,

Glenn (aka "Sgoti")

**rickstef** · #5 03-22-2015, 08:53 PM

My dad is a 2.5x Cancer survivor, Prostrate being one of them

Please share the Etsy link so we can help you that way

**John Bowden** · #6 03-22-2015, 10:36 PM

https://www.etsy.com/listing/2270659...w_type=gallery

Curt's P-51

**airdave** · #7 03-23-2015, 06:41 AM

This is a very good cause and I urge everyone to buy a model
(even if you don't plan on building).

Let me just clarify...I don't expect any undue attention...
Curt came to me with an idea...an exchange proposal...in return for a model of some sort.
It didn't take any thought to agree to help,
especially for someone who contributes plenty to this community and the hobby itself.

I made suggestions and helped him come up with this Mustang design.
He should be credited as the designer of the paint scheme.

The model is based on my Mustang P-51D air racer kit.
The same one as used for my Miss America model,
which features unique clipped wings and sleek, turned up wing tips.
The model also comes with full cockpit, recessed Wheel Wells and detailed Landing Gear...and a display stand.

Its also a great deal and you'll feel good that you helped out in some small way
like I did, while putting the kit together.

**Don Boose** · #8 03-23-2015, 07:25 AM

Great model, Dave. Good-looking color scheme, Curt.

Very worthy activity. Good thoughts for many more years of healthy and happy paper model building, Curt!

Don

**MacSongLi** · #9 03-23-2015, 08:42 AM

Fight hard Curt, you can do it.

Thanks Dave for the re-color, I'll be purchasing a kit.

Gary

**ashevilleangler** · #10 03-24-2015, 11:02 PM

Thanks to all who have contributed, either on the crowdfunding site or by buying one of the offerings listed in my Etsy store. I can't believe that I forgot to post the link to the Etsy store. Special thanks to John for correcting that oversight. And finally an update on my health status. Last week I had a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy to check on my lymphoma tumors. During the biopsy, we asked for a PSA test using the blood sample drawn that day. Well the results came back just the other day and the resulting number 0.01 is basically in the non-detectable range. That of course means that at least for now the prostate cancer is gone!

Tomorrow I will get the results of the PET scan and bone marrow biopsy. I am expecting positive results from those tests as well. Either way I'm going fishing after, either to celebrate or for consolation.

Curt