Thank you all, for the honor and recognition. I am honored, surprised, and somewhat embarrassed to have this project chosen for this recognition when there are so many fine examples of skill and presentation posted on this great forum. Having this project selected while still incomplete is a great surprise. The build thread will continue under a great deal more pressure to live up to the honor. Later today I will post a more appropriate picture of engine #1, not quite polished but at least more complete and without the distracting clutter of my workbench.
I got home last night after driving for 11 hours and of course checked in on HMEM to see the progress on a couple of other threads that I am following and I was blown away by the picture in the banner! I was road tired and too fuzzy brained to respond at the time.
My undying thanks go to Rick and the moderators whose efforts keep this an active, interesting, friendly place to hang out and whose encouragement and support bring so many interesting people here to share their ideas and experience. Thank you all who take the time and effort to contribute. I owe almost everything that I know about moving metal to the members of this great forum. If it wasn't given so freely, I would feel like a thief.
I was getting ready to head for the shop but I had to stop and adjust the headband on my cap...it seemed a little tight for some reason.
Jerry