Pre-Cover Assembly is complete and we are into cover this week on N44JP. A new Stringer cage has been built, is being painted OD green, will go back on the fuselage and cover will commence on the fuselage next week. This airplane has been totally stripped to the bone and brought back up. It's going to be one fresh Stearman. We have completely gone through the landing gear and installed Red-Line Brakes. The tail wheel assembly is all shiny and new as well. This will be a very stock, original airplane with correct markings. With N44JP and N966CD into cover and paint the paint booth will be VERY busy over the next month!
We're pleased to report that since delivering N5ZP to its home, the owner has put 11 more hours on it, 60 landings and all is well! He seems to be really enjoying the airplane. Here are a couple of photos from the photo shoot two weeks ago. To really appreciate the shade of blue used you need to see the airplane in person. It is a very deep insignia blue that appears almost black in photos. Exactly what the owner described when we were picking colors. You'll have a chance to see this beauty in person at the WACO fly-in at Mt Vernon and of course EAA at Oshkosh. We look forward to seeing you there. Thanks for checking in!
Thought we would share a couple of photos of a Great Lakes that was restored by RARE Aircraft Ltd. Classic Waco is reviving the Lakes and has been using this aircraft as their show example. Perhaps you saw it at the Waco Classic Display at Sun & Fun. Its good to know it's still out and about. We've restored four Great Lakes'. Nice little airplane with gentle manners. I always tell folks it handles just like a Super Decathlon with twice the drag and the wind in your hair. Next week we'll share some updates on out current projects. Thanks for checking in!
An informal walk around of N5ZP the latest Waco by RARE Aircraft. This Waco is an instant classic with its paint scheme yet modern with lots of custom details. Classy with a touch of race! We have scheduled the air to air photo shoot for the end of this week. Look for some great pics coming up on the main site next month. Come by the Vintage area at Oshkosh this year and check it out in person! We also hope to have it at the National Waco Club Fly-in in June as well.
Bill Hamsa, a happy owner of his new Carbon Cub SS sent us a couple of photos yesterday from an outing. Looks like Bill got together with the other Carbons in the area and went out to play! Thanks for sharing the photos Bill!
The attached video walk around is of Bills airplane that we previously posted. Carbon Cub sales are strong this year, factory production slots are already full through September. Once you see the quality and experience the ultimate performance Cub on the planet its easy to understand why. Thanks for checking in and have a great day!
N966CD is getting some color this week. Dan shot the Doyle signature color on N966CD's tail feathers yesterday. All went well. Its fun to be doing something different!
We're also building up a fresh set of wings using the Big Sky kit with the four aileron conversion. We should be putting these wings in cover in a little over two weeks. As things come together we'll be sure to share some more photos.
Waco QCF s/n 3540 was certified for service by the factory on July 10, 1931. It had been commissioned by Miss Georgina P. Yeatman of Cheastnut Hill, PA. Records show that it was delivered to her that date by distributer, Wings Corp., Blue Bell, PA.
The Original registration number was NC-11455. Upon acquiring title to the aircraft in 1990, the owner found that this umber was assigned to another aircraft and not available. A similar number, NC-11457, also originally assigned to a Waco, was reserved and assigned to the airplane.
The aircraft was purchased from noted Waco historian Marion "Curly" Havelaar in 1990, along with a small handful of original parts. Mr. Havelaar procured the aircraft from the last owner, Mr. Roy M. Lamoureaux of Casper Wyoming.
Work began on the airplane in fall 2004. It was recreated throughout that year and completed October 2005. This airplane is as close to new as possible with ALL new wood and no stone left unturned during the restoration process.
The airframe has literally been remanufactured to new but original standards. Original parts were used whereever possible, and what had to be fabricated was done precisely to original Waco factory prints.
The spirit of the restoration has been to keep the original appearance of the airplane as a sincere representation of its 1931 persona while bringing it operationally into the new millennium. In order to display the 1931 originality:
1. The paint Style selected was that of original factory style for the aircraft. 2. The instruments were restored to original. 3. Installation of the Hamilton Standard 5131 Propeller, which was original to the type, the Curtiss-Reed had not yet been certified nor is legal on this aircraft per the TCDS. 4. The fuselage is gas welded as originally done. 5. Stainless steel hardware was used wherever possible. Other hardware was re-plated to clear (silver) cad plate as used in 1931. Cottered nuts wherever possible. 6.Original Pioneer pitot/static mast used. 7. Original new/old stock grimes lights installed with true green lens on the right vs. later plue green.
We did a walk around video of the airplane posted below. There are photos of it on our home site under featured restorations under the WACO heading. Thank you for checking in!
