The RFL Sunbeamer (And Roos) Air Show

  
By Bixyl Shuftan

Every year, the Relay's team Sunbeamers has an air show in it's Farshore Field in Sunlight Bay. For the team's history, an event of some kind has been held by the team at the airfield. And officially this is the eighth air show. From 8AM to 4PM SL time, there were a number of things taking place.

As always, there were a number of planes on display. But that wasn't all. 

This season, the Sunbeamers were holding the event in cooperation with another team, "Roos With A Dream."

DJ Kayla performed on stage, dancing with other Roos.

The Roos had arrived in their own Chinook helicopter, painted Relay purple.

There was plenty of chatter during this performance. "Think of all the diseases have been wiped out or minimized in our lifetime," one of the Roos, Alison Flow, commented, "Cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350,000 cases then, to 33 reported cases in 2018. In 1996, the total life expectancy for a 20-year-old person with HIV was 39 years. In 2011, the total life expectancy bumped up to about 70 years. And more currently, who would have thought that a brand new vaccine for COVID-19 would be going into people's arms as we speak. So, with your help, our dream isn't so far off! Cancer is next!!"

There was also some gaming chatter, notably "World of Warships." One commented, "I never got past teir four with  WoWs,  destroyers are glass cannons." And talk about Second Life, "Someone always sends me an IM asking me to come to his shows, and every time I respond with 'Sorry, at a RFL event.; Not sure he believes me, but true."

 

 

There were other aircraft around. Who knew the World Health Organization had black helicopters?

 

 And from the US Coast Guard, a friendlier looking white helicopter.

 

The helicopter from "Blue Thunder," which in reality was a modified French-built SA-341G Gazelle. 

Nearby was a B-17 Bomber

Introduced in 1938, this famous American heavy bomber would be the third most produced bomber of all time with over 12,700 made between then and 1945.

After the war, America retired the plane as a bomber, though it would be in other roles for a few years, including the CIA. Other countries continued to use it until Brazil retired it's last one in 1968. 

As of now, 46 of the planes are still around, with nine airworthy for flight.

The plane had a normal crew of ten, the least popular position being the ball-turret belly gunner. It had a range of 2000 miles with a 6000 lb bomb load.

One fighter a B-17 crew didn't want to meet was the Messerschmitt Me 262. The first operational jet fighter. Fortunately for the Allies, Hitler insisted many be used as fighter-bombers. After the war, some were still in service in Czechosolvokia for several years.

A Curtis P-40 Warhawk, the plane used by the "Flying Tigers," American volunteers flying for China before Pearl Harbor. While Imperial Japanese fighters were more maneuverable, it was better armed, could absorb more damage, and was faster in a dive. The plane was produced until 1944 and after the war saw service in some countries as late as 1958.

An A-6 Intruder and a F4U Corsair. The Corsair would be continued to be produced after WW2 to 1953. They would continue to fly in other nations' air forces, and would be involved in the last dogfight involving propeller-driven fighters in the "Football War" in 1969. The last one in service was retired in 1979.

A P-51 Mustang, one of the most successful fighters of WW2. Introduced in January 1942, over 15,000 were made. America continued to use it until the Korean War. Other nations would continue to use them, The Dominican Republic retiring it's last one in 1984.

A Supermarine Spitfire, introduced in 1938 and the chief Allied fighter in the Battle of Britain. It would be produced until 1948, and used by other countries until Ireland retired the last one in 1961. 

A Messerschmitt Bf 109, Germany's main fighter of WW2. The most produced fighter in history, almost 34,000 were built from Feb 1937 to the end of the war in May 1945. Updates allowed it to remained competitive with Allied fighters, though eventually were overpowered by sheer numbers. After the war, it continued to serve in the air forces of several other nations, including ironically enough Israel. Spain would retire the last one in active duty in 1965. 

Among the more modern aircraft was this A-10 Thunderbolt. It was build as a close air-support aircraft to destroy ground targets. With a rugged frame that takes a lot of punishment, huge bomb and missile loads and a devastating autocannon that fires armor-piercing ammo, it is a weapon to fear. Introduced in 1977, the "Warthog" was produced until 1984 and has served in several notable conflicts such as the Gulf War. While there is talk of replacing the A-10 and have more recent (and expensive) planes take up it's role, as of now there are no plans to retire the aircraft.

A talk between Air Show organizer Cynthia Farshore, Shockwave Yareach, Sunbeamer captain Rita Mariner, and Dusk Griswold.

Snowy (Skylark Lefavre) and Nikkita (Aubrytia Resident) were offering balloon rides. 

Cynthia and Shockwave going up in a biplane.

 

I decided to join them with my own biplane, a Nieuport 17.

Introduced in March 1916, the plane was superior to German fighters at the time, and established air superiority, for a time.

But by mid-1917, the planes began to be outclassed by newer German fighters. Eventually, the plane was less and less used on the Western Front and more limited to other theaters. It continued to be used in some air forces through the 1920s.

A Corsair would also see some air time.

There was also a cannon that would launch you up into the air. Grabbing a parachute first was highly recommended. 

 

There was a free one provided at the show, near the cannon.

 

There were some other attractions, like this shooting gallery.

Violet Solano of Meli's Maniacs came by.

She was interested in learning to fly a plane she had.

 

Coming in for a landing.

Near the end of the event, Cynthia Farshore, announced the amount of Linden dollars raised. For Team Sunbeamers, the total was 32,143 Lindens. For Roos With a Dream, the amount was 20,100 Lindens. This made for a combined total of 52,243 Lindens.

For both teams, it was one more accomplishment, one that would be followed up by the Relaystock the following weekend. Then would come other events, such as a planed festival by the Sunbeamers. And of course there's the Relay Weekend in June.

Go Sunbeamers! Go Relay!

 

Bixyl Shuftan

  

CDS and Sunweaver Communities At the MoCA Fimi Exhibit Opening

 
By Bixyl Shuftan

On Sunday May 2, two communities took part in an event for three artists, notably one whom had been part of one and had fans in the other. This was Artistic Fimicloud. Known as Stephanie Koslow in real life, she passed away thirteen years ago this month from cancer. So while the event was also for the other two artists whom had pictures at the exhibit, Sanjeewa Kumara and Sujeewa Kumari from Sir Lanka, it was a chance for people to look back at memories of the little pink fox whom had made her mark through artwork and her efforts at the Relay.

The event started at Noon SL time at the CDS' Museum of Contemporary Art (also known as MoCA) in the Neufreistadt sim. Fimi's art, retrospective paintings, was on the ground floor. Kumara and Kumari's art was on the second floor (European first floor), provided by Asmita Duranjay. Sunweaver Shockwave Yareach was the DJ for the event. He took no tips for playing music. Instead a RFL kiosk was set up for the Sunbeamer team, the Relay team of the Sunweaver community. "We are supporting the Sunbeamer team for Relay for Life of Second Life," the current CDS Chancellor Kyoko Furse-Barzane (Samara Barzane) explained, "So love MoCA and CDS too, but hit that kiosk hard." One guy whose viewer was taking a while commented, "Well, currently I just see "Paintings from the Grey Period" until the textures will be loaded, then chuckled. Kyoko mused, "Ah yes, the specialty of many museums.

There were a number of Sunweaver and CDS noteables. Besides Kyoko, other locals included (but not limited to) Lilith Ivory, Callipygian Christensen, and Rosie Gray. Rosie was in a tiny raccoon-like avatar, commenting with a grin, "so glad everyone wears nametags in SL." "Rosie, you are adorable," Kyoko woud later say with a smile. Besides the journalist, other Sunnies there were Jenni Greenfield, Dusk Griswold, Cynthia Farshore, and Sunweaver chief and team Sunbeamer captain Rita Mariner. Dusk was in the poodle avatar she wears most of the time these days. She would comment, "I was trying to figure out why a poodle seemed to fit me, then my real-life sister gave me a possible answer. I lost my Mom to cancer when I was 12, so a lot I didn't remember about her. My sister told me her nickname was 'Poodle.'"

Kyoko would say, "I meet Fimi when I started exhibiting at her Park Galleries. After we lost her in May 2008, I took over Park Galleries and ran it until December 2011. Fimi was very special to a lot of us, the cutest, feistiest little pink fox, and I miss her terribly still." Rita would say, "We still relay in her memory. We have a pink fox statue we put out in our Campsite every year, just for her." "The (Redheads) hadn't been a group long when we lost her," Shockwave commented. Kyoko went on, "We were all on the Passionate Redheads in 2008 and 2009. ... We were the first furry/human Relay team. "Freaked people out I think," Shockwaved mused. It was brought up that around 2009 a number of people in the team split away to form their own, Inspired Dreamwalkers, and the Passionate Redheads were mostly people from the Sunweaver community until it's closing in 2013 just before the season started. "I was a Passionate Redhead till the bitter end and it was disbanded," Rita stated.

Shockwave would play songs such as "Mad World" by Tears for Fears, "I Will Remember You," by Asia, "Love Will Find A Way" by Yes, "Fly Like An Eagle," by Steve Miller, and "Learning to Fly" by Tom Petty. "I can't help it," he would say of the last one, "I love Tom Petty. (I) wanted to see him in concert, but wasn't able to swing the cost of tickets.  Two weeks later, he was dead. Was my hint to QUIT (my) job -- no future in it." Dusk commented she would be retiring from hers in several more months. Rita added, "Bunny has been retired for 12 years plus, Love it." Shockwave would later play what Rita called, "one of the funniest songs I ever heard," which was "Viagra in the Water." "Listen to (the) words," Shockwave told everyone, "it's hilarious. I'll bet Fimi would have loved it." "Hungry like the Wolf" by Duran Duran, got a few jokes about "sheepishly made videos" and "not what I expected when they said the film was catered." "You don't need them the way you wolf it down."

At another point, Rosie in her little tiny was wearing a tall hat that changed colors. "Rosie, you are glowing," Kyoko laughed. "It's the only sombrero I have," Rosie responded, "it's a good party hat, especially if you're really small." There was a joke about hat tricks, to which Dusk commented, "Rabbits are good at hat tricks."

There was some talk about movies as well, notably "The Dark Crystal." "I was really disappointed in it," Dusk commented, "I am a big Jim Henson fan. I got into puppetry because of Henson. But sorry, Dark Crystal was bad." Shockwave nodded, "It was difficult to follow.  That's the directors fault." "It is because of how it was made," the puppeteer commented, "He approached it backwards. He created the world and characters first, then made a story to fit them." She did say there was nothing wrong with how the puppetry and props looked, "looks good visually." Cynthia would say, "have to remember it was long before CGI and to get the puppets to act so well was craft."

The talk about puppets went on, Shockwave saying with a smile, "I played with puppetry because of Dusk here. Those were fun years." "Yeah, we had some fun performing at cons," Dusk responded. Rita added, "I got a puppet caused it looked fun at the cons." "Dusk is a wonderful puppeteer," Kyoko commented, "I saw her give a class, learned a lot." Rita added, "Dusk and I were even on the Dave Glover show a couple times, with our puppets." Shockwave had one story, "At the second TFF (Texas Furry Fiesta), a daddy with his cheerleader daughter was having conniptions that all the weirdos were sharing his hotel. I asked him what was wrong, automatically using the puppet. And to my surprise, the man was arguing with the puppet!!" Several people laughed, Shockwave commenting with a grin, "That was when I knew I wasn't bad at it." Cynthia remarked, "Sort of talk to the hand , with a cover over it." Shockwave chuckled, "I wish I had thought ot that then, that would be a good ending. My closing line was 'We may be wierd, but you 're the one fighting with a puppet.'" Kyoko had a good laugh, "Nice one Shocky."

Shockwave had another story, "We had a teams meeting.  And one of my group was on the island, from home. The joke was made, 'Is the SS Minnow fixed yet?' Everyone laughed but one guy. He said he was googleing what the SS minnow was. I NOW feel old." we all chuckled, Kyoko commenting, "I remember before dial phones."

Talk turned back to Fimi and two of her friends, Rita saying, "She was very close to Treminari," a female red Lusk fox whom was part of the Sunweavers until around 2010. Shockwave commented, "Don't know what happened to her. I know there was a falling out, yes. Well, I wish her the best wherever she is." I myself would say, "Tremi never forgot Fimi, saying she had with her some of her best times in Second Life." Rita would add, "Still hoping Lommy finds his way back," referring to Lomgren Smalls who was known for his six-inch tall avatar. Shockwave would say, "In Lom's case, I didn't KNOW he was sick. ... Lom I sense now and then here and there." Kyoko mused, "Check Rita's cleavage."

Eventually, things were getting close to the end. Rita invited, "You know Kyoko, you are still more than welcome to come visit us." Kyoko responded, "I will. I had forgotten how much fun you all are. The younger furs, too yiffy for me. But you guys and my vintage, and really intelligent." Rita offered to show off the demolition derby the Sunbeamer team made part of an event a few weeks ago, "I figure we will use it again later this month." Shockwave, whom made the derby with Cynthia, mused, "All those years of chasing cars." Dusk commented, "A poodle proved to be the most destructive." Cyanthia joked, "that kind of driving just seems to come natural to you." "I have driven a mail truck for 33 years," Dusk joked, "what do you expect?" Kyoko suggested, "Should I introduce Shocky to my exploding sheep?" Rita joked, "You know the sound a sheep makes when it explodes? 'Hiss BOOM  Baaaaaaa!'" Kyoko chuckled, "Good one Rita." Dusk changed to her sheep avatar, "see if I explode."

Finally came the last song of the event, "Together in Electric Dreams" by the Human League. Kyoko told everyone, "This exhibit will be up into June. So please bring friends over." She also invited the Sunweavers to explore the sims, "By the way, we will have a quad horse in our Representative Assembly next term." Cyanthia mused, "Well guess better than an ass at the Representative Assembly." Dusk joined in, "Horses always depress me, all those long faces." 

The Relay kiosk took in 5000 Lindens for Team Sunbeamers.

With the end of the event, people began going their separate ways, some after looking one more time at the paintings, and one quote of Fimi's.

"My art, my life, is about looking forward, never looking back. Looking back serves no purpose but to break one's heart when you're walking a path as difficult as some of us do. So instead, I look forward, to that next beautiful sunset on the river."

Bixyl Shuftan