Here it is 5:30 am and I’m just sitting down at this computer to write. It’s a usual routine and I must confess at long last I’m feeling better.

The week has been good but also hard. In fact the last 2 weeks were a real struggle to work through while being sick. I had quite a load of work to get through but it’s nearly done now with the exception of a few pairs of ears.

I’d like to take this moment to thank all of you that bought a mask from me. I especially appreciate the emails, PM’s on FB, and posts in the groups expressing your joy for what you recieved. I find that if something you can do makes the world a better place, then I’ve done my job.

To see you smiling and having fun is everything to me. I think it is what we all live for and need. Happy, fun, joy, = love.

Today I’ll be painting the ears and those will ship on Monday. All the remaining mask orders ship today.

And in closing this picture caught my eye yesterday as I spoke to Mary. Such joy to have these companions in our lives. One look at them and you feel an inner peace.

All the masks were nearly completed yesterday with the exception of the teeth which I cast the last pair of before I left the studio. Today the teeth go in and I start packing.

I cast up all the ear orders and they get painted next. And that was my day.

I did get an hour in on my own projects of finishing my new glider( all hand built wooden kit) I have been picking at for weeks now. She’s ready to fly next week.

I’m also very slowly working on the jet kit of my own making from molds made in 2003. It’s an electric ducted fan jet.

It has sort of come to my attention that I have a steady job. It just happened and after all these years of working in the studios on movies I’m still working like I always have on creatures and models. I’m just older now.

It’s kind of sobering on so many different levels. If I really think about it (and I try not to) I don’t feel any different but so many of my peers have stopped doing the work or have passed away. My era is being kept alive by very few now and I’m so appreciative that I’m one of the few keeping it moving forward.

These pictures popped up on the internet recently and I was amazed to see them.

I had a nice sports car back then too, I still have it. Gilly was in my life. I built and flew RC jets and airplanes. Flew Rockets and did everything exactly the same as I do today. I had dogs I loved and played with and when these pictures were taken I was working on Ghostbusters. The time of my life? Well it still is. 

Everything today is much the same. I’m happy, in love with Mary, and have two nice dogs I love and play with. And yes all those hobbies too.

I say it everyday. Thank you oh great Spirit of this amazing Universe. We are all connected with you.

Yesterday I got 4 more masks haired up and I have one to go this morning. I still have to paint and place the teeth in and then I’m all caught up with the more recent orders.

I also cast Spock Ears from the molds and today two more pours and I’m caught up with those too. 

It’s looking good to start something new next week. Planet of the Apes Chimp foam prosthetics and that Toloian mask from TOS Star Trek.

I’m much better now but having the grandchildren visit for a week and getting sick was really quite a horrible experience. As a whole I just don’t get sick. I haven’t had the flu since 2007. 

This caused me to get so far behind I’m a bit tired from the catch up but happy I did push through. I’m taking a flying holiday this weekend as I have a new F-16 Falcon to fly!

Still with the cough and irritation from whatever I got I’m now 15 days in but have a bit more drive and I’m feeling better. 

Yesterday I trimmed, patched , and painted the remaining mask orders. Today they will get their hair all except one Gorilla that the customer requested not have hair because he wants to do his own hair work.

Ears are selling again. Many did not want the shadow box. I was asked many times for just the ears so one could make their own display. Thanks for all the ear orders I should have them all made up this week.

I recommend to all my new customers that you click the “Follow” button.

It was a very good day.

We are offering the ears I made for Star Trek the Motion Picture cast from the original master molds. These are being offered without the shadow box and picture. Just the ears cast in thick rubber and signed by me on the back side.

Click on the link to go to the collectors mask store and scroll down. They are at the top.

Steve Neill Mask Art

Life is amazing. I’ve been under the weather and slowly getting better. Today I got up early and did my usual routine of making breakfast, feeding the dogs and playing with the dogs. Shower, dress and the rest of the morning activities. Then add to that packing the car with 3 airplanes and driving to the field.

Today was different though because I had a brand new P-51 Mustang to fly for the first time and that always has a certain amount of trepidation that goes with it. No matter how long I have been flying, doing any maiden flight grabs you by the gutt. 

As I drove there I watched the wind increase by the mile. By the time I got to the field it was gusting to 22 knots. Not ideal conditions for the first time flight of any plane let alone a P-51 Mustang.

I unpacked the plane and placed it on the ground and it started rolling backwards, it was so windy.

I was about to scrub the flight and then something inside me told me it would be OK. Just do it. And so I did. I placed the plane on the runway and it started rolling backwards again so I gave it a little throttle and the 4 blade prop began to spin and pull the plane forward. The tail came up and I was on the step so I advanced the throttle to about 80 % and it was airborne. It did take a bit of right rudder to keep her straight in the crosswind.

Once about 50 ft off the deck I retracted the landing gear and we were flying. Even in the wind she was smooth as silk. I flew for about 5 minutes and the radio told me it was time to land.

It was so windy I didn’t need to use flaps. I just put the gear down and set up on final approach. I bled off the speed but kept about 35 % throttle and flew her to the deck, touched down on the mains and rolled to a stop.

I can’t begin to explain how I felt at that moment but it was wonderful. As we get older us pilots worry that we will one day lose our edge. But at that moment I knew I hadn’t. At age 70 that’s a good thing to know.

What’s next? I’m flying a brand new F-16 fighter jet in a Thunderbird scheme next Sunday.

I wrote the script for this movie in late 2020. The film was shot and finished in early 2021.

The Log Line says it all. The story was ahead of its time. It’s time to post this film once more.

Slowly but surely I’m getting over the flu and back log. I say Flu because if it is a cold it’s the worst one I ever had. It damn near killed me.

The table is clear and all the masks are in boxes ready to ship today. The third batch of orders I recently received are sitting at the paint area. Only 5 to go.

I hope you guys are reading this because one of you ordered an Orangutan without hair. Could you please refresh my memory? In my delirium I forgot to write it down. 

Finally I can see the light of day (All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy) I can get to a project that’s been sitting for a few years. My ME P. 1101. For those of you in the know of aviation it was the first fighter jet of WW2. I say that because the ME 262 was designated a bomber by Hitler. It was a mistake and thankfully benefited us.

They actually built one of the planes but it was never flown. Back in 2003 I scratch built one by hand crafting a fuselage plug and making hard fiberglass epoxy molds. The plane was a fantastic flyer. I later sold out the molds to a model company that produced it for a while. 

Not too long ago I found someone that had one of my kits and bought it. I’m looking forward to having one of my own creations back in my fleet again. I was part of the pioneering of EDF electric jets back in the day and this plane is part of aviation history twice over.

Feeling better a little bit every day. I got 7 masks out of 12 done yesterday and these will ship later on today.

The other 5 are being made up as we speak and in the molds. I should get them all painted by Friday and ship early next week finally catching me up.

All other projects are on hold until I’m 100% and these orders are completed.