Sky Siren Travel Air Flies

I posted on this blog back in March that a cool looking, art deco Travel Air was nearing the end of it's restoration.  Well... it looks like Aerocraftsman finished up all the last little details and made the first flight!  Below is the video of this beautiful Travel Air gracing the skies.  As I stated before... this is one cool art deco paint scheme!


Links - Previous Sky Siren blog post - Aerocraftsman

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

Warbirds Over Paine Field - Warbird Video

I have posted a few photos and videos from Fight to Fly Photography but this compilation of Jason Fortenbacher's videos is one of his best.  There is great Warbird action that displays over Paine Field in Everett, Washington and Jason brings the action right to our screens.   Pull up a chair, sit back and go full screen on the video!  History flies in the skies over Everett!  When you are done watching this one be sure to watch his other fine works. 


Follow this link to Fight to Fly's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/fight2flyphoto

Blakesburg 2013 - Antique Airplane Fly-In

This past weekend was the Antique Airplane Associations annual fly-in up in Blakesburg, Iowa.  Be sure to watch their web site (http://antiqueairfield.com/) for photos and the list of award winners.  This years featured aircraft was the Luscombe and it sounds like over 60 of the type were on the field over the weekend!  Walk along with Jim Savage on the two videos below for the "Friday night roll call" as Jim shows an overview of the wonderful variety that the fly-in attracts.

Selling the Cessna 170 - New Season of Life

1956 Cessna 170B N3467D

Dan and Kevin shake on the sale

Every airplane has a story.  Famous owners, historic events, adventurous trips that make each airplane's story interesting.  Whats the saying?  If this airplane could talk… oh what stories it would tell!  I think back on the adventures I had in my Cessna 170B, N3467D and there are so many fun adventures!  Family rides, cross country trips, crazy crosswinds…  Now someone else will create new adventures in the 170.  This past June I sold the 170 to a fine gentleman who took it to it's home in Minnesota.

Ready for the trip North

Dan, Kevin and Mark

It was a sad day for my family to prepare the 170 to make the trip North.  Hints, tips and paperwork exchanged hands as I handed the keys to the new owner, Kevin.  Kevin and his pilot Mark packed the back seats as my dad and mom helped me clean out the hangar.  For the first time in 17 years I watched someone else fly the 170 fly over horizon.  Our seasons of life change and I know that this new season will be full of new adventures and memories.  Life without an airplane will be different but I look forward to planning what the next airplane will be in our future.

Mom and Dan flying home from Oshkosh

Dad, Mom and niece Peyton enjoying a local flight

Dan and Candice Linn

Dan and brother Jamie

Dan with brother Jamie and nieces and nephews

What will keep me busy?  Family time with my wife and new son, Brennen.  Researching aviation history to expand the details behind the Spartan, Ryan, Lockheed and Curtiss web pages over on our web site, Another Time.  Spending time with my son. Sorting photos for future photography books to add to my book offerings like my first, Aviation's Timeless Classics.  Visiting local aviation museums and events. Oh… and spending time with my son!  I am excited for the new adventures ahead.

Dan and Brennen

Spartan Executive - Oshkosh 2013 Award Winner

Congrats to owner Jim Savage for winning the Bronze Age Champion (1937-1941) trophy at Oshkosh 2013.  Jim has devoted many years of money, blood, sweat and tears into the restoration of Spartan Executive serial number 17.  Hats off to Jim!  This Spartan has flown over 50 hours in the last twelve months and plans to attend the Antique Fly-In in Blakesburg, Iowa next week.

Also on display at Oshkosh were Spartan Executives serial numbers 12 and 28.

For more info on surviving Spartan Executive's see our web page by clicking on "Spartan Executive" on the home page of... Another Time.

Oshkosh 2013 Award Winners

The 2013 Oshkosh AirVenture award winners have been posted on the AirVenture web site.  Some well deserved awards for some hard working owners and crews.  The photo above is from Jim Buxton and shows the Grand Champion Post World War II award winning Mustang (N151JT) from Midwest Aero.  Congratulations to Mike and his Midwest Aero crew on another amazing restoration!

Click here for the awards list - http://www.airventure.org/news/2013/130804_2013-aircraft-award-winners.html

Watch this blog in the coming weeks as we feature photos of more award winners.

Links - Oshkosh - Midwest Aero

Howard 500 N500LN - Oshkosh 2013

Oshkosh 2013 photos are starting to make the rounds.  These photo comes from my buddy Jim Buxton who was on the grounds.  I requested photos of N500LN, the Howard 500, showing its new paint scheme.  Wow... it looks sharp!

The colors match the owners Grumman Albatross.  See the link below for more on the Howard 500 and check out past posts on this blog for links to the videos.

Link - TPAero - Videos