XP-82 Twin Mustang Nears First Flight

A North American XP-82 Twin Mustang is nearing is first flight after a ten year restoration. EAA has produced a video that is worth watching. I am beyond excited to hear of its first flight!

Links - XP-82 Twin Mustang Web Site

Spartan Executive NC17662 to Texas

Spartan Executive serial number 28, NC17662 has a new home in Texas with the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant. This Spartan 7W is a welcome addition to the impressive collection of vintage aircraft. 

Serial number 28 was built in 1940 and served as a executive transport for the Spartan Aircraft Company. Maxwell Balfour, the Spartan Sales Manager, flew this 7W all around the country to promote the aircraft and visit the Spartan Schools in Muskogee and Miami, Oklahoma. Spartan retained this 7W for company use until 1976. 36 years of service!

It would fly on to new owners based in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and California before returning to Texas the summer of 2018. One interesting add on this Executive featured in years past was wing tip fuel tanks! The only 7W to be fitted with tip tanks.

We look forward to posting more photos of serial number 28 upon our next visit to East Texas.

Links - Spartan Survivors - Mid America Flight Museum

Oshkosh AirVenture Awards 2018

For the last 18 days I have been pouring over photo feeds from Oshkosh to soak up as much aviation goodness as I can since I did not make the show this year. The weather and attendance looked outstanding this year. Too many highlights to try and list. Be sure to set aside some time to look back through the EAA Flickr albums here. If you are on Instagram search the hashtag #osh18 for loads of photos.

EAA has posted the award winners for 2018 here. It was fun to see that Rusty Morris' Cessna 170B, N2935D as the winner of the Grand Champion Classic. It is a beautiful 170B and well deserving of the award! Below is a photo of N2935D back in 2010 in VERY original condition. Not many "barn find" originals exist anymore so when I first saw it the details took me back in time. Rusty has refreshed the paint and engine over the last 8 years so an Oshkosh award is no surprise to me. Hats off to the Morris family.

Cessna 170B N2935D