Gigs

So I am now officially a part of the gig economy... with the changing employment landscape and the popularity of flexible work options, I'm keeping up with the times and going all air tasker. And this lovely thing was my first gig. Its a Sopwith Camel. The kind that Biggles used to fly. The very charming "Andrew" put the call out ... he needed a biplane to wear (of course - what else does one wear to a queens birthday weekend winery tour with a bunch of high spirited buddies?). And I answered the call. Yep... I could make a biplane.
And so the R&D began... with maquettes and tests and drawings...it all started to come together. The conversation with Andrew progressed and I began to have the sneaking suspicion that I was in fact making a plane for Robert Downey Jnr masquerading as a mild mannered Melbournean professional. This guy is cool - you know?
Anyhoo - after a couple of weeks construction was complete, and the true nature of the Sopwith Camel emerged despite battling inclement weather to get the damn paint dry. Phew - the pick up was arranged and and I prayed that the cat wouldn't decide that the aircraft was all his and he'd tell everyone so by marking it in the way that only an evil cat can do (dont even ask what he did to the last sculpture).
With the 'Camel carefully loaded into the car (actually it was too big so we had to remove the tail for transport - detachable tail. NICE I'll remember that for next time) and strict instructions to consider both spacial boundaries and the benefits of gaffer tape in emergencies; I sat down to think about my first venture as a professional costume maker via airtasker.

Overall - it was great. I learned heaps, got to practice my craft and think about the possibilities of becoming an aeronautical engineer. I did SEVERELY underestimate the amount of time the whole thing would take me and so will likely end up making the princely sum of $7/hour. Better than nothing - right?

And I got to meet a really nice young man - who still likes playing dressups. In a very cool way.
(Oh - and he didnt turn out to be Robert Downey Jnr in disguise but he was very nice just the same).