Bell Fork timeline updates
Yesterday I had a larger than normal amount of emails come to me asking about Dad's "Bell Tailfork" and from builders and flyers on the order list already checking their status. I thought it really odd until I jumped on the forums whilke in London Ontario last night about midnight. I saw the post of Pauls on the front page and that explained it.
I want to start by saying that to this day, Dad, myself and my brother Mike who is assisting Dad in production now, are very appreciative of the comments that Dad receives about this fork design. He really enjoys helping everyone and seeing the pics you all send back with his fork on.
All these forks are an improvement and We hope that ours will help if you choose to purchase one. Vince's fork and the others are improvements as well and are good products.
From the beginning Dad has made his fork in his shop at home, other than some help we have aquired with a local machine shop owned by another pilot. The timeline we have always struggled with is Dad's health. At time it is great, other times it is not and unknown to me at the time I answer the question from you all...."how long until I can get one" I manage the orders for Dad and my brother has begun to assist him.
I am to blame for the lack of responses lately. No excuse, but I run a golf resort and time this spring has been non existent for me to do anything but work...But I apologize for not getting you all quick reply's and will do better in the future. I wish I had time to spend on the fork's, my 8 and a few things I would like to tweek on it, let alone fly it.....my work has dominated the last 3 months.
Upon returning from vacation in mid April, Dad's health slipped and we have been through a rough 8 weeks. Many trips to and nights in the hospital and finally a diagnosis/decision. Dad was put on Dialysis about 3 weeks ago. It got pretty bad for awhile and leading up to this period, he would have a few good days and then go weeks with no energy. I am sure this list is large enough that many of you have gone through this in your families or with friends you know or possibly yourselves.
Things are better and he has energy back. He has been back in the shop and is looking forward to shipping some forks again. He is a tough cookie and the road ahead will surely have a few bumps, but with my mom (rosie the riveter) pitching in and my brother and I assiting....we will get these forks out.
I indicated to many of you that we were hoping to be caught up with all orders in house before Oshkosh....that may be tough now, but we will still try our best. I wish we could fill all your orders right away, but reality and life have dictated that we can not.
If you can hang in there with us, we will get you a fork...if you need something fast, the other guys have good products as well.
We have 10 forks going out next week and another 20 that should ship shortly after that. I apologize if my estimates to you have been misleading....I wish they were accurate, believe me.
For those of you who have not heard back from me in the last several weeks....you will within the next day.
Safe flying everyone....I hope to see many of you at Oshkosh this summer.
Doug Jr.
PS....a few pics of Dad are posted on my flicker page. I flew my sister back to her home in Ontario after dad's surgery. He had to come out to make sure I was thinking of everything.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11229977@N08/4695306182/?addedcomment=1#comment72157624137963381