STRAIGHTAND LEVEL

The fly-in season is here, and what a welcome sight!

Sun 'N Fun '82 is history and our season of weekend
fly-ins is upon us. Winter has been long for many of
us and those not fortunate to have heated hangars are
now getting back into the routine maintenance schedule
for spring flying.
If available, the AM Weather daily reports are
fascinating to watch, in particular their presentations
and forecasts of weather conditions. We can probably
obtain more accurate information from the AM Weather
presentations than from some flight service reports.
Weather itself has been a debatable subject through-
out history. We have been to the moon and back, but
still cannot forecast the weather for more than a short
period of time with any accountable accuracy. Our tax
dollars have been used for years to bring weather in-
formation to us and advances have been made, both by
our government and private sources that now feed the
various media outlets. It is reassuring to know what
the weather holds for us when we fly, whether VFR or
IFR. To depend on the forecasts is often a gamble for
accuracy; but to use common sense is the accountable
factor.
Most of our antique and classic aircraft are basically
VFR oriented if restored to the authentic, original con-
figuration, and we should respect the fact they are VFR
aircraft. It happens all too often that when flying cross
country, conditions occur that appear undesirable and
we return to our departure point or land at an airport
that remains VFR. A little bit of planning helps to pre-
vent entering unknown circumstances.
We fly our antiques and classics for pure pleasure
and do not face demanding situations on a do-or-die
basis. To enjoy the flight we must respect and be ready
to confront threatening weather and winds. Sure, it is
fine to have an instrument ticket and be able to use
it properly under conditions that meet the require-
ments of the pilot and aircraft. It does eliminate that
sudden delay enroute because of weather that was not
forecast or a front that was not to move in for several
days. An instrument ticket will be invaluable when
attempts are made to fly in instrument conditions with
an aircraft that should be flown only under VFR situa-
tions. The old familiar statement, "let's do a 360
0
and
get the heck out of here" is often the result of frustra-
tion and/or lack of planning.
Weather, in its general sense, is a tremendous fac-
tor in the maintenance of our antique and classic air-
craft. How many times have we observed an unoccupied
building literally come apart over a short period of
time. This situation becomes obvious due to its dor-
mant condition and lack of use. The loss of air circula-
tion and ventilation hastily increases the deterioration
of the wood contents. Our antique and classic aircraft
often have many wood and fabric parts. These same
temperature, humidity and ventilating conditions
caused by weather definitely apply and affect the life
of our aircraft over a period of time. Some aircraft of
wood construction have been stored in the southwest
for years without evidence of deterioration, obviously
due to low humidity and stable climate. On the other
By Brad Thornas
President
AntiquelClassicDivision
hand, some aircraft stored in a climate consisting of
high moisture content and variable temperatures will
show deterioration in a short time.
We cannot always control where we live or where
we hangar our antiques and classics but we can use
preventive methods to eliminate the problems described
above. The first step is to make a concerted effort to
fly the aircraft fairly often. Let it breathe and flex in
flight. The trapped moist air within the wings and tail
surfaces will be replaced with fresh air and as a result
will give the wood structures a greater life. Check the
drain holes and be sure they are not clogged with dirt.
How often have we removed insPection plates and found
evidence of rodents accumulating various items for
bedding. Not only is this condition found within the
wings and tail surfaces, but also in hidden engine
compartments.
The weather conditions affect our antique engines
as much as our modern-day ones. When in a static
position most engines will have an exhaust or intake
valve open, providing a direct source for moisture to
enter the cylinder area. The results from lac,k of opera-
tion will be evidence of internal rust. If we cannot
actually fly our antique or classic during the winter
months, at least we must take it out of the hangar and
run the engine frequently to clean out those critical
areas.
We all are familiar with Howard Hughes' Spruce
Goose. Constructed entirely of wood, this aircraft re-
mains in serviceable condition today due to the plan-
ning and knowledge available to control the tempera-
ture and humidity in the storage facility in which it
rested all those years. Not only is the aircraft hull
serviceable but the engines were maintained under
ideal conditions that prevented corrosion and deteriora-
tion.
Probably only one of us in a hundred thousand have
the facilities and funds to preserve and maintain our
antiques and classics as did Howard Hughes, but we
can use common sense in approaching our individual
maintenance programs by attempting to fly our antiques
and classics on a regular basis and keep our engines
clean with frequent operation and periodic oil changes.
After all, our purpose is to maintain and keep our
antiques flying for the enjoyment of ourselves and
others. Very few of the young aviation enthusiasts
get an opportunity to see, let alone get a buddy ride
in, the antiques flying today. So remember that kid
on the fence when you fly your bird into the sky


TK
PUBLICATION OF THE ANTIQUE/CLASSIC DIVISION, INC.
OF THE EXPERIMENTALAIRCRAFTASSOCIATION, INC.
P.O. BOX 229, HALES CORNERS, WI 53130

COPYRIGHT1982EMANTIQUE/CLASSIC DIVISION, INC.,ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
APRIL1982 VOLUME10 NUMBER4
OFFICERS
President
W. Brad Thomas, Jr.
301 Dodson Mill Road
Pilot Mountain,NC 27041
919/368-2875 Home
919/368-2291 Office
Secretary
M.C." Kelly" Viets
7745 W. 183rd St.
Stilwell ,KS 66085
913/681-2303 Home
9131782-6720 Office
Vice-President
JackC.Winthrop
Route 1,Box 111
Allen,TX 75002
2141727-5649
Treasurer
E. E."Buck" Hilbert
P.O. Box 145
Union, IL60180
815/923-4591
DIRECTORS
Ronald Fritz
15401 SpartaAvenue
Kent City,MI 49330
616/678-5012
Claude L.Gray,Jr.
9635 SylviaAvenue
Northridge,CA 91324
213/349-1338
DaleA.Gustafson
7724 Shady Hill Drive
Indianapolis,IN46274
317/293-4430
AI Kelch
66 W.622 N.Madison Avenue
Cedarburg,WI 53012
414/377-5886
Robert E.Kesel
455 OakridgeDrive
Rochester,NY 14617
716/342-3170
Morton W. Lester
P.O.Box 3747
Martinsville,VA 2411 2
703/632-4839
ArthurR.Morgan
3744 North 51st Blvd.
Milwaukee,WI 53216
414/442-3631
JohnR.Turgyan
1530 Kuser Road
Trenton,NJ 08619
609/585-2747
S.J. Wittman
Box 2672
Oshkosh,WI 54901
414/235-1 265
GeorgeS.York
181 SlobodaAve.
Mansfield,OH 44906
419/529-4378
ADVISORS
Ed Burns Stan Gomoll Gene Morris
550 Mt. Prospect Road 1042 90th Lane,NE 27 ChandelleDrive
Des Plaines,IL60018 Minneapolis,MN 55434 Hampshire,IL60140
3121298-7811 61 21784-1172 3121683-3199
John S.Copeland Espie M. Joyce,Jr. S. H." Wes" Schmid
9JoanneDrive Box 468 2359 LefeberRoad
MA 01581 Madison,NC 27025 Wauwatosa.WI 53213
617/366-7245 919/427-0216 414/771-1545
PUBLICATION STAFF
PUBLISHER EDITOR
Paul H. Poberezny Gene R. Chase
ASSOC. EDITOR EDITORIALASSISTANTS
George A. Hardie, Jr. Norman Petersen PatEtter
FRONTCOVER ..Rare 1933 Fairchild
22, NC14768. SIN 922 owned by Jack
Schnaubelt (EAA 36851,AlC 104), 1755
Country Knolls Lane, Elgin, IL 60120.
Photographed at Oshkosh by Ted
Koston.
BACKCOVERActivityisfocused on
the landing gear of the Crosby CR-4
racer in 1939. The man at right holds
a Cleveland newspaper with headlines
announcing the invasion of Poland by
Nazi Germany at the start of WWII .
Can anyone identify the men in the
photo.
(Photofrom the ClarenceB.Kramer
collection)
TABLEOF CONTENTS
Straightand Level ...By Brad Thomas .... ... .... . 2
AlC News...Compiled by Gene Chase ........ ..... 4
FuselageScaleDetailsOfLincolnBiplane- PartIII ... 5
Three-Time Grand Champion Winner...
By Claude Gray ........................ ........ 8
Golden Oldies..................................... 10
Members' Projects . .. . .. ........... .. ... ... . . . . ... 11
A Photo Album From Hungary...By Bela Varga . .. 12
Liaison Missions- Men and Machines . . .
By E. E. "Buck" Hilbert . . .... . .... ... .... ... . ... 14
Mystery Plane.................................... . 15
An ObserverAt The Wings & Wheels Auction ...
By E. E. "Buck" Hilbert ....... .................. 16
A Brief MomentIn Aviat ion History. . .
By William H. Parker . ...... ._................. . 18
LettersTo Editor .................................. 19
CalendarofEvents . ..... . .... . .................... 19
Page 8 Page 13 Page 15
Editorial Policy: Readers are encouraged to submit stories and photographs. Policy opinions expressed in articles are solely those of the authors.
Responsibility for accuracy in reporting rests entirely with the contributor. Material should be sent to: Gene R. Chase, Editor, The VINTAGE AIR-
PLANE, P.O.Box 229,Hales Corners,WI 53130.
Associate Editorships are assigned to those writers who submit five or more articles which are published in THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE during the
current year.Associates receivea bound volume of THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE and a free one-year membership in the Division for theireffort.
THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE (ISSN 0091-6943) is owned exclusively by EAA Antique/Classic Division, Inc.. and is published monthly at Hales Corners,
WisconSin 53130. Second Class Postage paid at Hales Corners Post Office, Hales Corners, Wisconsin 53130, and additional mailing offices. Mem-
bership rates for EAA Antique/Classic Division, Inc., are $14.00 for current EAA members per 12 month period of which $10.00 is for the publication
ofTHE VINTAGE AIRPLANE.Membership isopen to all who are interested in aviation.
ADVERTISING - Antique/Classic Division does not guarantee or endorse any product offered through our advertising. We invite constructive
criticism and welcome any report of inferiormerchandiseobtained through ouradvertising so thatcorrective measures can be taken.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 3
FORD TRIMOTOR FOR SALE
Bob Baron recently sent word that Island Airlines'
Ford Trimotor is for sale. He quoted from the February
24, 1982 edition of the Toledo (Ohio) Blade:
PORT CLINTON, Ohio - The historic "Tin Goose"
Ford Trimotor Aircraft may be leaving its Lake Erie
Islands roost. Island Airlines, owner of the 14 passenger
relic, announced Monday that it will sell the 54-year-old
aircraft as soon as possible because of economic factors.
The asking price reportedly is to be about $1 million.
Island Airlines officials said that profits generated from
daily Trimotor sight-seeing trips over the islands near
here could not cover annual insurance payments of
nearly $27,000.00.
In addition, the Tin Goose was severely hampered by
its inability to provide regular passenger service to the
Islands because of Federal Aviation Administration
regulations prohibiting it from doing so.
The Trimotor began its regular sight-seeing flights
over the Islands in April 1980 after a $300,000 restora-
tion returned the aircraft to active service. The expensive
face-lift was needed after a crash in July 1977, damaged
nearly 80% of the aircraft.
The Island Airlines Mode14-AT is the oldest Ford Tri-
motor still flying commercially.
Ford built 198 Trimotors between 1926 to 1933. Only
a handful remain.
Bob Baron worked for Ford at the time the Trimotors
were being built and he has offered invaluable technical
assistance to EAA in the restoration of the Museum's
Ford, NC8407. A progress report on this project will be
presented in a forthcoming issue of The VINTAGE AIR-
PLANE.
SALMSON MANUALS NEEDED
The Museum is in dire need of both overhaul and
operating manuals for a Salmson Type 5AG engine. This
is the powerplant in the Museum's 1931 Morane Saulnier
Type 181 aircraft, which is being restored by EAA
Chapter 304 in Jackson, MI. Donations to the EAA
Aviation Foundation are tax deductible, or if a manual
would be available for copying, please contact Ralph
Bufano, Executive Director, EAA Aviation Foundation,
Inc. , 11311 W. Forest Home Avenue, Franklin, WI 53132.
JOE MACKEY 01ES
Col. Joseph C. Mackey, Ft. Lauderdale, died on
February 14, 1982 in Florida. He was 72. He founded
Mackey International Airlines, Mackey Airlines, and
Mackey Air Transport. Of interest to EAA members, Col.
Mackey was the last registered owner of the 1931 Laird
Super Solution before it was donated to the National
Air and Space Museum.
In 1976 he signed a bill of sale which enabled the
EAA Aviation Foundation to acquire the original
registration number, NR12048 for its replica of this
historic aircraft.
4 APRIL 1982
CHARLIE KLESSIG IS AT ITAGAIN
From the EAA Chapter 81 Newsletter edited by Larry
Cowell, Tucson, AZ we learn that Charlie Klessig (EAA
40563, AlC 357) is building a replica of a 1911 Curtiss
Pusher. The plane is on the gear with wing center sections,
control column, brake and engine mount installed. The
ailerons will be operated by the body yoke per the original.
Charlie is building the plane at Ryan Field, Tucson and
knowing how fast he works, the Curtiss may be flying
by the time this gets into print.
NAAA MUSEUM SEEKS
DONATIONS
The National Agricultural Association Museum,
P.O. Box 1609, Jackson, MS 39205 is looking for dona-
tions of aircraft, specifically a Jenny, Huff-Dayland,
Travel Air 6000, or other similar historic planes. They
are non-profit and tax exempt.
The 40,000 square foot museum is located on a city
tract of 39.5 acres along with other historical museums.
The State of Mississippi has given one and one half
million dollars to support the NAAA facility.
For further information, contact Mr. James Maxwell ,
Benoit, MS 39725, tel. 6011742-3400, Operator 7. Mr.
Maxwell is founder of "World Agricultural Aviation"
magazine and past president of the National Agricultural
Aviation Association.
ANOTHER AERONCA CLUB
FORMED
Pea Patch Airlines has announced the formation
of an all new club for Aeronca aircraft owners and
enthusiasts called the AERONCA AVIATORS CLUB.
The group offers a variety of services including: quarterly
newsletter, tour planning, reference services by telephone
or mail , publications (including many of Charlie Lasher's,
president of the former AERONCA OWNERS CLUB),
patches, tee shirts, decals, etc.
Interested persons should contact Doe Dickey (EAA
62186 , AlC 4169), PEA PATCH AIRLINES AERONCA
AVIATORS CLUB, 511 Terrace Lake Road, Columbus,
IN 47201. Tel. 812/342-6878.
INDIANASPORTAVIATION ASSN.
ELECTS OFFICERS
The Indiana Sport Aviation Association has announced
the election of five Col umbus residents as its 1982
officers. Julia Dickey, 511 Terrace Lake, will serve as
President; Kimberley Singleton, 3420 Deerfield Place,
as Vice-President; Joseph E. Dickey, 511 Terrace Lake,
as Secretary; Eileen Shanks, 11832 West 50 South, as
Treasurer and Eric Stark, 4320 North Washington, as
Youth Representative. The Indiana Sport Aviation
Association is a state chapter of the International
Experimental Aircraft Association and serves eighteen
local Indiana Chapters and 2,000 Hoosier EAA members.
(Conti nued on Page 20)
An excellent
idea of the size and
appearance of the Lin-
coln Sport Biplane may be had
from the above view of a pilot getting
ready to start the Anzani 3-cylinder 35
hp 4-cycle motor. Such a ship is ideal for
the amateur,and will perform justas capab-
ly as a larger plane. Many of these marvel-
ous light airplanes have already been built.
FUSELAGE SCALE DETAILS OF
LINCOLN BIPLANE
Details for the immensely popular little bi plane are concluded
here. This will put the reader in possession of a complete
set Of detailed plans for one oj the best planes oj the day.
PART III (From the EAA Reprint of the 1930 FLYING and GLIDER MANUAL)
As we glide into the last de- parts and wing fittings. This is- of attachment about the engine
tails for the building of the Lin- sue completes the set of draw- such as bolts, etc. The mounts
colnSportplaneletus takeasum- ings. Anyone at all familiar with for the old Penguin planes in
mary of the plans which we have the building of an airplane will whichtheLawrenceengineswere
laid before us and from which be able to construct the Lincoln used were merely U-bolts attach-
the ship is to be built. Biplane from the set of details ed to the lower ends of the cyl-
Thelastpartcontainedthefirst provided through these pages of inderbarrels. Use is made of this
of the plans, and carried all the
Modern Mechanics Flying Man-
dope about the performance and ual.
:" '.-. -; : ' ~ : ' ' : ~ ' .- .
~
themain layout. Thefuselage fit-
Shouldthereaderwish, hemay
,.
tings, the plan view of the fuse- secure a set of blueprints for the
i
lage and the wings, the U.S.A. constructionofthisshipfrom the
27 wing section (which, by the designers, the Lincoln Standard
way, is obtainable upon applica- Airplane Co. of Lincoln, Nebr.
tion from the National Advisory
The price of these prints is five
Committee for Aviation, Navy
dollars, andthoughno morecom-
Building, Washington, D.C.) and
plete than the set of plans which
the interplane strut and landing
the magazine has presented, they
carriage details were shown with
are shown to somewhat larger
explanations in that issue. The
scale and possibly might be a bit
following parttookup theengine
easier to work from.
mounting, wing mounting, fuse- The Lawrence mounting is pe-
lage, strut fittings, stabilizer culiar in thatthere are no points
The size of the Lincoln Sport Biplane
is vividly shown in comparison with
the height of a five and a half foot
man.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 5
feature in the Lincoln Sportplane
if one wants to use the Lawrence.
The wing may be covered with
Grade A cotton cloth. The load-
ing per square foot is not 51 V:>
lbs. per square foot as was at
first printed, but only 5 lbs.
For such a loading, well doped
cotton cloth is ample as to
strength and lasting qualities.
The wing is covered in the usual
way by making the covering a
tight fitting sack, putting it onto
the wing like a stocking, and
then sewing it to the ri bs. The
sewing stitch is merely a tightly
made loop about every four inch-
es along the wing ribs.
Start the stitch on one side of
the rib, poke the needle through
to the under side of the wi ng, and
then bring the thread up through
the top again on the other side
of the wing.
The blueprint on an accom-
panying page shows several de-
tails worth mentioning at length.
Among these is the splice in the
wing spars.
As previously mentioned, the
dihedral in this design is built
in the wing. The spars are spliced
at the centers where the cabane
strut is mounted and are glued
with Curtis cold water glue. The
method of joining the spars is
shown in the drawing at the low-
er portion of the page. In the
view which may be identified by
the dimension 4 % in. showing
the length of the splice, it will
be noticed that there are ostensi-
bly three holes for bolts. The out-
er ones are used for the fittings;
the center one is a dowel pin.
The aileron control horn is a
complicated piece of cutting and
should be laid out flat , cut, and
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If these directions are followed closely, construction and assembly of the control
stick will be an easy task and one that the builder will get a great deal of enjoy-
ment out of periorming for himself.
Photo by Fred Trump
Fred Trump's Law-
rence powered lin-
coln Sport warming
up.
6 APRIL 1982
TOP WlNG ATTACHUtNT TO N STRUT
then bent, and drilled the last
thing so that the holes will be in
line.
The method of making the cen-
ter section N-strut, or cabane is
shown. The welding had best be
done by a man used to the work
or much tubing will be wasted
before a satisfactory job results.
The welding of tubing is in it-
self an art, and all welder4 are
not tubing welders by a long way.
The application of the oxy-acety-
lene welding flame to light tub-
ing such as this is very apt to thin
the metal on each side of the weld
and nine times out of ten if fail-
ure occurs it is at this point and

fRONT C[NTER N STRUT
Al'T[A. &ENOING AND WELDING
TOP

for the above reason. In all points
the skill of a welder will be found
well worth while.
The accompanying blueprint
also shows the Lincoln method of
building the trailing edge of their
wings, as will be seen from the
cross section of the aileron.
Quarter-inch by 22 gauge steel
tubing is used for this, and is se-
cured to the wing ribs by copper
strips. The copper is soldered to
the tubing, nailed to the rib, and
the nail heads soldered to pre-
vent their coming loose.
The aileron hinges are simple
and are readily made out from
the drawings. The method of
fastening them together is shown.
The clevis pin, a standard 3/16
item is used and anchored with
a cotter pin.
It is recommended that the
builder of this plane, should he
wish to fly it, take time from
some accredited instructor. It
will be the cheapest in the long
run and will enable the student
to keep his plane intact until he
has acquired enough air sense
to instinctively do the right thing
when an emergency arises.
Modern Mechanics does not ad-
vocate the student teaching him-
self to fly. If, however, he wishes
to try it and risk a mo.ve
which may endanger hIS ShIP,
here is the way to go about it.
On the take-off, after the motor
is warmed so that giving her the
gun will not load her up and . kill
it, the ship is lined directly mto
the wind. Choose the early morn-
ing or the evening before the sun
goes down. The air is then heavy,
lifts well, and is not bumpy as a
general rule. .
The throttle is gunned WIde
out. The stick is shoved way for-
ward so as to lift the tail off the
ground. When the nose Of. the
ship is on a line with the
the stick is eased back as the ShIp
gains enough speed to keep the
nose there, and finally a slight
nudge back will lift the ship off
the ground, and you are in flight.
Care must be taken not to
climb too fast and stall the ship.
As a stall approaches the aileron
controls become soft. Nose the
ship down to regain control.
When about 400 ft. of altitude
have been gained head the ship
back into the wind for a landing
and cut the motor, when flying
straight along in normal flight,
the air field under you forms a
line of vision which approxi-
mates the gliding angle of the
ship. Cut the gun, nose the ship
over into this line, and gently
dive for the field. About 10 ft.
or so off the ground level off and
wait for the ship to begin to set-
tle. Just at the moment you feel
the ship begin to settle keep pull-
ing the stick back, settling the
tail, until the ship lands on all
three points - tail skid and two
wheels.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 7
(Ted Koston photo)
The three time Grand Champion Classic winnerIn flight near
Wittman Field, Oshkosh, WI duringthe 1980EAAConvention.
8 APRIL 1982
GRAND
CHAMPION
WINNER
By Claude Gray
Jim Thompson..)vlth his well-deserved Grand Champion
Chairman
Award. (Betty Thompson photo)
EAA National Judging Committee
(Photos by Jim Thompson except as noted)
By carefully planning ahead on the restoration of
his 1951 Aeronca Sedan, N1491H, Jim Thompson of
Roberts, Illinois was able to win the Classic Aircraft
Grand Champion Award three times: Oshkosh 1980,
Tullahoma 1980 and Sun 'n Fun 1981. This aircraft
was judged at each of these Fly-Ins by a completely
different set of judges, but all using the same rules
set forth by the Antique/Classic Division of the EAA.
Jim started his restoration project by first getting
a copy of the Antique/Classic Division Judging Guide
Book for restorers. This showed him what is looked for
in an authentic restoration and also gave him a grade
sheet as used by the judges in grading each aircraft.
By studying this information he knew what was expected
and looked for. His next goal then was to keep his
restoration authentic and also maintain a high standard
of quality and workmanship.
Attention to every detail Is a must for a Grand Champion
contender.
Jim Thompson removes the bugs after arrival at Oshkosh 'SO.
(Betty Thompson photo)
The following quotation from Jim to me is an excellent
example of how both pre-planning and effort are necessary
to produce a winner. "It's an easy booklet to understand,
telling everything one needs to know about restoring.
An example is Item J., General Appearance, which tells
things like color scheme, finishes, nuts, bolts and screws
which should all be as they were originally. If you
deviate from this you will be penalized."
From a judge's viewpoint his aircraft was not "over-
restored." It has original type fabric and dope finish,
well put on but not over-done with regards to shine and
gloss. Jim's Aeronca strictly represented new quality
for the price range of an airplane of that era.
When it came to authenticity of various items he
wrote to and received answers from such companies as
Aeronca, Inc., verifying that his aircraft N1491H was
their last production aircraft. They gave him complete
The Instrument panel is restored to original configuration.
A modern radio is concealed behind the left glove box door.
The unique control wheels were handcrafted at the factory
especially for the last two Sedans produced.
(Betty Thompson photo)
The judging crew inspecting Jim' s 1951 Aeronca 15AC Sedan
at Oshkosh '80.
\
Bill started with this complete, but non-authentic Aeronca
Sedan.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 9
-
Jim's wife, Betty installed the beautiful Interior using original
type materials.
details on the color scheme, wheels and brakes used on
this particular plane, a change on a firewall mounted
battery box and other details. Continental Motors
supplied Jim with the exact color scheme on the C-145
at that time, which was black cylinders with a grey case.
McCauley Accessory Division of Cessna Aircraft sent
him complete details, color and all, of the decal used.
on the propeller in 1951.
Jim had to make such things as the "flush type" wind-
shield nuts from 7/16 hex stock because none are available
now. He states in his letter to me that certain "new
manufacture" Phillips head screws could not be used
because they have a small flat spot on the head that the
original did not have. From a parts book he had obtained
a complete list of the hardware used and made sure that
all nuts and bolts were of original size and length.
All of this research is a lot of work but those of us
involved with judging are well aware that a Grand
Champion doesn't just happen. It is planned. If you do
want to deviate some from original you must try to
pick up the penalty points on the plus side of the grade
sheet by top workmanship and quality. It can be done .
Bill Pancake (EAA 118244), Keyser, WV Installs the Continental
145hp engine which he overhauled for Jim.
The fuselage was stripped to bare metal and all questionable
tubing replaced before coating with two part epoxy. The wood
formers and stringers are new.
GOLDEN OLDIES
In 1936 Benny Howard introduced the first of here was the 4th DGA-8 manufactured. It was regis-
his commercial line of Howard DGA series pat- tered NC14870, SIN 75 and powered with a Wright
terned after his famous Mr. Mulligan racing air- R-760-E2 of320 hp. It cruised at a respectable 191
craft. The prototype of this series was the DGA-7, mph at 12,000 feet at 66% power. (Photos from the
later modified to a DGA-8. The example pictured George Hardie Collection)
10 APRIL 1982
This section of The VINTAGE AIRPLANE is ded-
icated to members and their aircraft projects. We wel-
come photos along with descriptions, and the projects
can be either completed or underway. Send material to
the editor at the address shown on page 3 of this issue.
Dear Gene:
Enclosed is a "before" picture of my basket case Piper
PA-12. I found the plane in a Hammond, IN garage
covered with trash. It is by no means a hopeless project,
but one that will require much work and patience. I
have two teenage sons to help. We are all looking forward
to camping under the wing at Oshkosh.
Sincerely,
Doug Campbell
(EAA 87558, AlC 6486)
895 Skyline Drive
Niles, MI 49120
This Stearman N60562, SIN 75-1492, powered by a Lycoming
R680 Is owned by John C. Hooper (EAA 134504), P.O. Box 354,
Harvey, LA 70059. It was photographed In flight by Bob Moore
(EAA 113726, A/C 3808) during a Stearman flyln at Jennings,
LA In November 1981.
Ray Fow (EAA 122494, AlC 6952), 9630 SW 148 Place, Miami,
FL 33196, a brand new member of the Antlque/Classic Division,
sent this photo of his handsome Waco UPF-7, NC30199,
SIN 5630.
This 1952 Piper PA22135 Trlpacer, N2390A, SIN 756 Is
owned by Dr. Craig A. Rose (EAA 161387, A/C 6053), 2445
Knob Hill Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001. Purchased In June 1980,
the plane has been restored to nearly new condition despite
having nearly 3,350 hours TTA&E. The Trlpacer Is white with
a red stripe, covered with ceconlte and finished with Imron.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 11
APHOTOALBUM FROM HUNGARY
By Bela Varga
(EAA 164715)
B udapest, VIII
Levdi Oszkar 38
1 084 Hungary
Editor's Note: Over the years EAA member Bela Varga
has been sending aviation magazines, photos, and other
aviation memorabil ia from his native Hungary, to EAA
Headquarters. These are welcome additions to the Research
Library and photo files. Included here are examples of
material received from Mr. Varga.
Mr. Bela Varga (EAA 164715), Budapest, Hungary and a
European sailplane.
Orion 9-B CH-168, SIN Swls
salr
between
This Cyclone. it was operated (See Juptner' s
a 575hp and Vienna from 1932 to .
Zurich, Munich ft Vol 5 page 183)
U.S. Civil Aircra , .,
...
Arado Ar 96
Argus Ar 10 CAm kataonal gYakor/
ft
otorra/. v-
12 APRIL 1982
An
A Gerl
e
13 IIti
a
a FoldkOzl-tenger korul Banhidl Antal es
BlsltsTlborpilotakkal.1933II19.
8rtlst's
rendition
of
8 FOkk
errrj
motor.
XIV/14, Banhldl Antal "Cslkc)" tl pusllgepe.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 13
MEN AND MACHINES
By E. E. "Buck" Hilbert
(EAA 21, Ale 5)
8102 Leech Road
Union, IL 60180
(Photos by the author)
Looking at my library shelf, I see a preponderance
of titles that deal with WWII and the exploits of the
bombers, the fighters and the pilots who flew them, all
pictured with their raunchy "fifty mission crush" caps.
But what of the guys who flew in support of the "ground
pounders" and helped with their efforts including those
in the "L" planes, the guys who had to revert to infantry
when they crash landed with a load of troops in Normandy
in a combat glider, or those who ditched alongside a ship
in the North Atlantic after a one-way trip to spot German
"U" boats harassing a convoy?
I was on the fringes of this kind of flying and I
witnessed deeds that were done with these airplanes
that bordered on lunacy! Those guys did things with
those little airplanes that were normally associated
with jeeps, and armored personnel carriers. Somehow
they never seemed to have a P.R. man around to tell
them, and the world, that they did a heck of a job! They
did what had to be done and it was all in a day's work.
First thing that comes to mind is, what are "L"
planes? Well, let's see if we can remember some of the
highlights of their development and how it all started.
Prior to 1940 there weren't any! When President
Franklin D. Roosevelt began the defense buildup that
year, the experts in military strategy, both naval and
Instrument panel of the 1950 Cessna L-19, No. 01677.
1 Lt. E. E. Hilbert, pilot Hq. Co. "Air Section" 24th Inf. Div.,
Sendai, Japan with General Smythe's L-17B, March 1951.
ground, could see no "practical" use for the "light"
plane in military operations.
Then came the war game maneuvers in Tennessee
and Louisiana in 1941. The Army asked Aeronca,
Taylorcraft and Piper management to furnish about
a dozen or so of their off-the-shelf airplanes to be used
in the maneuvers as an experiment to see if they might
be useful in some capacity. Piper sent eight J-3s, Aeronca
a couple of Defenders (TCs, I think) , and Taylor sent a
couple of his new tandems.
First Cavalry Division Commander, Major General
Ennis P. Smith, gets the credit for affixing the name
"Grasshoppers" to these airplanes, a "monicker" that
stuck all through WWII. These little "Grasshoppers"
proved extremely valuable. Now the troop commanders
had eyes. The artillery could see where their rounds
were going. The tank units could avoid the traps ahead.
The generals could assess the situation much more readily.
The "Grasshopper" came into its own!
There are those of us who remember those " ma-
neuvers." We wandered around the swamps and hills
carrying broomsticks for weapons and wearing armbands
of red or green and sometimes driving vehicles with TANK
written on the side of them so the "enemy" would know
they were supposed to be afraid. It may have seemed
ridiculous to the participants at the time, but prepara-
tions were under way for some very serious REAL WAR
in the not-too-distant future.
When war was declared, the aircraft manufacturers
were flooded with orders for "Grasshoppers." By the end
of hostilities, the government had bought about nine
thousand of them. These were the "L" planes. The "L"
didn' t mean "little," it meant LIAISON and they saw
action in every theatre of the war, in every branch of
the service. Even the Navy had them, and the Marines
too. These are the planes I want to write about and tell
the world about the guys who flew them.
Surprisingly, very few of them were shot down. They
flew too slowly to be engaged by enemy fighters and they
could fly just high enough to be out of range of small
arms fire. If things got real hot and there was no artillery
they could calIon to knock out the hot spot, they could
always hi-tail it for the trees, or land quickly in some
available field and hot-foot it for cover.
14 APRIL 1982
The L-19 assigned to 1 Lt. Hilbert at Camp Fuji, Japan. Mount
Fuji Is obscured by the cloud in the background.
The antics and exploits of the "L" planes are many
and varied and range from the North Atlantic convoy duty
mentioned earlier, to being the eyes for all the invasions,
including North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and
Patton's advance. There are many stories to be told about
these "L" planes and their enlisted pilots. Hopefully
I'm going to smoke out some of the stories. I'm researching
now, and in future issues of The VINTAGE AIRPLANE
maybe you'll be reading some of them.
Cessna L-19 at Camp McNair, Japan on the north side of Mt.
Fuji, seen In the background. The sign on the post contains
the phone number for Camp McNair.
I hope to do a series about the "L" planes from the
L-1 through the L-20, which was just coming on the scene
when I left Army Aviation and started life with United
Airlines. I wonder just how many of you readers can help
with these articles? If you've got a story or a picture,
or a friend who was one of the original four hundred
pilots, I'd sure like to hear about it. I know that some
of the guys are out there! Let's shake 'em up and get
them talkin'!
MYSTERY PLANE
This month's Mystery Plane photo was provided by
Mike Rezich, 6424 So. LaPorte Ave., Chicago, IL 60638.
The plane originated in the Chicago area and it is not
a one-of-a-kind. Identification will appear in the June
issue of The VINTAGE AIRPLANE.
The February 1982 Mystery Plane was the Continental
GR-1, SIN 1, designed by Michael Gregor in 1930.
It was also known as the Gregor Sportplane. The plane
was powered by a 95hp American Cirrus engine.
Among those who correctly identified the GR-1 was
publisher Jay Miller, Austin, TX who authored an eight
page article with photos and drawings in AEROPHILE,
Vol. 2, No.1, about Gregor's FDB-1 and the GR-l.
Others who identified the plane were Jack McRae,
Huntington Station, NY. Jack said the photo was taken
at Roosevelt Field about 1934. Robert C. Mosher, Royal
Oak, MI included a three-view drawing taken from a
1937 issue of AVIATION, with his letter identifying
the plane.
J. Reid Patterson, Whitewater, WI named the GR-1
as did Dick Geist, Wichita, KS.
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 15
AN OBSERVER AT THE WINGS &
WHEELS AUCTION
By E. E. "Buck" Hilbert
(EAA 21 , Ale 5)
8102 Leech Road
Union, IL 60180
(Photos .by Gene Chase)
"Wings & Wheels Museum .. . Cars and planes from
another time!" proclaim the billboards placed along
the beeline highway and other prominent places in and
around Orlando, Florida. What a shame! Wings & Wheels
is no longer; it has passed from the scene.
The name itself caught the imagination. How could
we help but be curious with a name such as that? I'd
heard the name originally came from an exasperated
school teacher's comment about a certain student of
her time who had nothing but "wings and wheels" on
his mind. He drove her to distraction because he was
forever daydreaming about "wings and wheels." He
never studied and was bound to be an absolute failure.
From this distracted teacher came the theme that stuck
for the rest of his life.
The facility itself was almost too good to be true. It
was a B-52 hangar located at the old McCoy Air Force
installation and about 160,000 square feet of support
buildings including machine shop, auto shop, paint shop,
carpenter shop, hangar workshop, administrative offices
and various other buildings that could be used for library
and storage purposes. Ideal? Hardly the word for it!
These facilities fell under control of the newly-formed
Orlando Airport Authority and in addition to being used
for Museum purposes, there was a CAP unit, an EAA
Chapter, and one Airline also embedded within these
walls at the invitation of the Museum. As a matter of
fact the entire facility was always available for any
aviation activity. The intent was to make the facility
into an "aviation activities center," an all encompassing
headquarters just for aviation and aviators and their
activities.
Many times, the admission fee was waived with the
presentation of his credentials at the door , and the
aviator was given the "royal" treatment. Maybe this
was part of the undoing. I would like to have access to
the guest registers that were in the lobby. Each visitor
was asked to add his name to the list and any comments
he chose to make were also duly noted. There are some
great names in those registers, some of whom came back
to witness the finale.
The make-up of the Museum, with its cars, the pictures,
the lobby and lounge, the tram that carried visitors on a
tour throughout the facility with a narration about each
16 APRIL 1982
of the significant displays was prelude to the movie
presentation "To Fly". Then one could walk about or sit
quietly and ponder the joys of perhaps owning one or
more of the machines or dream of days past when he
did own one like it. The atmosphere was one of restful
contemplation of our aviation heritage and the tribute
we owe to those pioneers who made aviation what it is
today. It was great!
Wings & Wheels closed on the Tuesday after Labor
Day, 1981. The reason was simple. The lease on these
wondrous facilities was to expire December 31, 1981.
The airport authority threw the facility open for bids.
A larger, more lucrative business name bid a figure
some 300% higher than the existing lease. There was
no recourse. The struggle to keep the doors open was
over. The writing was not only written on the wall it
was embrazoned in large green letters! $$$
And so Sunday, December 6, 1981 was set as the day
when the greatest collection of WWI and sport aircraft
of the 30s was to be auctioned. The event was advertised
almost to the extreme. Virtually every name in aviation
was there. Just think of a name ... Ernie Gann? Yep,
he was there. Cole Palen, Louis Casey, you put in the
names, they were all there! Practically every museum
in the world was represented. Canada, Brazil, England,
our National Air & Space Museum, the Marine Corps
Museum, the Crawford Auto & Aviation Museum of
Cleveland - they were all there, as well as the private
individuals hoping against hope that a cherished item
might sell in a price bracket within their means.
This was not to be a "cheapie" nor mediocre auction.
. This affair had class! Admission was by catalog only and
that cost! And the successful bidder had to be "up front"
with the money and arrange transport of the purchased
item within three days. There also had to be paid in
addition to the bid price, a 100/0 premium to the auction
house as well as the Florida state sales tax of 5%.
This, mind you, would add considerably to the bid price.
The first items to go were the odd lots. Items that
came mainly from the storage areas of the museum
that hadn't been suitable for display or were not yet
made ready for display. Items like unidentified antique
wooden propellers, a Westinghouse J-34 jet engine, an
R-3350 run-out, a couple of unfinished homebuilt projects
that had not progressed much beyond the dream stage,
the photo displays of new clippings and data that an
individual had collected over a lifetime. It was all neatly
indexed and arranged in cardboard files. A ready reference
except for one thing: there were no dates or authentifica-
tion ... no hint as to where or when the stuff was collected.
All these items, as well as the WWI engine collection
went in very short order bringing prices that were a hint
of what was to come!
Next came the automobiles. The collection of Model
A's went like wildfire. All I could think of was leaking
water pumps and leaking rear main bearings that made
the clutch chatter. These things were selling for thousands
more than I ever paid for one in my day. I couldn't help
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 17
Famed aviator Frank Hawks slld'es Into the cockpit of his landing near Vega, Texas. This plane Is currently on display
Travel Air Mystery Ship before departing the site of his forced In Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.
(Photo by Walter L. Mitchell)
but feel I'd lost touch completely when a '37 Ford stake-
bed pick-up went for TEN thousand dollars. And then
the Duesenberg Model J went for an astronomical price
followed by the Packard Dual Cowl Phaeton's price that
went into orbit. The man who purchased the Packard
was hopping around like a cat on a hot tin roofprodaiming
what a bargain he'd gotten, and that he had expected
to pay much more than he did.
And then came the airplanes. I looked at my watch.
We'd been there less than two hours and that bloody
English auctioneer had already disposed of sixty-five
lots!
The airplane bidding started slowly, just below mach
one. I had hoped that none of them would go, but they
were snapped up in very short order. The WWI machines
went at what I'd consider bargain prices. Imagine a
Spad VII, no, TWO Spad VIIs, suitable for display only
but invaluable and irreplaceable. A Jenny, an original
Deperdussin, a DH-4, the prototype Thomas Morse Scout,
SE5A, Fokker DVII, Caudron, Pfalz, Farman, a Camel,
Fokker Triplane replicas, a Neuport Replica. The bidders
knew what they wanted and the bidding was crisp and
deliberate.
Then the Waco 9 and lOs, the Robin, the Aeronca C-3,
Commandaire, the lone Porterfield LP-65, American
Eaglet, Heath Parasol, Arrow Sport, Bucker Jungman,
Staggerwing B17, Travel Aire 6000, Curtiss Junior,
Fleet 7, Fairchild 24 and 19, Stinson SM8A, and AT-19,
Travel Aire 12Q, Inland Sport, and an assortment of
basket cases and projects, all of them gone forever. This
pilot had flown some of the planes in the past couple of
years to events around the Florida area. If I'd had even
the slightest inkling that the Travel Aire 6000 would be
worth 100 big ones, I would have been afraid to fly it,
let alone do the dawn patrol at Sun 'n Fun '81.
And so it went, until the last machine was sold. The
big sale was over and done. I was sad, knowing that there
would never again be a collection like this. Even our EAA
Museum, extensive as it is, will never have the WWI craft
like this. I was also acutely aware of what this auction
had done to the value of antique airplanes. My one hope
is that the realist would prevail and the almighty dollar
wouldn't taint the real enthusiasts among us . . . but
I'm afraid it will. Could it be that some of the vintage
planes we've had so much fun with have become such
valuable objects that they can never be entrusted to
flight again?
Editor's Note: This auction was conducted by Christie's
of London,Englandanditattracted world-wideattention.
The February 1982 issue ofThe VINTAGE AIRPLANE
contained a fairly complete listing ofthe aircraft and
prices bid.
A BRIEF MOMENTIN AVIATION
HISTORY
ByWilliam H. Parker
(EAA 163092, AIC6458)
3105AustinStreet
Corpus Christi, TX78404
The year was 1933 in Amarillo, Texas where Walter
L. Mitchell, in his early twenties, was working for Fred
Smith and Harold Carter, owners of the Willard Battery
distributorship in Amarillo. The two owners were both
fliers and they hangared at the old Amarillo Airport
which was operated by Thornton Oxnard. One afternoon
about 5:00 p.m. , Fred Smith came out to the shop where
Walter Mitchell was working and told him to pick up
fifteen gallons of gasoline in three five gallon cans and
put them in the trunk of his Ford.
When Walter arrived with the gasoline, Fred and
Harold got in the car and headed toward the vicinity of
Vega, Texas, 17 miles west of Amarillo. The next morning
they told Walter about Frank Hawks and his "out of gas"
landing in a pasture near Vega with his Travel Air
Mystery Ship. They were astounded because this little
racing aircraft was not meant for off-airport landings.
At Fred and Harold's invitation, Walter Mitchell
went out to the airport to see the famed aviator and hi s
Mystery Ship. Walter had his camera and took a picture,
possibly the only record of this event as Frank Hawks
did not consider a dead stick landing in a cow pasture
such a great occurance and did not want any publicity
concerning it.
After checking the plane over and filling up with fuel,
Frank Hawks took off in a thunderous run and was out
of sight very shortly.
18 APRIL 1982
LETTERS TO EDITOR
DearGene:
I can identify the "Mystery Plane" on page 17 of
the February 1982 issue ofThe VINTAGE AIRPLANE.
Itis a Continental GR-1.
I wonder ifMikeRezich will getthisone? We used to
exchange pictures in the '30s. After seeing his name in
VINTAGE I made contact with him for the first time in
almost 50 years.
Bestwishes,
J. Reid Patterson
(EAA 117339, NC 5041)
P.O.Box 163
Whitewater,WI 53190
DearSir:
The February '82 "Mystery Plane" is a Continental
GR. This particular plane is CN/SN 1. Itwas built by
the Continental Aircraft Corp., 3231 53rd Place, Wood-
side, L.L, NY.
Referringtotheenclosedflyer,therewasaContinental
AircraftCorp. at704E. Douglas,Wichita,KS.Werethese
companies separate entities?
Yours truly,
Dick Geist
(EAA79109, NC6070)
4905 E. Harry,Apt. 115
Wichita,KS67218
Editor's Note: Can anyone answer Dick's question con-
cerning the two ContinentalAircraftCorporations?
DearSir:
I read withinterestyoursuggestionthatsome type of
certificate might be in order to legally maintain our
old aircraft.
I have owned my 1941 BellancaModel 14-12-F3 with
a 150 hp Franklin in place ofthe original 120hpengine,
for 28 years. I do 900/0 ofthe work on it as local FBOs
are not interested in older aircraft nor could I afford
to pay for the amount oftime they would have to spend
inresearchto learn whatto do to the plane.
Fortunately for me I became well acquainted with a
Bellanca specialist when I first bought the ship. He was
very generous in teachingme everythinghe knew about
Bellancas. Overthe yearsI have learnedhow and where
to find partsfor the plane.
I have often thought that we who maintain old air-
craft should have some type of certificate. Many of the
younger generation of AIls and FAA personnel cannot
even identify antique aircraft. Itseems to me thatthose
ofus who own them and keep them flying safely, have
proven thatwe canproperly maintain them.
I hope enough people will be interested in and will
support a move to obtain Repairman Certificates for
ownersofvintage aircraft.
Thanks,
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jack N. Niland
(EAA 108590)
3353 Tanglewood Drive
Augusta,GA 30909
CALENDEROFEVENTS ..
APRIL 30 MAY 2 - STATESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - Annual
Fly-In EM Antique/Classic Chapter 3. Antiques, Classics, Home-
builts, Warbirds and Ultralights invited. Awards and banquet
Saturday night. Contact Geneva McKiernan, 5301 Finsbury Place.
Charlotte. NC 27211.
MAY 2123 - TULSA. OKLAHOMA- Harvey Young Airport '41st
Anniversary Fly-In. Special welcome to ultralights. warbirds.
homebuilts. antiques and classics. Contact Hurley Boehler. Rt. 8.
Box 617. Claremore. OK 74017. Telephone 918/341-3n2 or 918/
835-1900.
MAY 28-30 - ATCHISON, KANSAS - Annual Kansas City Antique
Airplane Association Chapter Fly-In. Amelia Earhart Memorial
Airport. For details contact Bill Hare. 6207 Riggs. Mission. KS
66202.
JUNE ....- MERCED. CALIFORNIA- Silver Anniversary West Coast
Fly-In at Merced Municipal Airport. For information contact Dee
Humann. P.O. Box2312. Merced. CA95344. 209/358-3487.
JUNE.- DeKALB. ILUNOIS - EM Chapter 241 and MST Aviation
co-sponsor Annual Fly-In. Drive-in Breakfast. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fordetailscontact MarlinCrown, 8 1 5 / 8 ~
JUNE1113 - DENTON. TEXAS- 20th Annual Texas AAAlEMFly-In.
For information contact Jack Winthrop, Rt. 1. Box 111. Allen, TX
75002. 214fl27-5649.
JUNE18-20 - PAULS VALLEY. OKLAHOMA- Oklahoma City Chapter
of Antique Airplane Association Fly-In at Paul Vailey. OK. For
information phone 405/321-8042 - Don Keating; 405/392-5608 -
Bud Sutton.
JUNE19- TOMS RIVER, NEWJERSEY- EMChapter3156thAnnual
Antique & Homebuilt Fly-In. 11:00 at R. J. Miller Airport. Refresh-
ments. plane rides. flour bombing contest. aviation flea market.
(Rain date Sunday. June 20.) For information call Lew Levison
201/367-4907.
JUNE 19-20 - FREDERICKSBURG. VIRGINIA - 15th Annual Antique
AircraftFly-Inand AirShowatShannon Airport. "ATributetoSidney
1111 L Shannon. Jr." Antique Aircraft Fly-In Saturday, Airshow Sunday -
wing walker, aerobatics. clown act. sky diving and more. For
information call 703/373-4431.
JUNE 20 - ANSONIA. CONNECTICUT- 4th Annual Piper Vagabond
Fly-In. Ansonia Airport. 80 oct. fuel available. Contact Jim Jenkins.
8HemlockDrive. Huntington.CT 06484.203/929-9814.
JUNE25-27- HAMILTON.OHIO- 23rdAnnual National Waco Reunion
Fly-in. National WacoClub. 700 HillAvenue. Hamilton.OH 45015.
JULY 3-4 - SUSSEX. NEW JERSEY- Flanders Valley EM Antiquel
Classic Chapter 7 and EM Chapter 238 Annual Fly-In. Antiques.
warbirds. homebuilts. and factory machines welcome. Food. hangar
square dance and much more. Camping and lodging upon request.
Contact Dave Sylvernal. President. One Cayuga Trail. Oak Ridge.
NJ 07981 orcall201/697-7248.
JULY 10-11 - ALLIANCE, OHIO - Annual Taylorcraft FlyllnlReunion
sponsored by Taylorcraft Owner's Club and the Taylorcraft "Old
Timers." Factory tours. many activities. Contact Bruce Bixler at
216/823-9748.
JULY 18-18 - ORILLIA. CANADA- Annual Orillia Convention by EM
of Canada. Orillia Airport. 80 miles north of]oronto. Land and sea
plane facilities. camping and motels. Convention UNICOM 123.4.
Contact Bill Tee. 46 Porterfield Road. Rexdale. Ontario M9W 3J5.
416fl42-8939.
JULY 18-18 - MINDEN. NEBRASKA - National Stinson Club Fly-In.
For information contact George Leamy, 117 Lanford Road. Sparten-
burg. SC 29301. 803/576-9698 or Mike Emerson, 3309 Overton
Park E .. FortWorth. TX 76109, 817/924-8647.
JULY18-18- LEWISTOWN. MONTANA- 5th Annual MontanaChapter
AMFly-In at Beacon Star Antique Airfield. For further information.
please contact Frank or Billie Bess. Beacon Star Antique Airfield.
StarRoute. Moore. MT59464. 406/538-7816.
JULY30- AUGUST1- COFFEYVILLE.KANSAS- FunkFly-In.Antiques.
Classics, Homebuilts invited. Contests. trophies. dinner. Contact
Ray Pahls. 454 Summittawn. Wichita. KS 67209. 316/943-6920.
evenings.
JULY 31 - AUGUST 7 - OSHKOSH. WISCONSIN - 30th Annual EM
Fly-In Convention. It's never too early to start making plans for the
world'sGREATESTAVIATION EVENT.
AUGUST 8-8 - SHELTON, WASHINGTON - Sanderson Field. Second
Annual Antique. ClaSSic and Warbird Fly-In sponsored by the
Puget Sound Antique Airplane Club, EMAntiquelClassic Division
9. ArriveonFriday,PublicDisplaySaturday,dinnerSaturdayevening.
Fly-a-way breakfast on Sunday. For information contact Fred C.
Ellsworth. 17639SE 293rd Place. Kent, WA98031.206/631-9117.
AUGUST 8-14 - SAN ANTONIO. TEXAS - International Cassna 170
Association Annual Convention. Contact John D. Benham. 12834
Dovetail.SanAntoniO. TX 78253.
AUGUST 9-14 - FOND DU LAC. WISCONSIN - Annual International
Aerobatic Club Championships and Convention. Contact lAC. P.O.
Box229. HalesCorners. WI 53130.
AUGUST22 - WEEDSPORT. NEWYORK- AntiquelClassicand Home-
built fly-in sponsored by Chapter 486. Whitfords Airport. Pancake
breakfast, airshow. Field closed 1-5. Intermission for early de-
partures. Contact Herb Livingston. 1257 Gallagher Road. Baldwins-
ville. NY 13027.
AUGUST 2729 - ARLINGTON. WASHINGTON- Northwest EMFly-In.
Homebuilts. classics and antiques. Camping. meals. forums.
exhibits. awards and fun. For information contact Dave Woodcock.
206fl47-2748.
(ConUnuedon Page20,
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 19
AIC NEWS ...
(Continued from Page 4)
MORE GREMLINS
Joe Brancik (EAA 78069) is not from Addison, MI
as ment ioned on page 7 of t he January 1982 issue of
The VINTAGE AIRPLANES. He's from Milford, MI
and we apologize for having inadvertently " moved"
him some 75 mil es. J oe is one of the tal ented arti st s
whose works have appeared on the back covers of EAA's
SPORT A VIA TWN.
TYPE CLUB LISTING
Each year we publish a currentlist ing of Type Clubs
and other aviation organizati ons in a Fall issue of
The VINTAGE AIRPLANE. During April we will be
sending out forms to be updat ed and returned to us for
organizations who wish to be listed again. Newly formed
groups who would like to be listed should contact us,
providing t he foll owing information: Name, address
and phone number of the organizati on and the contact
person; frequency of newsletter , ifprovided; and amount
of dues, ifrequired. Send information t o Pat Etter , The
VINTAGE AIRPLANE, P.O.Box 229,Hales Corners, WI
53130.
ETCHED PLATES
SerialPlates Decals
Medalions Sill Plates
Instruments
PHOTO SCREEN CO.
1509) 922 2774
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(Continuedfrom Page 19)
SEPTEMBER 2-8 - TULLAHOMA, TENNESSEE - 2nd Annual Ole
South Fly-In. Parish Aerodrome, Soesbe-Martin Field. Saturday,
Parade of Flight ; Sunday, Air Show. Camping. Contact Jimmy
Snyder. President, Tennessee Valley Sport Aviation Association,
Inc., 5315 Ri nggold Road,Chattanooga,TN 37412.615/ 894-7957.
OCTOBER 1-3 - CALLAWAY GARDENS, GEORGIA - International
Cessna 120/ 140 Association, Inc. Annual convention and fly-i n.
For info contact Charles Wilson, 567 Forrest Ave.. Fayettevi lle,
GA 30214.404/ 461 -6279.
ANTIQUE AIRCRAFT AND PARTS ESTATE
AUCTION
BUZZARD ROOST AIRPORT. 19 MILES EASTOF
TULSA.OKLAHOMAON HIGHWAY 33
Watch ForSigns
Saturday.April 24. 1982
Open for viewing Friday.Apr il 23. 10 a.m.to 5 p.m.
Regl.lrellonforbuyer.,9e.m. Aucllon.Iert.el10e.m.herp
Lunch Served Terms Cash
ANTIQUEAIRCRAFT
1932 B14 B Curti ss Wrlghl Speedwlng. compl elely rest ored. Needs as
sembly onl y. Wrlghl R-975 440 hp engine. Only one of its kind left in
U.S. (t o o ur knowl edge). Built aft er Travel Ai r merged wi th Curti SS
Wri ght of St .LOUIS.
1932TravelAir0 4000.Serial 11' 1323.Needssome repairon twowi ngpanels
and landinggear Lycomi ng engine.
1941J3 Cub Aircraft st i li airworthy. Has clown paint job and Conti nental
65 hpengine.
AIRCRAFT
1965 Cessna 180w/ Ki ng KX 175. Narco Mark 12A. Burt ''"Aut opi lot .Narco
AT 50 Transponder. radi Oswi tch kit. alt . encoder. marker beacon, full
panel . full IFR panel. 2958 hrs. n .Compl ete IFR engine ti me si nce
remanufact ure. 413 hrs.Good mtenor. full pai nt job.
PARTS
Antique G.E.aircraft l ow frequency radio- Compl et e Travel Air 2000panel
TOOLSAND SHOP EQUIPMENT
(Too many to list )
AIRCRAFT ENGINES
A75-8F Chrome majored.OSMOH 2 Lycomi ng radial R680engines
2 ContinentalA65 Cases 5Wright R975engi nes disassembled
PROPELLERS
Hami lton Standard groundadiustable. for J5 Wright w/ keyed shaft
2 metal McCauley fixed pit ch props
2 wooden65 hppr ops
Large Fahlin wood prop
Ant ique prop appears to be for large water cooled engi ne. Never been
drilled.
HerbH.rkcom;Ealllte - M.bethG. H.rkcom;Executrix
BO,,:.H J A... U I L... ... loll.
RANK & COLIN BASS Mo... ' .. n.. 9 flYIng .. U(;f.on....
IF I! A'lInu, Soutn ManUn.. PI'one 406
..............
..... . '" .
'ii.i
MEMBERSHIPINFORMATION
Membership In the Experimental Aircraft Association. Inc. is $25.00 for one year . $48.00 for 2 years
and $69.00 for 3 years. All include 12 Issues of Sport Aviation per year . JunIOr MembershIp (under 19
fAA
years of age) IS avalfable at $15.00 annually. FamIly MembershIp IS available for an additIOnal $10.00
annually.
EAA Member - $14.00. Includes one year membership In EAA AntIque-ClassIc Division. 12 monthly
Issues of The Vintage Airplane and membershIp card. Applicanf must be a current EAA member and
must gIve EAA membership number.
ANTIQUf-
NonEAA Member - $24.00. Includes one year membershIp In the EAA Antique-Classic DiVIsion. 12
CLASSIC
monthly Issues of The Vintage Airplane. one year membership in the EAA and separate membershIp
cards. Sport Aviation not included.
lAC Membership i n the Internati onal Aerobatic Club, Inc. is $20.00 annually which i ncludes 12 issues of
SportAerobatics. All lAC members are requi red to bemembers of EAA.
WARBIRDS Membership In the Warbirds of Ameflca. Inc. is $20.00 per year . which i ncludes a subscflptlon to
Warbirds Newsletter. Warbird members are required to be members of EAA.
MembershIp In the EAA Ultralight Assn. IS $25.00 per year which Includes the Ultralight publicatIOn
ULTRALIGHT ($15.00 addI tional for Sport Aviation magazine) . For current EAA members only. $15.00. which Includes
Ultralight publicatIOn.
FOREIGN MEMBERSHIPS: Please submit yourremittance WIth a check ordraf t drawn on a United States
bank payable In Umted States dollars oran International posfalmoneyorderSImilarly drawn.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO EAA OR THE DIVISION IN WHICH MEMBERSHIP IS DESIRED.
ADDRESS ALL LETTERS TO EAA OR THE PARTICULAR DIVISION ATTHE FOLLOWI NG ADDRESS.
P.O. BOX229- HALES CORNERS, WI 53130- PHONE(414) 425-4860
OFFICE HOURS: 8:30- 5:00MONDAY-FRIDAY
20APRIL 1982
WEAR the IMAGE
in an Antique/Classic jacketand cap
Send CheckTo:
EAA ANTIQUE/CLASSIC DIVISION, INC.
P.o. Box229 HalesCorners, WI 53130
WORLD WAR 1

WORLD WAR I AEROPlANES. INC. is a tax-UlIIIPt non-pro1'it orqlni-
ZIti on 1'ounded in 1961 to bl"ing toglthll" buildl". rata"".
and hlstonans 01' pr-e-1919 uroplanu; and to
Mice availabll to. th_ in1'o..-tion about pal"tS. dMlwings. whole
ail"CMl1't. and all till books and tKhniquu wll1ch would bl 01' us.
to tIIa.
We won closlly witll 1llUS8\IIS. libl"al"ies. collecto". designe".
histonans. supply-housu. buildl". pilots. and othel" aviation
orqaniutions and joumals. We aMI tile only orqanintion to
duI soleIy witil the design and constl"Uction 01' thesl machines
WIll and pr-e-WIII as ...11.
To these ends ... pubIi sh OUI" joumal. WORLD WAR I AEROPlANES.
flv. tiNS a YUI" 1'01" s_800 tllroughout til. wol"ld. and
conduct a suIIsUntial in1'ormation sll"Vice by mail and telephonl;
...maintain an up-to-date 1'11e 01' both anginal and reproduction
ail"CMl1't all OV.I" til. wol"ld (till,.. a,.. 5_700 01' till formal" and
s_900 01' til. lattal"!).
Th. orqaniution hu opeMltld fro. til. beginning on voluntary
contnbutions 1'01" pnnting, postage, telephoning. photogMlphy,
feu; and ... 5.11 back issuu. xerox copies of eal"ly ail"CMl1't and
engine manuals and woning dMlwings. and appropl"iatl advDrtising.
Salllpli issue SJ.
15 CRESCENT Re., PoUGHKEEPSIE,N.Y. 12.E.ol
FLYINGAND
GLIDER MANUALS
1929, 1930,1931
1932, 1933
2.50 ea.
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:
EAA Air Museum Foundation,Inc.
Box469 Hales Corners, WI S3130
Allow4-6 Weeks For Delivery
Wisconsin Residents Include4% Sales Tax
THE VINTAGE AIRPLANE
ADVERTISING RATES
DISPLAY RATES:
1 Issue 3Issues 12 Issues
1Page $150.00 $145.00 $125.00
1/2Page 90.00 85.00 80.00
1/3Page 80.00 75.00 70.00
1/4Page 60.00 55.00 50.00
1/6Page 50.00 45.00 40.00
1/8Page 40.00 35.00 30.00
Ratesarefor black and whitecamera-readyads.
LayoutWork:$22.00 perhour.
CLASSIFIED RATES: Regular type per word 40c. Bold Face
Type: per word 45c. ALL CAPS: per word 50c (Minimum
charge $6.00). (Rate covers one insertionone issue.)
COMMISSIONS:Non-Commissionable.
Jacket: Unlined Poplin jacket, features knit waist
and cuffs. The gold and white braid trim on a
Tan body emphasizes the colors proudly dis-
played in the Antique/Classic logo.
Sizes: X-small thru X-large
$28.95 ppd
Cap: Complete the look in this gold mesh hat
with contrasting blue bill, trimmed with a gold
braid. Your logo visibly displayed, makes this
adjustablecap a must.
Sizes: M & L (adjustable rear band)
$6.25 ppd
Allow4-6 Weeks ForDelivery
Wisconsin Residents Include4% SalesTax
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 21
CLASSIFIED ADS
ACRO SPORT - Single place biplane capable of un-
limited aerobatics. 23 sheets of clear, easy to follow plans,
includes nearly 100 isometrical drawings , photos and
exploded views. Complete parts and materials list. Full
size wing drawings . Plans plus 88 page Builder's Manual
- $60.00. Info Pack - $4.00. Super Acro Sport Wing
Drawing - $15.00. Send check or money order to: ACRO
SPORT, INC., Box 462, Hales Corners, WI 53130. 4141
425-4860.
ACRO II - The new 2-place aerobatic trainer and sport
biplane. 20 pages of easy to follow, detailed plans . Com-
plete with isometric drawings, photos, exploded views .
Plans - $85.00. Info Pack - $4.00. Send check or money
order to: ACRO SPORT, INC., P.O. Box 462, Hales Cor-
ners, WI 53130.414/425-4860.
POBER PIXIE - VW powered parasol - unlimited in
low. cost pleasure flying. Big, roomy cockpit for the over
six foot pilot. VW power insures hard to beat 3V2 gph at
cruise setting. 15 large instruction sheets. Plans - $45.00.
Info Pack - $4.00. Send check or money order to: ACRO
SPORT, INC., Box 462, Hales Corners, WI 53130. 4141
425-4860.
WE'LL BLAST CARBON, PAINT, RUST FROM YOUR
PARTS OR AIRCRAFT. CALL OR WRITE: B & V CRAFTS,
8981 MAHONING AVE., NO. JACKSON, OH 44451. 216/
538-2855.
Aeronca C-3 1933 "Razorback". All original including
Fresh E-113 engine and prop, currently licensed and
flying - black fuselage with orange flying surfaces - a
real beauty. Sell outright or trade for biplane. 8131
322-1666.
BOOKS FOR VINTAGE AIRCRAFT BUFFS. Out-of-print
and current. State specific needs. Catalog $1.00. John
Roby, 3703B Nassau, San Diego, CA 92115.
Antique Aviation items for sale - Original 1910/1950.
Memorabilia and ephemera - Forty page catalog air-
mailed, $5 - Jon Wm. Aldrich, Pine Mountain Lake Air-
port, P.O. Box 706, Groveland, CA.
FOR SALE: Stinson Model 10 with 80hp Continental.
About 80 hours since complete rebuild of airframe and
engine. Always hangared. Please write for details. Joe
Kasper, Aircraft Conversions, 2100 5th Avenue NW,
Minot, ND 58701.
AVAILABLE BACK ISSUES
1973 March through December
1974 All Are Available
1975 All Are Available
1976 February through May, August through
December
1977 All Are Available
1978 January through March, August, October
through December
1979 February through December
1980 January, March through July, September
through December
1981 - All Are Available
1982 - January through March
Back issues are available from Headquarters for $1.25
each, postpaid, except the July 1977 (Lindbergh Com-
memorative) issue, which is $1.50 postpaid.
Classic owners!
Interior looking shabby?

Finish it right with an
aiFtex interior
Complete interior assemblies for doityourself installation.
Custom Quality at economical prices.
Cushion upholstery sets
Wall panel sets
Headliners
Carpet sets
Baggage compartment sets
Firewall covers
Seat Slings
Recover envelopes and dopes
Free Catalog of complete product line. Fabric Selection Guide
showing actual sample colors and styles of materials: $3.00.

I I
t - .,::r VISA
Qlr exproducts, inc.
-
259 Lower Morrisville Rd. , Dept. VA
Fallsington, PA 19054 (215) 295-4115
A story of one of the true pioneers of aviation who until
now has remained largely unknown to the general public.
Harold F. Pitcairn, a Philadelphia native, pioneered the
early air mail , forming his own air mail line. He designed
and manufactured his own mail plane, the now famous Pitcairn
Mailwing. The Pitcairn Aviat ion air mail line eventually evolved
into Eastern Air Transport and then Eastern Air Lines.
In the late 1920s, Pitcairn began work on the development
of rotary wing aircraft and his autogiros became a common
sight throughout the eastern part of the country. The de
velopment work in rotary wing aircraft done by Pitcairn and his
group has been recognized as advancing the introduction of
the practical helicopter by many years.
This book has over 175 photographs with three-view draw-
ings and specifications of all of the aircraft manufactured
by Pitcairn.
Retail price - $25.00
Limited pre-bookstore offer - $21.00
Plus PA Sales Tax
Stephen Pitcairn
Jenkintown Plaza
Jenkintown, PA 19046
22 APRIL 1982
VISIONS OF
AGOLDEN
AGE
The launch of the Space Shuttlewas a
sight beyond anysuperlatives. Itis
todaysgesture thatwill eventuallylead
mankindtoliterallyreachoutandtouch
thestars. Therewasatimenotlongago
thathelpedpointthewaytoLaunchPad
39.Thegeniusanddaringofthebuilders
and pilotsofthe 1930'sexemplifies
mans eternal desire for discovery and
adventure.
Myfather, Mr. C. B.Kramer, was in his
youth during theseyears. All his lifehe
hashadaloveforairplanes. (Hepartici-
pated in 39bombingmissionsin theAir
ForceduringWorldWar11.) Whenhewas
about14yearsold,hestartedphotogra-
phing airplanes. He is now64 and still
transformsintoateenagerwhenheisat
an airshow.
Weproudlypresenttoyou asmallpartof
his photographiccollection. It includes
many famous aircraftfrom the National
Air Races. We also have many military,
commercial, and privateaircraftphoto-
graphs from the 1930's. There is no
doubt that this was a classic period in
aviationhistory,thatsomeofussawfirst-
handandallofuswill loveforever.
Thankyou,
Pete Kramer Clarence B. Kramer
EAA 130604
AUTOMOBILE & AIRCRAFT
SPECIALTY PHOTOGRAPHS
Aero-
Visions
205 E.KEHOE
CAROLSTREAM,ILLINOIS
60187
~
A LAIRD-TURNER-14 B HOWARD'S MR. MULLIGAN
C ROSCOETURNER 0 BUCKER JUNGMEISTER
Great effort has been taken to produce the highest quality
photographicenlargementsfrom ratherold negatives. Each
print is uniquely mounted and placed on a neutral fabric
background and put in a(9
3
/4" X 14W' ) pewterfinish frame,
readytohang. Theprofessionalmannerinwhichtheseprints
are presented,gives them the look befitting a fine piece of
artwork.
CLASSIC BEAUTYAND HISTORIC VALUE
DAVIS V-3 BOEING XB-17 STINSON MODELA
TRIMOTOR
FOCKE WULF STOSSER BOEING P-12 BOEING P-26
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE BLACK AND WHITE, MOUNTED,
FRAMED,PACKAGED AND DELIVERED...$46,00 EACH.
OPTIONALSEPIATONE PRINT,..$3.00 EXTRA.
WEDELIVERUPSONLY.. ALLOW30 DAYS
INCLUDEYOURSTREET ADDRESS FOR DELIVERY
NAME______________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________
CITY_____________STATE___________ZIP_______
QUANTITY PHOTOGRAPH
VINTAGE AIRPLANE 23