Great Lakes Biplane For Sale

When a unique airplane comes up for sale and deserves a good home... I just have to spread the word... Dan

Exceptional 1977 Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 offered for sale.  The Great Lakes is a wonderful biplane and is a very capable entry into moderate level aerobatics, that is also fun to fly low and slow with the wind on your face.  It will do everything a Stearman does, but fits in a t-hangar and only burns 10gph.  It can easily be rolled in and out of the hangar with one person.

This offering is N3823F, serial number 791, aircraft total time approx. 2050hr, annual Inspection May 2013, Engine-Lyc. AEIO-360-B1G6, approx. 40hrs SMOH by Buldoc 2009, Prop-Hartzell HC-C2YK-4F, Overhauled by Maxwell 2009, Factory new in 2000.

Completely disassembled and restored in 2009-2010. Reassembled with all new hardware. Fuselage completely stripped, inspected, and refinished. Wings completely disassembled, inspected, replaced one wood spar (small end crack).  All fabric replaced with Ceconite.  All new wiring including new electrical panel with new circuit breakers.  All new instrument panels fabricated and finished with all instruments restored or replaced.  New avionics including Garmin 250XL nav/com, Garmin GTX327 transponder, PS intercom. New Cleveland brakes.  All hoses and fuel lines replaced.  New seat belts and shoulder harness with parachutes included.

(Edit - March 2014... this Great Lakes has found a new home.)

Lindbergh Monocoupe

In 1934 the Lindberghs purchased a Moncoupe D-145.  The registration number was unique as it was the same as Linderghs "Spirit of St. Louis" - NR-211.  At the time he was a PanAm consultant and traveled all over the country.  In September of 1934 the Lindberghs flew the Monocoupe coast-to-coast.  They kept the airplane until it was donated to the Missouri Historical Society in 1940.  Recently NR-211 was re-hung in the Lambert International Airport in St. Louis after a refurbishment.  Take a few minutes to watch this video of the Monocoupe being hoisted into position.



Re-hang of the Lindbergh Monocoupe at Lambert International Airport from Missouri History Museum on Vimeo.

Aviation Collectibles - Greatest Generation Aircraft Auction - Fall 2013

The Greatest Generation was on the ramp at Meacham Field selling rides in their C-47 "Southern Cross" during the AOPA Summit AirportFest.  Visibility at the AirportFest ramp provided interest to the organization and their mission.

Like many operators who maintain and fly vintage aircraft The Greatest Generation Aircraft has found some creative ways to raise funds.  As a follow on to their first fund raising auction earlier this year a second auction was held last weekend during a very busy week of aviation events in Fort Worth. (Link to my blog post covering the first auction.) The funds from the auction are rolled back into aircraft ride operations and aircraft restoration projects. An auction of aviation memorabilia and aircraft parts attracted my attention again so I signed up to bid on a few items that might fill a spot in my office!

Porterfield - did not attract a buyer

Helmets sold quickly

Culver Cadet stands guard over the auction selection

Drop tank submarine replica

 As the sun began to set on the Vintage Flying Museum hangar the auction items were lit up the bright rays shining through the hangar doors.  Rows of propellers, shiny metal cowling pieces, worn aircraft instruments, Russian pilot helmets, even two complete aircraft along with other one of a kind art pieces made from aircraft parts would draw a crowd of about 50 people into the hangar for bidding.  Over 200 items took about three hours to auction.  Only a few pieces did not sell so it would the auction was a success.  I only walked out with one item (a manual gear extension handle from a vintage aircraft) but I am happy with the entertainment the auction provided.

On Mark B-26K restoration project

The auction had a great back drop!

DC-3 rudder

Hats off to Jim Terry, Dana Wood and the crew at Greatest Generation Aircraft for the enjoyable evening.  Hopefully the funds raised will keep their birds flying another season.

Links - Greatest Generation Aircraft - Vintage Flying Museum

Boeing 100 - Kermit Weeks Video Tour

 Airplane collector Kermit Weeks has been posting a series of videos that he titles the "Kermie Cam" and gives watchers a unique view into his world.  I sat down the other night with my son, Brennen, in my lap and watched this video of Kermit giving a tour of the restoration shop that is restoring his Boeing 100.  This Boeing biplane was produced as the civilian model 100, the Navy F4B and the Army P-12.  Take the 30 minutes to watch and listen close as Kermit talks about these rare airplanes, interviews the restorer, Roy Rehm, and shows us around the amazingly organized workshop.  The model I am most interested in is the unique Boeing 100 previously owned by Howard Hughes!



Here is a series of photos of the Howard Hughes Boeing 100.  WOWIE!

Links - Kermit Weeks Fantasy of Flight