A line up shot of inventory at RARE Aircraft Ltd in 2003. How many WACO's can you count in this picture?

A Pair of Stinsons

We dove into our next two full restorations this week, two Stinsons. One is a SR-8B which will end up a C model powered by a R-680 Lycomming. The other is a V-77 what will have a R-985 Pratt and Whitney up front. The SR-8 will be complete first and will call Brazil home. With the V-77 fuselage completely stripped and ready for a make over you can see the SR-8 next to it in the photos. Having three Stinsons total in house (one airworthy) and rumor of another on the way is like having a herd of elephants to care for!

N966CD Stearman Update

For those of you following the progress on the Doyle Stearman you may have noticed it's been quiet on the update side of things. A build up to a finale perhaps.....
BIG things to come after the holidays.

Thanks for checking in!

Custom 450 Stearman #2 progress

More progress this week on Custom 450 Stearman #2. As you can see, the paint and trim is very similar to the ZPF-7 we produced last spring. However, we are using different trim on the Stearman which will better compliment it's lines. We're getting very close to completion on both. Lots of things in pairs around here lately. Next, a pair of Stinson Reliants! Also coming down the line will be a Taperwing and UPF-7. The temps have dipped and snow has fallen which leaves nothing to do but, build airplanes!

Standing Proud

The Doyle Stearman is on its feet and standing proud. With the majority of the firewall forward complete its time to get the gear, sheet metal and cowling in order.

N966CD Doyle Stearman Progress

Lot's of progress firewall forward in the past few days. Show smoke, fuel injection, inverted oil, inverted fuel all custom built. Seeing a hose order go in yesterday and the cowling come downstairs tells me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It won't be long and you will see this bird on its feet and standing proud. Stay tuned! Thank you for checking in!

Custom 450 Stearman #2 paint

The recover and paint on the 450 Stearman #2 is going great! The guys have put the pedal to the metal and have made some serious progress. The fuselage gets color today and trim on Monday. By the end of next week it will be going back together.

Doyle Stearman Update 11/17

Now that all the big pieces are in place lots of engineering and fabrication is taking place to accommodate the "custom" part of the Doyle Stearman. We are designing, fabricating and installing an inverted fuel and oil system. Thankfully we're getting by on this one with help from our friends. A huge thank you to all of you out there that are chipping in. The goal is to have a continuous inverted oil system. Another aspect to this build is the fuel injection system. A custom plenum was fabricated yesterday as well as the oil cooler mount and its air plenum. As all you other builders out there know, it's not just about getting the part(s) to fit, they all need to get along and perform!

Custom 450 Stearman #2

We have another custom 450 Stearman in the shop right now. It's in for new wings, recover and repaint. It's moving along nicely and should start going together soon. Posted are photos of the cover and paint process. It's going to be insignia blue and cream similar to the ZPF-7 we finished at the beginning of the year. We'll share some photos once it goes into final assembly.
Thanks for checking in!

Stinson SR-8E

We're pleased to offer this beautiful Stinson SR-8E. Please visit our home site for more details.
http://www.rareaircraft.com/StinsonNC-16164.htm

Stearman 6CD Progress.

More progress on the Doyle Stearman! The wings and controls are all rigged and ready. Now for the fresh engine install. Inverted systems, fuel injection and show smoke are on the menu. Chuck can't imagine being all shiny and loud without some upside down smoke action! Thanks for checking in.

Stearman Progress

Last week the wings went on 96CD and were rigged. More photos to come as things move along. Thanks for checking in!

Rolling the Stearman

A few years back the guys made a clever rotisserie for fuselages while in build up and paint. They used an electric ATV winch motor, chain and sprockets to power the rotisserie. SO.....before we started to mount the wings I couldn't resist trying Chucks competition harnesses out.

Stearman Progress

Its go time!

Stearman Paint Progress

More progress on the Stearman. Its still early in the week! More to come....